The Plug's Daughter

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The Plug's Daughter
Chapter 32: Welcome Home
Houston, Texas

Omniscient:

The wheels hit the tarmac with a soft thud, and the girls all exhaled in unison.

"Finally!" Keisha groaned, stretching her arms. "I thought we was gon' die in that lil' ah plane seat."

"I know right," Mariah added, yawning. "My legs still numb."

"Y'all dramatic asf," Zori chuckled, adjusting her hoodie.

Alazhá just smiled quietly. She wasn't focused on her cramped legs or tired eyes her mind was locked on Romani.

As they walked through the terminal, dragging their luggage behind them, Alazhá's eyes started scanning the crowd.

"Where he at?" Zori whispered with a teasing grin.

"Girl, shut up," Alazhá muttered, but her eyes kept searching.

Then she saw him.

Romani was standing near the exit, looking fine as ever black Nike tech fit snug against his frame, a pair of icy chains glinting under the airport lights, and a fresh braids that had him glowing. In his hand was a big ol' bouquet of roses.

The second their eyes met, they both started walking faster.

"Aw shit, here she go!" Keisha laughed.

"Go 'head, sis!" Mariah cheered.

By the time they reached each other, Alazhá dropped her carry-on and melted into his arms. Romani's arm snaked tightly around her waist, pulling her close as they shared a slow, passionate kiss the kind that made her toes curl. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, fingers lightly grazing the back of his neck.

"Damn, girl," Romani muttered against her lips, pulling back just enough to look at her.

"You missed me, huh?" she teased, breathless.

"You already know," Romani smirked, holding up the roses.

"Awww," Alazhá grinned, taking the bouquet and giving him another kiss. "You missed me real bad."

"Real bad," Romani chuckled.

Romani greeted the rest of the girls like they were family.

"What's good, Mariah?"

"Boy, you know I'm good," she laughed. "Now hurry up and load this luggage. My feet screamin'."

"Aye, you talkin' crazy," Romani joked, grabbing her suitcase and tossing it in the trunk.

Once the car was packed, Alazhá slid into the passenger seat. Romani reached over and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers with hers.

"You good?" he asked softly, glancing at her with concern.

"Yeah," she nodded. "Just tired."

"Bet," he said, giving her hand a squeeze.

The whole ride, Romani kept stealing glances at her, smiling every time their eyes met. They whispered back and forth about Bali, giggling over inside jokes while Keisha snored in the back seat.

When they finally pulled up to Romani's crib, Storm Romani's chunky bulldog was already posted up by the door, wagging his tail like crazy.

"Awweee storm, you missed your mommy!" Alazhá squealed as soon as she stepped inside. The dog practically tackled her, licking her face and spinning in circles.

"He love him some you," Romani laughed, grabbing her suitcase.

"Because I'm his favorite," she grinned, kissing Storm's head before heading to the kitchen.

The second she turned the corner, her eyes widened.

On the kitchen island sat a cluster of heart-shaped balloons, one that read 'Welcome Home' in bold letters. Beside it was her favorite cake red velvet plus her go-to snacks and a chilled bottle of her favorite drink.

"Boy, quit playin' with me!" Alazhá squealed, spinning around and leaping into Romani's arms.

"Yeah, I know how to treat my girl," Romani grinned as she kissed him all over his face.

"I love you, I love you, I love you!" she giggled between kisses.

"Damn, I must be that guy," Romani smirked, spinning her around before setting her down.

After snagging some snacks from the counter, they headed to the bedroom.

"I'ma hop in the shower real quick," Alazhá said, grabbing her towel.

"Bet, I'm sliding with you," Romani smirked.

"Boy, you just wanna be nasty," she teased.

"You know me," Romani grinned, following her into the bathroom.

Later, both of them were sprawled out in bed, smelling like eos lotion, watching Love Jones. Alazhá had her head on Romani's chest, playing with his fingers as she told him all about Bali from the beach club fiasco to Keisha's mystery man.

"Y'all was turnt for real," Romani laughed.

"Too turnt," Alazhá muttered sleepily. "I'm glad to be back, though."

"Me too," Romani said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Soon enough, Alazhá's breathing slowed, her hand falling limp against his chest as she drifted off to sleep.

Romani's POV:

Romani was just about to knock out himself when a notification popped up on Alazhá's phone. The screen lit up with a DM from some dude named Jay.

Curious and lowkey protective Romani tapped the message.

Jay: "Aye you back in Houston yet? I had a good time wit y'all in Bali. I'm tryna see you again when you touch down. Don't leave me hangin' lol."

Romani scrolled up. The chat went way too far back for his liking  flirty messages, heart emojis, and jokes that clearly had some meaning behind them. His jaw clenched tighter with every word he read.

"Man, what the fuck?" he muttered under his breath, his blood starting to boil.