Ms. Fallon

Love & Basketball

Alex POV
Christmas Day

Christmas is a late day according to Ariyah. Everyone is out doing activities and last minute cooking. So us staying in bed to rest is fine. She told me they don't do gifts because Alani hates her kids spending their money on anything but necessities. She values just spending time with her family. And no one has complained since they don't have to look for the 'perfect' gift every year.

"Here baby." I say getting a velvet bag out of my suitcase and handing it to Ariyah who is reading in her nook by her window.

"Baby, I said no gifts. You don't need to spend money on me." She says whining.

I shake my head. "I know baby but you got me something so I wanted to. Just this one time please?" I pout.

She rolls her eyes smiling and opens the bag and pours out a silver diamond necklace. "Baby its beautiful. You really did not need to spend your money on this." She said as I put it on her.

"Yes because I love spoiling you even if you are the one with all the money." We kiss passionately.

"Well soon it'll be our money baby. But still, this is the last gift. I don't like them. You are all I need. Ok?" She says and I nod reluctantly.

"I'm going down to shoot some hoops baby." I say as I put on shorts and hoodie.

"Ok baby. Dinner isn't until 7, so you have time to do whatever you want. I'll probably go get a massage with the girls while you're gone." She says and I nod and kiss her bye.

I get downstairs and outside. It's quiet and the air is brisk for a Texas winter but it feels good. I shoot around until I'm fatigued and sit down on the court to call Isiah. He went home for Christmas with Malin.

"I was almost thinking you forgot about me." He says sarcastically as he answers the FaceTime.

I laugh. "No just been speanding time with Ariyahs family. It's really nice Sai." I say.

"Well they'll be your family soon."

"True. And I can't wait. So how'd you take the 'news'?" I ask him knowingly.

"I fainted." He said and I burst out laughing. "What? Your long time best friend and now girlfriend tells you she's a trained assassin in the mafia with your boss and you don't freak out?!" He exclaims defensively.

I shake my head laughing. "I didn't. It's cool Sai. I even wanted to be a part of it." I say honestly.

"No surprise there. What did Ariyah say about that?"

"She said no. It's demanding and she'd be worried about me. Understandable honestly I wouldn't want her worrying about me anyway. It was a cool idea though."

He nods. "Well good, because I'd be worried too. I'm happy for you sis. You're happy. You're in love. I couldn't be more proud of you." He says and I start crying. I swear she's made me more emotional.

"Thanks Sai. Don't think i don't notice the same for you and Malin. I'm proud of you too." I say smiling.

He blushes. "Thanks." I hear our mom yelling for him to come downstairs. "Gotta go. I'll tell everyone you said hi. I love you Alex."

"I love you too. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." He says and we hang up. I take a breath and soak in the view of the lake and mountains and trees behind it.

"It's nice isn't it?" Jonathan says sitting beside me. I nod. "It's one of the things I miss on my 'tours'. You're lucky you have a woman like my cousin to keep you grounded. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do and I love that I get to do it with my wife but eventually we want to settle down. We're always on the move it gets tiring. I do sometimes wish I didn't decide to commit myself to it."

"So why did you?" I ask.

He shrugs. "Purpose. I was a bad kid. Getting into fights, drinking, drugs. My dad brought me into uncle Joseph's office one day and no one is allowed in there unless business is being conducted, so I knew it was serious. They gave me the choice to fix it myself or get into the business. I still to this day don't believe I would've been able to do it myself. So ever since l, I've been clean and my anger gets let out through assholes who deserve it. And of course I met the most beautiful woman I've ever known." He gushes.

"How'd you meet?"

"She was a victim to a target. I saved her from his hand. Literally he was choking her to the point of unconsciousness. Her ex husband. She immediately wanted in. And we've been the it couple known around the world amongst other assassins ever since."

"Holy shit. I can imagine it's tiring. When do you think you'll stop?"

"New Years. I'll be talking to Joseph and Alani. I already discussed it with Mikayla and I have the say so on wether she stops as well, she's ready to have a family." He says and I've only just now realized there's no kids running around the house. Makes sense to not want to bring children in the world if you won't be around.

I nod. "I'm glad. And you have my future congratulations when you do have a child Jonathan." I say with a sincere smile.

"Well thank you. Have you and Ari talked about kids?" He asks.

My eyes go wide. "Uh no. It hasn't come up. I don't even know if she wants any." It's not a bad thing I haven't even thought about it myself.

"Do you?"

I shrug. "I'm not sure honestly. We're both busy individuals."

He nods. "That's very true. Well you should talk about it. Just to make sure. It's not to pressure you." He says and I nod. We start talking about random things and playing a couple of games and eventually the girls come back from their spa day and come outside telling us to get ready for dinner.

"Thank for listening Alex." He says as we walk in. I nod and smile.

"Hey you." Ariyah says as I walk in wrapping my arms around her with my curls stuck to my face from sweat and my jacket off. "You do know that my sister and cousin still might have crushes on you right?" She says with a fake serious tone.

I laugh and take her lips. "Well they can look baby but you are the only one allowed to touch." I say guiding her hands up and down my sweaty torso. She moans into my mouth at the interaction.

"Shower baby. We need to be ready for dinner." She says breathless.

I smirk and lift her up bridal style. "Then let's go shower baby." I take us upstairs as she giggles.

A/N JUST SOME CUTE FILLER WITH THE GUYS OF THE STORY WITH SOME BACKSTORY OF JONATHAN