"pops... POPS!!!" Aria screamed and jumped into his arms, tears instantly streaming down her face.
Connie's eyes widened, backing up and going to the backyard to get Monica and Micah. her father rubbed her back soothingly. "it's okay baby, i'm home."
"Derrick?" Aria got down and turned around to see her mother, shaking her head in disbelief. Micah stood behind her. "you're home?"
"not for long, but i haven't seen y'all in years! i begged my boss off for a couple of months." Derrick walked up to her. Monica tried to kiss him but he dodged it going towards Micah. Aria took note of this, watching Monica look hurt in the face.
"look at you now man, all grown up. you're at least 18 now right?" Micah made a stank face.
"i'm 15 dad. Aria is 22." Micah muttered.
Derrick played in his small fade. "oh shit... that's right. well i missed you all so very much."
"how'd you know we was here?" Aria asked.
"seen your mom's text." Derrick replied.
Monica rose a brow. "oh so you can read my text but not reply back or answer my calls?"
"Mon, not in front of the kids. i drive 24/7 when i'm not sleeping, i can't use my phone on the road. now where's the fam?" Derrick moved past Micah and went outside.
Aria smiled. "i can't believe daddy is back."
Monica bit the inside of her cheek. "i can't either. baby are you ok? you didn't seem excited?"
she asked looking towards Micah. "i don't know how to feel. i mean we haven't seen him in 5 years mama, i feel like i barely know him."
"well... let's start." Monica smiled, hugging her son and walking outside.
Aria walked behind them, instantly looking around for Connie who was playing basketball with her cousins. she smiled walking up. "why'd you run? scared to re-meet my daddy?"
Connie chuckled. "nah i'd just figure that you guys would want some alone time."
he dribbled the ball twice and pulled up, the net making a swish sound.
"hm. well cmon and meet him." Aria said, grabbing his hand.
"Aria are you crazy? your dad probably knows about two years ago! i cant do that..." Connie said hastily, dropping the basketball as she pulled him. 'strong ass'
she stopped in her tracks and looked at him. "and everyone else doesn't? cmon Con, i think i know my dad."
"you sure?" he rose a brow.
Aria shot him a confused look. "what the fuck do you mean you sure?"
"i mean... mama the man has been out of your life for years? i'm just making an observation." Connie spoke truthfully. he knew how people could switch up after years, him being an example.
"you don't know that... you sound stupid." Aria let go of his hand.
Connie put his hands in up surrender "ok baby but i was just making a point. you don't have to get angry."
