Page 27 of Rose
Ahzii stepped out of the shower, steam still curling off her skin, wrapping her in a heat that matched the storm she had just let pour out.
The water had drowned her sobs, her grief, her pain—but as soon as her feet touched the tile, her tears stopped, and her face returned to stone.
She couldn’t walk around broken, not today. Not in front of her family.
She moved through the motions—rubbing her favorite vanilla-scented lotion into her skin, grounding herself in the familiar comfort of its sweetness.
Her walk-in closet greeted her like a boutique she rarely shopped from, filled with clothes she bought but barely wore.
Since it was just breakfast with family, she kept it simple: a slightly cropped Child of God 07 tee, high-waisted jean shorts that hugged her curves perfectly, and black fuzzy Balenciaga slides to stay comfortable.
Her pixie cut was gone now, replaced by fresh boho knotless braids she’d gotten a few days ago in a silent act of self-care.
She pulled them into a high bun, letting a few curly pieces fall to frame her face.
She brushed through her lash extensions, glossed her lips, and double-checked her eyes for redness.
No signs of the tears she'd shed. That was what mattered.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, she stopped short. A’Mazi was sitting on her bed, scrolling on his phone, surrounded by gift bags. He looked up and smiled gently.
“Hey, Boobie,” she said softly.
He stood, opening his arms without a word. “I heard you in the shower, Shug. You don’t have to be strong or numb around me.”
Her eyes welled up immediately. He always knew. He always saw her—no mask could fool him. She rushed into his arms, breaking down in the only place she felt safe enough to fall apart.
“I miss them so much,” she cried into his chest, soaking his Amiri shirt with grief she couldn’t swallow anymore.
“I know,” he whispered, resting his chin on the top of her head. “But want to know something?”
She didn’t respond—just cried harder, so he kept going.
“Even though Will and Willow aren’t here to celebrate with you today, they’re celebrating you up there—with the big OG.”
Her sobs softened as he rocked her gently.
“I feel so guilty, Maz,” she whispered. “I made it to another year, while my baby girl didn’t even get to take her first breath in this world. My husband didn’t get another year either. Why did God leave me here and take them? Why is He punishing me like this?”
A’Mazi held her tighter. “He’s not punishing you, Zii.
I know it feels like that, like you lost everything.
But one day... one day, you’re going to rise out of this and see why.
I don’t know why it had to happen like this, but your story’s not over.
Your family isn’t gone. They’re just… in a different place now.
Will’s probably up there telling every angel it's his wife’s birthday, singing in that flat ass voice he got. ”
Ahzii let out a laugh through her tears, the sound surprising her.
“My man voice is not flat. You just mad you can’t blow like him.”
“Okay, okay,” A’Mazi laughed. “Maybe. But I bet Willow is up there dancing all over Heaven’s golden floors, screaming about how much she loves her mommy.”
Ahzii smiled as the image filled her heart. It didn’t erase the pain, but it wrapped around it like a balm.
“I know it’s hard, but don’t shut us out. Don’t shut me out,” he said gently, brushing a tear from her cheek. “We’re still here. We love you, Zii. I love you.”
She looked up at him with watery eyes. “I love you too, Boobie.”
They embraced again, tighter this time, a reminder that even in the depth of grief, love was still alive—and it was still hers.
“So are these for me?” Ahzii asked, pointing at the cluster of designer bags on her bed.
A’Mazi laughed. “Yeah, but where my gift at? It’s my birthday too, nigga.”
“You stay talking shit and don’t even know what you’re saying.” Ahzii smirked, disappearing into her closet. She returned with a large red gift bag and handed it to him.
A’Mazi’s face lit up like a kid, not even caring what was inside. “I go first, huh?”
“Yep. Because the oldest goes first,” she teased, emphasizing the sarcasm.
“Boy, by fiv e minutes,” she added with an eye roll. “Now hurry up before your girl comes up here and drags us downstairs. Sarai and Sin just got here. Happy to be notified this time.”
“That’s on you,” he shot back, grinning. “You the one gave us emergency access.”
He pulled out the tissue paper, revealing a large, custom painting. His grin widened as he held it up. It was the two of them—faces sketched side by side, separated by a massive rose in the middle, representing their last name.
“This shit hard,” he said, admiration in his voice.
