Chapter 18 Kaeden
@C.EvansWins: *picture attached* Y’all should be worried about me not allowing opposing WRs to gain yardage.
But here’s the headline that matters: Ain’t sh*t temporary about My woman who gives me peace…
love… and support… but don’t get sh*t twisted, bringing a frown to her face will cause me to crash out.
Keep that hating sh*t to a minimum. We’re good over here.
#StayMad #LoveWins
With no reservations or hesitation, I hit post on my social media with an image of Kyelle’s bare thigh thrown over mine.
Feeling accomplished, I set my phone on the nightstand while my gaze falls to Kyelle’s sleeping face.
Part of me wanted to post Kyelle’s face, but my baby is so far nestled in my side that I might expose her bare top half, and that’s a no-go.
Now that Kyelle and I are back on track and my world has been recentered, silencing the naysayers and haters is imperative.
The dejected expression in Kyelle’s eyes, colliding with the tears she shed, damn near ripped me in two.
I often forget how cruel folks can be with my public life, but behind Ms. Ky, I’ll fuck some shit up, so these opinionated mothafuckas better tread lightly.
My phone starts vibrating like crazy, letting me know that people are reacting or responding to my post. However, I’ve said all I care to on the subject, so as long as Kyelle doesn’t kick my ass for tagging her in the post, none of their comments matter.
Hearing Kyelle’s phone buzzing has a smirk forming when she begins stirring against me.
It’s a workday for both of us, but the desire to keep Kyelle in my bed is heavy.
Talking Kyelle into coming to my house instead of going to hers only took a second round with her legs spread on her desk.
Making love to Kyelle after showing her how deep my strokes could get had been the icing on our reunited cake last night.
“Good morning,” Kyelle grumbles, snapping me out of my thoughts to see her lazy eyes peering at me.
Even with crust in both of her eyes and her disheveled hair, Kyelle is still the baddest woman I’ve ever been with.
“It is now. How are you feeling?”
“Sore and not sure I’ll be able to walk normally today. I feel like you were either making up for lost time or purposely trying to put me through the mattress last night.”
A low chuckle escapes upon seeing the deadpan gaze Kyelle is giving me, because both are true, but I’m not sure my baby can handle that confirmation.
“See, what had happened was—”
“Nope, don’t even try to lie to me. From the Kegels my pearl is doing, I already know what your motive was.”
“Long as you know then.” Leaning down, I kiss her forehead, and my heart leaps in my chest from the small gesture.
Damn, I’m really in love with this woman.
Continuous buzzing from Kyelle’s phone has her shifting to grab her phone from the table on her side of the bed.
I shift so I’m lying flat and cross my arms behind my head while waiting for Kyelle’s reaction.
When a gasp escapes her mouth, a wry smile forms as I begin a silent countdown.
Five, . . . four, . . . three, . . . two, . . .
“Oh my God! You posted me on social media.” The statement is rhetorical since she’s staring with bulging eyes at her phone, confirming my actions.
Silence bounces around the room as I give Kyelle time to digest what I’ve done to end the negative press about our relationship.
Contrary to popular opinion, I’m not the reckless man social media is trying to make me out to be.
The women between Meshay and Kyelle are nameless individuals I wasted time trying to repair the lonely nights Meshay’s rejection caused.
Since each of the women left with no complaints, I don’t feel bad, nor did I ever sulk about the temporary placeholder they provided.
Yet, that’s not my agenda with Kyelle, nor has it ever been.
From the first day I met Kyelle, I knew my life would forever be different.
Random women can never or will never get that type of reaction from me.
“Kaeden.” Kyelle whispers my name, snapping me out of my thoughts as my eyes land on her eyes shining with a spark of some undefinable emotion.
“I make no apologies for handling shit my way. The idiocy of others caused me to suffer for nearly two days. I ain’t beat for silence between us.
I will never tolerate the beauty of what we’re creating and building to be tainted by narrow-minded people.
Fuck them and their opinions. They’re lucky I didn’t want to be banned or have you kicking my ass, or I would have shown them why you will never be temporary.
” My last statement is edgier than the previous ones as my jaw ticks at the reminder of what people almost caused to happen.
While I didn’t try to stop or change Meshay’s mind about walking out on me, I will never be that passive where Kyelle is concerned. My heart knows the difference between settling and lifetime commitments, so I will always chase Kyelle’s ass if I have to.
“Well, thank you for at least keeping your response civil,” Kyelle says.
“For now. The next time, I’m gonna go to hell, so hopefully they keep shit cute, because your man don’t play about you.”
“Ooh. I can definitely get with all that.”
“Good. Let me give you a proper wake up. I need to wear your nectar to practice.”
“What about Mica?” Kyelle’s eyes shift to the closed and locked door like Cupcake is standing on the other side.
“She should be getting ready for school. If you hurry, I’ll be able to put you back to sleep and have time to see her off.”
“You’re such a bad daddy.”
“Mhm. I’m about to show you just how bad I can be too. Climb up here and stretch those thick thighs over my face. I need a proper breakfast, and time’s ticking.”
That Evening . . .
“How do you think Mica feels about her mother’s absence? Does she ever mention her?” Kyelle whispers with her eyes on Mica who’s coloring while a kids’ movie is playing on the TV.
