Armoni in MM

C H A P T E R
E L E V E N

           Entering the house with roses, a card, and food Marquette could faintly here music coming from their bedroom so he followed the sound and smiled at the sight of Blessing dancing and singing Beyoncé's unreleased song, "Die with you," with their daughter in her arms.

Marquette has been gone for two weeks for work having to travel and train employees at other sites. Although the money was good and he's able to travel around, nothing beat being home with Blessing and Kinsley.

Watching as she swayed to the beat of the song staring down at Kinsley with nothing but love and admiration in her eyes despite how tired she was, Marquette just felt himself falling more in love by the second.

"Just when I thought I couldn't grow to love you even more, I stand corrected." He called out catching her attention from the sound of his voice.

Watching as her eyes filled with tears, Marquette and her both began walking towards each other as they embraced one another into a hug. Engulfing the scent of his cologne, Blessing couldn't explain how much she had missed his existence.

Repeatedly kissing each other on the lips, the two stood in the middle of their bedroom in each others arms not ever wanting to let go. This was the longest they have ever been apart from each other and those ten days she spent alone in bed was not something she wanted to get used to.

Pulling away from the hug, Marquette sat the roses and the bag of food on their bed then grabbed Kinsley from her arms. "Baby, you don't even understand how much I missed y'all."

"We missed you too!" She replied as she went to grab a bottle for Marquette to feed Kinsley with. "Tell your job to send someone else when they need you to do some training."

Laughing, Marquette nodded agreeing. "They gave me the next two weeks off, so Ken's parents and I arranged him to stay with them for those days, and my parents and your parents have agreed to keep Kinsley for a little while so you and I can spend some much needed quality time together."

"That sounds nice, I would love that," She smiled warmly as she grabbed the food and roses he got her to go place them in a vase. Walking out of the room Marquette followed her with Kinsley still in his arms.

"Well for the next two weeks its all about you and whatever you want to do. I have a few things planned for us this weekend, so tomorrow you can go and get your nails and hair done, then I had Shanice book us an appointment for a spa day and then we can go shopping."

Smiling, Blessing shook her head. "Thank you, I can't wait!" Walking over to him, she pecked him on the lips a few times before walking back into the kitchen.

"You know you actually just missed your mom and Crystal before you came, they had stopped by to watch Kinsley for me, while I did some homework and caught up on some of the house chores." Blessing informed him as she grabbed two plates from their cabinet.

"Oh that's good, how are they doing?"

Blessing shrugged, "Good for the most part. Crystal was damn near glowing and was in a way better mood than she has ever been in so I'm assuming her and Ahmad must be doing good! And your mom seemed happy too, she asked about you of course and wanted you to call whenever you got the chance." She explained.

Marquette nodded, "Oh okay, I'll call her sometime this week." He stated briefly.

Shaking her head, Blessing sat his plate of food in front of him before taking Kinsley so she could burp her. "Or you can call her right now. You need to remember that despite what all has happened in the past you know she is sorry and has tried to correct her mistakes, you can't keep punishing her Marq. We only get one mother babe, so please try and work things out with yours. Tomorrow is never promised." Bypassing him Blessing kissed him on the cheek, before walking down the hall to put Kinsley down for her nap.

Left to sit and think to himself, Marquette let out a sigh before reaching inside his pocket and pulling out his phone.

Standing from his seat he walked out onto their balcony as he scrolled through his contacts. Pressing the call button he placed his phone to his ear and listened to it ring.

When the phone continued to ring, Marquette was just about to hang up before he was met with the sound of someone coughing and shuffling. "Hello?" He called out.

"My bad son, I just woke up." Ahmad answered groggily. "Everything alright?" He questioned as he sat up in his bed.

"How did you forgive mama for all the things she did back then? I keep trying to let go of what happened, but I can't! I just have so much anger inside of me towards her and despite how bad I want to get over the abuse, the lies and what she did to cause this split in our family I can't."

