Chapter 24 Adora
Adora
Ido not miss that stupid ass boot. It was too big and too awkward to walk on.
It felt like it did more damage than good and I’m just glad to be able to wear matching shoes.
Although I have been boot-free for two weeks now, the doctor still says no heels, but I’m not really a heel girlie anyway.
It’s the end of July, hot as hell, and I prefer slides, especially after having my feet closed all day at work.
Xai’s getting the girls from school and they are going on a date.
He’s so sweet and attentive with them and I appreciate that so much.
I grew up without knowing my father so I know firsthand how that can affect a little girl, which is why I tried to hold on to Rush.
I was wrong for that and it’s evident every time I see Xai with my girls.
In the short time he’s been in our lives, he’s been more of a father to them than Rush ever was or could be.
Since I wasn’t invited to their date this evening, I’m taking the time to meet Kandi at Sushi House for an early dinner and bestie time.
I’m also about to break the news to her about the twins.
Right now, only me, Xai, and the girls know and we swore them to secrecy.
Because I’m only eleven weeks along, I’m not showing at all, so it’s easy to keep the news to ourselves. I haven’t even told Dr. Denim yet.
“Up or down?” I ask my reflection as I finger comb my new Ghana braids.
Jae came over Sunday and did me and the girls’ hair.
They got a quick style, feed-in cornrows, that will last until summer break.
Jae will redo theirs before our annual vacation next month.
“Down,” I decide, then take off my work studs and replace them with silver hoops.
Before leaving the house, I text Kandi.
Me: Leaving now.
She responds almost immediately.
Kandi: Me too.
After one last check in my mirror, I grab my tote and cell and leave the house.
Since I beat Kandi here, I check in. It’s Friday, in the middle of their three to six p.m. happy hour.
Half price sushi rolls and saki plus five dollars off signature drinks draws a crowd, so there’s normally a wait.
There’s a seat at the bar but because I want to be comfortable and can’t drink, I opt to wait for a table.
Luckily, I only wait for ten minutes and I’m sitting at the small table by the window when Kandi makes it. She spots me when she enters and walks over. I stand when she approaches and we hug.
“Sorry. My little princess decided she wanted to blow it up right as I was walking out of the door. Chad had a fit so I had to turn around, change her, and clean her up. I’m trying to wean her from breast milk but her stomach isn’t liking the formula.
It’s been a time. I know you don’t miss this shit,” she says ,then shakes her head.
The door is open! I wanted to ease her into my news but she opened the door so I decide to just walk through. There’s no need to delay.
“It’s coming back in about seven months, times two,” I blurt, then grab the small happy hour menu. As I pretend to read it, I glance at her perplexed face.
“Wait, now, what? What did you say?”
“You didn’t hear me?” I tease, then give all my faux attention to the menu. Her crazy ass reaches over and swats the menu, knocking it out of my hand.
“Bitch, seven months? Times two? I know you not pregnant,” she says and I simply nod. “With fucking twins?” Again, I nod but this time she actually screams in this crowded ass restaurant. “Awww! You’re pregnant!” she squeals as she jumps out of her seat, steps toward me, then hugs me tightly.
“Thanks for telling the whole restaurant,” I scoff playfully as she rocks me.
“My bad. My bad. My bad,” she says with a grin. She releases me then gets back in her seat. “I’m so happy for you, friend. Twins. You have the prettiest babies. I can’t wait.”
“Thanks, girl. I’m excited and nervous as hell.”
“Why are you nervous? You’ve done this…twice. And this time, you have a man who’s going to be right there.”
“I know; he’s so cute with it too, aggravating but cute. I’m not even far enough along to show and he acts like I’m having them next week. He doesn’t want me to do anything.”
“Then don’t do shit. It’s simple.”
“Girl, my job. I have to work,” I counter.
“Yo’ ass wants to work. You own your car, own your home, and your babyfather owns his townhome and runs two successful businesses. I think you can sit your cute ass down and relax for once.”
