Omari sighed at how crazy the night was already going, even tho it had just began. "Actually Fiona yes you were. But since you're here, meet my date Zion Harris." Fiona extended her hand. "Nice to meet you." Zion said as she accepted her hand. "Same to you." The women released hands and focused their attention back on Omari. "So Mari, how has things been for you?" Fiona asked with a wanting smirk. "Really good. If you'll excuse us, I'm sure I see my brother and his date. We should go say hi. Catch up some other time?" He said quickly before gently grabbing Zion's hand and walking away.
"Seems my past showed up sooner than expected." He said with a nervous chuckle. She giggled. "We're bound to run into someone a time or another. This is one of the biggest parties of the year. It's no big deal. Just take it as you have a team mate." He smiled big. "We have a game plan teammate?" He asked. Zion smirked. "For every ex or past fling we run into we give an elaborate crazy story about our lives together." He chuckled but Omari liked the way she think. He nodded. "Deal." They shook hands and made their way over to a young man that resembled Omari and a young woman standing with him.
"Nice choice in tux bro." Felix said with a chuckle. "I see Fe got to you too huh?" Omari asked as he chuckled. "You have to admit tho she's pretty good at it." They nodded in agreement. "I'm being rude. Felix this is my friend and date Zion Harris. Zion this is my older brother Felix and his wife Dy'hlia (pronounced Dahlia). The three shook hands and held minimal conversation until Felicia appeared.
"Zi sweetie, oh my goodness you look absolutely divine in that dress. I knew it was for you." Zion smiled and hugged her. "I really do love and appreciate it. Thank you." She told her. "I see you met my brothers." Felicia said, causing Zion to choke a little. "My best friend is your sister?" Zion asked surprised. "I had no idea." Omari told her. "This was the date you were bragging about at lunch today that had you late? My business partner and best friend?" Felicia asked just as surprised. "Guys let's not do this here." Felix said as he noticed the few glances. The three didn't speak for a few seconds.
Zion was about to walk away when Omari grabbed her hand and began slow dancing with her. "What are you doing?" She asked. He continued to slowly and swiftly move across the floor. "We're teammates remember." He replied. "Not when the other teammate with hold important information. She's my best friend Omari." He nodded and continued to move gently. "She's my sister but that's the only connection she has to us." He looked her in her eyes. "This goes back to our previous conversation. No one else can control how you see me but you. So once again Ms. Harris, how do you see me?" She looked at him deeply before sighing. "Game on Moore." He chuckled and looked in her eyes with admiration.
They heard clapping, making them come out of their little world. They looked in the direction of Felix, Dy'hlia and Felicia only to see bright smiles and approval. "Well what a way to start the evening. Thank you for attending The Oak Room Anniversary party. My wife and I have been together for 25 years and we started this place at a very young age. We found love in this very building and that lovely couple before has reminded us so much as to why we are still together this day and why we have this place to leave to our kids and to you all. So everyone, please raise your glass and help us toast to another 25 years of love and magic from the Oak Room." The confetti popped and cheers we're filling the air but the two still stood with a glance that couldn't be broken.
The next morning Zion awakened with a smile across her face but a heavy heart. She and Jed had a son by the name of Princeton Jedidiah King-Harris. She'd found out she was pregnant after the accident and after she was released from the hospital. Jed knew but he never got the chance to get a confirmation. Going through it all without him was miserable and she didn't miss the pregnancy but she missed her baby boy. After having him she was unfit by her therapist to care for him so her parents took him in. She got him every weekend and she loved him more than the air she breathed. Unfortunately,today was he and Jed's birthday. It was a tough pill to swallow but she did it for him. He was turning 2 and she was proud of the little guy that he was growing up to be so far. Zion's phone began to ring and she knew it was the pity calls beginning but she also knew she wasn't ready for Omari to know about him just yet. She picked up the phone to see it was her mom calling on face time. "Good morning sweetie." She heard after answering. She smiled and sighed. "Hi, mommy. Where's my little Prince?" She asked with a lump in her throat. The camera was moved to him and she saw him waving happily with his curly hair and a big smile. "Princeton, baby, hi." She tells him as she tears up. "Hi mommy." She choked up and giggled. "Happy Birthday baby boy. Mommy loves you and promises to see you in little bit." She told him and his little smile grew bigger. "Lay ter." He said as best as he could. She chuckled with tears. Her mom turned back to the camera. "It's going to be a good day baby. We'll be here when you get here." She nodded then hung up. Zion took a few minutes to collect herself before getting ready for the day, ignoring all of the flooding calls and texts. She was determines not to have her day ruined for the sake of her baby boy. The front door opened and the only other people besides her parents that had a key was Felicia. "Zi! Is it safe?!" Felicia knew everything it as to know about Zion. she was the only friend she'd had since Jed's death. She was the only one who didn't show pity to her after his death when it came to her little boy. She was the only one she trusted outside her family with all of this fragile information.
"Yes, Fe. It's safe. I was just getting dressed." She said in a weak voice that caused her to rush into the room. She walked in to find Zion sitting on the floor going through a photo album. "I've always taught Princeton about his father. It's just a lot harder when he looks and acts exactly like him more and more every day." Felicia climbed on the floor with her and let her lay her head sadly on her shoulder. "Don't worry Z. As long as you continue to teach him about his father, there's no way he can be forgotten. PJ is going to love you regardless." Zion smiled and thanked her. "Now let's get you up because we have an amazing little boy waiting for his mommy to come and get him." Zion wiped her face and did her make up before grabbing her things and Princeton's gifts before heading out.
