Winter's Love

•Chapter 35: The Best Love (Epilogue)

"Naseem, Trinity, Keelan, Kaylin, and Kaleb" Qasim yelled, fixing his tie in the mirror.

A lot had changed since Qasim and Honey had gotten married. Naseem and Trinity had entered high school. Dealing with two raging hormonal teenagers was a nightmare. The triplets were entering into third grade and thick as thieves.

"Pop, tell Kay to stay out my room bothering stuff" Trinity yelled, thumping Kay's forehead.

Kay's bottom lip quivered, and Keelan and Kaleb attacked their older sister. Seem walked in, pulling the three of them a part.

"Trinity, you need to grow up. The three of them only look up to us and they emulate what we do. That's why I stopped arguing about them being in my room." Naseem explained, patting her back.

Naseem learned earlier on, that it was easier to accept their inquisitive natures than to turn them away.

"Trinity, you need to apologize to Kaylin" Honey announced, walking out of the bathroom.

"Why mama? Y'all never make that spoiled brat apologize to me"

"We do, when she does something wrong. Just apologize Trin" Qasim stated, backing his wife up.

Trinity sucked her teeth, and looked down at her little sister. It wasn't that she hated Kaylin, she loved her to death. And she knew that Kaylin tried hard to be like her, but she was the ultimate failure for a role model. Bending down to Kaylin's height, she hugged her sister.

"I love you Munchie. I only want you to be better than me. That's why I'm always so mean to you" Trinity explained, kissing all over Kay's face.

Just like that, Kay had forgiven her big sister for her previous actions.

"Alright, we're going to be late for dad's graduation. Let's go people" O announced, clapping her hands.

Once the kids were out the room, Qasim pulled O into him. Kissing her forehead, and then her lips.

"You look absolutely stunning, but calm down baby. I should be the nervous one since I have to give a speech. Everything is fine" Qasim explained, patting her ass.

O smiled, and kissed Qasim pulling away so they could make it to the front door.

*******
"Ma, I'm proud of Pops" Naseem stated, once they'd gotten their seats.

"Why?" O questioned, but she partially already knew the answer.

"Pop gave up on a lot, but you helped save him. You helped dad realize it was more to life than being in the streets. God gave us all a second chance at life together. The trips were our blessings on getting it right the second time around."

O stared at Naseem. He'd be sixteen in a couple more months and he amazed her everyday. She thought Mia not being there would cause a strife in their home, but he wrote his mom from time to time, talked to her on the phone, but he refused to visit her still.

Qasim decided to go back to school to get his degree in business and management. He wanted to spend more time being a father, than fixing on people cars. He loved being a mechanic, but it felt like his home life was taking a back burner. That all would change with his degree.

The kids, and Honey helped him with homework, late night studying, and papers. They were all proud of their father. They wanted to see him excel at everything. Qasim was graduating with honors, and at the top of his class. Trinity tapped her mom shoulder to get her attention.

"Mama, pop pop about to say his speech"

Honey looked up and caught eyes with her husband. He blew her a kiss, and winked. Liese, Kay, and the kids all gagged, as the audience awed. Qasim cleared his throat, and looked at his section of family and friends. Seeing his mom, made his heart swell. This one was definitely for the both of them. Clearing his throat, he spoke into the microphone.