The next few days seemed to drag by, and everyone’s mood was still gloomy. No one seemed their normal selves until the day of the opening of Aleesha and Lala’s new lounge, 4Twenty. It was a smoking lounge and bar, and only legal marijuana patients were allowed in. Lala, Aleesha and Savage were at the lounge getting a few last minute things ready for the grand opening later that night. Lala was in charge of the catering, while Aleesha was in charge of everything else.
“Damn it looks good in here,” Savage said as he admired the room. There was a fully stocked bar, and multiple tables and booths around the room. There were pictures, quotes, and paintings of famous weed smokers on the walls, and the dimmed lighting gave off a mellow vibe.
“Thanks babe,” Aleesha said, taking a look around at her work. “C’mon let’s go check up with Lala,” she said before they walked toward the back. “Everything good back here, Lala?” Aleesha asked as they made their way into the kitchen.
“Yeah, I can’t believe we’re finally opening,” Lala said as feelings of nervousness came over her.
“Yeah, I’m kinda nervous,” Aleesha admitted.
“What is there to be nervous about? You got this, babe,” Savage reminded her as he rubbed her shoulders.
“This will be the first time you won’t be here to help me run things,” she told him as she turned around and looked up into his golden brown eyes.
“I know, babe. This is what you wanted though,” he said as he kissed her lips.
“I know,” she said as she turned her face away.
He turned her face back to his and kissed her again. “It won’t be as hard as you think.”
“You leaving tomorrow night, right?” Lala asked, interrupting the couple’s make out session.
“Yeah,” Savage responded, looking up at Lala. He had opened his recording studio in New Orleans, and was moving out there to better control the business.
“Leelee, I don’t see why you didn’t want to move out there,” Lala said.
“Me either,” Savage agreed.
“You know why,” Aleesha said, rolling her eyes at Savage. “I’m just not ready to leave home yet.” She looked at Lala. “But enough about that, let’s leave so we can get ready.”
“Aight. Okay,” Savage and Lala said as they all headed out.
Aleesha was as nervous as ever when they arrived for the grand opening. There was a line full of people already outside waiting to get in. Lala was already there, and she greeted Aleesha with a microphone.
“Good evening, everyone,” Aleesha said as she walked toward the entrance. “I just want to give a quick thank you to everyone who helped make this lounge what it is,” she said, giving a round of applause. “Now, without further ado, I give you, 4Twenty,” she said as she opened the doors and walked inside. Everyone outside cheered and rushed toward the doors to get inside.
A live DJ was playing “Rollin’ Up” by D Mac, and chicken wings, burger shots and other appetizers were being served. Aleesha, Lala and Savage immediately went to the VIP table they had reserved for themselves, and a little while later, Mac and Amina joined them.
“Okay everyone, I wanna make a toast,” Lala said, interrupting everyone at the table as she stood up.
“The floor is yours,” Aleesha said, giving Lala her full attention.
“Toast to all of us,” Lala said, raising her glass, “for making it this far. May God bless and watch over all of us as we endeavor on these new journeys in our lives. Allow us to flourish and stay sane, and keep the devil off our backs.”
“Amen,” everyone at the table said as they clinked their glasses together.
“Okay,” Aleesha said as she stood up. “I would like to say a few things too. I would like to thank everyone around this table for being here and showing support. You guys mean so much to me and I love you guys even more. And, I’m pregnant,” she suddenly stated, shocking everyone around her.
“Are you serious?” Lala asked with a surprised expression on her face. “Congratulations boo!” she happily exclaimed. “Why the fuck are you just barely telling us?”
“Yeah, why?” Savage angrily asked.
“I don’t know,” Aleesha answered innocently. “I was waiting on a good time.”
Savage got up and left the table. He walked toward the restroom and Aleesha chased after him.
“Babe, babe!” she called out after him. “What’s wrong?”
“Man, Aleesha, you know I’m leavin’ tomorrow,” he said with a hurt expression on his face. “Why are you just barely tellin’ me this shit?”
“Baby,” she said with a sigh, “with everything that’s been going on, I didn’t know when would be the right time.”
“So you pick now?” Savage asked irritably.
“Yes,” Aleesha said with a giggle, “why are you trippin’?”
“Aleesha, what do you not get about me leavin’ tomorrow? If I would have known that I wouldn’t be goin’,” he said furiously.
“That’s exactly why I didn’t want to tell you,” she admitted. “We can’t put our life on hold, and your acting like you’re never coming back. We already planned on seeing each other at least once a month.”
“Yeah, but I wanna be there for every appointment, every class you need to take, all that.”
“I know babe, you will be. We can Skype,” Aleesha said with a laugh. “Come here babe.” She hugged him. “You know I love you. Everything will be fine. Let’s just enjoy tonight and we can worry about this tomorrow.”
“Aight,” Savage sighed as Aleesha took his hand and led the way back to the table.
As soon as Aleesha sat down, Lala leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Someone’s here to see you.”
“Who?” Aleesha whispered back in her ear.
“They’re in the lobby.”
“I’ll be right back babe, I need to go check on something,” Aleesha whispered to Savage as she got up from the table.
“Aight,” he said as he rolled up a blunt.
Aleesha walked into the lobby and found Cali standing by the door. “Hey,” she said as she approached him.
“Damn,” he said, staring her up and down, “you look good tonight.”
“Thank you,” she said with a cute little giggle. She was wearing a blue floral halter corset, with black cotton jeggings and blue Prada wedges.
“I know yo dude—”
“Husband,” she corrected him fast.
“Okay, husband,” he said with a sardonic expression on his face, “is here, and I ain’t trying to have no problems. I just wanted to come and congratulate you.”
“Thank you Cali, that really means a lot.”
“No problem,” he said with a smile as he looked at her.
“And you’re welcome here anytime,” she added.
“Aight, I’ll come back and check it out soon. I’m about to get up outta here though, I gotta go handle some business.”
“Alright,” she said with a warm smile.
“Oh, and thanks for helpin’ out with Mila,” he stated appreciatively. “I don’t think she would be doin’ as good as she is if you weren’t there for her.”
“Of course, me and her have been through too much. I don’t know,” she said with a pause as she shrugged her shoulders, “I couldn’t stay mad at her.”
“I feel you, but I’ll see you later.”
“Okay,” Aleesha said as they embraced in a long, warm hug. “I love you,” she whispered to him as she hugged him tighter, not realizing what she had said.
“I love you too,” Cali replied, squeezing her tighter.
“Umm,” she said, clearing her throat as she hurriedly broke free of his grip, “I gotta get back in there.”
“I won’t hold you up no longer,” he said with a sly smile. “I’ll catch you later.”
“Okay,” Aleesha said as she began walking away. “See you later, Cali.” She waved over her shoulder.
“See you later,” Cali said as he watched her walk away.
Aleesha returned to the table and they celebrated the rest of the night as everyone said their goodbyes and see-you-later’s to Savage. The next day, Aleesha dropped him off at the airport and stayed with him until he boarded his plane. It was an emotional time for the couple when they parted, but they had reassurance knowing they would see each other in a few weeks.