stay around.

THIRTY TWO / Grass Aint Greener

A bunch of more ATV rides, swimming with the dolphins, lounging at the beach, moonlit dinners, boat rides..

You name it.

The honeymoon spent in Greece was so short lived that it was hard for both Steph & Alyssa to leave it behind.

But of course, they missed their girls terribly so coming home became all that mattered.

Stepping off the plane at Oakland International Airport, Alyssa took in a deep breath of bay area air and smiled to herself.

Home.

She loved every once of Greece, but this was home.

"Ah there's mom and the girls!" She said as she waved the car down. Steph took charge of throwing the luggages in the back trunk while Alyssa hopped in a showered their twins in a bunch of kisses. "Oh my goodness, I missed you girls so much!!" She said in between smooches.

"Hey hey hey, what about Daddy?" He said, hopping into the van and quickly giving the girls their smooches. "Aw I missed you two so much." They grabbed at Steph's face, making him plant more kisses on their faces.

On the way home, Alyssa shared their stories in Greece with her mom and explained about all the goodies they had bought for the family. She hopes that one day she can take her mom to Greece and give her a break from reality too. It was such a great place to take a breather and get away from everything.

"Damn, finally. Home sweet home." Alyssa said as she plopped on their bed, with Stephen trailing behind with their luggages.

"Tell me about it. Let's take a nap."

"I'm down for a nap.. after I shower though."

"Let me join."

"No, Steph." She chuckled. "My mama is still here."

"Okay and Mama know we married and did the nasty and popped out some twins!"

"I can't. Let me have my me-time."

"Me-time, huh?" He chuckled. "We-time."

"Hush." She said as she grabbed some comfortable clothes and hopped in a quick shower. After 15 minutes, she tied her hair into a wet bun and headed out into the room seeing her husband already knocked out in the bed. She smiled to herself and crawled in, Steph immediately wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.

Thank God for Mama and the help she provides with watching the twins when she knows the couple is tired.

She wanted to play with the twins so bad but jetlag was already killing her and she couldn't fight it.

It was like she fell into a deep sleep.

For all of 5 seconds.

When her phone rang and woke her up.

"H-hello?"

"Alyssa."

"What's up Tati?" She was surprised Tati wasn't home when they got here but at the same time, she knew she would be with Draymond.

At least, she wouldn't know where else she would be.

She paused. Alyssa could hear her breathing.

"Tati?"

"I-i.. uh."

"What?" She was becoming impatient with the way she was acting. "Where are you?"

"Dray's."

"So what's the problem?"

"Hassan, Alyssa. He's back."

"W-what?" Alyssa shot up in bed, jolting Stephen awake.

"Baby, what's going on?" She put her finger up to shush him for a bit.

"What do you mean, Tati?"

"I don't know, I don't know. But Dray and I are coming soon."

"Okay, please hurry."

"I will." And with that, the call ended.

"Something doesn't feel right, Steph."

"What? Why? What's going on?"

"She said Hassan was back. But it didn't seem right." As Alyssa explained the weird call to Stephen, Tati carefully placed her phone down in the cupholder and looked back straight onto the road in front of her.

She couldn't breathe. She couldn't move. She was afraid to do anything.

Or else, he'd do it.

"Did you tell them you were coming?"

"Y-yes." She gulped.

"Good." Hassan chuckled, holding the gun to her head as he drove the car. "It ain't over till I say it's over."

—-

MY FELLOW READERS! This is the end of Stay Around.

BUT! I am ending it this way for a reason - I have decided to make a spin off focusing a lil more on Tati and Dray. But Steph, Alyssa, Sheri, Klay and alla thems will still be a part of it.

So please! Continue to show some love on this book and my other books. And I'll drop that spin off sooner than you know it ;)

I love you all. Thank you for all your support throughout everything!!

STAY TUNED!