10. Keondra Daily #2
Once I was done, I headed over to the grill where Dawson and Sedrick were chopping it up with my father. All their eyes landed on me as I grabbed a beer from the cooler and watched Colony in the bounce house, holding Kehlani’s hands.
“Look at this man.” Sedrick tapped Dawson’s chest with the back of his hand. “I know that look.”
“Yeah, me too,” Dawson cosigned. “He’s falling hard as hell for her.”
“I mean, can you blame him?” Dad spoke up.
“She’s a beautiful young lady, and look how she is with my grandbaby.
Kehlani has been attached to her hip since she stole her from Keondra.
We all know Keondra was seeking a woman who would love his daughter and vice versa. From the looks of it, he’s found it.”
“I’m with it,” Dawson said. “When it comes to my brother’s and niece’s happiness, I’m good with any woman who can bring it to them.”
Their happiness for me was genuine. They’d been through it all with me, so it felt good to know what I’d been praying for had finally come.
“I appreciate y’all, seriously.” I broke my gaze from Colony and gave them my undivided attention.
“It’s crazy how shit happens, but I believe it was God’s will.
I feel it in my heart that she’s the one for me and Kehlani.
I’m just not rushing anything. I think going with the flow is the best thing to do. ”
A life with Colony was a picture I could vividly see.
Throughout the night, I saw how well she blended into my family.
It was effortless. There was no doubt in my mind that they loved her from the way they made sure to include her in everything.
From the plating of the food to the opening of the presents, my mom and aunt instructed Colony to do things to help while Kehlani never wanted her to leave her side.
I almost felt a little jealous because I’d barely gotten any time with her all day.
After Kehlani opened her last gift, I gently grabbed Colony’s arm and led her away from everyone.
We stood out back, enjoying the light breeze and clouds covering the sun.
All day, it had been scorching, so coolness was welcomed.
From behind, I held Colony and kissed her cheek. She giggled, holding onto my arms as we stood in a comfortable silence. A moment with her was all I needed. Just to be in her presence without the chaos settled my soul.
“This was one of the best days I’ve had,” Colony spoke, resting her head against my chest. “Your family is amazing. They kind of remind me of mine. The constant banter and love are exactly what I’m used to. I didn’t know Faith had it in her like that.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, she’s always been like that. I tell her she knows how to code switch too well.”
“She does. It’s amusing.”
“It is, but on a serious note, my family loves you. I didn’t think I’d be able to have you to myself at all.”
“We always have the after-party.” Colony turned around and draped her arms on my shoulders, smirking with her head tipped to the side. When she sexily trailed her tongue over her lips, my member started to rise.
“You better chill out with all that. My old room is still available.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dare do anything here. I’d be far too embarrassed if anyone heard me or walked in on us.”
“We’re grown. No one could do anything about it.”
“Yeah, but it’s not only grown folks here, Keondra. Like I said, we have time after this.”
I leaned down and meshed our lips together. The moment didn’t last long because my mother screamed my name. My heart palpitated from the urgency in it. Colony grabbed my hand and followed behind me. I walked through the house to find all my family standing at the front door.
When my presence was known, my mother turned around and stared at me with a look that made my stomach drop. I pushed through them to see Demetria standing there with a small gift bag in her hand.
My ears started ringing.
My fists clenched.
My body temperature rose.
I wanted my eyes to be playing tricks on me. I wanted it to be a sick joke someone was pulling. I’d be able to deal with that much better than actually seeing the woman who’d walked away from my daughter without a care in the world.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
The voice that came from me didn’t sound like mine. I didn’t even try to hide the hatred spewing up from deep inside me like vomit. The nerve of her to show up as if everything was all good after three years.
“Daddy? Are you okay?” Kehlani’s worried voice trembled from behind me.
Instantly, I forced myself to calm down to talk to her.
In no way did I want her to think I was upset with her, but before I could say anything, Colony rubbed her hand up and down my arm with a slight bob of her head.
She whispered something in Kehlani’s ear.
Kehlani nodded her head, but her eyes remained on me.
They were glossy, filled with concern, so I went over and squatted in front of her.
When she threw her arms around my neck, I wanted to break down.
“You’re upset, Daddy.”
I held her tightly. “I’ll be okay, KeKe.”
“It’s my birthday. I want everyone to be happy, especially you.”
“And I am. Nothing makes me happier than you, baby girl. You’re a whole year older. The big five. It’s all about you still. The day isn’t over.”
She kissed my cheek and pulled away. Her eyes went to the door briefly, then back to me. “Who is that woman?”
“No one. How about you go with Colony for a second? I’ll come find you, and we can have another piece of cake.”
“And ice cream?”
Playfully, I tugged on one of her braids and kissed her nose. “Anything the birthday girl wants.”
“Yay! Come on, Colony. Let’s go look at my new toys.”
Kehlani led Colony to the back, leaving me to address the unwanted guest. When I turned around to face Demetria, she had tears streaming down her cheeks. That shit annoyed me. She had no reason to be emotional.
Taking a deep breath, I tried my best to remain calm as I addressed Demetria. “You need to leave.”
Demetria opened and closed her mouth several times. Those round eyes matching Kehlani’s bore through me. One thing I couldn’t deny was how beautiful she still was. Time had been good to her. She raked a hand through her fluffy spirals and sighed.
“I, uh, I’m sorry to show up here like this, unannounced,” she started, finally finding her voice. “I should’ve reached out first, but I knew you wouldn’t have been receptive, Keondra.”
“You’re damn right I wouldn’t have been. Do you not remember what you did?”
“How can I not? I thought about it every day for the last three years. It’s haunted me.”
“Pfft.” Aunt Faith rolled her eyes. “Let me walk away before we end up needing to call the police.”
“Can everyone just hear me out, please?” The desperation in Demetria’s tone didn’t move any of us. We all stood there, glaring at her. We’d all become overly protective of Kehlani, and the one person who made us like that stood before us.
“You have thirty seconds,” Aunt Faith stated.
Demetria shuffled her feet. “I thought what I did was right. For me, it was hard being a mother, especially the one Kehlani needed, when I felt I wasn’t myself.
I didn’t feel fulfilled, so I thought it was best to go out and fill myself.
I assumed if I did, I’d be better for her.
I could show up for her the way she deserved.