“You better show it off,” Ahzii said, smiling. “Took me months to fit your big ass head on that canvas.”
A’Mazi laughed, still admiring the detail. “It’s going straight in the shop.”
“There’s more,” she added, gesturing to the bag.
He pulled out a new Goyard wallet, a set of accessories for his car, and a bottle of his favorite cologne. His smile turned soft.
“Thanks, Shug.”
“You’re welcome,” she said sincerely. “Least I can do for you having my back since the womb.”
There were no words big enough to describe what her twin brother meant to her. A’Mazi had always been her protector, her person, her constant—and no gift would ever match what he gave her just by being him.
“Your turn,” he said, nudging the gifts toward her.
She reached for the first bag and opened it to find a red Goyard purse. Her face lit up. The next gift was a pair of gray Louis Vuitton cozy comfort slides, which made her chuckle.
“You did good,” she said.
“Nah, this one is the best,” he said, handing her a box stamped with the Icebox logo.
Her heart fluttered the moment she saw it. She slowly opened the lid—and gasped.
Inside sat a delicate gold necklace, the name Willow spelled out in brilliant diamond script.
Tears fell instantly. “My baby…” she whispered, voice cracking.
“So she’ll always be with you,” A’Mazi said gently, getting up to hug her as she crumbled into his arms.
A knock sounded at the door just before it opened. Kyre stepped in, pausing as she saw the twins hugging. She smiled softly.
Ahzii quickly pulled away, wiping her face as A’Mazi opened the box and moved behind her. With careful fingers, he clasped the Willow necklace around her neck, where it joined the other she never took off.
“Food’s ready,” Kyre called softly, stepping further into the room with a small ring box in her hand. “But I also have a gift for you, Zii.”
Ahzii took the box curiously, opening it—and instantly froze.
Inside sat a wedding band.
Not just any band .
It was his .
The exact diamond-studded ring she had slipped onto William’s finger on their wedding day. The one she thought was gone forever. The diamonds still sparkled like they were brand new, catching the light and slicing through her chest like a memory.
Tears fell instantly as she covered her mouth, then sobbed into her hands.
“How did you… I thought it was lost in the fire. He took it off while cooking that night, and… he forgot to put it back on.” Her voice cracked as the grief poured through every word.
Kyre stepped closer, her own eyes glassy. “It was delivered to my office. No name or address. I had it cleaned... and I was just waiting for the right time to give it to you.”
Ahzii pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“They’ll never leave you, Zii,” Kyre whispered into her shoulder. “No matter how far you go, how many years pass—they’re with you. Always.”
Ahzii nodded through her tears, believing every word.
She stepped back and unclasped the necklace from around her neck—the one that carried her own wedding ring. Carefully, she added William’s wedding band to it, then fastened it again behind her neck. Now both rings rested over her heart.
“Thank you both,” she said, voice trembling. “I couldn’t keep pushing without you two. And Ma, of course.”
“You don’t ever have to push alone,” Kyre said, brushing a tear from Ahzii’s cheek.
“We’re always gonna be here to catch you when you fall, hold you when you cry, and lift you when you don’t feel strong.
I know you feel numb after losing them—but you still have family.
And we’ll walk through fire if we have to. ”
“I love you, sis,” Ahzii whispered, pulling her back in for another hug.
“I love you too, boo,” Kyre said, kissing her cheek. “Now come on. Sin and RayRay are here. Food’s getting cold. And I think Ma ate one of those cookies Sin brought… cause she hasn’t stopped laughing since they sat down.”
Both twins widened their eyes.
“Awl hell,” A’Mazi said, already halfway down the stairs. “Sin ass done got my mama high.”
Ahzii laughed for the first time in what felt like forever.
“You’re not alone, Zii,” Kyre said one last time, her tone gentle but firm. “We got you. Always.”
Ahzii nodded, the weight of her grief still present—but lighter now, shared. “I know. And I’m sorry if I ever made you—or anyone—feel like I didn’t see all you do for me.”
Kyre smiled, brushing it off with a wave. “That’s what sisters are for.”
Ahzii wiped her eyes one last time, checked her lip gloss in the mirror, and straightened her shoulders. Then she followed Kyre down the stairs, toward breakfast, toward laughter, and toward the family still fighting every day to keep her whole.