ꜰᴀʟʟɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ. | ᴛᴀʀᴀꜱɪᴀ

time.

fantasia's pov | house search.

i went searching for a house big enough for my kids and me the second i got to houston. before that, i went and got myself a new phone and a business phone. i just want a fresh start. i deserve it.

i ended up finding a 4 bedroom home. she just told me to sign off on a few things. i can say im officially and proudly say im a homeowner. working wasn't on the list for me simply because i didn't need to. i just needed to be with my children all day, every day, and every second. i don't know what im gonna do when they go off to school, probably cry.

i took them to the park for a couple of hours and went back to tarajis mother house. they told me i could stay there for as long as i needed, but i tried to make my stay short simply because although they're welcoming me and my kids i can tell they haven't forgiven me yet and it's very uncomfortable being there when i know taraji hates my guts now and she has every right to. i knew what the consequences of me leaving would be. im just not comfortable enough to talk about what happened yet.

i got them both a happy meal and drove to my destination.

paula picked up paisley, and greg picked up halo. i couldn't help but smile.

"hey, can i talk to you guys for a second?"

"sure ill take them to the playroom and be right back with you two."

"tell me, how are you doing?"

"um, well, not my best. i can assure you that. i smile, but behind it is hurt and pain. ill be ok, though, you know..."

"no, but what i do know is that you won't be okay if you don't talk to someone about what's going on behind that pretty smile of yours. keeping that in is only gonna make things worse than what they already are. heal for you and those babies. i have a number i want you to dial when you're ready she's a great therapist, and she'll help you overcome whatever is going on in your life."

"ok, ill take it."

i put the number in my phone and saved the contact. greg came back in and sat down. the attention was on me, so i just started talking.

"i just wanted to tell you guys that im moving. i've been searching for houses since i touched down in houston, and today, i got approved for one. it'll take a few days for us to move in because my furniture is being moved from boston to here as we speak, so it'll take time. will us being here for a few more weeks be okay with you both?"

"really fantasia? you know when i said stay here for as long as you needed, i meant that. you and the twins are always welcomed here."

"its stupid. im sorry. i just feel like im a burden to everyone, especially taraji."

"have we said that?"

"no, but it's just a feeling of mine, or maybe i just feel guilty about the way i handled things, so i think everyone around me hates me. i haven't even been to see my parents yet."

"it wasn't the right way to handle things,  but hating you never once crossed our minds. well, it's never crossed mine, i can't speak for greg and taraji."

"its never crossed mine either. things could've been handled a lot differently, but it's happened, and there's no coming back from it. however, i do feel like you and penda should sit down and have an adult conversation."

"ill do that if she's willing to talk to me."

"you'll have to ask her and see what she says."

"wait, what? me?"

"you guys aren't kids anymore. you can communicate very well so yes you're gonna talk to her on your own."

"okay ill do it. if she says no, then what?"

"you keep trying until she says yes."

"okay."

later that night. i put the twins to bed and glanced at them before i went to lie down. one or both of them are gonna get up and sneak into that pantry. it never fails. pai pai drags halo into things, and he just goes along with it.

i woke up and looked down, and like i thought both of them were gone, and it was almost 6 in the morning. i put my slippers on and silently called out to them.

every light was off except for the tv light in the living area. i walked in there and saw them sleeping...on taraji. paisley was sleeping on her chest, and halo was sleeping with his feet on her forehead. there were fruit snacks, cookies, and juices on the table and floor. i cleaned it up and grabbed the blanket, throwing it over them. i wiped my teary eyes and went back into the room to lay down.

i assumed everyone was up because i heard commotion in there. i took a shower and did my routine before i went to find everyone.

"goodmorning, sleepy head." paula spoke.

"goodmorning, everybody. hey babies." i spoke back and kissed my kids on the forehead.

"mommy, i eat." paisley said with a mouth full of pancakes.

"yes, but don't talk with a full mouth, baby."

halo was sitting on taraji slowly falling asleep.

"good morning, everyone. why is he so sleepy? did he not get any rest?" greg asked as he laughed at halo, falling over.

"nah, i walked in, and he was up at five in the morning stealing snacks from the pantry along with pai pai." taraji said and smiled. pai pai, that's cute.

"hey um could we-" she cut me off before i could even finish.

"i gotta get to the gym ima see yall later." she kissed the top of the twins' heads and walked out.

i looked over at paula, and she raised her eyebrow. i followed her outside.

"taraji"

"what?"

"could we talk when you have time?"

"we ain't got shit to talk about." we have a lot to talk about, actually.

"just hear me out, please."

"no" she backed out of the driveway and sped off. im not giving up any time soon.

ion b knowing wtf to put as the title ... 😬