The Brothers

"Kaepernick." One of the guards says standing outside of Colin's cell, waking him up out of his sleep. Colin sits up, wipes the sleep out of his eyes and walks over to the bars of the cell.

"Yeah."

"You're a free man." Colin smirks.

---------------

"CJ, wake up." Aaliyah says bursting through the door of his room. It's Thursday morning, the morning of his birthday.

"Mmmm"

"Get up kid."

"I don't want to." He says pulling the cover over his head. Aaliyah walks over and lays on top of him in an annoying fashion and starts singing happy birthday. "Thank you." He says as she finishes, with the blanket still over his head.

"I can't believe my baby baby is 16." Here she goes. He thinks to himself. "My handsome prince. It seems like it was only yesterday you were just being born. It was the best day of my life." CJ smiles. "And now you're 16...with a little girlfriend." Cj quickly peaks out from underneath the cover.

"What?" He says.

"Boy I wasn't born yesterday. Don't think I haven't noticed how much you like going to the store with me now...just to go see that lil fast tail girl." CJ rolls his eyes and pulls the cover back over his head.

"She's not my girlfriend."

"Oh yeah, then what is she?"

"My friend." He didn't lie. They were friends, but after that party, they got closer, and text each other just about everyday, but his mother didn't need to know that.

"Sure she is...now get your butt up. I made you a birthday breakfast. Hurry and get up."

"Okay I'm up."

"Good. I'll see you downstairs." She says before planting a kiss on his head.

Ten minutes later CJ makes his way downstairs. "Dad hasn't called yet?"

"No not yet."

"That's weird. He's usually like the first to call." CJ says looking at his phone, checking the rest of his messages.

"I'm sure he will soon...so this list you gave me. That Ducati you wanted was a no go."

"Whyyyyy. Do you know how badass I'd be if I had a motorcycle?"

"Too dangerous. Maybe when you're 18, but for now, you're getting a regular car."

"So I'm getting a car though."

"Yes, you are. If you can pass your test tomorrow, we'll go car shopping on Saturday. Nothing fancy and nothing to expensive. You're already too spoiled."

"I'm an only child, it comes with the territory."
Aaliyah rolls her eyes.

"Hush up, and eat your breakfast."

"Yes ma'am." He says quickly.

As they're eating breakfast, Aaliyah's phone rings and it's Kash.

"Hey girl." Aaliyah answers.

"Hey boo. Where's my handsome nephew?"

"Right here, hold on." Aaliyah puts the phone on speaker and places it on the table. "Go ahead. He can hear you."

"Happy birthday handsome!!" CJ smiles.

"Thanks auntie Kash."

"You're welcome. And may you have the best day ever...and if that lil girl don't give you anything for your birthday, drop her ass."

CJ laughs. "Auntie..."

"I'm serious."

"It should really matter, that's not his girlfriend." Aaliyah chimes in.

"Girl please...I'm all the way in LA and even I know them two are a thing. Don't be in denial."

"We're friends auntie, I promise." CJ says while laughing.

"Just friends, Akasha." Aaliyah reassures.

"Mmhm. Okay. Well, I just called to tell my baby love happy birthday, and we'll see y'all tomorrow night at the game."

"See you tomorrow auntie. Love you."

"Love you too baby boy."

"Bye Kash. I'll call you a little later."

"...and I'll be waiting." Kash says and they hang up.

"You'd tell me if you had a girlfriend, right?"

"Yeah...." CJ pauses. "Eventually." He says then chuckles, however Aaliyah didn't find it funny.

After breakfast, CJ quickly goes and gets ready for school and he and Aaliyah head out. On the way there CJ makes a rare IG post.

@youngkap: Young prince is 16.

His comments over flow with a bunch of girls from school.

-------------------
"So I'll call you when I land." Cam says.

"Okay. I can't believe Colin's finally out...and I can't believe you literally just sprung this on me, when you've known..."

"Okay, to be fair, the only reason I didn't tell you is because I wasn't sure if you would be able to keep this a secret. Kap wants to surprise them."

"CJ's gonna freak out."

"I know. He finally gets his father back."

"You better get goin before you miss your flight. I love you."

"I love you more." Cam says pulling her in for a kiss. He leaves and heads to the airport. He finally lands in New York and gets to the prison. After waiting he finally sees Colin walking towards his freedom. He hops out the car to greet his brother. "Look who it is!" Cam says.

"What's up brother." Colin says as the dap it up, ending in a hug.

"Missed you bro." Cam says.

"Missed you too."

"Alright, let's get the fuck up out this cold ass weather. I been in the warmth too long, I forgot what cold weather felt like." They both laugh as they walk towards the car.

It's not long before they're in Miami and on their way to Cam's. The boys are still at school and Kai is still at work.

"Nice crib." Colin says as they pull up.

"Yeah...and with two boys running around, it's tough to keep it clean."

"I bet Kai be gettin on their asses." Colin says as they walk up to the door.

"Oh you know it. Mama don't play that shit."

"I can't wait to meet them...they know about me right?"

"Of course they do. We tell them about you all the time. Show them pictures. They know who you are." Cam says unlocking the door. They walk in and Colin immediately observes the pictures on the wall. He smiles at the picture of Cam and CJ, then at the picture of their two boys. "God has really blessed me. Blessed us all."

Colin nods. "Yeah, he has. Ive had a lot of time to think on it and realize it. Shit could have been way worse." Colin quickly changes the subject. "You know what time Aaliyah and CJ are going out to dinner, and where?"

"Yeah. CJ said around 7:30. Fogo De Chao."

"Think I can get a loan to get some new close and shit. I'll pay you back tomorrow."

"Yeah, I got you."

"Preciate it."

------------------
Later that day, CJ eventually grew tired of waiting on a call from Colin. It got to a point to where he was pissed, and thought he had forgotten about his Birthday.

Aaliyah picks him up from practice around 6:15. "How was practice?" She asks as they drive off.

"It was fine. Same as always. Did dad call you?"

"No. I thought he would have called you by now."

"Nope. He forgot."

"I'm sure he didn't forget. He hasn't forgotten since he's been in jail."

"Well how come he hasn't called yet? He forgot."

"Did you at least enjoy your day?"

"Yeah, for the most part. Some random girl bought me lunch."

"How did ol girl feel about that?"

CJ giggles. "She don't know...and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't care." CJ changes the subject. "I'm starving."

"What else is new."

---------------
About an hour later, Aaliyah and CJ arrive at Fogo De Chao. Colin was at a hotel getting ready. He arrived to the restaurant about 20 minutes after they do.

"Just a table for one, sir?"

"No...actually my party is already here. Is it okay if I look around for them." Colin says looking around and he spots them.

"Sure."

"Actually, I've found them. Thank you." 

For a second, just having them in sight seemed so surreal. Aaliyah notices someone walking toward their table and she couldn't believe her eyes.

"What?" CJ asks then looks the direction she is. "Dad..." CJ stands up and walks up to him before he could even get to the table. The two stand there and hug for a long while.

"My boy. I missed you."

"I missed you too dad." CJ says quietly.

"Happy Birthday, son."

"Thank you."

They finally pull away from their hug. "Man you got tall as hell."

"Getting close to 6 feet."

"I see that." Colin says. He looks over at Aaliyah who's still in shock. They both walk over to the table, CJ takes his seat and Aaliyah rises to her feet and she and Colin give each other a loving hug. "I've waited years just to be able to hold you again."

"Years...seems like ages. Welcome home baby."