Page 53 of Rose

“Mmm,” she moaned softly against his lips before pulling away, playfully smacking his chest as he set her down. “Go get dressed, birthday boy. We on a tight schedule.”

His phone lit up again—Sarai calling this time. Probably to sing Happy Birthday or clown him like usual.

As they both headed off to get dressed, Savior’s heart felt full, grounded. He never had a birthday start like this. Peaceful. Loved. Thoughtful. And it was all because of her.

???

Ahzii and Savior walked hand in hand through the wide, bustling park of Disney World, the scent of popcorn and churros drifting through the air as kids darted past in waves of laughter.

Ahzii couldn’t stop laughing as she recorded Savior towering over everyone in the crowd with black Mickey Mouse ears crooked slightly on his head.

He’d put up a fight, but she begged, and he gave in—because he always gave in to her.

The sun was blazing now, heat thick against their skin as they stood in line at a concession booth, waiting for drinks. Just as Ahzii reached for her phone, a woman approached with a warm smile. “I was watching from afar, and I just wanted to say… you two make a beautiful couple.”

“Thank you,” Ahzii replied softly, her smile genuine.

Savior glanced down at her, surprised she didn’t correct the woman or deflect like she usually did. Before he could process it further, the woman spoke again.

“I hope this isn’t weird, but I’m a photographer. Would you mind if I took your picture? You’ll want to show your kids this one day.”

The word struck the air like a soft blade. Savior didn’t miss the shift in Ahzii’s eyes—the flicker of pain behind her smile, the shadow that always came with the thought of Willow. Still, she played it off gracefully and handed over her phone. “Can you take some with my camera too?”

“Of course,” the woman said, stepping back and raising her professional camera first.

They posed together, Ahzii in front, Savior’s hand resting protectively on her waist. The woman snapped a few, and just before switching to the phone, Savior leaned down like he was about to kiss her cheek, but instead whispered in her ear, “You’re still a mother, Allure.

Willow’s in Heaven, loving the woman you’re becoming. ”

Tears slipped down Ahzii’s cheeks before she could stop them, but her smile never wavered. She didn’t wipe them away—she let them fall. “Awww…” the woman murmured, capturing the moment as her finger kept clicking between both devices.

Ahzii turned around slowly, ignoring the photographer now.

Her eyes locked with Savior’s, no words needed as she wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on her toes, and kissed him.

Soft at first. Then deeper. Savior lifted her like it was second nature, their bodies syncing without thought or hesitation.

The woman kept shooting, delighted at the intimacy unfolding in her lens.

When Savior set her down, they both laughed quietly, aware they’d just given this stranger a story in photos.

“These are beautiful,” the woman said, returning to show them the pictures—goofy smiles, stolen glances, deep kisses, raw emotion captured in still frames. Savior barely looked through them before pulling out his wallet. “Is this enough for all of them?”

Her eyes widened at the five hundreds he offered, nearly stumbling over her words to say yes.

They walked, ate, took pictures, and rode every ride they could until the sun started sinking behind the clouds. The day had been perfect, but it wasn’t over. Ahzii had two more surprises planned, and a couple of texts from Sarai and Kyre confirmed that everything was ready.

Back at Savior’s house, he kicked off his shoes and dropped onto the couch, still grinning. Ahzii started gathering her things, but the moment he saw her grab her purse, his face shifted.

“You leaving me?” he asked, trying to sound casual, but his tone gave him away.

She chuckled, pausing mid-step. “Yes. A’Mazi and Sincere are on the way to get you ready.”

He leaned forward, arms resting on his knees. “Will I see you later?” he asked, voice soft, a little too soft.

“That’s a question you always ask me,” she said. “Why?”

Savior looked away. The wall in his chest trembled, but it didn’t fall. Ahzii walked over, straddling his lap without a word. Her hands cupped his face, forcing him to meet her eyes.

“I don’t deserve good things in my life,” he finally muttered. “I never had them. So when I feel something good... I just assume it’s temporary. That it’ll leave like everything else.”

“Sav,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “You do deserve good things. You’ve been dealt a fucked-up hand, but you’re not cursed. You’re not unworthy. And I’m not going anywhere.”

He stared into her eyes like he was trying to memorize them.

“I know how it feels to lose good things,” she continued. “But I promise, I won’t be one of them.”

A real smile broke through his silence, and she leaned in to kiss it. Soft. Certain.

“Will I see you later?” she asked, echoing his earlier question with a teasing lilt.

He chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Yeah. You will.”

“Good. See you later, birthday boy,” she said, pressing one more kiss to his lips before climbing out of his lap.

“Allure…” he called after her as she reached the door.

She turned around, eyes already on him like she knew he had something to say.

He stared for a beat, then two. His chest rose with a silent war. He looked like he wanted to say something—something big—but it got stuck in his throat.

“I…” he started, then paused, jaw flexing.

“You what?” she asked, her voice softer than her eyes.

“I need those pictures of us at Disney World,” he finished with a grin.

She laughed, shaking her head. “I’ll be sure to send them to you. Later, Sav.”

She opened the door just as Sin and A’Mazi were pulling up. Both men hugged her like family before stepping inside with wide grins.

“Happy birthday, big-headed ass nigga!” Sincere cracked, dapping him up with the kind of love only a brother could give.

A’Mazi came in right behind him with the same energy. The living room filled with laughter and loud voices as they got to work helping Savior get dressed for the next surprise.

And as Savior stood in front of the mirror, lacing up his shoes, he felt it—familiar excitement. That full feeling in his chest.

He only hoped this time, it didn’t end in blood.

???

Ahzii moved around the secluded room she reserved for Savior, trying to quiet the mix of nerves and excitement bubbling inside her.

The blue dress she wore hugged every curve like it was stitched to her body, and the body wave wig framed her face with elegance and softness.

She went all out tonight, for him. For a man who never had a real birthday.

For a man who, without even knowing it, made her want to give more of herself.

The room was bathed in blue and white, decorated down to every perfect detail. Sarai made sure Gold was closed for the day to give her brother something he’d never had before, something he deserved. Family. Celebration. Love.

“Zii, calm down. Everything is perfect,” Kyre said, cutting through her pacing with a knowing look.

But it wasn’t the setup that had her palms sweating. It was what came next.

She’d invited everyone Savior held close—A’Mazi, Sincere, Macho, Sarai, Keon, Olivia, Aunt Marley, the crew.

But she also invited his parents. That part wasn’t her doing.

Sarai insisted. Ahzii had never met them, but the stories Savior shared were enough to make her chest burn.

She didn’t know how anyone could raise a child the way they had.

She would’ve rather had no parents than grow up under their fists and rules.

“It’s not the setup I’m worried about,” she mumbled, eyeing the tequila bottle on the bar like it might save her life. A blunt. A shot. Something.

“Ma, get your daughter. She trippin’,” Kyre called over her shoulder, already moving to help Sarai.

Bianca entered with her usual calm, her energy soft but rooted. “Shugga baby, what’s wrong?”

Ahzii turned, barely able to hide the panic in her eyes. “Ma, what if everything goes wrong? What if you don’t like Savior? What if his parents hate me? I don’t care if they do, but what if Ms. Marley doesn’t like me? That’s his aunt, his second mother. He said she practically raised him.”

Bianca laughed gently, walking up to her daughter. “Aww, you like him.”

Ahzii scowled. “Of course I like him. He’s my fu—sex partner,” she corrected, though her cheeks betrayed her with a slow blush .

Bianca arched a brow. “Zii, baby. I know what a fuck buddy is. Had a few in my past life. But Savior? He ain’t just that to you. Kiyan was a fuck buddy. You didn’t throw surprise dinners and stress over his family. You didn’t smile just from hearing his name.”

Ahzii blinked, thrown. She hadn’t realized how obvious she was. Bianca’s voice softened.

“You care if his people like you because you like him—real like. Maybe even love.”

Ahzii froze.

Her heart thudded, hard, like it was trying to reject the word. She opened her mouth, “But what about Will—”

“Loving another man doesn’t mean you stopped loving Will,” Bianca said gently, cutting her off. “It means you’re healing, baby. It means you’re allowing yourself to feel again. And that’s okay.”

Ahzii swallowed. The ache in her chest felt like guilt and hope braided together.

People were starting to fill in the room. Laughter, hugs, drinks. Family.

“Do you like him? For me?” she asked, barely above a whisper.

Bianca looked at her, then smiled. “Yes. And I haven’t even met him properly yet.

But I see the change in you. You still got more healing to do, but the way he treats you…

the patience, the care, the way he looks at you like you hung the damn stars?

I don’t need anything else to know he’s right for you. ”

She paused, her own eyes glistening. “And seeing you smile again? That’s all I ever wanted after Will.”