“This year has been a doozy and it’s only July,” I admit. “As long as God knows I am not one of his strongest soldiers so he can take me off the ‘she can handle everything’ list, I just might. ’Cause yo’ girl has been through it,” I tease but only marginally. There’s so much truth behind my words.
“You have but thank God you don’t look like it,” she says then laughs. “And thank God you have a real man who loves you and your babies. Isn’t he on a date with them right now?”
“He is. He even got them pink, long-stemmed roses for their outing. I know they were so surprised when he picked them up from school.”
“That’s a good man, Savannah,” she says with a smirk because she knows I hate that phrase. In the movie where the phrase originated, the man referenced was nowhere near good.
“Girl,” I hiss, then roll my eyes. “Where’s our server? I’m starving.” I ask.
“Wait, you’re pregnant. You can’t eat sushi. Why did you pick here?”
“Because I can eat the Kani salad and Blue Ocean roll. They are cooked.”
“Okay. Well don’t be mad when I get the yellowtail sashimi.”
“I won’t.”
Our server finally comes to the table and we order drinks and food. We spend the next two hours talking about everything while enjoying sushi. Before we leave, she places a to-go order for Chad and I text Xai.
Me: I’m about to leave Sushi House. I can bring something for you and the girls.
Xai: Sushi? Can you eat that?
Me: Yes. Everything I at
e was cooked. Do you want anything?
His response is vague as hell. He’s really keeping their date a mystery.
Xai: No, we good.
Me: Are y’all at a restaurant?
Xai: See you at the house in an hour.
Me: You’re mean but I love you Have fun!
Xai: I love you too.
“Does he want anything?” Kandi asks when I look up from my phone.
“No. They’re fine. I don’t know where they are but they’re fine.”
“That is the sweetest. Let them enjoy their date so they’ll know how a man is supposed to treat them,” she says. “I ordered Chad’s steak bento box already. Imma run to the restroom. I’ll be right back.”
When Kandi walks off, my cell vibrates. Thinking it’s Xai again, I flip it over.
It’s Detective Nichols. The day after I was released from the hospital, I called the police.
Calling and texting me is one thing, but coming to my damn house and putting their hands on me is another.
Doing that shit in front of my girls was diabolical.
They deserve another ass whooping for that alone but I’ll settle for jail.
“Good afternoon, Detective Nichols,” I answer.
“Miss Mitchell,” he greets. “Do you have a moment to talk?”
“Yes, I’m good.”
“Well, I just wanted to update you on the case. With your doorbell camera video and statement, we charged both with battery, more specifically, aggravated battery because of your pregnancy.”
“Good. Are the video and my statement enough? Like I said, Detective, I don’t want my daughters involved in any way. No statements and definitely no testifying in court,” I say adamantly, repeating exactly what I’ve said since the beginning.
“There isn’t going to be a trial. After they were informed that the battery charge was elevated to aggravated due to a vulnerable factor, they chose a plea instead of risking up to fifteen years,” he says and I can’t fight my smile.
They’re going to jail!
“What was the plea?”
“Three years and a five-thousand-dollar fine.”
“Good luck with getting that money,” I reply with a smirk.
“Oh, the system will get it one way or another.”
“Do I need to do anything? Sign something?”
“No. Your part is over.”
“Well, thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am. Have a good day.”
“You too,” I say, then end the call.
As soon as Kandi returns, I share the good news. I’ll tell Xai when he and the girls get home. Hopefully, that’ll help ease some of his tension. I swear his handsome face gets hard as stone anytime we even mention that day. Hearing this will hopefully relax that look.
“Good. I hope them bitches rot in there,” Kandi says and I definitely agree.
The server returns with Kandi’s to-go order and we leave the restaurant.
After hugging, we part ways and head to our respective cars.
When I get into my completely detailed car and start the engine, I smile when I see that my fuel level says full and my oil level shows ninety-eight percent.
It’s the little things like this that make me appreciate the man I have.
