13. Reed
Why the hell was I so damn nervous? Over the years, I did business with big wigs, billionaires, and celebrities all over the country. Hell, all over the world actually.
On my father’s orders, I choked the life out of two men with my bare hands just to get the chance to have Faith in my life one day without recourse.
Now I was standing at her door feeling so nervous that I couldn’t even knock.
My hands were literally shaking as I set the bags on my arm down on the porch.
I took a breath and looked down at the Diamond Needle suit I changed into at work.
I shook my head knowing I should have changed clothes before breaking the sound barrier to get to Faith’s house.
I was way overdressed to meet my six-year-old daughter for the first time. It was too late, though. I was there.
Then again, I hadn’t knocked on the door yet, so maybe I could just head out and return when I felt and looked more relaxed. I knew it was silly to be scared to meet a child, but I couldn’t help it. I was freaking out.
Instead of jogging back down those steps and going back to my car, I braced myself for whatever was about to happen.
I couldn’t leave. Plus, that punk ass Casper dude was out there cutting his grass when I pulled up.
I didn’t hear the lawnmower anymore, but something told me he was still out there.
I didn’t want his corny ass to see me running away from Faith’s door like a little bitch.
“Knock on the door, crazy,” I mumbled under my breath.
Clutching the life-sized teddy bear to my chest, I raised my hand and knocked on the door.
“What the hell, Reed?” I heard Faith’s voice, but I didn’t see her. It only took a second for me to spot the camera near the corner of her porch.
“Don’t talk to me on that thing. Come to the door.”
“First, what in the world is in all those bags?”
“Open the door so you can find out.”
“Uh-uh, you are not about to start spoiling this damn girl.”
“I’m your daddy, not the other way around. You don’t tell me how to treat my queen and our princess. Now, open the door. It’s hot out here.”
By the time I finished my statement, Faith was tearing the door open and staring me down like I was about to be on punishment.
“When I texted you, I expected a simple response, not a pop-up.” She objected.
“Oh damn, I thought I responded to your message,” I said, patting my pockets for my phone.
It only took a couple of seconds for me to give up my search, knowing that she was probably right.
As soon as Faith messaged me saying that Jada was ready to meet me, I ended my shopping spree and headed straight to her house.
Damn, I really wasn’t thinking straight.
I should have asked if they were hungry.
All I knew was I was ready to meet my baby girl, nerves and all.
“You didn’t. Come on in since you’re here now,” she said, opening the door wider for me to step inside. “For the record, you are not my father. Your child is in the living room watching TV.”
Your child. Two simple words make me anxious and excited all at the same time.
My heart slammed against my rib cage as I reached down and grabbed the bags I brought with me.
I followed Faith into the house as she led the way to the living room.
I saw my baby’s big curly afro waving above the back of the couch before she popped up, standing on her feet.
“Mommy, isn’t this your friend that you had the sleepover with?” she asked, squinting as she studied me.
“Uh, yeah, actually, it is,” Faith answered.
“Are you my daddy?” she asked before I could figure out what I would say to her.
“Yes, I am,” I replied quietly.
“Ooo, he got eyes like me, Mama. Auntie Grace told me that too.” She beamed proudly, and I swear my heart melted right out of my chest. I was absolutely in love.
I watched Faith’s chest rise and fall before she responded with a nod. “I know, baby.
“You have eyes like me, actually. I’m way older than you,” I corrected.
“Hm, how old are you?” she quizzed.
“I’m thirty-two. How old are you?”
“I’m six,” she said, holding up six fingers. “I used to be little, but now I’m big. I’m going to first grade.”
“Oh wow, you are a big girl.” I couldn’t help but smile at my twin.
“Yep, I’m big now. Why did you wait until I was a big girl to come see me? My mama said you were really busy.”
“I’m sorry, baby. There is really no excuse for that, but I promise I’m never going to leave you again.”
“Don’t be mad with your dad, Jada. It’s all my fault that he didn’t come see you until you were a big girl.” Faith chimed in unexpectedly. The moisture pooling in her eyes made me want to step in, but something told me that it wasn’t necessary.
“Why? I thought you said he was busy.”
“I did say that, but I didn’t let him come see you because I wanted all the cuddles to myself.” Faith explained.
“You have to share, Mama. That’s what you told me. My daddy will have to share me too. Right, Daddy? Everybody has to share.”
“That’s right, baby girl.” My voice cracked, but thankfully, I didn’t break down crying like a baby in front of my princess. My little girl called me daddy.
Jada looked over at the bags I’d placed on the floor before looking up at me wide-eyed. “What’s in all those bags?”
“I didn’t know what you liked, so I got a little of everything.”
“Ooo, is that big teddy for me?”
“Oh yeah.” I grinned, carefully stepping closer to her. I was holding on to the thing so tightly, I forgot all about it.
Apparently, Jada didn’t sense my apprehension because she sprang from the couch and bounced over to stand in front of me.
I passed the gigantic bear to her and fell in love with her all over again when she hugged it to her little body.
The bear was almost as big as her, but she seemed to be able to handle him.
“I’m going to name him Fluffy. Let me put him in my room. You ready to meet your friends, Fluffy? Mama, can my daddy see my room? Please?”
“Sure,” Faith replied, reminding me that she was in the room.
I was so enamored with my sweet little girl that I forgot the woman I loved was standing two feet away, watching like a mama bear. It felt good to know she was so diligent about making sure our daughter was good, but it was on me now.
“Let me show you my room, Daddy!”
“Go ahead, baby. Let me talk to Reed for a second. We’ll be right behind you.”
They were both my responsibilities, and there was nothing Faith could say to change my mind. Once Jada was out of earshot, Faith turned to me with a somber expression.
