Chapter 17
Seventeen
Karla
“ T hat wasn’t so bad, was it?” I asked Elias as we drove away from my parents’ house.
“Nah, it was cool. I see where you get your cooking skills from. The food was delicious.”
“Yeah. Cooking was the one thing my mother and I did together. She had me in the kitchen when I was Chloe’s age. The girls enjoy cooking with us too.”
I looked in the back seat and smiled. We were only three minutes from my parents’ house, and the girls were already asleep. Although they’d missed camp for the past two days, they didn’t miss out on fun. My parents pulled out all the stops when their grandkids visited.
“Your father seems cool, even though he grilled me like a drill sergeant.”
“Did he? Where was I when this was happening?”
“Playing with the girls. I’ve met a few fathers over the years, so I expected it.”
“He didn’t scare you away, did he?”
He shook his head. “No. We were two grown men talking about a woman we both love. I think I passed his test.”
“That’s good to know.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Fine. It’s like nothing ever happened. I have to keep reminding myself I’m pregnant.”
“How do you think the girls will take the news?” I asked.
“They were excited when Lariah told them she was having a baby, so I hope they’re equally excited for me when I tell them. I was worried about their reaction toward you. Yesterday was sort of a soft launch because there was so much going on. Today was the real deal, and they loved you.”
When we arrived at my parents’ house, Caira behaved as if they were long-lost buddies.
She probably asked him more questions than my father.
Chloe was initially a bit more reserved.
She had no recollection of meeting him, so it took her a minute to warm up to him.
Once she realized her big sister had given him the stamp of approval, everything was smooth sailing.
“I’m a lovable guy. You see how quick you fell for me, even though you were in denial.”
I smacked my lips and mushed his head. “Don’t exaggerate. It wasn’t that quick.”
“I don’t know, baby. At first sight is pretty quick.”
I gasped. “You’re delusional, but if that’s the fantasy you want to run with, go right ahead.”
I wasn’t ready to admit it yet, but what Elias said wasn’t far from the truth.
When I saw him talking to Clinton in Punta Cana, my heart skipped several beats, not only because he was fine as hell, but also because he closely resembled the man who’d been appearing in my dreams for several months.
If I told him that, he’d never let me hear the end of it. Elias was truly a dream come true.
“Have you decided what you want to do about the cameras I found?”
“Oh, shit. I meant to call my lawyer yesterday. I’ll call tomorrow.”
“What do you think will come of it?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know, but if I don’t mention it now, I won’t be able to use it against him later if needed.”
“True, but I think you should sit on it for a few days and see if he’ll tell on himself. He has to be wondering why he hasn’t gotten any footage recently.”
“He hasn’t said anything because he’ll tell on himself.”
“Unless he has cameras hidden in other places. I’ll check before I head to the hotel.”
“You’re not staying?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll stay, but I’ll leave before the girls wake up.”
“You read my mind. Thank you.”
When we arrived at my house, Elias helped me take the girls inside, and while I bathed them and put them to bed, he went outside to see if Cairo had planted any more cameras around in my yard.
Once the girls were tucked in, I went outside to check on Elias. I was instantly annoyed when I saw Cairo parking in front of my house. I folded my arms across my chest and put all my weight on my right leg. As he got out of his car, Elias appeared from the side of the house.
“Is there something I can help you with?” Elias asked him.
“Bruh, you’ll never be able to help me with anything. My wife and kids?—”
“Ex-wife!” I corrected.
“You ain’t even trying to hide this nigga no more. Isn’t there something in our court documents about having random?—”
“Oh, you don’t remember? Our custody hearing took two extra days because you and your attorney fought tooth and nail to have that clause taken out of our agreement.
You wanted the freedom to parade all your women around however and whenever you wanted.
Unlike them, Elias is not random. He is my man.
One day he will be my husband and our daughters’ stepfather. ”
“You don’t even know enough about this nigga to be talking about?—”
“I know he’s not you, and that’s all that matters.”
“The girls are in bed, and your week with them starts in three days. Is there something you need?” Elias said.
“I don’t answer to you.”
“I guess you’re done talking, because Karla has nothing else to say.”
“I think I dropped something the last time I was here. I came to look for it,” he lied.
“Oh really? What was it? We can help you look if it’ll get you off my property quicker.”
“Nah, I’m good. It’s getting dark now anyway.”
Without another word, Cairo turned around and went back to his car. We watched until he drove away.
“You think that was about the cameras?” I asked Elias once we were inside.
“Absolutely. He came to check for those cameras. I didn’t find any others, but keep an eye on your doorbell camera footage. I bet he’ll be back.”
“He’s such an asshole. Let’s get ready for bed.”
It had been a while since all of the ladies had gotten together. The last time I’d seen Norah, Austyn, and Janeevah was when the guys crashed our girls’ night at the lounge, and that was months ago.
The girls were with their father, and Elias and I were headed to Toledo in the morning, so I’d taken the next two days off. When Austyn texted the six of us about meeting for dinner, I was all for it.
“It’s been forever since we’ve all gotten together. I need an update on you three heffas,” Austyn said, referring to me, Mona, and Lariah.
“I’m still on my honeymoon, and my husband is trying to knock me up. I promised him I wouldn’t drink tonight, just in case I’m pregnant,” Mona said.
“It’s been four months and y’all are still honeymooning. I love that for you.” Janeevah swooned.
“From the outside looking in, all three of y’all have been honeymooning since we met. Those men love the hell out of y’all,” I said.
“No, seriously,” Lariah began. “Your husbands made Dom step up his game. He’d fallen off a bit over the years, but as soon as he started hanging with them, something shifted for the better. That’s probably why I’m pregnant now.”
“Aye! That’s wassup!” Austyn exclaimed. “We love a man who loves his woman unapologetically.”
“We love it here,” Norah added.
“You’ve been awfully quiet over there, Karla. What’s up with you and Elias?” Janeevah asked.
“Everything is good.”
“Good? That’s it?” she pressed.
“Better than good. Great, actually.”
“I know it is with the way you’re glowing. Give us the tea, girl!” Austyn urged.
“Well . . . I’ll give you a condensed version. The girls and my parents love him, and Cairo hates him. I’m going to Toledo to meet his family tomorrow, and oh yeah, I’m pregnant.”
“What!” all the ladies exclaimed.
After a round of congratulations, I shared with them how this pregnancy came to be.
“I’m glad you got that taken care of and weren’t seriously harmed,” Norah said.
“Me too. The sudden severe cramping and bleeding were scary, but Elias being there helped a lot. He came over after I put the girls to bed and planned to leave before they woke up. I would’ve been alone with the girls otherwise.”
“I believe there’s a reason for everything,” Austyn commented. “Even the way you met him seems like y’all were destined to be together.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Mona added. “You snuck out of his room and thought that was the last you’d see or hear of him. Then boom! He walked into the lounge and claimed his woman. If that ain’t fate, I don’t know what is.”
The server finally arrived to take our drink and food orders. Before I knew it, we’d been drinking, eating, and talking for hours. As if they’d planned it, our men began blowing up our phones at the same time. All of them threatened to show up if we didn’t get home.
About thirty minutes later, I let myself into my house, and Elias was waiting at the door. After a few kisses, he guided me into the bathroom, where a bubble bath awaited me. He spent the next few hours catering to my body until I fell into a blissful slumber.
Lord, I thank You for this man.