Chapter 2
“Don’t cry, Brother.”
I heard from the baby monitor and turned over to see TJ patting Tristian’s back and trying to put his pacifier into his mouth.
Billie moved beside me, and I reached onto the nightstand and turned the volume down. I kissed her shoulder, slid from bed, and slipped on my sweats. My body was tired after being on the road for the last five days, but I was glad to be home.
I poked my head into Tristan’s room and chuckled at TJ checking his diaper the same way Billie did.
“You know what you doing?”
TJ looked up and nodded, but I wasn’t too sure.
“Aight. Is he wet?” I walked further into the room.
“Yes, Daddy. I put his diaper and wipes on the table. Want me to change him?”
I crossed my arms over my chest and nodded.
For a six-year-old, TJ was very smart and quick learning.
I was aware that he watched his mother and I with his brother, but this would be his first time taking over.
TJ ran out of the room then came back with his stool.
I grabbed Tristian from his crib, kissed his chubby cheeks, then laid him on the changing table.
With one hand on Tristian’s stomach, I used the other to motion for TJ to get started.
“You want to go spend the weekend at Nana’s house?” I asked as TJ opened the new diaper and set it next to Tristian’s legs.
“Yes, if I can take Mommy’s pound cake with me.”
I chuckled because this boy had the same sweet tooth as his mama.
“I’ll cut a few slices for you to take for you, Nana, and Papa.”
TJ smiled and got back down to business.
He handled the diaper change like a champ and only needed my help with actually wiping Tristian.
I laughed because that was too much for my boy.
TJ was for everything but that. Once Tristian had a new diaper, TJ and I washed our hands and walked back into his room.
Each of the boys had their own bathrooms because my brothers and I fought over ours growing up, and I didn’t want that for my children.
I held Tristian to my chest with one hand and pulled TJ’s covers back with the other.
“Daddy?”
“What’s up?” I tucked him in and smoothed my hand down his hair.
“Do you want me and Tristian to go to Nana’s house so you and Mommy can get me another brother?”
My jaw dropped as TJ stared at me with wide eyes, waiting for my reply.
I didn’t want to immediately react because I didn’t want him thinking he asked something wrong, but I was speechless. What I had planned for his mama could result in another sibling, but what the hell did TJ know? I lowered to my knee and looked at my son and smiled.
TJ rested on his elbow with his chin on his hand and smiled back.
“The plan is to get Mommy to relax before the family gets here for Thanksgiving. She has a big job to do, and Daddy wants her to have time as Billie before she has to be cook, hostess, mother, daughter, sister, and so on. What made you ask that?”
“Oh! That’s nice, Daddy. My friend Calvin said that if you ever go to your grandma’s house, then that means you’re getting a brother.” He paused and cocked his head. “When it’s time for another brother, can I go with you and Mommy?”
I laughed and pulled his ear.
“Going to get a brother is only for mommies and daddies, but you’ll be the first to know if we pick one up.”
TJ hugged me around my neck then snuggled into bed.
I kissed his forehead, stood, and left his room. By the time I reached my bedroom, Tristian was knocked out. I contemplated taking him back to his room but knew that he’d be up soon to eat, so there was no point in wasting my time. Just as I laid Tristian down in his playpen, Billie groaned.
I looked over my shoulder and saw that she was sitting up.
“What time is it?” She squinted to see the alarm clock.
“Not time to wake up.”
Billie rolled her eyes and flipped me off.
“No need to be an ass.” She giggled. “The boys okay?”
I nodded, kissed Tristian’s cheek, then moved across the room toward my wife.
When I reached her personal space, she bit her bottom lip to stop herself from blushing.
Billie scooted over toward the middle of the bed, then patted the space next to her.
I climbed into the bed on her side and sat with my back to the headboard.
She scooted closer to me and snuggled against me.
Billie played with my chain, and I wrapped my arms around her.
For seven years, my love had been reserved for Billie and only her.
