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EPILOGUEomniscient pov

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five years later ..

"MOMMY, KIKI'S NOT SHARING!" Kristen whined as he came running into the living room, his little fists balled up and face scrunched like the world was ending.

Clover looked down at her son, suppressing a smirk. "Aht, don't come in here yelling," she said, shaking her head lightly. "Alright, let's go talk to her, Kris."

She stood up from the couch, brushing her hands on her thighs, and walked with him toward the back patio. Outside, the sun was starting to settle lower in the sky, casting that soft orange glow over their yard. Kiyomi, Kristen's twin, was by the grill with Adonis, her hand reaching for something on the tray like she owned the whole setup.

Adonis stood over the grill with a pair of tongs in one hand, shirt half unbuttoned and sweat glistening on his chest. Kiki was posted beside him in her favorite unicorn shirt and mismatched sandals—looking proud like she was the one in charge.

"Adonis..." Clover called, her voice laced with amusement. "Why is our daughter acting like she a co-chef?"

He turned, glanced at Kiyomi, then at Clover. "She said she helping me. I ain't argue."

Kiki looked up and grinned. "Daddy said I can flip the hot dogs."

"Mhmm," Clover said, crossing her arms. "And what about sharing, Miss Flip-the-Hot-Dogs?"

"She wasn't letting me use the chalk!" Kristen shouted before Kiyomi could even respond.

"I was still drawing," Kiyomi said flatly, not even turning around. "He erased mine!"

Clover sighed. "Y'all are twins, not enemies. Share the chalk, both of you. Or I'm taking it altogether. That simple."

Both kids groaned, but didn't argue. Kristen muttered something under his breath and walked back toward the chalk tray. Kiki gave Adonis a dramatic sigh.

Adonis laughed. "They gon' be fine. Let 'em work it out."

Clover shook her head but smiled. "They get that stubbornness from you."

"And you," he said, walking over with the tongs and pecking her on the cheek.

The grill sizzled behind them. The backyard was already half set up for the kickback later—folding chairs, a cooler, Bluetooth speaker bumping something soft, and the scent of seasoned meat in the air. Stacee, Brooklyn, Victor, and Craig were all on their way. It was supposed to be chill, no drama. Just food, laughter, and catching up.

And honestly... things were good.

Clover had even gotten to a peaceful place with Danesha. They weren't best friends—would probably never be that again—but the tension was gone. The awkwardness faded with time. It had taken a lot for Clover to get over it, to stop carrying that guilt on her back like a purse she couldn't put down. But after she and Adonis got married... it all started to shift. Slowly, then all at once.

Begrudgingly or not, she let it go.

And now—this was her life. Her man. Her kids. Her peace.

By the time Brooklyn and Stacee pulled up, the backyard smelled like heaven.

"Yooo, y'all already started?" Brooklyn called out as she walked in through the side gate, sunglasses on her head and a huge bag of chips under her arm.

Brooklyn and Victor's son, Malachi, came bum-rushing beside her.

"Hey auntie Clo," he cheesed up at her, one of his front teeth missing.

"Hey auntie's baby," she hugged him then kissed him on his forehead. He ran past the two friends, going to play with Kristen.

"Girl, it's 5:45," Clover laughed. "You said you were coming at 5:00 sharp."

"Yeah, I said it. I didn't mean it," Brooklyn smirked, then winked at Adonis. "What's good, chef?"

Adonis lifted his chin. "You just gon' stand there or you bringing a plate with that mouth?"

"Rude," Brooklyn muttered, but went straight for the table where the drinks were being set up.

Victor trailed behind her, holding a tray of cupcakes that clearly came from a bakery—tied up in pink and white twine.

"These are for the kids," he said as he passed Clover, and she smiled.

"Thank you, Vic. They gon' love it."

Stacee followed next, dragging Craig behind her like usual. Craig always acted like he didn't want to come to these things, but the second he got a drink in his hand, he'd be the loudest one in the yard.

Adonis passed Clover a burger wrapped in foil and nudged her. "You eat yet?"

"Not yet. Been running around playing referee."

He leaned closer. "Eat, ma. You know I don't play about that."

She kissed him quick. "Yes, daddy chef."

"Don't start," he warned, but his grin gave him away.

