Sylvia #5
“Is that where we’re going now? To granddaddy’s house?
We know you’re going out tonight.” I’d talked to them a little about Hassan because I didn’t want them to hear rumors and not know what was going on.
They spent their days with friends or at one of the local rec centers so I knew people would talk.
“About that—”
Dorian was shaking his head before I could even get my sentence out. “Nope. We not about to be the reason that you miss out on having fun.”
My mouth dropped open at the vehement way that Dorian objected. “Boy, why do you act like I don’t do anything.”
“Mama, you don’t. You spend time with family and Auntie Bug comes or you go down to Savannah for your girl’s weekends but that’s about it. You need a boyfriend.”
My mouth dropped open because I was offended. “Who said that?”
“Granddaddy.”
They answered me in innocent unison and I was definitely going to have to get on my daddy about how he moved around my kids.
“No you’re not going to your granddaddy’s house.”
“Then uncle Tank or Uncle Spoon?” Selene was happy because that meant she could go play with her cousins. I was sure that Dorian would be happy but my brothers treated him like he was a their peer instead of a child.
“Neither. Mr. Hassan has requested that you all come with us tonight.”
“Nobody wants to see you and some old man trying to mack and kiss and stuff.” I was offended by multiple parts of his statement because who told him Hassan was old? And if that’s what he just assumed did that mean his lil long headed ass thought I was old? Unacceptable.
“Mack? Who said all—”
“Great granddaddy.” Again their shared cadence would’ve been cute if it wasn’t at my expense. But clearly I needed to speak to the old man about how much he was talking to my kids about my business.
“Y’all can’t go by your great granddaddy when you don’t want to go to the rec center anymore. That man stopped being a judge and has lost all sense of decency.”
“He just wants you to be happy, mama, and so do we.” Selene had always been my mini me so I wasn’t surprised that was her reaction.
“I have y’all so I’ll always be happy.” I felt myself getting emotional again but I needed to hold it together for them.
“But we’re gonna get bigger and then you’ll be by yourself. If Mr. Hassan is a good person then you can have him come around. We won’t mind sharing you with him.”
They were speaking so sincerely I had to wonder if my daddy had put them up to this. For some reason he felt as though Hassan was a good choice without even having spoken to the man in decades.
“We’ll see how this goes and worry about the later when it’s time, okay?”
They nodded and Selene came over to give me a hug. “That’s fine. But just know we aren’t going to be bratty like some kids are. Unless that gets us presents. Then—”
“Selene, why are you trying to manipulate this man already?”
“Not manipulate. They can just be helpful suggestions.”
I cracked up because she was dead ass and I wondered how Hassan would deal with my kids. He said he wanted to handle it and I’d promised to stop doubting him when he didn’t deserve it.
“We’ve got a little bit of time so y’all can relax before we head out.”
I’d never thought I’d be having a family date but Hassan was again showing me something new.
We’d met Hassan at the Beacon Grove Hotel and were escorted back to a gazebo that was set on a shadier side of the property.
I was sure he thought we’d make our way back up to the penthouse after our outdoor dinner but the kids changed those plans.
Hassan didn’t seem at all bothered and everything he’d brought with him made it seem like this date was always for all of us.
The food spread was admirable given that he’d had to pivot at the last minute.
He’d gotten two large pizzas, a family size order of chicken tenders and all the sides for the kids to enjoy.
He had a large bag that he kept pulling snacks from and I swore I was about to ask him if he was a magician since it seemed never ending.
The kids had been nice when I introduced them and Hassan almost had me in tears when he presented Selene with her own flowers.
When my son asked him why he was bringing flowers he let him know that was one of many ways that a gentleman thanked a lady for agreeing to spend time with him.
Of course the immediate answer out of my teen’s mouth was that was simp behavior but Hassan put him in his place in the most parental way.
Explaining that being a simp was essentially bullshit that men who couldn’t get the women they liked coined so other men would be miserable right along with them.
When asked if he’d rather spend all his time with his friends or some girl, my son couldn’t help but see the error in his thinking.
How is he parenting this well and he’s known these kids for five minutes?
As much as I hated comparisons, I was sure that simp comment came from Dave.
He was always one to think the bare minimum was all he needed to do and even then that was often too much.
He truly felt like his presence was enough of a prize.
We’d eaten dinner and then Hassan brought out Uno and playing cards.
He joked with the kids that they needed to know how to handle physical cards and not just stuff online.
They thought it was cute to be doing something old school and both Hassan and I almost choked when they said it.
We’d stayed out there for hours and Hassan had followed us home so he could help put the food away.
The kids didn’t want him to leave so we watched a movie but it ended up watching them within thirty minutes.
When we finally got them to bed I thought for sure he would be exhausted but he looked like he was up to stay around for longer and I was damn sure going to let him.
“Thank you for today.”
“Ain’t no need to thank me, Sylvie. Your kids are cool as shit. I know they get that from you and not their other genetic contributor.”
I giggled and watched as he sat on the sofa with his legs spread and his arm behind the back of the couch. He looked like he belonged here and more than anything he felt like he did.
I scooted toward him and Hassan read the moment perfectly.
He threaded his fingers through my hair and pulled the strands gently.
The move was sensual or else I craved this man that much.
My eyes lowered and I could tell that he was watching me intensely.
Instead of being bashful I leaned forward to stroke his face allowing my fingers to explore the strong ridge of his brow and his high cheek bones.
Before I could reach his lips, he turned his head to kiss my hand before pulling me to him.
“You teasing me, Sisi?”
“No, I’m caressing you.” I was teasing him and it was working since I could feel how he was growing beneath me.
“The only thing I can think of is your walls caressing my dick right now. I know we not on that type of time—”
“We aren’t? You holding out the dick from me as punishment, ’San?”
He looked at the stairs before glancing back at me. “I ain’t trying to be disrespectful to the kids, Sisi. I ain’t keeping shit from you but—”
“No buts. This is the reality of wanting to be a part of my life. You think I’m going to wait on dick whenever they’re around? We might as well end this now.” I went to move away from him but his hand gripping my hair stopped me. It also turned me on and I waited patiently for him to say something.
“You kicking me out over me being respectful?”
“I have needs that need to be met.”
He glanced around again like he thought one of the kids would pop out of the floor boards or something.