It would always be her above anybody else.
“I’m taking the boys to your mama house in the morning, and they’ll be there until Sunday.”
Before I could even finish, Billie shook her head.
“I can take care of my children and prepare the house for our families, Truce.”
“Did I say you couldn’t? You’re working yourself tirelessly because you think you have something to prove, and I get it, but I need you to recenter.
Like I said earlier, I will shut all this shit down, and you won’t be hosting nothing.
It’s either you let me get you right, or I’ll have Rocky book hotel rooms and set up a caterer.
I’m not playing when it comes to you, Sweets. You know that better than anyone.”
She glared at me, and I gave it right back.
Billie had been looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving with her grandmother, but since her passing, Billie couldn’t settle.
She didn’t think I saw it, but my baby felt like she would mess something up without her grandmother by her side.
I hated it, but it was something Billie was currently working through.
Her body deflated, and she nodded.
“What did you have in mind?” she asked.
“It’s a surprise. I’m dropping TJ off at school then taking Tristian to your moms. Once I get back, we’ll be ready to go.” Billie opened her mouth to speak, but I shook my head. “You won’t need to pack anything. Just be at the door waiting for me.”
“What am I, your puppy? You do know that I can do what I want to, right? You aren’t the boss of me.”
I licked my lips and smirked.
Billie was lucky our son was in the room with us, or I’d show her something. I caught her eye and lifted my right eyebrow. She laughed and pushed off me because Billie knew what was up. With her back to me, she pushed her butt onto me, and I laid so I could become the big spoon.
We lay like that for a while, and I could hear Billie’s thoughts.
“Say what’s on your mind, Sweets.”
“This isn’t the first time we’ve had people over, and it isn’t the first time I cooked for our family. Why am I so nervous?”
I pulled her body closer to mine, then kissed the back of her neck.
“Honestly, it sounds like a phase of your grief. This holiday was supposed to go one way, but God had other plans. It’s understandable that this is hitting you this way. That’s why I want to give you a weekend where you can exist as yourself without the other hats.”
Billie sniffled, and I turned her toward me.
She fought me a little, but not enough for me to feel like she seriously wanted her space.
When she faced me, I wiped her eyes and kissed her lips.
We held each other’s stare for a good ten seconds before I wrapped my arms tighter around her, and she buried her face in my neck.
Billie’s tears broke my heart, but she needed to get this out.
After she settled down, it wasn’t long before sleep took over.
I thought about the weekend I had planned and prayed that it healed my baby’s heart like I needed.
“Hey, Ma.” I hugged my mother-in-law and stepped into the house.
“Good morning, Son. How is my baby doing?” she asked, reaching for Tristian.
He all but threw himself at his grandmother, and she laughed.
“He’s good—gassy, but good.” I set his diaper bag down and turned toward them. “Thank you for keeping the kids this weekend. I’m sorry it was so last minute.”
She waved me off then went to the recliner and sat down.
Tristian was the youngest grandchild on both sides, so he was spoiled by everyone. She kissed his cheeks and gave me her eyes and looked at the couch. I chuckled and lowered myself. Time was of the essence, but I always had time for my mother-in-law.
As she rocked Tristian on her lap, she looked at me.
“How is my baby girl doing? Is being in charge of hosting and cooking too much for her?”
I shook my head. “Nah.” She hiked her eyebrow, and I laughed.
“No. She’s just missing her grandma, and she’s having a difficult time placing her emotions.
That’s actually what this weekend is about.
I want to help my wife get back on track so she can get her head in the game.
You know your child loves to entertain, but she’s in her head, so it’s clouding her focus. ”
Margaret nodded. “Don’t come back to this house with no babies on your hip,” she joked.
I tossed my head back and laughed.
“That’s crazy because TJ asked if the reason he was coming over here was because me and Billie were going to get him a brother.”
Margaret’s eyes just about popped out of her head.
