Chapter 13
Sitting in the middle of the floor, I held up a flashcard for Precious. “What’s this color, baby?” I asked her.
She was in front of me, playing with some of her building blocks. “Arange!” she replied excitedly.
I couldn’t help but smile because she was so smart already. From the many books I consumed while pregnant, I knew it was important to start teaching her as soon as possible. So far, it was paying off because my girl was rattling off her colors without any mistakes these days.
It was Saturday, and I’d taken the day off from the demands of being a business owner to focus on just being a mother. So far, we’d woken up, had breakfast, and gotten ready for the day. Precious wanted to play, so I was letting her do that.
Since she’d gotten them all right, I set the cards to the side and found myself simply watching her.
I couldn’t look at her without thinking about Perfect.
It’d been three days since he found out about her, and I hadn’t heard a peep.
He hadn’t popped up like a weirdo trying to force his way into our lives.
I sighed, realizing that I was kind of disappointed about that.
But then again, could I expect much from a man who had disappeared for years?
Running away was what Perfect was perfect at.
From day one, it was my baby girl and me against the world, and I’d made peace with that.
But Port just had to come bombarding his way back into my life.
His persistence made me forget all the work I’d put in.
Every time I laid eyes on him, I fought against the urge to be wrapped in his corded arms. He was not safe or good for me, no matter how attracted I was to him.
No matter if my body constantly ached to feel him, I had to put my lust to the side and see the facts. We couldn’t depend on him to be here.
I glanced up at the door when the doorbell rang. Climbing to my feet, I walked over and stared through the peephole. I gasped when I saw who was on the other side. Had I just conjured him here? My heart began to race, and all the reassurance I’d just given myself dissipated.
He rang the doorbell again, making me jump.
Taking a deep breath, I yanked the door open and came face-to-face with his genuine smile.
He stood there casually, wearing a crisp pair of light-washed jeans and a Solaire Suns jersey with white block walkers.
Instead of diamonds, he wore gold necklaces and rings with a watch.
His cologne was a sultry, woodsy scent that instantly sedated me.
“Surprised to see you here,” I said while folding my arms over my chest. It was my attempt at being unfazed. I couldn’t let him know his presence was affecting me, because then I was definitely not getting rid of his ass.
His smile disappeared. “I don’t know why.
I already told you what was up with me. Matter fact—” He abruptly stopped speaking to brush past me and let himself inside my house.
I rolled my eyes as he marched right over to Precious.
“Hey, Pretty Pea,” he said in a low voice, like he was in awe of our daughter.
I closed the door and leaned against it while watching them.
Warmth spread from my heart straight into my bloodstream when he opened his arms for her, and she didn’t hesitate to collapse into his arms. The most peaceful look ever settled on Perfect’s face while he hugged her.
When he released her, she lifted one of her blocks for him to play with.
Leaving the door behind, I went to the loveseat and folded my legs underneath me. I felt the heat of his gaze before I acknowledged he was looking at me. “What?”
“Done being a meany?”
I chuckled. “Nobody is being mean to you.” I shrugged. “It’s been three days; I just figured you ran again.”
He shook his head and began playing with Precious’s ponytails. “You will learn to trust me again. I told you I came back for you. Finding out about our daughter was the icing on the cake.” He glanced up at me. “I know we’re meant to be now. There is no running away. I’m here. Y’all are my family.”
I wanted to hate every word out of his mouth, but I didn’t have it in me. “You never even gave us a chance, so how are you so convinced that I’m who you want?”
“A nigga didn’t need years to know you were the one.
Trust me. That month when I first came home was all I needed to see.
You were willing to accept me at my worst. You opened your home, arms, and heart to me, not even knowing what you would receive in return.
You became my heart, El. I know I left, but I’m back now, and I want the opportunity to remind you of what you already know. ”
“What’s that?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
“That we’re meant to be together.”
I developed the worst case of cotton mouth, but I somehow fought against it to speak. “You didn’t have to leave. You were already perfect.”
“But I didn’t feel like a man.” He paused, then said, “What was it SIR said? Guess I was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the right one.”
My eyes watered a little hearing him say that. It was at that moment I decided to forgive him, but then he hammered it into my heart when he pulled a Hershey’s kiss from his pocket. The silver foil made my heart race. It was our code when we wanted to make peace with one another.
“Give me another chance to be the man you need and deserve.”
The tears I was trying my best to hold in began to cascade down my cheeks. I nodded while trying to wipe them away, but he had me feeling so emotional. I fought so hard to keep him out, and what was the point? If I was honest, knowing that he was back and willing to fight for me was enough for me.