Ahmad closed his eyes as he listened to Marquette finally express his anger he has towards Cali. "It wasn't easy at all to forgive her and move forward from what all happened, but I knew hating your mother and resenting her would do me no good when we had kids to raise. Plus despite everything I loved your mother very much and knew she was still a great person she just lost herself for a moment."

"All I can constantly think about is those nights when I was abused, I remember just crying and calling out for her to save me, but she wasn't there! She saw the bruises and still sent me over there contstantly. I still have nightmares til this day of everything that has happened and as much as I want to just forgive mama I can't let go of the fact that when I needed her the most she wasn't fucking there pops." He cried.

"Trust me when I say I understand how you feel. You remember the talk we had about my upbringing and everything I endured as a child. So believe me when I say I know how hard it is to let go of something that has hurt you, but as I got a older I realized holding onto all that anger, pain and resentment did nothing for me but make my life a living hell mentally and I don't want that for you son." Ahmad expressed.

"You have to forgive your mom for yourself, for Blessing and even Kinsley because walking around with all that hurt and anger in your heart is not good and that unhealed trauma can trickle down and ruin things for you without you even realizing. I don't expect this to happen overnight, but I do hope you guys can work this out soon. I know you've been ignoring her, she told me she hasn't spoken to you in months and although I understand your reasoning as to why, that shit is killing your mama."

Marquette nodded his head as he wiped his tears, "I'ma talk to her, I just need time to get my thoughts and words together before I face her."

Smiling on the other end the phone, Ahmad was happy to hear that. "Take all the time you need, just don't wait too long. Tomorrow is never promised for none of us."

"I hear you pops and thank you for this talk as well! I really needed it." Marquette expressed truly grateful for the bond him and Ahmad have with another.

"Of course, I love you son. Kiss my grandbaby for me and tell Blessing I said hello."

"I love you too and I will, talk to you later." Hanging up the phone, Marquette felt a little better about confronting his mom. He figured if Ahmad could move pass everything then so could he.

-

          Throwing his hood over his head as he walked down the busy roads. Malcolm tried to be as discreet as possible, not wanting to be spotted by anybody as he made his way to his and Fred's tent.

Quickly running across the street once it was clear, Malcolm ran under the bridge and smiled when he saw Fred sitting outside of it reading. "What's up Fred? I got us some food and few things we needed from the store." He called out.

Shaking his head, Fred slowly stood up. "Boy didn't I tell you to save your money? I'm still full from the left over catfish and grits you brought us yesterday."

Following him into his tent, Malcolm sighed. "I know and I am, I just made a little extra cutting yards this weekend and I just wanted to make sure you ate."

Smiling, Fred patted him on the back. "I appreciate that very much, but next time you use that extra money to buy you some clothes or something." He told him.

Taking a seat Malcolm nodded ignoring him completely. If Malcolm had it he was going to make sure Fred was taken care of since he has been looking out for him since they met.

"I hear you Fred." He replied sarcastically.

Laughing Fred just shook his head knowing Malcolm was going to do whatever he wanted at the end of the day. Plus even though Fred fussed at him whenever he spent money on him, he was truly grateful for all that Malcolm has done for him.

Digging inside the bags Fred looked at Malcolm confused when he saw clothes such as a few pair of pants, shirts,
some socks and a new jacket.

"What is this?" He asked in disbelief.

"Well I wanted to make sure you looked your best at my first tournament. I would really love for you to come and watch me play." He expressed. "My pops never made it to any of my games and I always wanted to experience that feeling of looking out into the stands and seeing him there watching me and you've become like a father figure to me and I would love to share that moment with you."

Smiling to himself, Fred sat the clothes off to the side before he reached over and gave him a hug. "I would be honored to come watch you play, but I don't think a fresh pair of clothes will keep me from looking like a homeless man." He laughed referring to his odor and grown out beard and hair.

Malcolm waved him off, "Well I actually have enough money to get us a room for a couple of nights down at the Marriott, I know its been a minute since either of us have actually slept in a bed and you could shower up and everything there. Plus I also know someone who's mom and uncle owns a barber shop and salon I can take you there and we can get you all fixed up before the game." He offered.

