Chapter 23 #3
Yosiah knocked and my hold on his hand tightened.
He glanced down at me, giving me a reassuring grin, causing me to squeeze my thighs together.
Before we came here, he’d gone to the barbershop to get a haircut and line up.
I always loved when he was freshly groomed.
Yosiah naturally had a handsome mature look to him and getting his face and hair cleaned up only enhanced it.
When the door opened, I was grateful to see his dad first. I knew he wasn’t my biggest fan either but he was always respectful toward me.
“C’mon in. Zoya’s in the living room waiting for you,” he mentioned.
“Hello, Mr. Bedford,” I greeted as we stepped into the house.
“Xylina, nice to see you again.” His eyes went to our hands then to his son. The two seemed to be having a silent conversation that only they knew. With a slight nod, he looked back at me. “And please call me Alonzo.”
I wasn’t expecting him to say that but it caused a small smile to split my face.
We followed Alonzo. The closer we got to his mom, the more I felt my body tense and my defenses rise. After making up with Yosiah yesterday, the last thing I wanted to do was go back and forth with his mom.
We stepped into the living room and his mom’s face lit up laying eyes on her son. She stood and made her way over to us, completely ignoring me and grabbing him.
“Yosiah, it’s nice for you to stop by and visit your parents. How are you, sweetheart?”
Releasing my hand, he hugged his mom and kissed her cheek. “I’m good. What about you?” He released her while Alonzo went to her side.
“Oh I’m great. Preparing for my summer class to start. I recently started gardening, so that’s been fun.”
Yosiah smiled, then turned to me. “That’s good, Mom. Glad you found something you enjoy. By the way, aren’t you gonna speak to Xylina?”
The smile on Zoya’s face was instantly wiped away and she stared down at me with a stilled expression.
“Xylina.” Her voice was dry.
“Nice to see you again, Mrs. Bedford,” I lied, forcing a smile on my face.
“Mhm. Let’s take a seat.” Spinning on her heels, she sashayed back to her previous seat. Alonzo followed her, taking a seat next to her.
I bit the inside of my cheek and peeked up at Yosiah when he grabbed my hand. He led me over to the couch across from his parents and we took a seat.
“So you said you wanted to talk to us. Is everything okay, Yosiah?” His mom gave him her full attention.
“Everything’s fine. I just had something to tell you guys. Well… we have something.” He enveloped my hands between his.
His mom’s face balled in confusion and her eyes bounced between the two of us.
“Well, don’t leave us waiting. What is it?”
“We’re having a baby!” I blurted out, planting a smug grin on my face.
Her face fell again.
“You’re what?”
“Congrats, you two!”
His parents responded at the same time.
Zoya whipped her head toward her husband. “Congrats? You’re congratulating them on this as if it’s a good thing?”
Yosiah spoke up. “Are you saying it’s not?” Again, I bit the inside of my cheek as my leg began bouncing.
“Yosiah, you know I would love nothing more than to become a grandmother and watch you be a father, but having a kid isn’t something you take lightly with just anyone.” Zoya glowered at me while turning her nose up.
“Good thing this isn’t just anyone and it’s my wife.”
“A wife you never wanted to marry and you don’t love. Do you think it’s smart to bring a baby into a relationship like that?”
“Zoya, you need to calm down,” Alonzo told her.
“No I will not! Because of your actions, our son was already forced to give up five years of his life and now he has to do even more. That’s not fair to him. I know you wouldn’t agree to this, so that leaves you. You did this on purpose, didn’t you?” She narrowed her eyes at me.
My stomach churned but I sat up straight. Yosiah spoke up before I could. “You’re overstepping, Mom.”
His mom looked as if she’d been slapped. “What? Am I not allowed to be worried about my son being unhappy?”
“Who said I was unhappy? I never told you that.”
“Okay, but just a couple months ago, you didn’t see her as a good mother. So tell me what changed.”
“What changed is me and your son are getting to know each other and he understands I’m not the selfish bitch you claim me to be.
” She looked taken back by my words. I tried to be respectful, but there was only so much I would allow.
“Your son is thirty-five and old enough to make his own decisions when it comes to his life. He wants this baby and so do I and that’s all that matters.
If you have a problem with it then you don’t have to be around my kid! ”
“My son would never permit you to keep my grandbaby from me. Yosiah, get your wife. She’s out of line.”
I was accustomed to Yosiah taking his mom’s side and agreeing with her, so color me shocked when he shut her down.
“You know I love you, Mama. I’d go to war for you with anyone, but I can’t go against my wife here.
You are out of line and I told you at my birthday dinner what happens in my marriage is between me and my wife.
As my child’s mother, I can’t go against her if she makes the choice to not let you be around our baby. ”
I could tell Zoya wasn’t expecting her son’s response and she looked hurt while Alonzo sat at her side looking proud.
Alonzo turned to face his wife with a serious expression.
“Zoya, Yosiah is a smart man. He’s not a boy that needs you to fight his battles or speak up for him.
I’ve told you multiple times. Look at the two of them.
They look happy and now they’re about to bring a child into the world.
Instead of criticizing, you should be happy for our son and his wife.
Whatever happened in the past, it’s clear that the two have worked it out and that’s all that matters. ”
Zoya shook her head. “I need some time.” She stood and stormed off.
And I thought I was dramatic, I thought while watching Zoya leave the room.
Yosiah sighed. “That went better than I thought it would.”
“Just give your mom some time. You know she’s always been overprotective of you.
She just doesn’t like the fact that you’re starting your own family and now have a new head lady in your life,” Alonzo started, then faced me.
“Xylina, I trust my son’s judgement. He’s always had a good head on his shoulders and never acted off emotions.
As a father, all I want is for him to be happy.
A child is a big responsibility. The two of you need to make sure you’re on the same page and have your shit together before you give birth.
Regardless of how you two got here, don’t let my wife discourage you.
If my son trusts you, then that’s all that matters. ”
“Thank you, Alonzo. I don’t have the best example of parents, but with Yosiah at my side, I think I could be a good mother.”
Yosiah flashed me a crooked grin and lifted my hand to his mouth, pressing his lips on the back.
“We’re gonna figure it out together.”
Warmth spread through my chest cavity. My stomach fluttered like a million cocoons had broken free, releasing butterflies inside.
It made me happy knowing I wasn’t the only one invested in this relationship now.
Being on neutral ground with Yosiah was all I’d wanted for a long time and I refused to allow anyone to come between us.