The kids were off in their own world now—Kristen, Kiyomi, and Malachi running back and forth with sidewalk chalk and bubbles, fighting one minute and laughing the next. Craig had already turned the music up, Brooklyn was dancing with a solo cup in her hand, and Victor was quietly setting up a little card table in the corner with Uno and Spades.

It felt good.

Clover was mid-bite when she heard the gate creak again. She looked up—and paused.

Danesha stepped in slowly, wearing a soft yellow maxi dress, curly hair pulled up in a high puff. She was holding a small bag in one hand and had a serious look on her face.

Clover straightened her shoulders.

Adonis noticed too. "She came?"

"I didn't invite her," Clover whispered. "You?"

He shook his head. "Might've been Brooklyn or Vic. You okay?"

Clover took a breath. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm good."

Danesha made her way over, heels clicking lightly on the pavement. She smiled at the kids first, gave Adonis a polite nod, then finally looked at Clover.

"Hey."

"Hey," Clover replied, setting her plate down.

Danesha glanced around. "Nice setup."

"Thanks. You... you want something to drink?"

"Water would be cool."

Clover nodded, grabbed a cold bottle from the cooler, and passed it over.

Danesha accepted it and took a sip before saying, "I brought something for the twins."

"Oh?" Clover asked, a little surprised.

Danesha opened the bag and pulled out two gift-wrapped boxes. "Just little books and puzzles. Saw em at Target and thought of them."

Clover smiled, this time genuinely. "They're gonna love that. Thank you."

A small silence passed between them.

"I'm glad you invited me," Danesha said.

"I didn't," Clover said gently. "But I'm glad you came."

Danesha laughed a little. "Of course Brooklyn played matchmaker. She always doing too much."

"Sounds like her."

They shared a small chuckle.

"Come sit," Clover said finally, pointing to one of the open chairs near the grill. "You're already here."

Danesha nodded and walked over. Brooklyn gave her a playful eye and mouthed wowww at Clover when she saw them speaking. Clover rolled her eyes and mouthed back, be for real.

By the time the sun was fully down, they were all gathered in a loose circle—plates empty, cups refilled, laughter echoing through the yard. Kiki had a marker stain on her face. Kristen and Malachi were upstairs in the twins room, they fell asleep. Adonis had one arm around her waist and the other on the back of her chair.

Stacee was telling a wild story from work that had Victor crying-laughing. Craig was finally relaxed, arguing with Brooklyn about who cheated in Spades. Danesha was sipping wine and smiling quietly.

Clover leaned into Adonis and whispered, "This is nice."

He kissed her temple. "You deserve nice."

And for the first time in a long time, Clover believed him.

━。゜✿ฺ✿ฺ゜。━

The last car pulled off around 11:30. Craig waved lazily out the window while Stacee yelled, "Don't forget we hosting next time!"

Clover laughed and shut the gate behind them. The backyard looked like it exhaled with everyone gone—paper plates scattered, the speaker low, string lights still glowing above the patio.

Inside, the twins were finally knocked out. Kiki in her unicorn sleeping bag on the floor, and Kristen somehow sideways across the whole couch with one sock on.

Clover stepped into the kitchen, rubbing her feet. She was just about to start cleaning up when she felt Adonis come up behind her, arms wrapping around her waist.

"You did good," he murmured into her neck.

She leaned back into him, eyes closing for a second. "We did good."

"Brooklyn already talkin bout round two," he said.

Clover chuckled. "She better bring food next time."

Adonis spun her around gently to face him. "You alright? You been in your head a lil bit tonight."

"I'm good," she nodded. "Actually... I feel happy. Like real happy. It's quiet now. But I still feel full."

He smiled and reached up to tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. "You deserve this kind of peace."

"I didn't always believe that," she admitted.

"You believe it now?"

She paused, then looked him right in the eye. "Yeah. I do."

They stood there for a second, holding each other. The kitchen light buzzing low. Her body sore, her heart soft.

"I've been thinking," she whispered.

"Ah shit," he smirked. "Here we go."

"I wanna take the twins on a trip next summer. Just us four. Somewhere by the water. Somewhere quiet."

"Yeah?" he nodded. "You deserve that too."

She smiled, eyes dropping to his lips. "You gonna rub my feet if I make it happen?"

Adonis grinned, already dropping to his knees. "What you think I'm doin right now?"

Clover laughed so hard her eyes watered. She leaned back on the counter, watching her husband massage her feet like he'd do it forever.

This was her life.

And she wasn't running from it anymore.

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THE END.