16. Jawaan
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
Freaking out isn't something I could afford to do, especially when Zurmani had been spiraling from the moment the nurse let us know Jalil could come home. Seconds after hearing the news, God spoke His word to me, providing me with the assurance necessary to be what Zurmani needs. Right now, I'm feeling butterflies swarming in my stomach and thickness in my throat because my new life is fast approaching.
Thank you, God, because I believe you are confirming Your word concerning me. I'm unworthy but oh so grateful.
"I just want to know how this little nigga not only found a woman to be interested in him but also got us over here welcoming a baby into his home," Kayshon says, snapping me out of my thoughts, and a goofy smile forms on my lips.
"Don't be jealous because God chose me to shower His goodness on. I understand that you have been attending church longer and think you have a leg up, but uh—He loves me best," I declare before dodging Kayshon's fist.
"You better stop playing with me, little nigga," Kayshon warns, frowning.
"I'm just saying, big bro... the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Look around. He's showing how richly blessed I am," I say, pointing around the room.
" Whaa. Whaa."
"See, even my nephew is objecting to this foolery spewing from your mouth," Kayshon says when Jalil's little cries pierce the air.
My heart smiles when my eyes connect with Zurmani bouncing Jalil in her arms, attempting to calm him. Love, as I've never seen or felt, surges through my body the longer my gaze intently watches my woman and son.
Wow, I have a woman and a son. Great God... great blessings.
Zurmani, Jalil, and I have been home for less than an hour, but at this moment, my life feels complete. On top of that, my family, without grumbling or wavering, came to ensure that Zurmani and I had an abundance of necessities for Jalil. Entering my house, not only seeing my family swarming but also smelling food in the air filled me with joy. In my bedroom were a bassinet, diapers, wipes, burp cloths, onesies, clothes, sleepers, bottles, milk, and other items that had tears falling from my eyes.
"Whaa. Whaa."
My feet unconsciously move toward Zurmani when Jalil's cries return, causing my protective instincts to kick in.
"Did your mama pinch you or something, man? What's wrong?" I say, standing in front of Zurmani and looking down at Jalil.
His smooth cinnamon skin has a red hue, and his dark, watery eyes cause warmth to flow through my body despite his current displeasure. Running my hand over the tiny curls on Jalil's head, I lean in and lightly kiss his cheek.
"Wow. I never saw the day where the loose tongue and witty jokester would show his capability to be soft with another," Kyce says.
Jalil's tears hit my face, stirring my spirit, and I lift my head, connecting my eyes with the woman God sent to rescue me from the pit of destruction I was drowning in.
"You good?" I whisper for Zurmani's ears only, completely tuning out the chatter filling the room around us.
Ding. Dong.
The sound of my doorbell causes Zurmani's eyes to bulge, and her eyes instantly fill with moisture, causing me to remove the inch of space between us. Wrapping my arms around her while sandwiching Jalil between us, I speak softly to Zurmani.
"It's you, him, and me. Nobody else matters, regardless of what happens in the next few minutes. Nobody will disturb your peace, alter our feelings about our son, nor stain the blessing God has given us. I don't have a problem bouncing a single motherfucker from your space if anything, but congratulations fill our ears," I say before hearing an unknown male voice enter the room.
"What's going on?" an unknown voice pierces the air.
When air from Zurmani's mouth hits my face before she nods subtly, I kiss her softly before gently removing Jalil from her arms and stepping to her right side. My gaze lands on an older couple whose skin complexion matches Zurmani's toffee tone. Despite her age, the woman beside the man looks identical to Zurmani, bringing a smile to my lips.
Wow. This is a heck of a way to meet my in-laws, but it's whatever.
"Hi, Dad. Come over here. I want to introduce you and Mom to some special people," Zurmani requests, waving her parents over.
The senior Coates duo looks from their daughter to me and the baby in my arms. Zurmani's dad has wrinkles stretching across his forehead, while her mother's face is hesitant, and the area around her eyes is tight.
Ding. Dong.
