Chapter 19
I sat in my car outside my father's house, not wanting to go in.
It had me a little upset that Jamari wouldn't be joining me, but he had to work this morning.
I got sad when I saw him leaving me in bed while he got himself and the kids ready for their day.
Since he kept me up the majority of the night, he told me I didn't have to get up and help get the kids ready for school.
I was thankful for that. What warmed my heart was each kid coming to the bedroom door to wish me a good day.
They told me they loved me. I almost cried when I heard those words come out of their mouths.
It was the first time they had ever said that to me.
The longer I sat in this car, the longer I knew I'd be ready to start it back up and leave the yard.
With a shake of my head, I retrieved my purse and phone and exited the car.
With long strides, I made my way to my father's front porch, pulling my jacket closed.
It was cold outside today. When I reached the door, I wasted no time knocking on it.
Hopefully, it didn't take him long to answer the door.
"Yo, who is it?" he asked.
I hadn't told him I'd be dropping by, so he knew not to expect me.
"It's Chyanne," I called back as loud as I could. Hell, he needed to hurry and let me inside the house.
The door opened quickly, and my father stood there, staring at me with a surprised look on his face.
"You can stare at me for as long as you want when I'm on the inside. Right now, I'm cold," I whined as my teeth chattered together.
He moved aside, and I stepped in. "Oh, sorry about that. What brings you by?" he asked, shutting the door.
I shrugged, turning around to face him. "I have something to tell you. Do you have any hot chocolate or warm tea? Gosh, I'm so cold." I shivered. The warmth of his house hadn't warmed me up right away.
He shook his head sadly. "Sorry. No, I don't. Let's go talk in the living room and get away from this door."
I followed him into his living room, where he had the fireplace on. I wasted no time in going toward it.
He took a seat on the brown leather couch. "Just to let you know, Brenda isn't here."
I grinned. "Good. That's perfect. Hopefully, I can tell you what I need to before she comes back."
It made me joyful to know that Brenda wasn't there.
"She'll be gone all day. She went to visit her family."
I shrugged, not giving one damn. "She can stay where she's at for all I care. I just need her to stay away from me." I sighed deeply, getting off track.
This was why I hated that he always brought her up. I always ended up talking about the damn lady.
"Okay, what I want to tell you is... you're going to be a grandfather."
My father's eyes widened as his mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. I almost wanted to laugh out loud, but I held it in.
"What?" he asked with his mouth dropped.
I placed my hand on my stomach with a smile on my face. "In a few months, you'll be meeting your grandchild."
Tears welled in his eyes as his lips trembled. If he cried, I knew I'd probably start too. I needed him to chill on that.
"My baby girl is having a baby of her own." He got up from the couch with his arms outstretched.
With no hesitation, I went into my father's arms, needing that hug from him.
When I said I didn't want to cry, tears still slid down my face.
He hugged me tightly, and I didn't want to let him go.
Whenever I got a hug from my father, it felt like it would be our last hug.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed them every time he gave them to me.
"How are you feeling? Do you need anything?" he asked, pulling away from me.
I smiled, wiping my eyes. "No, I don't need anything. I only stopped by to tell you about the pregnancy. If I need anything, I'll be sure to reach out and let you know."
He smiled and squeezed my hand. "Please do that. Wow, I'm about to be a grandfather."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Yes, you are."
"You have no idea how happy you've made me. Be prepared to have a spoiled child."
I laughed harder. "Between you and Mama, I can see it happening."
"Let me go get you a bottle of water. You came in here and asked for everything but that. Are you drinking water?" He turned away from me and headed to the kitchen.
I rolled my eyes and huffed. My dad was just as bad as Jamari. "Yes, I've been drinking water. I had two bottles already."
Who in the hell felt like running to the bathroom every five to ten minutes? It got so aggravating, but I made sure I drank as much water as I should. That was one thing Jamari didn't play about.
My father came back with a bottle of water and gave it to me. I wasted no time opening it and taking a swig.