Beaming, I start my Yara playlist and blast her newest and my new favorite, The Feels, on repeat to the house. Xai’s truck is in the driveway. They beat me back and I can’t wait to hear about their adventure.
When I pull into the garage, the door opens before I kill my engine. It’s him and he walks out and opens my door. After assisting me out, he pulls me into him and kisses my lips passionately. This is how I’m greeted every time I come home from work, and I can’t lie, I’m falling in love with this.
“You had fun?” he asks.
“Yeah, I told her and she actually screamed in those people’s restaurant.”
“That’s yo’ girl,” he says while shaking his head.
“The detective called while I was there.”
“And what he say?”
“Because I’m pregnant, they were charged with aggravated battery. They took a plea. Three years.”
“They deserve more than that shit,” he grits.
“I know, baby, but I’m good with it, really good,” I assure him. “I just wanted them to pay for that shit and they are. It’s done, they’re going to jail, and my babies don’t have to talk to them or testify.”
He examines my face for a moment, then says, “You’re right. Seeing that shit was already too much for them.”
“Exactly. Now can I know about your outing? Where did y’all go and what did you do?”
“They’ll tell you,” is all he says before grabbing my ass. “Damn, love, that ass getting fat,” he says and I roll my eyes.
“That’s where I carry, in my ass and thighs. They’re going to double in size,” I warn but he doesn’t care.
“Shit. I can’t wait. I’m going to have fun grabbing and kissing on it all,” he says before squeezing my ass again.
We walk into the house and it’s quiet, too quiet, and I didn’t get my usual greeting from my babies.
A little concerned, but more disappointed, I drop my keys on the counter, march through the dining room and kitchen, then storm into the living room.
Averi and Romi are completely enthralled by a million rocks scattered on the floor.
“What is this?” I ask and they both look up.
“Mommie, come look!” Averi exclaims.
“Come see, Mommie,” Romi cosigns.
I turn back to Xai and he just tilts his head, encouraging me to take a look. I step over to them and he’s on my heels. Right when I start to ease onto the floor, he snakes his arm around my waist and holds me. I don’t even bother to protest; it’ll only fall on his intentionally deaf ears.
“These are so pretty,” I marvel as I stare at the myriad of colorful rocks. “Where did these come from?”
“The mountain,” Romi says. “We ate up there.” She beams and I glance back at Xai, curious.
“Yeah. We drove all the way to the top of the mountain and had a picnic. We had cupcakes, cookies, and chocolate covered strawberries,” she gushes. They are so excited about their adventure.
“Any real food?” I ask him.
“They picked the food. I said picnic and let them crash out in The Marketplace. They had little round sandwiches too.”
“Pinwheels,” Averi says. “The peanut butter and jelly ones. We sat on the blanket and had fun. Then, we saw these. They are everywhere, Mommie. I got this purple one for you,” she says, then hands it to me.
“I love it. Thank you, baby.”
Romi grabs a quartz looking one and hands it to me. “I got you one too.”
“It’s beautiful too. Thank you, sweetheart.”
“Momma, it’s so many out there like a lot, a lot,” Averi says.
“Yeah, fifty,” Romi says and I laugh.
“Well, I think y’all brought all fifty here.”
“No, we left some,” Romi grins.
“What are we going to do with all of these? They surely aren’t staying on the floor, all over my living room like this,” I quip.
“Noo, we’re going to make a garden in the backyard,” Averi says.
“A big one,” Romi adds.
I immediately turn to Xai. “So you are a gardener too?” I question, amused as hell.
“I’m gonna be now.”
“Interesting,” I tease.
He eases down on the floor behind me and stretches his legs.
His arms wrap around me and he cranes his head on the side of my neck.
“I’ll be whatever they want me to be. You see their faces.
I love you and your pretty smile but those…
” he says and I marvel at my babies and their beautiful smiles.
“Those are priceless, love,” he continues and I can’t agree more.
This! This is why I love this man.