The Compromise

1.

"Are you guys here yet?"

Toni trailed behind the older woman hastily, pushing one carry-on on each side of her. The woman wore a leather backpack while pushing a stroller with a little boy next to her wearing a Marvel backpack. She currently spoke on the phone with her Air Pods as she strode down the terminal.

"At Terminal B," she disclosed on the other end. She went silent for a couple of seconds before speaking again. "Okay, please find one. We're on our way to baggage claim," she huffed.

Toni rolled her eyes. Judging by the conversation, their folks were probably searching for a parking spot.

The little boy turned around and walked up to Toni; they were only a few feet apart.

"Teetee... I have to pee," he revealed.

Toni furrowed her eyebrows in puzzlement. "What? KJ, did you not pee on the plane? I could've sworn you peed on the plane!" She exclaimed.

"Well, I tried to– but when I went in the bathroom, it stank," KJ spoke honestly.

His Teetee sighed. "You can't hold it for just one more hour?" She tried convincing him, but KJ just wrinkled his nose at her. The woman was already off the phone and heard the small exchange. She stopped in her tracks to look at the other two.

"Kamiyah needs her diaper changed, anyway. We have time to stop by the restroom," she assured.

"Mariah, are mom and dad not here yet?" Toni questioned.

"They're here. It's just really crowded in the parking lot."

The quartet went to the nearest restroom. KJ wanted to go to the men's room by himself like a big boy, but of course, the girls did not agree with it. He was six going on seven, and Mariah would be damned before she let her son out of her sight in such a busy place.

After taking care of their business, they headed down to baggage claim, where they instantly recognized two older people standing on the other side. KJ immediately ran up to them while Toni and Mariah continued to walk at their own pace.

Rayna and Cordell rushed to hug four of their babies. It's been over a year since they've seen their daughters and grandkids.

"Aw, look at my girls" Cordell grinned once he pulled away. "You two have grown so much."

Their parents took a minute to capture the beauty of both their creations. Toni and Mariah could have been twins if they were the same age. They had many of the same features, like their smooth deep complexion and big pouty lips. Their long curly lashes complemented their brown almond-shaped eyes. Despite Toni being taller, you still could tell that Mariah was older than her. Mariah had a more developed body and child-bearing hips. Toni grew some curves over time, but she was more petite.

"You visited us a year ago," Toni laughed. "And it's not like you guys don't face time us almost every day."

"But this is different," Rayna bubbled. "You guys are physically here with us, and this time– nobody has to leave." She wasted no time seeing how much the newest addition had grown.

"Kamiyah, do you see grandma?" Mariah cooed to the toddler excitedly.

Little Kamiyah was one year old, turning two during the summer. The last time Rayna and Cordell saw her, she was just a tiny infant.

The grandparents couldn't help but feel overjoyed. Five years ago, Rayna, Cordell, and Toni left Long Island and moved to Atlanta, while Mariah stayed with her son and fiancé. Many changed within those five years, making Mariah officially move to Atlanta. Now, the family could make up for the lost time.