The doorbell sounds again, and my eyes leave Zurmani's parents while watching the living room threshold to see who else is arriving. A minute or so later, in walks Zion, Evie, and Jamaica, whose presence in my house increases my body temperature. The stirring in my arms pulls my attention from the trio, landing on Jalil, squirming in my arms.
"My bad, man," I lowly say, lifting him to place him on my shoulder before Zurmani's hand reaches out to throw a receiving blanket in place without uttering a word. "Thanks, Tigress."
"Uh, Zurmani. What's going on, honey?" Mrs. Coates asks.
"I want to introduce you all... this is Jawaan, and this is our son, Jalil," Zurmani announces in a confident, firm, and steady tone that instantly warms my soul.
"Uh—your what?" the snappy feminine voice rings around the room before Zurmani's parents can utter a response to Zurmani's introduction.
Everyone's eyes peer over to Jamaica, whose mouth hangs open before closing, and a deep frown slides in place on her lips.
"Oh wow. I knew your place in her life wasn't temporary," Zion says, cutting into the silence before heading toward Zurmani, Jalil, and me.
The beaming smile he's wearing has the tension slowly falling from my shoulders from watching the sour response coming from Jamaica.
"I had no clue why you summoned your father and me to this address, although I need more information soon... congratulations. It's nice to meet you and all, Jawaan, but I'm going to wash my hands so I can hold my grandbaby," Mrs. Coates declares before walking away, asking Kyce, who's close to show her where the bathroom is.
"I agree with my wife, but the next announcement I hear better be an engagement because my daughter ain't baby mama material," Mr. Coates insists, staring at me with a glower.
"Say less," I reply, nodding.
"All right now that everyone is here, let's get this unplanned baby shower/family mingling started," Ms. Aretha declares.
"What in the Virginia Slims do you have me smoking?" I ask Kayshon after choking on the imitation cigar in my hand.
"Listen, this is what you get when you spring a baby on a nigga last minute. Stop complaining and enjoy the moment," Kayshon responds.
Kyce, Kayshon, Zion, Papa D, Mr. Coates, and I are on my back deck hanging out, which gives me an opportunity to get to know Mr. Coates and Zion without pressure. The women are in the house drooling over my son, and I'm sure doing whatever women do in these situations.
"Tell me a little about yourself, Jawaan," Mr. Coates requests, blowing smoke from his mouth.
"Right, tell your father-in?—"
"Shut up," I cut in, stopping whatever Kayshon was about to say.
"Focus, little bro," Kyce interjects, looking in my direction and giving me a subtle nod.
"I'm a flawed man who was on the brink of falling apart before God, in His infinite wisdom, allowed me to cross paths with your daughter. I'm also a man who is willing to fight you and your son if either of you attempts to convince her that loving me isn't what's best for her," I pledge, stopping to take another drag of the wack cigar Kayshon passed out when we all hit the deck.
"Whoa. While I ain't a soft nigga or anything, it ain't that deep unless Zurmani calls me crying," Zion states.
"You gotta chill a little, son. This man is only trying to learn about the man his daughter sprung on him," Papa D says before I can respond.
The thought of someone trying to convince Zurmani not to be with me causes an inferno to flood my bloodstream.
"To piggyback on that, I'm not the type of father who interferes in his children's lives. You should also know I could recognize your love and commitment to my daughter when I entered your living room. I'm just trying to establish a relationship with the man who will be accompanying my daughter to family events. Enemies, we'll never be," Mr. Coates assures me, instantly taking the wind from my sails and allowing me to breathe easier, knowing I'm not gonna face any opposition from him.
"You have to forgive little bro, Mr. Coates. He can be really moody and territorial over the people he loves. He's wired?—"
"To punch you in your mouth if you don't find some business," I say, cutting Kayshon off.
"See what I mean... moody and emotional for no reason. Just wait until you meet Cleo. He's got her ass the same way," Kayshon says, smiling.
"Wait... please tell me you don't have my daughter in one of those polygraphic relationships," Mr. Coates says, frowning and laughter sounds around our group.
"It's polyamory, Dad," Zion corrects him, laughing.
"The only person who will be in the relationship between Zurmani and me is the person responsible for us coming together," I say, pointing up before providing the missing information to put Mr. Coates' mind at ease. "Cleo is my Doberman."