"What's the game plan for today?" Zion chuckled. "Just ask already Fe. I know it's killing you." Felicia looked at her, then back to the road then to Zion again. "My brother? My baby brother?" Zion chuckled. "Got me too. Didn't know. Never met him. Only heard about him. Not even a name." Felicia nodded. "Fair enough. So he's the guy that saved you?" Zion nodded with a smile. "And you really like him huh?" Zion smiled and nodded again. "I'm just not sure if I'm ready for another man to enter his life just yet. He's the only piece of Jed I have left. Besides today is the day he finally comes home with me permanently. I'm so nervous. I mean what if I mess up or he doesn't like it?" Felicia looked at her after she parked the car. "Look. I don't have kids but from what I can tell that little boy will love you no less than what he already does. He doesn't see your flaws because to him all that matters is that your there. And you've been here since day one as best as you could and to him that's just enough." Zion thanked Felicia and took a deep breath before exiting the car.
Zion made her way up the side walk and up the stairs before making her way inside. Upon entering the house, she could hear the pitter patter of his little feet and his giggles filling the house. "Hey my little Prince." She said as he ran straight into her arms. "Hi mommy." He said as he held her face between his two little hands. He kissed her gently and giggled. "Happy birthday baby boy. I promise to always love you and care for you and to never let you go and to always be here for you. Okay?" He smiled bright eyed at her. "Otay" he replied kissing her lips. Zion chuckled. "Kris, she's here!" Her mother called out. Felicia put her phone away after capturing the sweet moment for her. "Hey ma." Zion said as she hugged her. "Felicia, hi. It's good to see the both of you girls. You look well Zi." Her mother smiled as Felicia took Princeton with her. "Help yourself to whatever. Dinner should be ready soon." She called after them. "He's really excited about it if that's what your wondering. He asks for you more. It'll be good for him." She told her before kissing her hands. "Now let's go get ready for this big family that should be arriving any minute." Zion followed her mother to the kitchen and helped finish dinner.
After eating and celebrating life, Zion found herself sitting on the beach a few blocks away with her feet dug into the cool sand. So much ran through her mind. She thought about everything that managed to change so quickly. One minute she was married to her best friend and the next she was a widow and single mother. She missed Jed more than anything but she'd finally adjusted to life without him. She knew in that time she'd grown. Zion was proud to say that she didn't let the outcome control her or the accident take over her life.
"Wanna tell me why your sitting out here all by yourself?" She'd heard in the mist of enjoy this sound of the waves crashing back and forth. She looked to see someone she hadn't seen in a really long time. "Lim?" She said in shock. Lim Anderson was one of the few people she and Jed were really close with but he'd left for a job in New York a year before the accident. "I didn't think you recognized me with the look on your face." He said with a chuckle. She stood and gave him a really big hug. "Tough day?" He asked as she held on tightly. "Very. And it's just really great to see a face with no pity on it." She replied. "I can't pity you. I'm more proud than anything. You're a lot stronger than you think Z." She smiled as they continued to walk the wet sand. "I am sorry I wasn't there. I just couldn't face you with so much sadness flowing around." She nodded in understanding. "I can say tho, you've cleaned up very well." He said causing her to laugh. "Life can throw some curve balls and make you change." Lim nodded. "So how long are you in town?" She asked quickly changing the subject. "Permanently actually." Zion stopped in her tracks. "Yeah man. I missed home. I missed the chill vibe that everybody has. New York is so theatrical and demanding." She smiled and nodded. "Good cause I need a good pediatrician." He stopped and looked at her weirdly.
The pair found themselves at the house after she'd explained everything to him. "Oh my god. I mean. I don't. I'm literally out of words at this moment." Lim said as he watched the little boy who looked so much like his best friend play with Zion's brothers. "I know." She told him as she laid her head against his shoulder. "We'll figure it out. Together." He said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. She sighed deeply but this time it was content and hope. After letting Princeton meet Lim and play with him, Lim had to go but before he left, they talked a little more. "Were you just gonna keep him hidden?" Lim asked. "I don't know. I'm not sure what I was gonna do. I'm still figuring this all out." She told him. "Well I'm home Zi. You have family. You don't have to go through this alone. Bring him by the office Monday and I'll check him out and take him a my personal patient." Lim kissed her forehead and climbed in his car and left. "You and Lim looked awfully close." Bradley told her. She turned around with her arms folded and sighed. "Lim just a friend." Bradley shook his head. "Whatever you say sis." He said before he began walking away. "Brad wait." He stopped and looked back at her. "Am I really that messed up that I miss everything?" She asked. He wrapped an arm around her. "You've just had it rough lately. But your a Harris and you were raised by us. You're gonna be fine. Just stick to whatever seems to be working. That kid in there needs you just like we do." She nodded and smiled.
After getting Princeton finally settled in and asleep beside her, the phone began to ring. A smile crossed her face. "As late as it is, I can't say I'm not happy you called." She replied upon picking up. A chuckle came from the other end. "I hadn't heard from you since the party last night and I was hoping that we could talk about my sister and us." She looked over to Princeton and got comfortable. "We can do that." She replied as she ran her hands through her son's hair. "I'm honestly not really sure where to begin but I don't want my sister to be the reason we don't get to keep seeing each other." Zion looked at her son. "I can't make any promises but Fe wouldn't be the reason. There's a lot more to my situation than you think and I'm not sure if I'm ready to drop all of it in your lap. I'm not sure you're even ready for it." Omari licked his lips as he listened to her on the other line. He looked out the window of his office at the busy lights. "I'm willing to do whatever you. Just a day at a time. Teammates remember?" She giggled. "We'll see how this goes but again I'm not making any promises or anything." He smiled. "I'll take that." He simply replied.