Page 75 of Beyond The Stars

Qamar got on his knees in front of the couch and just stared at Siasia and Belinay. They were so content in one another’s arms that he almost didn’t want to wake them. However, he wanted to give her time to get herself together before his rambunctious bunch came in like a hurricane on a sunny day.

“Mama,” he hummed, kissing on her face. “Get up, baby.”

Siasia stirred, her sleep feeling too good to wake up from.

“Come on, baby. My mama here,” he threw in, knowing that would get her attention.

Her eyebrows shot to her hairline before squeezing closed again when she noticed Stephanie standing close enough to see her. “I am going to kill you, Qamar,” she said through gritted teeth, gaining a few laughs form those around.

Qamar looked up at his mama. “Told you, Ma.”

Qamar admired the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. She was gently, serenely wise, and so damn beautiful.

She was home.

“Don’t be threatening my baby, Ms. Siasia,” Stephanie fake fussed with humor in her tone.

As Siasia lifted her body, Qamar took Belinay from her which made his baby girl whine. She’d been loving being glued to Siasia which would give her mama a stroke if she found out.

“Good morning.” Her eyes smiled at Stephanie and Griff. “I would’ve been up if I knew y’all was coming.”

“Oh, he ain’t know we was coming. Nigga had been dodging everybody calls. I’m sorry about your mama.” Stephanie gave a gentle smile. She wanted to say more, wanted to fuss because she offered to attend the service but Qamar told her Siasia didn’t want anyone but her, Qamar, and Noodle there.

All she could hope for now was to build a relationship with the pretty girl that held her baby boy’s heart in her hands.

“Thank you.” The reality of her mama being gone still took a toll on her. “Um. I’m going to get me and Fat Ma, dressed. Where the girls and Malysia?” she finally asked when she didn’t hear or see them.

“Malysia took them to the nail shop,” Qamar explained.

She gave one last nod before taking Belinay back from him and padding off to the room.

“My baby in love,” Stephanie said dramatically while falling on the couch, making the three of them cackle.

22

Everyone sat around looking at each other, hoping the next person broke the ice. The apartment that used to feel so big to Siasia felt tight and cramped. Not only had all of Qamar’s siblings shown up but their children as well. The walls, once adorned with laughter and warmth, now echoed with the weight of unspoken grief of vile words and a broken family.

Siasia cleared her throat and picked at the hem of her dress, trying to gather her thoughts amidst the tension that hung in the air. “Well—” she began, but before she could finish, Stephanie shot her a look, raising her hand as if to physically block whatever was about to come out of Siasia's mouth.

“Uh un,” Stephanie said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Not you.” She pointed decisively at Siasia. “You.” She glared at Qamar, who was leaned back against the couch, his long legs crossed at a perfect right angle, exuding an air of casual defiance.

“Oop.” Siasia snapped her mouth shut, a nervous giggle escaping her lips, which made everyone else chuckle as well, breaking the ice just a little. The laughter felt like a fragile thread connecting them, but when Qamar didn’t open his mouth, Siasia elbowed him in the side, urging him to speak.

His brown eyes flicked to hers for a brief moment before shifting to Solar, who sat with her arms crossed, a stony expression on her face. “Man,” Qamar finally said, running a hand over his mouth, the weight of the moment settling on his shoulders. “Um, first let me just say, I love all y’all.”

“But?” Luna interjected, sitting up straight, her eyes narrowing as she prepared for whatever Qamar was about to unleash.

“Let him cook, baby,” Javen whispered, wrapping his arm around her as if to ground her. Luna kissed her teeth in annoyance but settled back into her husband’s embrace, her body language still tense.

Qamar stared at Luna for a few seconds, the silence stretching uncomfortably before he turned his gaze back to Solar. The tension in the room thickened as he spoke again. “Solar, I’m sorry for that shit I said to you. I was out of line, and I know it don’t mean nothing right now, but I really didn’t mean it. I was pissed and already in a fucked-up headspace and took that shit out on you.” Qamar’s words not only put a damper on their relationship but also caused a rift in the one she shared with French.

“Mhm,” Solar responded, her head nodding but her leg bouncing nervously, a clear sign that she was still grappling with her own emotions.

“Now, Solar,” Stephanie interjected, trying to play the mediator in this emotional tug-of-war, careful not to take a side.

Solar’s head swung to Siasia, her expression shifting. “My only apology is to you. I don’t know you from a can of paint and judged you when like my brother said, I didn’t have any room to do so. If you’re open, I would like to get to know you since it seems you’re going to be around,” she said, her voice steady yet laced with an underlying vulnerability.

The room fell silent again, the weight of Solar’s words hanging in the air like an uninvited guest. Siasia felt the sting of that statement, the sharpness of it cutting through the layers of grief that had settled over them all. The flicker of pain in Solar’s eyes was a reflection of the chaos swirling beneath the surface.

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