Port sat Precious on the floor and stood to close the distance between us.
He held out a hand, which I accepted. He yanked me from the couch, and I crashed into his warm embrace.
At first, my body tensed, but when he applied pressure, I allowed myself to melt into his hardened frame.
I wrapped my arms around him, and for the first time in a long time, I felt free.
“Ohana,” Precious said, coming to wrap her arms around our legs.
We couldn’t help but laugh. “How she know what that means?” Perfect asked in awe.
“Oh, we have a little brainiac on our hands, and she loves Lilo and Stitch.”
“Hell yeah,” he said excitedly before scooping her up and spinning her in a circle. He looked genuinely happy to be here. I downloaded the sound of their giggles and prayed this wasn’t a mistake, that this really could be the beginning of a beautiful life as a family.
“Okay, I came because I wanted to take you and Precious shopping.”
“Shopping? For what?”
He shrugged. “Groceries, clothes, shoes. Shit, whatever y’all need.”
At first, I started to tell him we were good, but then I remembered that baby girl was rapidly outgrowing her clothes and shoes. It would be one less thing for me to worry about if I allowed her father to contribute, so I nodded. “Okay, cool. Let’s do it.”
He set Precious down but paused. “Oh, and another thing. Did you get rid of that nigga?”
My heart started to race because I hadn’t. I shook my head. “No. What am I supposed to say to him? Things are good between us.”
He walked over to me. “You want me to text him for you?”
I shook my head and backed away. “No, no. I got it.” Only God knew what Port would text that man, so I grabbed my phone and typed something up.
Me:
Hey, I know this is unexpected but I can’t see you anymore. It’s nothing you did or said. I just need some time to figure out what’s next for me.
When it was sent, I looked at Port and made a face. “Happy now?”
He held out his hand with a frown. “Nah, let me see what you said first.”
I giggled and ran from him. “Man, gone. You need help.”
He shook his head and smiled. “Nah, I need you.” He looked down at Precious and picked her back up. “And this little one too. Y’all are all I need.”
When Perfect said he wanted to take us shopping, he was not joking around. The man had run up a serious tab at the mall and didn’t break a sweat or his smile. I kept telling him things were too much, and he paid me no mind as he swiped his card constantly.
“What the fuck do you do that’s got you balling like this?” I questioned with a raised brow.
We were leaving Foot Locker, where he’d bought all three of us his favorite pair of Jordans, which were 1s—something about wanting us to wear them for family pictures.
Perfect was a little off in the head, but I was just as delusional.
I was right there, already thinking of what our outfits were going to be.
“Your boy is a licensed Journeyman Electrician.”
I smiled and clapped my hands proudly. “Oh, wow. You have a legit career.”
He mugged me. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
I laughed because he really looked offended. “Nothing. I just meant I’m really proud of you. That’s all. I didn’t know electricians make this kind of bank.”
He nodded. “Shit, this ain’t nothing for real. I’m newly licensed at the shit, so get used to a life of luxury, Princess, especially when I open my own business one day.” He paused and then turned to me and said, “Plus, I’ve damn near saved every dollar I made over the last few years.”
I stopped walking as my smile faded away. “Why would you do that?”
He closed the space between us and tucked a piece of my curly hair behind my ear. “For you.”
I shook my head and swallowed the lump in my throat. “You’re crazy.”
“Nah, I’m a man that was determined to take care of the woman he loves.”
Before I could respond, Precious started going crazy in her car seat. “Ice cream,” she said repeatedly while pointing at the stand.
I was about to tell her no, but of course, her father had other plans.
He unbuckled her, and the moment her little feet hit the floor, she went running.
I palmed my face. “Oh my goodness. Now you see why I keep her locked down.” He laughed while chasing after her.
When he finally caught up to her, he snatched her giggling self in the air and tickled her until her laugh was all that could be heard in the courtyard.
I met them at the ice cream cart, where Perfect paid for each of us a cone.
We both got butter pecan, and Precious got strawberry.
I pushed the stroller while he carried her in his arms. She was in her own little world, and everything was okay until we went to sit on a bench to enjoy our ice cream, and she dropped hers when Perfect set her down.
She started to show her ass, crying and screaming.
I was ready to correct her, but Perfect beat me to it, except he didn’t correct her at all.
Instead, he got eye level with her and spoke to her in a soft tone.
“Look at me. You’re okay, Sweet Pea.” He just kept assuring her over and over while wiping away her tears until she finally calmed down.
It was at that moment I knew I could trust him.
A man who could be gentle with a toddler while she had a tantrum was a man after my own heart.