Chapter 20
Three Months Later
I rubbed my baby bump, waiting for my name to be called.
I was at the doctor's office, about to find out the gender of my baby.
Jamari hoped for a little boy, but I wanted a girl.
Still, I told him, either direction, I'd be happy.
I was now five months pregnant, and my baby bump was small, but to me it was perfect.
I loved how Jamari kissed my stomach. When he didn't do that, he'd rub it down in cocoa butter.
Whenever his hands were on me, it set off a fire that had us in each other's arms, damned near all day.
I loved it. He couldn't keep his hands off me, and I craved the attention.
Over the past three months, things have changed in my life and the lives of the people around me.
My father and mother finally came out and admitted that they were indeed messing around with each other.
I saw that from a mile away. I knew, but at the same time, I didn't. My father ended up leaving Brenda since he couldn't leave my mother alone, and I was beyond thrilled about that.
My mother was over the moon with happiness to be back with my father.
They'd be going to counseling for their relationship, too.
My girl Jacey was finished with that relationship she was in, and I was so glad.
My girl got herself an apartment with the money she saved up over the years, thanks to Stefon.
Plus, after reconciling, her parents helped her too.
I called her every day to make sure she was good.
Jacey had to change her number, too. Stefon said that he'd kill her if he ever found out where she was.
I didn't think it was safe for her to stay in Skyeville, but her parents made sure she was in an apartment complex with heavy security.
I prayed every night that man didn't find her.
Even though it was hard to sleep at night, when she texted me in the mornings, I knew she was good.
As for Jamari and me, I had moved into his house with his siblings.
They were happy to have me there, and I was too.
I loved being there with them. Then, on top of that, I'd finally gotten my business off the ground.
It felt good to know that people I used to serve at Tito's bought my drinks.
Even Trevon supported me, which I loved.
My business would strive for greatness. I was a firm believer in that.
Mixed By Chy was the name of my business, and I loved it.
The door opened, and I hoped like hell they called my name. I didn't want to be in the doctor's office all day. I'd rather be in bed at home, strolling on TikTok, or mixing drinks.
"Chyanne English!"
I hopped up quickly with Jamari right by my side.
Hand in hand, we walked toward the nurse.
I had a bright smile on my face, ready to check up on my little nugget.
In silence, we walked toward the examination room.
The nurse stepped to the side, but Jamari beckoned her to go in first. Once I was inside the room, he stepped behind me.
The nurse sat on the stool in front of the ultrasound machine. "Okay, mom-to-be. Please get comfortable on this table for me. Lift your shirt as well."
I did as instructed. Jamari stepped closer to the bed as we watched the screen. He grabbed my hand in his, and we shared the moment.
Thirty minutes later, we ambled into Dunk's Wings. The way I was ready to fuck some wings up, it made no sense at all. I already knew what type of wings I wanted, too. Jamari and I stood in line, waiting to place our order.
After we placed our order, we headed to fix our drinks and took our seats.
Jamari smiled brightly as he reached for his cup of lemonade. "I told you, I'd be getting my boy."
I rolled my eyes skyward. "So you did. I told you, I'd be happy with whatever I'm having. Now we need to think about baby names."
When the nurse informed us we'd be having a baby boy, I couldn't help the tears that clouded my eyes. I was about to be someone's mother, which felt so surreal.
"Do you have any names in mind?" I asked.
He shook his head with a frown. "Nah, I don't."
I sighed deeply. "I don't have any either. We still have time to think on it, though."
He nodded. "I don't want him to be a junior either."
I frowned. "Why not?"
Before Jamari could reply, the server came and set our food in front of us.
When she walked away, he gave me his attention again. "I want him to have his own name and identity. Who's to say, he'd even like the name Jamari?"
I shrugged. "So, and? He's not here yet to decide for himself. That's why we're here to do it for him."
