The Blaze Before Dawn

Seventh year

7 years later

I sat on the porch as I watched my three kids play kick ball in the yard and as I held my new baby boy July.

"Tommy that's not fair it's my turn!" RJ cried

"You being a cry baby!"

"I'm telling mommy you making up new rules!" RJ said

"No I'm telling first!" Tommy said

"I'm telling mommy that y'all arguing!" Ryann said

I smiled as my babies bombarded me snitching on each other

"Ok so Tommy baby you can't make up new rules to the game ok? And RJ love you can't get mad and cry every time you lose. Use losing as motivation to be even stronger. And Ryann honey always try to get your brothers to see eye to eye and try to mediate things. Understood everybody?"

"Yes..." they all mumbled and ran off playing again in the yard laughing and forgetting what they were just fighting over. I was so happy my children were innocent and didn't have to see what Rome and I seen. Looking at the three kids in the field and the baby I was holding, this was happiness and joy.

"RJ you kicked the man!" Ryann said

I noticed a man holding the red ball the kids were playing with. I immediately went down to the man.

"Sorry about that my kids are just playing Around."

He smiled, "it's ok. I see you got some soccer players over here."

"Actually football old man." RJ said

I shot a look at RJ and looked at the man

"I'm so sorry feel free to just pass on by."

"no need to apologize. Your children...they're beautiful."

"Thanks."

"The oldest one...the boy is he mixed?"

I looked at the man sideways

"no. Have a nice day." I said. That man was a little weird and I never seen him around before.  I quickly convinced the kids to play in the backyard instead

When Rome got home from work I started to tell him about it but I didn't wanna worry him so I left it alone. Me and my kids stayed up watching movies and I showed them the movies I liked as a kid.

"Mommy you were a kid before?" Ryann asked

"Duhhhhh!" RJ said

"Yes I was a little girl just like you Ryann. I liked to play with dolls, play dress up, ride my bike and jump rope."

"Will I grow up to be pretty and nice like you mommy?" Ryann asked.

I smiled and hugged her, "you're already beautiful and nice. You're already just like mommy but...even better." I said looking into my daughters eyes. I can see her sweet heart through her eyes. I hoped the world doesn't taint her like how it did me and everyone around me.

Rome came and sat on the couch with us and wrapped his arm around me.

"Daddy you like this old people cartoon too?" RJ asked

"Are you calling me old RJ?" Rome said smiling and I jokingly rolled my eyes because I know this is the time he starts play fighting with the boys and they did and they tore the living room up. Looking at them fighting and playing my heart warmed up. I was certain I was gonna spend the rest of my life with Rome. Our marriage isn't perfect and we have our ups and downs but he's my best friend and our bond is on a spiritual level. 7 years of peace and growth. 7 years of Rome working hard to put us in this big house in a nice neighborhood and 7 years of watching my kids grow and get smarter and smarter.

"Who wants ice cream?" I asked and everybody said "meeee!" Including Romes childish ass.

"Alright I'm gonna go get some from the store under one condition. I want all of you to clean your rooms and make them nice ok?"

"Ok mommy!" Ryann said then I kissed her cheek and she ran into her room. Tommy and Ryann listened with no hesitation but see my son RJ...

"I'll do it right now!" Tommy said. I hugged him. Tommy was a great big brother and son. He was so helpful with July and everything else. Tommy came from an evil man but he was so sweet and so loyal to his family. Through my hard times, I had him and he's the reason I'm even alive. One day you'll understand my baby.

I had to practically con RJ into cleaning his room.

I love you give mommy a kiss."

"No mommy I don't kiss girls!"

I chuckled. "Well mommy is content with just a hug." I wrapped my arms around RJ who was missing his two front teeth. I rubbed his head. "Have your room cleaned when mommy gets back ok? Then I'll take you to the arcade tomorrow." I kissed his forehead.

"Yay! Okay mommy I promise it'll be clean!"

I smiled. Rome held 6 month old July as he sat on the couch. I softly kissed my baby's cheek then Rome.

"Let's go visit my name baby." He said

"What you mean?"

"Open that envelope on the table."

I walked to the table and opened the white envelope and two plane tickets to Rome fell out of it. I jumped up and down in excitement then hugged my husband tight.

"Just me and you babe." Rome said

I kissed him multiple times on the cheek

"Oh my god baby thank you I'm so excited!"

Rome smiled at me. I'm so lucky to have this amazing and thoughtful person in my life. I couldn't wait to go to Europe

I quickly grabbed ice cream from the store and walked back to my car when I heard a "hey."

I turned around and my stomach felt funny. This was the same person the kids kicked the ball at. Something wasn't right. I quickly pulled out my pistol that I kept hidden on my waist. I haven't had to grab it in years until now. I pointed it his way. I used to shamefully kill for a living so I knew when a threat was near.

"Who are you and what do you want?" I asked

"That's a big tool for a sweet house wife like you."

"Speak up or I'll have your brains on this concrete." I warned

"I'm just a friend of Santiagos."

"W..what.." my heart dropped

"He misses you Blaze."

I felt an intense stinging pain in my neck and immediately collapsed.