"Thanks. I guess I needed that," I stated once I finished gulping as much water as I needed.
It made me proud of myself to even tell my father about my pregnancy. I'd never keep something like that from him when we were working on our relationship. That would've been wrong of me.
My cellphone dinged, causing me to retrieve it from my back pocket. I eyed the name and the text. A smile spread across my lips.
Jamari:
Wassup, beautiful? I hope all is going well with your pops. I hope I won't have to bail you out of jail. If everything is cool, what do you say to us going on a date later? I want to take my baby out.
I was all for going on a date with him. Jamari always did things on a whim, and I loved him more for that.
Me:
Yes, I'm down for us going on a date. Just let me know the time and how I should dress. You know I won't pass up a date night with you.
"Oh boy, your lips are about to touch your ears from the way you're smiling," my father noted.
I burst out laughing. "Oh, please. Stop it. That was my man, asking me out on a date."
He nodded slightly. "I would like to meet him one day."
I grinned. "You would've met him today, but he had to work. I'll be sure to bring him by one day to see you."
My father smiled brightly. "I'd like that."
I didn't stay at my father's much longer, not knowing when his wife would show up. I was also ready to go see my man, Rylie, and Zach. I knew neither of them was home yet, so I had time to prepare a meal for Zach and Rylie since Jamari and I had a date.
"I've got that door handle for you," Jamari insisted, getting out of the car.
He opened the car door for me, and I stepped out of it with a smile on my face.
The way his eyes raked up and down my body caused me to shudder.
I wore a burnt orange sweater, tight-fitting jeans, and boots.
Jamari wore jeans and a black T-shirt. His dreads flowed down his back, supported by a hat on his head. He looked damn good.
"Damn, baby. I'm ready for this night to end already. You're looking good, baby girl."
I frowned, folding my arms across my chest. "Not me. I needed a night out. Chill your horse."
He burst out laughing. "Man, chill out with that."
He grasped my hand in his, and we walked toward a small building. There were lots of cars here tonight, too. He didn't tell me where we'd go, but he told me to dress casually. I made sure I did and looked cute too.
I read the sign on top of the building and gasped.
Potted Gold: Pottery 1:1. For so long, I'd wanted to try pottery but never got up the courage to go.
For this man to bring me here was a sign.
What kind of sign? I had to figure that one out.
I was overjoyed, and I couldn't wait to see what we'd be creating.
"You good?" Jamari asked, opening the door for me to enter.
There was no one in the entry area. The only thing I saw was a sign-in sheet. Pictures hung on the wall, featuring different pottery designs. There were many things you could make out of it if you knew what you were doing.
I nodded. "Yes, I'm good. I've wanted to try pottery for so long, and now I'm looking at it in my face. Just so you know, you've made me a very happy woman."
The grin on Jamari's face took my breath away. "I aim to please. Whatever it is that you want, let me know. I'm a man who makes it happen." He lowered his head and kissed my lips.
No matter where we were, Jamari showed me affection, which I loved.
After we signed our names on the sign-in sheet, we walked into another room. What I saw stunned me. The class was packed with two teachers instructing them on what to do. The smiles on their faces were pure joy as they spoke one at a time.
One of them stopped and glanced over in our direction. With a smile, she got up and came toward us.
"Hello. Welcome to Potted Gold. Are you here to take a class or to sit back and observe?"
"To take a class," Jamari answered.
The girl nodded, pressing her lips together. "I'm Liyah, by the way. Follow me."
We followed Liyah as she walked toward two available tables.
"We're not normally this packed, but since today was a half-off class, everyone has been filling the place up all day."
Jamari chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah. That's why I'm here too. It's best to take advantage of sales."
We all shared a laugh.
"Well, hop on in. I'll get you everything you two will need. Tonight, we're working on bowls and cups. How cool would it be to have your own cups and bowls you've made yourself?" Liyah questioned.
We took our seats. I glanced at her with a smile. "It'll be real cool. I've always wanted to get into pottery, but I've never taken the time to do so. I'm excited." I cheesed hella hard, trying not to jump up and down in my seat.