Fred hesitated a little, before eventually giving in. "As much as I hate for you to spend that kind of money on me, I know I can't change your mind."

Laughing, Malcolm shrugged. "You deserve it, I told you whenever I get off these streets I'm taking you with me so until then I'ma make sure you're straight for all that you do for me."

Fred smiled as he looked down, "Well I really appreciate that son."

"Don't even trip." Malcolm replied as he grabbed his phone to text Armoni for a favor.

To: Armoni❤️ :
Could you get me in contact with your Uncle Chris? I have a friend of mine who is in need of a cut.
Delivered at 3:48pm

From: Armoni❤️ :
About time you got a hair cut, you need it 😂 but yeah I can text you his number or just tell him when you want your friend to be seen.

After Malcolm replied when he wanted to schedule Fred's appointment, he placed his phone back in his pocket and looked up to see Fred staring at him with his eyebrows raised.

"What?"

"Who you over there talking to? That's got you smiling all big and whatnot." He questioned.

Malcolm shrugged. "My best friend Santana's sister Armoni, we're just friends though."

Fred side eyed him, "I hear you, it always starts as just friends then soon turns to more."

Laughing, Malcolm shook his head. "That may be tru for some people but for us that's all it is. Plus she has a boyfriend so I already know she ain't checking for me."

Fred nodded. "Oh okay, but you're checking for her though right? Because as big as that smile was on your face, that made it very obvious."

"Nah not really, I mean yeah she's pretty and I do like talking to her but that's about it. She's cool to have as a friend, but with her being with someone I'm not even about to try and put myself out there like that when she makes it very clear she loves her boyfriend." Malcolm explained really wishing Fred would change the conversation, he did not want to talk about this right now.

"I hear you, well whenever you're ready to head out I'm ready." He smiled. "I hope bout time we come back our place isn't stolen."

Malcolm laughed as they began gathering their things to head to the hotel they would be staying at tonight. As Malcolm watched Fred hum and sing to himself, apart of him wanted to help Fred locate his family.

He felt everybody deserved a second chance and he knows for a fact Fred would do right if given the opportunity to make things right with his ex wife and kids.

-

Walking around the mall with Malaysia, Armoni and her just came from getting their nails done and were now in search of finding something to eat. "So you think Malcolm is checking for you?" Malaysia questioned trying to piece the story Armoni just told her together.

Armoni shrugged. "I think so, I mean I made a joke about females wanting him and he pointed out how I was basically the one female who didn't! Then as him and Santana were leaving he blew a kiss my way, I mean am I tripping? Or could he have just been playing?" She asked as they approached a table and took a seat.

"He could have honestly been playing. He knows you're with Nolan so I don't think he would cross that line, but then again niggas these days don't be giving a fuck either." She laughed.

"Exactly! Nolan already can't stand him and even if he was playing, Nolan wouldn't see it that way and would be ready to fight." She sighed.

Malaysia frowned. "I wouldn't even tell him, I mean what exactly is there to really tell at this point? He didn't touch you or just flat out hit on you. Plus you know how hot headed Nolan is, you don't need that type of drama in your life."

"True, well I'ma talk to Malcolm at least to set the record straight that we're just friends and that making jokes like that is disrespectful to my relationship." She explained.

"Okay good! So what are your plans after all of this? Heard it was kickback tonight at Jess house tonight."

"Nolan actually has a practice boxing match today so I was going to attend that, did you want to come? Serenity was going to ride with me as well!"

As soon as Serenity's name left Armoni's mouth, Malaysia instantly shook her head. "If she's coming I'll fasho pass." She scoffed.

Rolling her eyes, Armoni let out a sigh. "I'm not understanding why you guys can't just move passed what happened! We all used to be like best friends and I'm tired of having to be in the middle of it."

"You expect me to get over her lying that my cousin raped her!? She ruined his damn life over a lie and that's not something you can just come back from with an apology." Malaysia snapped.

Armoni shook her head in disbelief. "So you really thought she was lying? You were there when she called us crying that night and screaming about what those niggas did to her including your cousin! Then the video that leaked it was clear she was drunk as hell and that they took advantage of her."

