Chapter 21 Perfect
Months later . . .
I opened the front door and smiled when I saw Tashay standing there. “Hey, Shay,” I greeted her.
She opened her arms for a hug. “Hey, Son.”
For the first time, I didn’t flinch or feel any way about her calling me that.
Since the day she came to pick me up, I learned that she truly was a good woman.
She was very motherly and caring, something I never experienced from my own cracked-out mama.
I fought against her guidance, but nowadays, if I had a problem and couldn’t talk to my father, then I was calling her.
“It’s good to see you,” I said, opening my arms for her. We hugged, and then I stepped back to allow her to come inside.
She looked around our grand foyer, taking everything in. “This home is stunning, Perfect. Is that a custom chandelier?”
I followed her eyes, feeling proud. It was worth the investment. We’d closed on it around Halloween and were hosting our very first Christmas party tonight. “Yeah, it is.”
Our home was modern and luxurious, sitting on ten acres of land that belonged to us. The foyer had a huge Christmas tree sitting next to the floating staircase. It was very elegant, and that was all thanks to El. I bought the house, but she went out of her way to make it a home for us.
I led her through the house until we were in the living room, where El had everything set up on the stone, waterfall countertops. “Babe, Shay is here,” I called out because the doorbell rang again.
I left them to head back to the front of the house. This time, it was El’s parents, and my coworkers were right behind them. I hugged them both, then stepped aside to let them in. They’d been over here plenty of times, so it wasn’t something for them to stop and marvel at.
“Look at this nigga wearing pajamas, looking like he in the Christmas spirit and shit,” Titus joked before dapping me up.
I chuckled. “Listen. Whatever the wife wants, she gets. Wassup, Cell.”
We hugged each other, and I closed the door behind them. “Nothing much. This shit is nice. Your girl decorated?”
I nodded. “Hell yeah. She loves Christmas.” It was hell getting all of her decorations and lights up, but I got it done.
I worked on a little bit every day after work until it was what she envisioned.
I couldn’t lie as if it wasn’t satisfying to see how giddy the lights made Pea.
It was going to be hell taking it all down too, but it was worth it for their smiles.
I would literally do anything to see my girls smile.
If they were smiling, then I knew I was handling my business as a husband and father.
“I can tell. She got me in the Christmas spirit now. House smell like cookies when you walk in and shit. I love this for you, man,” Titus joked while bumping into me on our way to the back.
“A nigga is blessed for real.” I couldn’t help but admire our family gathered around the living room.
Mani was the only one missing, but she’d come earlier in the day and was passed out in the guest bedroom for the time being.
Who knew what she was up to that had her so exhausted, but she treated our home like it was hers.
I didn’t mind it; she was a great friend to my girl and loved her goddaughter wholeheartedly.
I knew she would always have their backs.
Shay walked up to me with a glass of El’s spiked eggnog. “Your dad is on the phone.”
I nodded while taking the phone from her. I stepped out onto the back patio to have some privacy. “What’s good, old man,” I teased.
He chuckled heartily. “Merry Christmas, Son.”
“Merry Christmas, OG. My bad for missing your call earlier. El has had me running around like a chicken with its head cut off getting everything ready for tonight.”
“It’s all good. I know you have a lot on your plate. I just really wanted you to know I am so fucking proud of you, Perfect. You went home and did everything you said you would. Got you a stable career, made me a grandfather, and will soon be a husband. You did good, my boy.”
I could hear him getting a little choked up, which brought tears to my eyes. There were times I doubted I was worthy of any of it. Then, when I would look at my family, I knew I was. “Thank you, OG. I wish you were here with us,” I admitted.
“Don’t I know it. Maybe someday soon. They approved my parole hearing.”
Now, that was good fucking news. “What? Are you serious?”
“Serious as the day you were born.”
My heart raced a little at the possibility of my father being a free man too.
“You gotta give me the court details. You know me and El will be there with Shay. We can bring Pea too. I know you want to see her.” Like how he’d done me when I was younger, he refused for me to bring my baby up there, which I understood. She knew who her G-Pop was though.
He chuckled. “Oh, don’t I know it, but listen. I just wanted to check in with you. Send me some pictures when you can.”
“You know I got you. Pea is getting so big; I can’t stand it.”
He laughed and sighed. “Yeah, kids grow up fast, so cherish every single moment.”
If being locked up taught me nothing else, it taught me to enjoy all of life—the good, bad, and downright ugly because they all played a part.
“Word. Well, I’ma give the phone back to Shay. I love you, OG.”
“I love you too, Son.”
I went back inside and passed the phone off.
Shay disappeared to talk to him for a little longer while I slid up behind El.
My arms went around her waist. She was dancing to “All I Want Is You” by Boney James while holding a glass of white wine.
The way that man played the saxophone should’ve been a crime.
October London was the perfect voice for the beat too.
“You good, babe?” she questioned.
“I’m perfect,” I replied with ease.
She turned to me and winked. “Yes, you are.” She walked over to the speaker and turned the music down. “Okay, we can all head to the dining room for dinner.” Turning to me, she said, “I’m going to go upstairs to wake Mani up.”
I nodded and gave her a kiss on the cheek. When she turned to walk away, I slapped her hard as hell on the ass. She yelped, trying to get away from me. I smiled proudly, about to follow everyone into the dining room, when motion outside caught my eye.
“Oh, look, it’s snowing,” I told everybody excitedly.
We didn’t get snow often in South Carolina, so we all raced to the back patio to watch the flakes drift down to the ground. Precious was running around the yard with Titus, trying to catch them with her tongue. I felt so at peace watching my baby laugh and play. This was my definition of success.
I glanced down when an arm went around my waist. El stood there with Mani, who had a blanket wrapped around her. “A white Christmas?” El asked.
I shrugged. “We will have to see.” I was looking at my baby play with the adults and glanced down at El.
“My baby needs someone her age to play with. That old ass nigga tired already,” I said disappointedly as we watched Titus tell Pea he needed a break.
I cupped my hands around my mouth and yelled out, “Get in the gym, nigga! My baby running circles around your tired ass.” He flipped me off before resting his hands on his hips as he heaved, trying to catch his breath.
She giggled. “She just might sooner than you think,” she implied, making me freeze.
“Don’t play with me, El. What you tryna say? ’Cause I saw you drinking wine.” I frowned, which only made her laugh.
She shook her head. “No, you saw me drinking sparkling cider. I was waiting to tell you later, but yes, baby number two is officially loading,” she whispered with tears in her eyes.
I snatched her up so quickly and hugged her to my body. It didn’t take everybody long to catch on to the reason for my excitement. I had high hopes for a white Christmas now. I had missed El’s pregnancy with Pea and couldn’t wait to go through the process with her this time.
I pulled her into me and placed my forehead on hers. “You know I got you, right?”
She nodded. “Without a doubt in my mind.”
I smiled. “Good, because I can’t do this life without you.”
She palmed my cheeks, then inched closer until her lips were resting against mine. “Oh, you won’t have to. You’re stuck with me until the casket closes.”
“Even then, I’ma be stuck ’cause they gonna have to put me in there with you.”
She whacked me on the arm, making me laugh. I tossed an arm around her shoulders as we all headed back inside the house to eat and celebrate the new addition to the family.