When Liyah stepped away from us, Jamari turned to me. "I guess I made your day, huh?"
I beamed. "No. You've made my year. Thanks so much, Mari."
He reached out and gripped my thigh. "There's no need to thank me. I'm here to make sure you do everything you want to do. It might not be when you want it exactly, but know I'll always make sure you keep a smile on your beautiful face."
The things Jamari said to me warmed me in a way a blanket wouldn't. That was why, when it came to this relationship, I was all in. I gave it my all, and I'd continue to do so.
When Liyah came back with the stuff we needed, Jamari and I looked at each other and laughed. I couldn't believe I was about to do this. We put a long cloth over our clothes so they wouldn't get messed up.
As she instructed us on what to do, we fell in line with everyone else.
It wasn't hard once we got the hang of it.
I doubt if I'd drink or eat out of anything I make, but I'd sell it.
Who knew, if I got better at it, I might just start a business doing this.
With that thought, I shook my head. I hadn't even gotten the business I was supposed to start off the ground running yet.
I was at a crossroads with that one. Hopefully, I'll be able to get it off the ground soon.
It was my dream to do so since I felt like I had what it took.
"How are you liking it so far?" Jamari asked.
I shrugged with a smile. "It's okay. I'm enjoying myself. Plus, it's relaxing. I can see myself in a garage with a big TV doing this all day."
He cackled. "I can see you doing the same thing. That's crazy."
The only thing I could do was laugh with him.
An hour later, I had a small cup while Jamari had a bowl.
"Yours looks better than mine," I huffed, pouting.
I shouldn't expect anything less, not with Jamari, who fixes old stuff and makes it new. He had a gift with his hands. Those were the same hands and fingers that could make me sing when I needed to inside our bedroom.
He frowned, eyeing his bowl. "You think so?"
I smacked my lips. "Yes."
Jamari looked over at mine, and the corner of his lips curved upward a little. "You did a good job on your cup, though. I like it."
I smiled as I eyed the cup. "Yeah, I like it too. I can do better, though."
He nodded slightly. "Practice makes perfect, baby."
He had a point. This was fun but messy.
"Where were you planning to take me to eat? I could go for some tacos."
"If that's what you want, you got it."
I almost pumped my fists in the air. Anything I wanted, he made it happen.
Twenty minutes later, we were back in the car. We had to come back and get our pottery pieces.
"Before we eat, I want to give you something," Jamari announced.
I frowned, wondering what he had for me now. He was forever gifting me stuff. The charm bracelet he gave me hadn't come off my wrist. I loved it too much to take it off.
Jamari reached across me and opened the glove compartment, pulling out a small box. He spoiled me, and I didn't know what I did to deserve what he did for me.
"Hold your hand out."
I did as instructed, and Jamari placed the box in my hand. I wasted no time opening it. I softly gasped as tears filled my eyes at what I saw. It was a small charm in the shape of a baby bottle. My lips trembled as I touched my chest with my hand.
"Jamari..." I cooed.
"You don't have to say anything right now.
I understand. Chy, you deserve the world for what you were able to do for me.
I never thought I'd be here. Hell, I'd probably still be in the bar, mean-mugging every chick that tries to talk to me.
But you changed something in me. I'm grateful for you for that. "
I sobbed, trying not to get myself sick, but that was hard. Jamari didn't know what his words did to and for me.
"For so long, I waited for a man to love and take care of me properly.
Jamari, you might be grateful for me, but I'm blessed to have you in my life.
I've never met a man who does things for me the way you do.
You make me feel things I've never experienced before.
Thank you for not giving up on me. Even when you told me to leave you alone, I'm happy I didn't listen to you. "
He chuckled. "I'm glad you didn't listen either. I love you, Chyanne."
I beamed. "I love you too."
We met each other halfway and locked lips. The way our tongues and lips glided together was a promise of something much more later, and I couldn't wait.