Malaysia rolled her eyes. "If she was telling the truth, why did she drop the charges? Plus we all know Serenity used to get around, hell she shouldn't have even been at that damn party with all those niggas in the first place!"

"And that's exactly why she dropped them, no one believed her! Instead everyone brought up her past and started victim blaming her." Armoni snapped. "I know you don't want to believe that Andre would be capable of doing something like that.. but you know deep down she wasn't lying."

"I mean can you imagine how terrifying that must have been for her? She was gang raped by people she trusted and went to school with and instead of us girls coming to her aide and supporting her, we all turned against her and all those niggas were able to get away with that shit. I mean honestly Malaysia, put yourself in her shoes for a moment before you place judgement all because you don't want to believe your cousin is a damn rapist!" Armoni expressed before she stood up to go to the bathroom leaving Malaysia there alone.

          Later that evening Armoni found herself at Nolan's practice boxing match. This was his first match so she was a little excited to see him in action since he never liked for her to come to his regular practices.

Entering inside the building Armoni waved at a few of the guys she has met whenever she would pick him up, before making her way towards Nolan who was in the middle of talking to Kristina and their friend Marquis.

"Hey guys!" She greeted warmly causing a huge smile to appear on Nolan's face.

Giving Kristina a quick hug, she shook her head when she saw Marquis staring with his hand over his mouth. "Don't even start today Marquis." She laughed.

"I'm just tryna figure out when you gon' leave this scrub ass nigga and start fucking with a real man?" He flirted playfully as he grabbed her by the hand making her twirl around. "Good God, looking more and more like my future baby mama by the day."

Playfully rolling her eyes just as Nolan pushed him out the way to give her a hug, she laughed. "Hey pookie, are you ready for your match? I'm so excited to finally see you in action, got my camera ready and all to record this."

"First of all who the hell is Pookie? And second excited for what? He's finna get his ass whooped." Marquis blurted out laughing, causing Kristina to hit him.

"Shut up Marquis! Nolan has actually really improved with his skills since he first started, I believe he will do great." She complimented earning a smile from Nolan.

Nolan waved her off, as he threw his arm over Armoni's shoulder. "What can I say when I have the best trainer there is? And such an amazing and supportive girlfriend rooting for me?"

Kissing the side of Armoni's face she smiled as they continued talking about the progress Nolan has made and other things.

Watching as Kris and Nolan interracted Armoni smiled happy at the fact their realtionship between one another has gotten better. She remembered all those nights Nolan would call her complaining about his training sessions and how much he disliked her. So to see them at this point was refreshing since she knew how much Nolan actually loved boxing and she didn't want to see him quit behind something this small.

Once the match was about to start, Armoni located her seat next to Marquis and Serenity feeling anxious as they waited.

Sitting inside the ring on his stool, Nolan mentally prepared himself for his match. To say he was nervous would an understatement, he was honestly a little scared since this was all still new to him and he didn't want to lose infront of Armoni and his friends.

Taking a few deep breaths as his opponent entered the ring, he slightly jumped when he felt a hand touch his back. "Remember boxing is a mental thing, if you go in thinking you already lost then you will lose. Go in with confidence, watch his every move and use your speed to your advantage! You got this." Kristina encouraged as she handed him a towel and a water bottle.

Standing to his feet just as the referee stepped inside the ring, Nolan adjusted his mouth piece before walking towards the middle where his opponent waited.

Tapping their gloves together, Nolan looked out into the crowd towards Armoni who sat there watching with a huge smile on her face and that was all the motivation he needed.

Soon as the bell dinged Nolan and the guy circled the ring two times, before the guy swung with his right arm but Nolan weaved it and doubled back with a left hook to his face.

The crowd immediately got live as the two continued swinging, landing punches here and there. As the round continued on Nolan felt as if he was in another dimension since the feeling of being in a match still felt unreal.

Nolan happened to be way faster compared to his opponent and it was clear he was getting inside of the guy's head each time he blocked or dodged a punch and he immediately thought back to the first time he fought Kris.