“Whatever you’re about to say, save it.”
“I just wanted to ask if you were good with her calling you daddy so soon. We never really discussed it.”
“Of course, I am. I am her dad.”
“It just feels like everything is moving so fast. We haven’t even gotten the DNA test yet, Reed. Now, you’re buying all this stuff, and she’s calling you daddy. This is too much.”
“Come here, baby,” I said, pulling her into my arms.
She didn’t resist or pull away as I kissed her cheek. “You know good and damn well that’s my baby, Faith. Why are you doing this?”
“I can’t have you walking around wondering if she’s yours, Reed. It’s been seven years.”
“You got something to tell me? You gave someone my pussy?” I questioned.
“I’m not playing with you, Faith. You think it’s too late for a nigga to get fucked up, but ain’t no expiration date on someone disrespecting me.”
“Does that go for me too?” she asked.
“Do you have something to tell me, Faith?”
“You were engaged! Don’t act like we were so committed to each other.”
Why was my chest tight? Was I having a heart attack? Someone had violated my sweet baby. That was the only explanation. I knew Faith would never have cheated on me. There was no way she could do that. I needed to sit down before I passed out.
Why the hell was I so weak for this fucking girl? She was trying to make me lose my business, and I was planning on going ring shopping once I pried myself away from her and our angel.
“Who was it?” I finally asked.
“Calm down. There was no one. I’m just saying, you don’t know that.”
“I do know that! I also know that no one has touched you since, and this is the last time that we’ll discuss this unless you want the bodies to start piling up.
I can’t even think about that shit, Faith, so stop playing with me.
The only reason I entertained that DNA madness for a second is because you insisted.
You and I both know that’s my daughter, or I wouldn’t be standing here. ”
Faith rolled her eyes. Before she could fire off another sassy response that wouldn’t change my mind, someone knocked on the door.
“You expecting someone?” I asked.
“No. My sisters are the only ones who come over. The majority of the time, they have sense enough to call first,” Faith said as she passed me to walk to the door.
She tore the door open without looking out. I could tell that she regretted that decision when her shoulders fell.
“Hey, I actually have company right now,” she explained.
Who the fuck did she have to explain herself to?
Leaving my position, I moved toward the door to see who it was.
Fucking Casper. I should have known. I opened my mouth to dismiss him, since he obviously didn’t hear what she said.
Right before I said what I had to say, my baby girl came back into the room and stopped me.
“Who is it, Mommy? Is it Auntie Hope?”
“It’s me, little bit!” Casper said like somebody gave a damn.
When Jada ran to the door to greet him, I almost burst into flames. I could feel heat coming from my collar when that dead bastard reached down and picked my daughter up.
“Do like this for me, Jada,” I spoke up, as I covered my ears to demonstrate what I wanted her to do. When her ears were covered, I slowly turned my attention to Casper.
“Put my daughter the fuck down.”
He looked at Faith first like she was the one talking to him. I didn’t know what year he was born, but I knew what end date would be on his gravestone if he thought I was a joke.
“My bad, man,” he said, extending his hand for me to shake.
“Take your dick beaters off my baby. I don’t want no grown-ass strange man picking my daughter up. Shit’s weird.”
“This is my neighbor I was telling you about, Reed.”
“Oh, I remember Casper’s slick ass. That don’t mean I want him holding my daughter.”
“It’s actually Jasper,” he clarified like I gave a fuck.
Since I didn’t want to make a scene, I reached for Jada and placed her on her feet.
I didn’t even feel comfortable picking her up right now, and here this dude was scooping her up like she needed a father figure.
I was her fucking father figure. After a five-second stare off with Casper, I took my baby’s hand and led her out of the room.
“I guess I’ll go,” he muttered.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Faith said, trying to soothe his wounded ego.
I didn’t give a damn about his ego. He saw me pull up and knew my car was still outside.
It didn’t matter what the nature of Faith’s and my relationship was; he shouldn’t have brought his ass over here being nosy.
He was lucky I had an appointment to play dress-up or tea party or something with my daughter, or I would have kicked him in the ass on his way out the door.
I turned to look back, and Faith was staring daggers into me. I guess I was in trouble now.
“You didn’t have to do that, Reed,” she hissed.
“You didn’t have to apologize on my behalf. I’m an adult. I don’t want him or any other man picking my daughter up, Faith. Women either, really. People aren’t wrapped too tight, and neither am I. I will go to jail or hell behind mine.”
“Ooo, Daddy, you said a bad word,” Jada said, like I was about to be sent to the corner.
I felt like I was already messing up by cursing in front of her. I never wanted my child to see me in a negative light. This was all so new to me. I had been around kids before but not long enough to worry about what I said and did.
Kneeling in front of her, I pinched her cheeks as I spoke. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m not used to being around little princesses. I have to practice my manners. Can you help me with that?”
“Yes, I’m really good at helping.”
“I bet you are. I might have a hard time at first. If a time comes when I can’t help but say a bad word, I will say earmuffs, then you just cover your ears and sing. OK?”
“OK, I got it.” She nodded before dragging me further into her room.
Just like the one I’d set up at my place, everything in her room was pink. There were even pink curtains, which I hadn’t thought of getting.
“Reed, how many freaking dresses are in this bag?” Faith asked from the other room.
“I think there’s like twenty.”
“Twenty dresses? Are you crazy?”
“I wanted to get thirty. I was trying to get one for every day of the month, but you called and said she wanted to see me while I was in the middle of shopping. I pretty much dropped everything and came over here.”
“Tell me about it. You didn’t even text back to say OK, hey, bye, cat, dog, or nothing.”
“I’m here now, though. And I’m never letting y’all go, Faith. I mean that.”