Riptide /GxG/(Completed)

TWENTY-SIX

J A Z M I N E

The audio of The princess and the frog continued to fall from the television on the wall and into the space around us as my gaze drifted to a seated Aria in my lap, whose eyes were glued to the screen before her as if it was her first time watching the cartoon.

"Jazzy look," She called out while simultaneously pointing at the TV and I quickly directed my gaze to where she had instructed.

"I see it, baby" I replied and she smiled gleefully while keeping both her eyes trained on the television.

I had spent the majority of this month with her since I willingly volunteered to keep her whenever Britt was busy with work, and I had come to realise that the little girl was better company than most adults despite her slight obsession with Princess and the Frog, which had engraved each and every scene of the movie against the walls of my mind.

The time spent with Aria not only brought us closer together but seemingly prompted an increase in Britt's trust in me as a partner, which I was extremely grateful for since I was head over heels in love with the woman despite her impulsive need to push me away.

With maturity comes knowing what the fuck you really want, and not wasting time about it.

Tick Tock

I was somedays left conflicted on whether or not her emotions mirrored mine because of her lack of ability to express herself when it came to how she felt, and on those days I had to focus on her actions for reassurance since they never failed to whisper a low confession of her hidden feelings.

Even though her trust in me had grown she never openly told Aria that we were together which understood completely, but I was sure the little girl had picked up on our relationship since the questions she asked us on a daily basis proved that her observant little mind had been paying attention.

Her birthday was also a week away and my overthinking nature had left me to go overboard with the gifts since it prompted nothing but indecisiveness.

Britt had spent all of yesterday planning the party which would be kept at one of my venues that I practically forced her to use to save money on renting, while Spain and I on the other hand had spent yesterday at Terrell's game which went amazing since the boy was extremely talented to such an extent that if he wanted he could join the NBA at his age, but education was something he needed since life was always unpredictable and—

"Are you sure you guys will be okay?" Britt asked and I turned, allowing her voice to be an interruption to my thoughts.

My gaze settled on her as she continued to walk toward Aria and me with a look of questioning drowning her features.

"Yeah, we'll be fine," I mumbled distractingly as I took my time to appreciate just how amazing she looked.

"Mommy you look pretty," Aria announced, voicing my hidden compliment aloud while simultaneously moving to stand in my lap so she could get a proper view of her mother, who now stood behind the couch we were currently sitting on.

"Thank you baby," She replied, placing a small kiss against her daughter's forehead. "I'll be back befo—"

"Just go out and have fun, we'll be fine, won't we A?" I asked tickling Aria's tummy and she released a string of giggles while falling back into my hold.

"Yes, we will be okay mommy," Aria agreed as I paused the busy movements of my fingers.

"Call me if you guys need anything," She instructed with a small smile playing on her lips and I nodded, signalling for her to leave. "I'll see you later,"

Her final declaration came with her looking into my eyes, and I smiled at the hint of seductiveness hidden in her tone as she turned to walk away.

"What do you want to do tonight?" I asked Aria as the sound of the door closing rang out in the room.

"Watch Princess and the frog," She mumbled cutely before resting against me comfortably once again and I smiled knowing I would be here rewatching the cartoon until she fell asleep.

Vibrations began sprinting along my thigh in a rhythmic sequence forcing my hand to dive into my pocket to retrieve my phone.

"Hello," I greeted the second I answered Nia's call.

"Hey we're outside, do you mind coming for Britt?"

"No, I'm coming," I replied, ending the call as I pulled my vessel off the couch, immediately making my way to the entrance of the house.

A small smile escaped me as I opened the door to be greeted by the sight of a drunken Britt in Nia and Renae's hold.

"She drank too much," Nia announced, making me chuckle with glee since I had hoped she would let go and actually enjoy herself tonight.

"I can see that," I mumbled amused, earning laughs from them both as they transferred her into my hold, and I quickly bent to lift her into my arms in a bridal manner.

"I'll see you at dinner tomorrow," Nia said, securing my plans and I smiled heading inside.

Britt's random mumbling served as background noise as I used my foot to push the door close.

"You're moving too fast," She announced with a slight laugh as I began moving towards her bedroom.

"Because you're heavy as shit," I fired back smiling and my words only seemed to amplify her already present laughter. "Baby shh, Aria is sleeping,"

"I'm sorry," She whispered rather loudly, making me snicker as I opened her bedroom door quickly stepping inside

The strong smell of liquor on her breath continued to invade my nostrils as I placed her to sit on the edge of the bed.

"You okay?" I questioned holding her to my chest while I simultaneously unzipped her dress secretly wishing I had gotten to see her in it for a longer period of time.

"Yeah,"

"Did you take pictures?" I asked hopefully as I pulled the straps of the dress off her shoulders as well as her bra before laying her carefully on the bed.

"Yes," She mumbled as I removed the remainder of her dress.

"Do you feel like you're going to throw up?"

"I don't know," She murmured and my lips tilted into a smile at her response as I kneeled before her.

"You don't know?"

"I'm hot," She breathed out randomly as I began taking off her heels.

"Imma turn on the ceiling fan," I promised with a slight grin on my face.

"When?"

"Soon,"

"What are you doing down there?" She asked and amusement drifted into me at her questioning nature which seemed to be fueled by the alcohol.

"I was removing your heels," I replied while standing up and she laughed rolling over onto her side.

"I don't believe you," She stated but her drunken state only left her words to slur as she closed her eyes.

"You don't believe me?"

"Come cuddle," She ordered, ignoring me as I moved into the bathroom.

"I'm coming baby," I promised, grabbing her bonnet and make-up removal wipes before going back into the bedroom to find her laying on my side fast asleep, which meant that the task of getting her ready for bed would pose a bit more difficulty for me.

Tick Tock

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