The Brothers

"Jr, dad's gonna be here any minute, are you ready?" Aaliyah asks walking into his room.

"Yes ma'am." He says quietly. "How long till dad gets here."

"He text me earlier and said he's on his way. He had to stop by work first."

"He's not gonna have to work while we're gone, right?"

"Well, he's gonna be checking on the club and that's it. The rest of the time is devoted to family time."

"Yes! I can't wait to see grandma."

"She can't wait to see you. You haven't seen her since you were really little."

"HELLO, ANYONE HOME?" They both hear Colin as he comes through the front door. "Hey, y'all ready?" He asks as they walk to the front of the house.

"Yeah, bags are all packed."

"Let's go then.

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They finally touchdown at George Bush Intercontinental and after renting a truck to use for the week, then head to Colin's mother's house.

"I know my mom bout to ask a thousand and one questions when we walk in." Colin says as they pull into the drive way.

"Like..."

"'Why haven't you been down here to see me?' And I'm gonna say I've been busy, then she's gonna say 'What is it at work that stops you from taking a couple days off to see me. I've seen Odell, Luke and Cam more than I've seen you. Why are you still not married yet." He says imitating his mother's voice.

"Yeah, that sounds like your mom."

"Mhhm." Colin nods.

"Just answer them as best as you can. She knows where your heart is." Colin never told his mother about his other life, because if he did, she'd kick his ass and ask questions later.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." They hop out the car and Colin opens the door to the house. "Mom." He calls out. No answer.n

"Is she here?" CJ asks.

"I guess not..let me call her." Colin says pulling out his phone.

"Hello."

"Hey ma. Where you at?"

"On my way home from work. Have y'all landed already?"

"Yeah, we're at the house."

"Okay...I'll be there soon. I have to stop by the store and get some things for dinner."

"Okay...get some sour patch kids while you're there."

"Really?"

"Pleaseee? Get a few packs."

"Bye boy." She says before hanging up.

"Really? Sour patch kids?" Aaliyah asks.

"Yeah, you know how much I love them. Jr loves them too." CJ nods.

"So how long till she gets here?"

"She'll be here in a little while."

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Almost an hour later, Colin's mother finally walks in the house.

CJ gasps. "Grandma." He says running towards the door. "Grandma!!!" He says giving her a big hug. She can't hug back due to the groceries in her hands.

"Hold on baby, let grandma go put these in the kitchen."

"Okay. I'll help you." He says taking one of the bags. He goes for the heaviest ones.

"Thank you. Such a young gentlemen." Once they get to the kitchen, she gives him a big hug. "You're getting big on me."

"That he is." Colin says as he and Aaliyah walk into the kitchen.

"Are my eyes deceiving me, or is that my handsome son?"

"It is." He says walking towards her to give her a hug.

"Welcome home." She says quietly. "And I can't forget my beautiful should be daughter in law." She says giving Aaliyah a hug. "Mom."

"What? She was one of the only real relationships you've ever had and I got a beautiful grandson out of it. I should have a granddaughter by now." Colin blankly stares as she rants on. "And I still sense some chemistry." She says eyeing them two.

Aaliyah shakes her head. "How are you doing, Ms. Jada?"

"I'm doing good, scratch that, I'm doing great."

"Still working at the hospital I see." Colin notes.

"Of course."

"I send you enough money to pay for basically anything you need, and yet you still continue to work."

"Chief nursing officer is nothing I can really give up, Colin. I need to help people. If I sat at home all day, I'd go crazy."

"I guess. What's for dinner?"

"Pasta." Colin nods. "So are you guys staying here while you're in town?"

"No. We're gonna stay at a hotel."

"Why? I have more than enough room."

"Mom, we don't want to intrude." And he also doesn't want to have sex under the same roof as his mother.

"Nonsense. You're staying. I'm at work most of the time anyways."

"Yes ma'am." Colin says.

"Would you like some help?" Aaliyah asks.

"Sure. We can catch up and you can tell me everything my son doesn't."

"I tell you everything."

"Yeah, sure you do."

"Come on Jr. Let's go find something to get into."

"Actually, I have plenty for you to do. Go outside to the shed grab a ladder and the ceiling fans can use a good cleaning. I haven't gotten to it yet."

"Yes ma'am. Come on Jr."

Colin had a feeling his mother would give him work to do. He figured that's probably why she insisted on them staying.

Later that night after getting CJ showered and in bed for the night, Colin and Aaliyah find themselves cuddled in bed after they've showered.

"What you and my mom talk about today?"

"Nothing you should be concerned about. Just typical girl talk."

"Mmm."

"I'm serious. She did ask a few questions but I went around them."

"Man, I swear my mom would probably never talk to me again if she knew. My dad flipped when he found out, ain't talked to him since. I lose my mom over this bullshit, I'd lose it myself."

"Don't worry. I know your mom, and even if she did find out, she'd be upset, but she won't leave your side like your dad did."

"How are you so sure?"

"I just am." She says crawling on top of him.

"Aaliyah, don't do this. Not in my mom's house. These walls are thin."

"Do what though?"

"You know exactly what you're doing." She giggles. "Nah but on a serious note, my mom got me thinkin....when you gone give me a daughter."

"If I'm gonna pop out another baby, I need to be married."

"But you already know how I feel about you. I love you, I'm in love with you, and you know we can't have a wedding right now."

"We also don't need to bring a baby into this right now either." Colin sighs. "You remember the name we picked in case I had a girl?"

"Of course I remember. Aakeelah Marie."

"I was so hoping it was a girl. You wanted a boy so bad."

"Yup and now I want my baby girl. And you're the only person I want her to come from....you have some good ass genes." Colin jokes.

"Really." She hits him on the chest. "That's the only reason."

Colin giggles. "Well that's like a third of it. The other two-thirds is because I'm in love with you, and I know I'm gonna marry you when it's all said and done."

"Let's talk about it later, and just enjoy this little trip. Okay?"

"Okay."