Jamari chuckled, taking my basket of wings and fries, and he set it in front of me. "You're saying all that, but I still stand on what I said. I want our son to have his own name. It can either start with a J or a C. We can think of some as time goes on."
I got excited all over again. "Okay, cool. When do you want to start baby shopping? We should start soon."
"How about this weekend?"
I nodded, reaching for one of the lemon pepper wings. "Okay, that's cool."
If this were normal for us, without any drama, I'd love it. Jamari and I hardly argued, but when we did, we were quick to fix the mistake. We'd have minor disagreements, too, but I loved the fact that we could always bounce back from an argument. We didn't let it get too out of hand.
"We might have to start looking for a new place soon, too. My place will not be big enough to raise a baby," Jamari stated.
I thought that too when I moved in. Even though my townhouse was no better, I knew I wanted my own house one day.
"I also thought of something," Jamari voiced after minutes of silence between us.
I lifted my head to peer at him. "What's that?"
"Let's do something for the kids. They've been in the house a lot, so I think it's time we took them out for some fun. What do you think?"
Rylie and Zach would love that. They were always in the house if they weren't at school or the park. I was glad Jamari wanted to do something with them.
"I thought about the arcade that opened a few months back."
I had a feeling the kids would love that, especially Zach.
I bought him a train set for his birthday, and he has been playing with it since.
I loved that he enjoyed it. Zach had a thing for trains and dinosaurs.
Meanwhile, Rylie was into fashion and doing hair.
Whenever I needed my hair flatiron, I'd go to her.
Plus, I'd pay her for her services. She didn't want to take it, but I wasn't about to not pay her. She did a fantastic job, too.
"Okay. We can do that for them. I'm sure they'll love it."
Mari picked up his drink and took a sip of it. "Yeah, I have no doubt. Zach would have a ball. As Rylie gets older, she wants to hang out with her friends more, but I don't trust people like that."
I sighed deeply. Jamari always talked about not trusting people, yet he never took the time to get to know them.
It was one of the arguments we'd have. It wasn't my place to speak on what he should do about his siblings.
When he talked about it, the only thing I did was nod or shake my head.
He'd want my input, but I wouldn't know what to say.
I'd never try to overstep when it comes to the way he raised his siblings.
I continued to eat my wings and fries. Knowing me, I'd probably won't eat all of this and end up taking it home to eat later.
"Chy?" Jamari called my name, causing me to look up at him.
"Hmm?"
"What do you say to Rylie going out with her friends?"
My eyes nearly bucked out of my head. What the hell was I supposed to say? He couldn't be serious right now. "Mari, I don't know what to tell you. It's what you want to do. I don't want to say the wrong thing, and you get mad at me."
There! I'd leave it at that. He got mad at me when he asked for my opinion, and when I gave it, he didn't like my answer. Yeah, I'd sit this one out.
He lifted an eyebrow. "I won't get mad this time. I need your help on this one."
I sighed deeply. "Okay, here goes nothing. I think you should let Rylie go out with her friends if she wants, as long as you know where she's going and you have her location. You'll have to let go, or she'll sneak and do it. You wouldn't want that to happen."
He narrowed his eyes, but I shrugged and went back to eating my food. As I said, he never wanted to hear the truth. I'd just have to sit back and watch what happened next.
"When Rylie brings up her wanting to go out again, I'll let her go. I don't want to be too hard on her. She's growing up now."
I nodded, loving the fact that he finally tried to let go of the tight leash he had.
"She's going to be okay. You know that in your heart. When you let her go out, it proves that you trust her."
Jamari nodded. "I trust her, and I know I need to do better. That's why I'm happy I have you with me to help and teach me."
My lips trembled, but I sucked it up. I hated that this pregnancy had turned me into a crybaby. "And I'm happy to be here."
Jamari and I shared a smile and resumed eating. I could admit that today was a good day. To know that I was pregnant with a little boy made me so joyful. Also, having the man I loved by my side was an added bonus. I felt blessed.