Kyelle must have missed me during our brief separation as much as I missed her, because she quickly agreed to come back to my house tonight.
Jaleel practically ran out of the house upon seeing Kyelle arriving, so it’s just Mica, Kyelle, and me.
Kyelle came in with bags telling me that she was making dinner for us.
With Mica’s assistance, Kyelle made sloppy joes, fries, and broccoli because she insisted that Mica needed something green, no matter what the meal was.
Mica didn’t protest and happily ate the broccoli, making me wonder if Kyelle had magical powers because Mica isn’t a fan of vegetables.
“I think she misses her mom but is scared to say anything because I didn’t handle Meshay’s walkout properly, initially.
I was hurt that Meshay was too selfish to see that her daughter needed her to buffer my reaction to Mica’s tears.
Now, I think my baby bottles up her feelings for my sake, and I don’t know how to change that narrative.
” My chest tightens as I stare at Mica as she dances to whatever song is coming from the movie.
I can admit to mishandling the situation when Meshay left, and with no other female influence, I don’t know how to fix it. It saddens me to consider Mica keeping her mother’s absence to herself because I fucked up while attempting to soothe her pain.
“I think you should ask her about it one day. It can be casual, but see what she’s thinking and feeling.
She’s young, but I’m sure she thinks about it since she sees mothers with their children in school.
Most of the time, fathers are the absentee parent, but for Mica, it’s the reverse.
Just as painful as it is for fatherless children to deal with, it’s equally impactful when a mother is missing. ”
For countless minutes, I can only stare at Mica and ponder Kyelle’s words because I’ve been trying to ensure that Mica has everything she needs.
But I haven’t taken a minute to consider that not having her mother around is also necessary.
I also didn’t think about Mica’s feelings about seeing other mothers interact or show up for her classmates.
This is the part of single fatherhood that no one mentions, and now I feel like shit.
“Hey. I’m not trying to make you feel bad. You’re doing an amazing job with her. I just was thinking about this and thought I would share,” Kyelle whispers, pulling my eyes from Mica to her somber eyes.
“Nah. I appreciate the insight, and I’m gonna have the hard conversation with her,” I say, nodding toward Mica who looks up at Kyelle and me.
“Come color with me,” Mica says, looking at Kyelle.
“Is that how you ask?” My eyes pinch as I give her a stern glare that she instantly responds to.
“Oops. Can you come color with me, Ms. Kyelle?”
“Of course I can, but can your dad join us?”
“Will you, Daddy?”
“Sure, Cupcake.”
Kyelle and I ease off the couch onto the floor, occupying Mica's left and right sides. Mica rips two pages of her coloring book, handing Kyelle and me one before speaking again.
“Here y’all go. Make sure you stay in the lines.”
“Okay, let’s play a game. Whoever colors the best picture will win a prize,” Kyelle says, and Mica squeals while nodding excitedly.
“Yes. I’m gonna totally beat you and Daddy.”
“More coloring, less talking, Cupcake,” I add.
“Alright. On your mark, get set, go,” Kyelle says, and the three of us focus on our color pages as the competition begins.
Another song from the movie starts playing, and Kyelle and Mica sing simultaneously as my chest expands when they smile at each other.
For a minute, I can only focus on my woman and daughter bonding over something so simple.
Mica has easily taken to Kyelle’s presence in our lives and hasn’t once complained about her.
I can see the three of us trying to figure out ways to hang out together, allowing Mica to feel like a normal child.
The elation on her face whenever she sees or interacts with Kyelle makes our brief discussion not long ago very relevant.
I’m happy I chose a woman like Kyelle to introduce to Mica and have around her. This moment between the three of us excites me about our future because if Mica is content with Kyelle, I know the love growing in my heart is valid.
“I love when you come over, Ms. Kyelle,” Mica confirms, causing me to smile upon seeing the mist forming in Kyelle’s eyes.
“I’m glad you don’t mind me invading your space and time with your dad.”
“I don’t mind at all. I love when it’s us against Daddy, even though he tries to cheat.” Mica giggles.
“Hey. I don’t cheat. It’s not my fault that y’all can’t beat me at anything.”
“Whatever. You're a cheater, Daddy,” Mica adds.
“You’re a hater, Cupcake, and I don’t like that.”
Giggles sound from Mica as Kyelle laughs, and my world tilts on its axis from seeing her entire countenance brighten with the action.
“Don’t worry, Mica. The next time we’re all together, we’ll play another game of flag football so we can continue our victory streak. Your dad is a cheater, and us girls can’t have that,” Kyelle says.
“No, we can’t, Ms. Kyelle. We’re totally gonna beat him again next time.”
“Mhm. More coloring and less talking because I’m about to have the best picture, and y’all are gonna be losers.” I interject.
“Whatever,” Kyelle and Mica say simultaneously.
Looking from Kyelle to Mica, I can’t help the cheesy grin that forms because this moment feels like the family moment I didn’t think Mica would have after Meshay left.
I guess this is what people are talking about when they mention the saying: Delayed but not denied.
I can totally see the three of us establishing our family unit, and it excites me more than stopping an offensive play in a game.