12. Aziel
“Tammy just textedthat the movers are headed to your old place. Let’s get changed and meet them there,” I suggested as we entered our home.
“What time is your brother bringing Azaria?”
“Not until later. We should have plenty of time to get what we need.”
“Okay.”
We quickly changed into more comfortable clothing and headed to our destination.
“What do you plan to do with the things you aren’t bringing?”
“Probably give them to charity.”
“I can have Tammy?—”
She shook her head as she interrupted me. “Not a chance. I don’t want her doing shit for me.”
“Baby—”
“Nope, don’t try to convince me either. She works for you, not me. Keep her outta my business and away from me if possible.”
“I’ll admit she didn’t make a good first or second impression. Things have been a little crazy. Maybe the third time will be a charm.”
“I’ll find a few shelters on my own. I don’t need her help, but thanks for offering.”
I chuckled at how quickly Desire shut down the idea of Tammy helping her. Their relationship wasn’t off to a good start, but hopefully, it would improve. Tammy’s personality could come off as aggressive to many, but I thought it was beneficial most of the time in her line of work.
“Honestly,” she continued a few seconds later. “We probably need to reschedule the movers to give me time to research. I don’t need help packing the clothing that I plan to keep.”
“But the movers are already there, baby.”
“And there’s nothing for them to do if they aren’t moving the furniture. What’s the rush anyway? I still have two months on my lease.”
Desire had a point, so I called Tammy to have her cancel the movers.
“What, Aziel?” she answered.
“Calm all that attitude down. I need you to cancel the movers. Desire?—”
“Are you kidding me? We paid them extra to do this on a Sunday.”
“We didn’t pay them anything. They can keep the money, but let them know we’ll reach out soon.”
“This is very unprofessional, but whatever. When can we talk about today?”
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing to talk about. Thanks for your help at the last minute. I’ll see you at the office tomorrow.”
I ended the call before Tammy could say anything else. My eyes were on the road, but I could feel Desire’s eyes on me.
“What’s the problem, baby? Your eyes are burning a hole in the side of my head.”
“I’ve never been anyone’s boss, but I wouldn’t let my employees talk to me like that.”
“Tammy and I are like brother and sister. That’s how we communicate with each other.”
“We need to stop by OC Depot to get some moving boxes.”
I guess that conversation is over.
Hours later,all the boxes we purchased were filled, and we’d barely put a dent in what needed to be packed.
“We should’ve made the movers stay,” I grumbled, looking around at the boxes.
“Why? I didn’t want them going through my personal things.”
“How the hell will we get these boxes home?”
“Did you forget I have my car? We can fit six small boxes in there and maybe ten in your truck. The rest can wait.”
This is why we should’ve had the movers stay. Now my old ass is lifting heavy ass boxes by my damn self.
When we finally arrived home, just as she watched me load all the boxes into our vehicles, Desire watched me unload them and bring them into the house. After a quick shower, I found her unpacking some of her things in our closet.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“I’m sure it wasn’t for you. I did all the heavy lifting.”
“You refused my help, so what was I supposed to do?”
“You know who could’ve helped me? The movers you ordered me to send away.” She slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. “You’re laughing now, but I’m gon’ make you pay for it later.”
“Is that supposed to scare me?”
“Nah, it’s supposed to motivate you to prepare that pussy.”
“She stays ready, so she doesn’t have to get ready.”
“Oh, really? Open your legs and let me feel.”
“Oop! Did you hear that? I think someone just came in.”
I hadn’t heard anything, but I remembered the text from my brother saying he was on his way with Azaria.
“It’s probably AJ and Ria. You’re lucky because I was about to have you bent over those boxes.”
“Oh!” she yelped as I slapped her ass, causing her to drop the clothing she was holding when she pushed past me. “Stop being nasty. Azaria is here.”
I was amused by her excitement and followed her to the front of the house.
“Miss Chammies,” Azaria sang when she saw Desire.
Desire jogged down the stairs where my baby girl waited with her arms extended. She picked her up, wrapping her arms around Azaria’s little body while Azaria hugged her neck.
“Hey, pretty girl. I missed you.”
“I miss you, too. I not like Miss Water. Her mean.”
“Miss Walters?” Azaria nodded, and Desire pretended to be shocked, releasing a fake gasp. “You think Miss Walters is mean?”
Azaria nodded. “Her don’t let me color.”
“Did you ask her nicely?”
“Yes, and her say not right now.”
“Well, I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Yaayy!”
She wrapped her little arms around Desire’s neck again and kissed her cheek. I’d always known she was someone special, but seeing how fond my daughter was of Desire did my heart good.
“Ria, you don’t see Daddy over here?”
I’d come down the stairs and stood beside them. My baby girl turned and looked at me with surprise. Desire’s presence threw her for a loop, and she honestly hadn’t noticed me.
“Daaddyy,” she sang, leaning to reach for me.
I took her from Desire’s arms and hugged her tightly against my chest.
“Did you miss Daddy, too?”
“Yes, Daddy. I had fun at Unco AJ house. I help Titi Seela make cookies.”
“Uh oh! You didn’t burn the house down, did you?”
She laughed as if I’d told the funniest joke. “No, Daddy. We make good cookies.”
“Good. Did you bring Daddy some?”
Her expression saddened as she shook her head. “No, the boys eat them all, Daddy. I can’t save some for you.”
“That’s okay, princess. We can make our own cookies this week.”
“Yay!” she cheered.
I kissed her cheek and finally acknowledged my brother, who was now talking to Desire.
“Wassup, AJ? Thank you for keeping baby girl.”
We gave each other a one-armed hug after connecting our fists.
“You know keeping Ria is never a problem. You’re lucky Seela let me bring her home. Being the only woman in the house is rough sometimes. Even though Ria’s only three, she brings her three-year-old feminine energy, and Seela can’t get enough of it.”
“My father was the only man in the house; I’m sure he can relate to your wife. Each of my sisters has sons, and my father was over the moon when he found out they were having boys,” Desire shared.
“I’m sure he was. I feel for my wife, but I like it this way. She wants to try again but is too afraid we’ll have another boy and doesn’t want to take that chance.”
“I don’t know. I think I can handle three little princesses,” I told them.
“The problem is they don’t stay little princesses forever. You better have your shotgun locked and loaded.”
“Always.”
“So, I take it the honeymoon went okay. You’re not ready to divorce him already, are you?” AJ asked Desire.
“The honeymoon was perfect. I think I’ll stick with him a while longer.”
“Call me if he does something stupid, and I promise he will. I’ll set him straight.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Take my number and send me a message so I’ll have yours.”
“Did y’all forget I was standing here?”
I stood by as they exchanged information. They were family now, so I didn’t mind them doing so, but the reason had me looking at my brother sideways.
“I thought we were better than this, bruh. You have no faith in your baby brother?”
“I have plenty of faith… that you’ll fuck up. You’re a man, and we do unexplainable stupid shit all the time. It’s nothing personal; it’s just facts.”
“Yeah, whatever nigga. Get out of my house.”
After my brother left, we ordered pizza for dinner. While we ate, we explained to Azaria that Desire was my wife and what that meant. Her only question was, “Her gonna stay with us for a long time?” My response was, “Hopefully, forever.”
When we finished dinner, I spent some time with Azaria. I’d never been away from my daughter for more than two or three days, and I could proudly admit I missed my sassy baby girl.
Once Azaria had played herself to exhaustion, Desire bathed her, read her a bedtime story, and tucked her in. When she returned to our bedroom, I was on my phone going through emails. My honeymoon-vacation was officially over, and from the looks of it, I had a shitload of work to do.