Terminal 1

Flowers and Lights of Honor

Three days later...

"Mama...Nooo." "Iyonna, you gotta put on your party dress baby." Fatima utters exhaustedly. 

Iyonna whimpers then starts to cry, rubbing her little eyes with the fists of her hand. "Ok, Ok, you win. We'll take a nap first then party later."

Fatima kissed her forehead, then picked her up from the bed. 

She had to admit that she was also tired considering the sexcapades that her and Zac went through after his proposal at the airport, then preparing for him to leave for basic training in four days, on top of, preparing for Iyonna's first birthday party, and a quick wedding.

Knock, knock, knock

"Come in." Fatima yells back softly, giving Iyonna a small bounce and pat on the back to put her to sleep. 

"Hey Baby Girl." "Hey Momma." "You ok?" "Yeah, just tired." Fatima replied with a sigh. 

"That's understandable. It's a lot going on all at once." Beverly said, sitting down next to her.

"Momma..." "Fatima, before you start. Have you talked to Zac?" "I have." "Ok, Go." "I'm just nervous. He's leaving, wants to get married, adopting Iyonna, our living situations...." "Fatima, calm down baby, you're panicking..." "Am I?" Fatima sighed rapidly.

"Take a breath." She coached, as she started to breath deeply for Fatima to mimic.

She does, which makes Iyonna even more calm. 

Fatima takes her pacifier from the night stand giving it to her.

"Are you better?" "Yes." "Now I get it. Change can be confusing, hard, unsure, chaotic, and stressful," "Tell me about it." "However, what is one thing you know for sure?" she asked.

Fatima thinks for a moment and smiles. "I know that I love him." Fatima declared.

"Good. What else?" "And that he loves me." Beverly smiled, "Keep going..." "We love our little family and how we communicate with each other and the open honesty." she ended.

"And those are all great things baby. Because I promise you, communication in any relationship is viable to longevity." "Yeah that's what everyone is telling us..." "And I'm going to stop you right there." Fatima gives her mother an inquisitive look, "Because your relationship is YOUR relationship Fatima." she told her sternly.

"Now I will say that as parents, your father and I want the best for you." "I know." "With that being said, I apologize..." 

Fatima quickly interrupts, "Momma, honestly there is no need to apologize for trying to protect me from Donovan. I was being stubborn and hardheaded but I thank you for letting me fall on my own." "It was really hard to do that considering what we went through with your sister." "I know. But I'm glad I got out when I did." "I'm glad you did too baby but please remember. Your don't always have to discuss your relationship with your friends or even family. And only get advice from people who went through it with triumph in the end. You can listen but do what works for you and Zac. Not what works for anyone else." Beverly advised.

"I will Momma and thank you." "You're welcome." She replied giving Fatima a side hug.

"Now with being said. I get that your nervous about the life changes presented to you. But the choice is ultimately yours and Zac's. What did he say he wanted to do?" "He told me he's ready for whatever but I know he seemingly wants to wait." "Ok. What about you?" "I want to wait but I don't. Which is why I'm so confused.." Fatima sighed.

Beverly takes a breath and asks, "Why do you want to wait?" "Everything is so rushed." "Will it change anything if you waited?" "No," "Will your love for him change if you "rush"?" "No." Fatima repeated, "I'd still feel the same way about Zac whether we..." Fatima smiled trailing off.