always honey 🐝

Victor felt a little relief at Wesley laughing at his gift, feeling it break the tension a little. “Okay, so…ummm I wanted to ask first, how are you doing?” he asked “I should have been here as soon as I could, but I had to work on a lot of things about myself, but I never stopped thinking about you and that’s why I wanted to come here Wesley. I have a lot to explain to you. About me…about us”

Wesley raised a brow, crossing his arms across his chest and leaning agsint the wall, “what?” he questions, “you just woke up one day and decided to be all bambi eyed and come over here to talk after almost a year? Are you having some sort of mid life crisis?”

Victor was still going over what he wanted to say when Wesley invited him in. Stepping inside he held up the gallon of milk “Brought you a housewarming gift” he started “figured I’d give the cows a day off” He laughed softly “And yeah, they’re good…I mean I haven’t heard anything was wrong” 

“I’m sorry I just popped up like this, I should have called, but I was scared you would say no and I wanted to talk…if that’s okay?”

“Milk, nice.” he laughed as he took it and placed it inside his fridge, “well you’re here now and we’re talking so I don’t think you need permission to keep talking. I can’t promise I won’t kick you out before you’re done, but you’re welcome to give it a try.”

“Stop it” Caleb laughed and then gestured to the twins “My brother and sister, the twins, but don’t call them that. They hate it” Abe smiled and walked up to Franklin “I mean I can make an exception for family. Sorry we couldn’t make it to your wedding. I bet you looked amazing in a suit”

“Rein it in” Caleb said.

“I did.” Franklin said with a smile, “But that’s okay, I’m happy to bring it out anytime to show people what they missed out on.” he added, “so, to what do we owe this great pleasure?” 

“Well, we’re here to take over the city. Since Caleb is so domesticated now.”

Caleb took a sip of his drink and looked at Anne “Trust me when I say this family has had more then enough drama to last a few lifetimes. I’m sure Dad filled you in on the important parts” Abe walked in between the two “Yeah, I heard Vic and Romeo got divorced and he’s been MIA for months”

Looking at Abe Caleb was about to say something before he saw Franklin and he gave a sigh of relief “Baby, over here!”

“Oh sorry, I thought you were a movie star.” He said as he approached his husband and wrapped an arm around him before leaning in to kiss him. “And who are these very bad looking kids?” 

“I’ll have you know I’ve got the best right hand woman in the business” Caleb said “you two will have to meet. Either you’ll be best friends or mortal enemies” After Abram and Anne ordered their drinks Caleb got a pressed juice for himself “Isn’t that always the case? Short version is yes, but it’s still family so you have to roll with it” Abram turned his attention from his phone to Caleb “What about Uncle Martin’s surprise kids? What’s their deal?”

“I’m sure that won’t last, you know unlce Martin. I feel like this family got way too boring. Eveyone is married with babies, nobody is cheating anymore...so dull!”

“A minute is still 60 long seconds” he said and then rolled his eyes and laughed “I don’t know, that white passing comment felt like it at least deserves the cost of a smoothie, but I guess I’ll let it slide” And looking at Abram he shrugged “That’s something you’ll have to run by Franklin. He’s in charge of the kids’ social media presence, but I’m sure if you tag him or something he’d agree” Walking into the café he stepped aside so the twins could order.

Anne took in the sight, she had seen pictures but, “you;ve change the place huh? I mean it’s nice. Could use a woman’s touch but definitely not too bad.” she added, “how’s the rest of the family? still bonkers?”

“You always were the smartest of us” Caleb chuckled and scoffed “Don’t forget you’re both older than I am s the only one allowed to make elderly jokes is me, but yeah, he’s looking forward to meeting both of you. Something about wanting to see other real black folks besides the twins” Laughing, Abram nodded “Speaking of, any chance I can get a few picks with the little ones for Insta? I know my followers would love it”

“I’m older by a minute, relax.” She spit back, “So true, important for us to stick together. You’re way too white passing, it’s not great for the cause.” she teased, anyway, I don’t have to pay for that smoothie, right?”

Caleb cringed “I thought we talked about that nickname when I was 15″ he said and hugged her back “Of course, probiotics too. Gut health is important you know” He patted Abram on the shoulder “Good to see you both, it’s been way too long” As he lead them to the cafe he looked at Anne “No, but running a hotel and also running after two toddlers is probably the best workout ever”

“ugh you’re so right, specially with the food here in new york. I always have to carry tums with me.” She said as he leaned back, “I always forget you’e such an old man. How’s Franklin? Is he coming to greet us too?”

“This is the real world” Abe said as he signed off and told his followers he’d keep them updated “just because you refuse to join us in the 21st century doesn’t mean we all have to suffer” he teased. Now that his sister mentioned it he was feeling hungry “No, his bacon cheeseburger” Abe corrected “I’d kill for one of those right now”

“Our restaurant makes pretty good burgers and juices” Caleb said as he walked up to the two “You finally made it, dad was getting worried”

“Keke!” Anne said as she rushed over to hug her brother, “would love that juice though. You have any antioxidants? Wait, did you lose weight?”

Anne rolled her eyes as she watched her brother, “I think they’ve seen enough. How about you put that down and join us back here in the real world?” she said as she saw the staff begin to carry in heaps of luggage, “ugh I’m staving. Could go for one of dad’s green juices right now.”

Anne set down her purse, the only piece of luggage she was carrying. Not because she couldn’t, she knew she probably lifted heavier weights than the male bellhops here, but fuck the patriarchy. “This is nice I guess. The pictures looked a little nicer though...”

“I wasn’t thinking about it all happening at the screening, but maybe something like a barbeque. Nothing intense or anything like that” The song turned to the next one with a faster tempo “You should let Sam stand on your feet at the dance. It would be cute”

Jed shook his head, “I still haven’t agreed to doing the dance. I actually feel more confident about not doing it now.” 

“I know we tried it in Texas, but things were really bad then” Rhys said “a lot of anger and pain and I think we’ve worked through that, at least for the most part and this is Sam and Kai’s family, I want them to not feel like they have to choose sides”

“Look, you do this at least once every quarter so if you want to do it, do it. You know the kids and I will be there, but we’re getting seats far from the drama so they can actually enjoy the movie.”

“No need to go running for the hills” Rhys chuckled “I was just thinking we can use this screening to help move things along. Papa Victor and Wes haven’t seen one another since the hospital and I was thinking maybe we could have like…a family reunion kind of think. Invite Caleb, Franking and the kids. Cass and Romeo…really do it up”

Jed let out a whistle, “is it a good idea or is it a terrible idea? I mean I appreciate your good intentions but knowing your family, someone will definitely walk off crying or arrested.”

“Connor?” Rhys repeated as they kept moving “You know he adores Sam and Kai so it wouldn’t be a problem getting a private screening” he told him “which actually gives me a pretty good idea…but I might need your help”

Jed paused, looking at Rhys cautiously, “you know that’s very scary...what’s your idea?”