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Nia Brown New York City, New York
"I'm Naire, this is my girlfriend Sakina and our daughter, Ebony." Naire introduced herself, they were currently at Chuck.E.Cheese with Julie and Nia.
"I'm Julie!" The little girl replied excitedly, waving specifically to Ebony, who waved back with a gummy grin.
Their food arrived, Julie watched her show in Nia's phone while Ebony watched her iPad as Naire fed her. They were sat on a different table so that Sakina could explain Julie's situation to Nia, Sergio's background check was finally completed.
"Julie and Salvador, they're not blood-related at all but they did share the same foster parents." Sakina began to explain while Nia tried to hold back her tears, she still couldn't get over what happened with Salvador.
"From what we can gather, the foster parents get kids and abuse them so Salvador ran away and took Julie with him. They ran away when he had just turned 14 years old and Julie was only a couple years old." Sakina continued, she tried not to say too much because she feared that Nia would break down in public.
"So when Salvador was suicidal, that must've been why." Nia whispered to herself, he'd run away right after talking to her and decided to create a whole new life for himself.
"They survived through Salvador selling drugs, amongst other things. I'm guessing that the Latin Kings found out that they were runaways and have been using that as leverage against Salvador. Telling him they'd call Child Protective Services and send Julie back if he didn't do what they said." Sakina continued after taking a deep breath, even she was struggling to cope with this information.
Looking back to when she'd met Salvador at the party, it was clear that he was doing everything against his will. He didn't have ill intent towards Kentrell or Zion, it was all for Julie. His foster sister, the only family he had.
"All Salvador was trying to do was protect Julie, this whole time." Sakina said finally.
"We've got enough evidence for abuse and I can get my family lawyers on this but it's up to you what you want, Nia." She reached her hand out to touch Nia's hand, trying to comfort her.
"I'm sorry, Nia. Salvador was indeed trying to better his life, he just got caught up with the wrong crowd and was clearly exhausted with life. Imagine, he raised Julie while he himself was a child." Sakina said softly to Nia, leading to her crying.
She cried in her hands, wiping her tears away only for new ones to roll down. Sakina sighed and sat beside her, hugging her.
"I want Julie. I want to take care of her. It's the least I could do for Salvador." Nia suddenly said, her voice was muffled and she was sniffling.
Sakina pulled away, "Are you sure? That's a huge decision."
Nia nodded, "Do what you have to do. I can't let Salvador die for nothing. He can rest in peace knowing that she's in safe hands."
Sakina nodded before hugging her again, "You're a great person, Nia."
Nia smiled sadly, her eyes trailing to Julie who was laughing at whatever she was watching. Her eyes looked like half-moons when she laughed and she had the cutest dimples, Nia had never felt so sure of anything before.
Of course, the main issue was coming. Telling her that her brother was dead.
-XX-
"You said our daughter back there." Sakina said to Naire as they drove back home, gushing about it.
Naire glanced at her, "Did I? I must've done it cuh it felt natural."
Sakina burst out into a big grin, feeling Naire's bigger hand grip her thigh while heard Ebony giggle at her show. She didn't understand how Leanne could leave these two behind but it was okay. Sakina never wanted to understand. She was just happy that they'd found their way to her.
"Oh, my mom wants you to come over for dinner." Sakina revealed, fixing her hair as she stared into the mirror.
"Really?" Naire asked, stoping at a red light.
"Mhm, I was meant to tell you last week but you was busy so I made up an excuse. We have to go this weekend though." Sakina said to Naire, who nodded nervously.
"Don't be nervous, they already love you." Sakina chuckled, reaching over to give a peck.
-XX-
"Naire! Sakina! Ebony!" Makena squealed as she descended down the stairs that led to the driveway, she had her arms open before she embraced her youngest daughter, then hugging Naire.
"It's so good to finally meet you!" She smiled, then bent down to wave at Ebony then proceeding to blow her a kiss, Ebony tried to copy her but failed cutely, which only made Makena more smitten.
"How old is she?" She asked Naire.
"Two years, she's gonna be three in a month." Naire grinned as she spoke, looking down at her dresses up daughter.
Sakina had dragged them all out to go shopping and bought them the most expensive clothes because she wanted to impress her parents. Naire's whole outfit cost more than what her rent was this whole year, she couldn't stop Sakina from over spending.
"Come in. Come in." Makena beckoned them in, her heels clicking as she went up the marble stairs and the three girls walked behind her.
Naire was nervous, to the point where her hands were shaking but when Sakina held her hand, she felt herself calm down slightly. Her eyes widened when she walked into the mansion.
From the servants, to the architecture and everything else. Naire could see that Sakina had truly been raised in a whole different world from her, this was next level. They followed Makena to the dining room and all sat in their allocated seats, they'd even bought a high chair for Ebony.
As 'Moonlight Sonata, Part 1' by Beethoven played in the background, they were all served their starter and that's when Curtis arrived and behind him was Lenora and her fiancé, Cyrus.
Sakina's grip on Naire's hand tightened, feeling the room become tense within the split of a second.