She laughed and shook her head. We went over the boys’ schedule for the next few days, and Margaret let me know that my mother would be stopping over on Saturday.
TJ would love that, so I knew his weekend would be full of fun.
When I left my in-laws’ house, it took me about twenty minutes to get home.
When I walked through the front door, I stopped in my tracks.
“What?” she asked.
Billie thought she was slick, and I didn’t think I was strong enough to fight her.
“When you get that?” I walked further into house and kicked the door closed. “We got a flight to catch, but I’m willing to be late.”
Billie giggled and put her hand out to stop me from entering her personal space.
“Wait! A flight? When you told me to be ready, this is what I thought you meant. I need to go change.”
Sweets turned to walk out of the living room, but I caught her arm.
I admired the sheer floor-length navy-blue lace nightie that hugged her figure like a second skin.
The piece had two splits that went up to her hips.
Her skin glistened like she was covered in baby oil, and that shit had me rising to the occasion.
I placed kisses along my wife’s jaw until I reached her mouth.
My mouth hovered over hers until Billie stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against mine.
She moaned when I gripped the back of her neck, bringing her body flush against mine.
“You got me second guessing my plans. We can always leave out in the morning.”
I spoke against Billie’s lips and chuckled as she laughed.
“No, sir. You must stand on your kidnap mission. I’m actually excited to see what you have up your sleeve. You never half step, so I know whatever it is will be good.”
“Damn right, but the moment we get to our suite, it’s up. Now go get changed and make sure you bring that . . . I plan to peel that shit off you before the day is over.”
I smacked Billie’s ass as she turned and walked away from me.
The jiggle that followed caused me to groan and bite my fist. It took me a second to remember what I was supposed to be doing. I pulled my cell phone from my pocket to call my assistant.
The line rang twice before Rocky answered.
“Y’all good?”
I chuckled. “Yeah. I’m just waiting for the missus to get dressed. Is everything set up? We probably won’t be available for check-ins after we land.”
“Yeah, I figured as much. For the last three months, we’ve been on the go. I’m just glad I was able to get everything finalized in one day. Your vacation started this morning, so not that many people should be looking for you while y’all are gone.”
Although Rocky couldn’t see me, I nodded.
Just as the call disconnected, Billie came downstairs.
She had on a tracksuit that matched mine, and I smiled at her.
I held out my hand, and pride filled me as my wife came to me.
As we left the house, Billie asked me about thirty times if I was sure she didn’t need to pack anything, and I was about to put her out on the side of the road.
Billie was used to controlling everything, so having to take the back seat with this surprise had her on edge.
At the airport, I decided to valet the car because we were running behind and still had to get through security.
“You know I’ll find out where we’re going once I have my ticket, right?”
“The more you talk, the clearer my vision gets on how I plan to make it difficult for you to walk tomorrow.”
There was an older woman in front of us who gasped, and I winked at her when she looked at us over her shoulder.
“Truce.” Billie spoke through clenched teeth. “Behave before these people put us out.”
I cocked my head at her, and her spoiled ass folded her arms over her breasts and looked away from me.
With my finger under her chin, I turned her face toward me and puckered my lips.
She acted like she was going to refuse, but when my eyebrow went up, Billie got some act right.
She liked to pretend like she didn’t know what was up between us, and I enjoyed her little games.
My baby was a freak, so it didn’t take much to knock away her tough guy act.
Billie rolled her eyes then pecked my lips.
I smirked then nodded.
“That’s cool. I got you, Sweets.”
“Truce!”
I shook my head and let her step in front of me.
“Relax, mama . . .” I kissed her temple. “Just remember, you brought this on yourself.”
Billie stared a hole into the side of my face as I kept my eyes ahead. This weekend getaway was for her to recenter and relax, but it looked like we were going to start the weekend with some discipline. Billie hated surprises, and every time I surprised her, it always started the same way.
Maybe this was her game, and she didn’t hate them after all.