Now back towards the center of the ring, Nolan stared the guy in the eyes as they circled the ring a few times both waiting for the other to make a move. Noticing the guy glance down at his shoes, Nolan immediately hit him with a right hook and came back with a left punch and an upper cut causing the guy to stumble back and fall on the mat.

Amped up Nolan jumped around feeding off the crowds energy as they cheered him on. When his opponent finally stood back up on the fifth count, the bell dinged signaling that round one just ended.

Removing his mouth piece Nolan took a seat on his stool as Kristina rushed over with his towel to wipe the blood and sweat off his face and his water. "Take a few sips of this, but not too much! You're doing great out there! Keep him on his toes, he's becoming frustrated and losing faith in himself use that to your advantage, but don't get cocky though. Watch his eyes and feet movement for any upcoming swings he might make." She coached.

Nodding his head Nolan tried catching his breath as he listened to her words. Looking out into the crowd where Armoni sat, Nolan smiled to himself when he saw that she was reenacting the moves he just made with Marquis and Serenity.

"Plus remember this is just a practice match, so even if you lose tonight it doesn't matter so don't focus so much on winning focus on perfecting your skill!" Kristina explained to him just as they rung the bell again signaling their break was over.

Placing his mouth piece back in his mouth, Nolan hopped up amped and ready to go again. Glancing over at Armoni, he smiled and blew her a kiss when she mouthed, "You got this!"

In the end the boxing match ended after three rounds due to Nolan getting knocked out. Although technically he didn't win on a count of that happening, he was simply proud that he landed more punches and actually lasted that long.

Sitting on the floor in the middle of the ring with Armoni next to him icing his face, she smiled at him. "You did really good tonight and despite what they say, you won!" She whispered.

"Thank you baby, I'm tired as hell though and my body is sore." He complained.

Kissing him on the lips, she sat the ice pack down and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'll take care of you when get back to my house."

Smirking, Nolan looked her up and down. "I like the sound of that."

"Not like that nasty." She laughed plafully hitting him on the back of the head.

"Yeah yeah I know, a nigga can dream right?" He asked as they both started to stand realizing they were the only ones left in the gym.

Stepping out of the ring, Nolan jumped down before helping Armoni get down. "Let me go grab my gym bag from the locker room, I'll meet you at the car."

Walking their separate ways, Armoni exited out of the building and began walking to her car but paused when she heard the sound of someone arguing faintly.

Looking around the parking lot, Armoni saw a car parked all the way near the back and she could tell somebody was in the car and just figured it must've have been someone arguing over the phone with somebody.

Getting inside her car, Armoni cranked it up and went to adjust her rearview mirror but froze when she saw that now a guy had exited the car and was charging to the passenger side before he yanked the door open and dragged whoever out of the car and began hitting whoever repeatedly.

Armoni covered her mouth in disbelief of what she was witnessing and wanted to intervene but she didn't want to get herself hurt either.

From where Armoni was parked whoever couldn't really see her, but she had a perfect view. Quickly getting out of the car she rushed back inside the building to grab Nolan who was in the middle of shutting off all the lights and locking doors.

"I'm almost finished." He called out.

"Nolan, there is someone getting beat out in the parking lot right now! I'm not sure if its a woman getting beat or what, but we need to do something!" Armoni panicked as she rushed in.

"What?" He questioned although he didn't expect a response.

Following behind her out of the building, Armoni ran to the other side of the parking lot to show him where they were, but frowned when she saw the car was now gone. "I swear Nolan they were just right here! The guy was literally just beating the shit out of someone right there, he must have heard me run inside and left." She yelled starting to cry from what all she just witnessed.

Wrapping his arms around Nolan consoled her, "I believe you, I'll call coach and inform him of everything and ask him to watch the cameras to see who it could've possibly been. Come on let's go back inside."

As they walked back inside Armoni looked back at where the car was once parked in disbelief that they were gone that fast. She just hoped whoever that was getting beat at least got away and was safe, but deep down she didn't think they were.

-

Hey guys, hope you all enjoyed this update!🤎
Thanks for all the love & support as always
- Denise 💕