"I'm glad you cleared that up because I was about to test your gangster and theory on being willing to throw hands with me," Mr. Coates admits deadpan.
"Trust me, old man, sending you home with a busted knee isn't how I plan to end my night. Imagine me wiping your daughter's tears while she wonders if the Epsom salt Mrs. Coates will have you soaking in is helping or not," I say, shaking my head before Kayshon doubles over laughing.
"Wow. You're hell, little bro. How are you sneak dissing this man while trying to softly threaten his health?" Kayshon laughs.
"On top of that, how did you know Dad has a bum knee?" Zion interjects, laughing.
"Young man, I feel like I need to show you that I ain't no punk." Mr. Coates's tight eyes peer into mine, causing a lazy grin to slip into place.
"I don't want no smoke with you, gramps. Save your strength." I smirk before turning toward the door when Zurmani's beautiful face appears.
"I think someone needs you, Jawaan. He is giving everyone, including me, the blues," Zurmani says sheepishly.
"Give me a few minutes to change out of this shirt and rid myself of the smoke residue. I got you," I reply, and my chest expands instantly at the reminder of the little boy I get to call mine.
Undetermined Hours Later
"Oh gosh, did you really threaten to fight my brother and dad?" Zurmani asks, leaning against my chest.
Zurmani and the women had gotten things for Jalil organized in the spare room beside mine. Mama Lo, Mrs. Coates, and Ms. Aretha clean the kitchen before blessing the room where Jalil's belongings are. Collectively, our families had Zurmani, Jalil, and I step into the middle of the living room before encircling us and each one of them saying a word of prayer for our family. Jamaica was the only person missing, but according to Zurmani, she had a prior engagement and had to leave. Ironically, her absence didn't cause Zurmani or me any ill feelings. At the insistence of Mrs. Coates, Zurmani and I were able to shower to prepare for our first night with our son.
"Yep. I was throwing down the gauntlet and ready to bust those niggas down like a fraction, Tigress."
My face shifts and a low chuckle escapes my mouth when Zurmani lifts up and looks at me with an unsure gaze.
"What? I was ready to duke it out to prove my love," I defend, smirking.
"Be for real, Jawaan. What would that have accomplished, and how do you think I would have felt if you did?" Zurmani rolls her eyes with a cute pout on her lips.
"It would have been bragging rights at the family reunion and something to tell Jalil about when he needs something to tease his grandpa and uncle about. I'm sure you would be sad, but my dick is a stress reliever, so you'd be straight."
"This is not how you need to start our co-parenting endeavors, Jawaan Young."
"Tuh, imagine you believing that lie. We stopped being co-parents when you let me French kiss your honeypot. I licked it, so everything attached to it is mine. You better act like you know, Tigress."
Zurmani's face flushes, and a red hue creeps into her cheeks before her eyes fill with a suggestive expression that has my dick hardening. Zurmani's teeth playfully drag at her bottom lip, and my body becomes feverish.
"I might need you to remind me."
Zurmani's voice is sultry and seductive, which has blood rushing to my dick when she moves to lie flat. A soft moan escapes Zurmani's mouth when I lean down, pulling her lips into my mouth, and a ripple of excitement flows through my body. Disconnecting our lips, I stare into Zurmani's hungry eyes.
"There's something freeing yet electrifying in knowing I'm the man who gets the opportunity to meet your needs. Let me see if I remember how well your nectar agrees with my palate."
A delicious shudder heats my body, and my heartbeat throbs in my ears when I move to position myself lower until my eyes roll heavenward when Zurmani's scent penetrates my nostrils. Pushing up the t-shirt covering Zurmani's body, a sly grin forms at seeing her bare lower lips grateful for Zurmani's foresight in removing the barrier of her panties before climbing in bed. Spreading her legs apart, I lick my lips while easing closer to the prize awaiting me when her nectar glistens at the entrance of her clit.
"Jawaan," Zurmani whines.
"I—"
"Whaa!"
"Wow, son. You ain't been here twenty-four hours and already cock blocking. We're gonna have to talk about your timing," I assert when Jalil's shrill cry bounces off the wall in the room.