27. Piper
“You’re going to be fine, babe. Relax,” I told Khalil as we pulled up to my mom’s house. I held in my laughter looking at him over in the driver’s seat sweating bullets.
Before she invited us over, I called and told her that I was bringing her son-in-law to meet her. It was funny to say that Justina cursed him from here to Texas and back again.
She wasn’t loud or angry but very stern and direct about how he went about marrying me without her blessing. That alone had Khalil scared to see her in person, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Man, ain’t nobody scared of yo’ mama.”
“Good. Let’s go inside then.”
He scratched his head. “She-um-she ain’t got no gun, do she?”
That made me laugh.
“I thought you weren’t scared?”
“She cutthroat. I see where you get that fire from. You can cut a motherfucka in half with that sharp-ass tongue when you get mad. Both of y’all are like the calm before a storm.”
“I can agree, but I’ve calmed down a lot since college. The old me would have come out on that stage and dragged your little mistress by her little ponytail.”
He laughed. “And I wouldn’t have stopped you.”
“You know better.” I chuckled and kissed his lips. “My mom is harmless. Just a little hurt that she wasn’t privy to her only child getting married, but I’m positive she isn’t going to dwell on it.”
“Yeah, okay. Let me get in here so she can bite my head off ’cause I’on believe shit you saying right now.
” We both laughed, and he got out to open my door and grabbed the gift bag he had for my mom and Parnell.
I took his hand, and we strolled up the walkway to the front door.
I used my key to get inside and called out to her.
“Ma, Parnell! We’re here!”
A few seconds later, Parnell came from the back of the house, all smiles, walked up to me, and hugged me.
“Hi, beautiful.”
“Hey! This is my husband—”
“KG! What up, man!” Parnell exclaimed, pulling him in for a hug. Khalil chuckled. “It’s crazy how my daughter been married to a basketball star all this time and ain’t tell me a thing.”
“Parnell, don’t start. You’ve been sitting courtside at almost every home game.”
“It ain’t the same as knowing he’s part of the family, doll face.”
“It’s cool. I’m here now, so that’s all that matters.
I got something for you.” Khalil reached inside the gift bag and handed him a leather case with Parnell’s name inscribed on it.
He opened it, seeing the Cuban cigars inside.
“Piper told me you liked cigars, so I had those flown in straight from Cuba.”
“Oh, man. You didn’t have to do this but thank you. It’s nothing like a good cigar and a shot of cognac after a hard day’s work.”
They both laughed and shook hands.
“Ahem.” My mother cleared her throat, and we all turned to her coming down the hall.
“Hey, Mommy,” I greeted, moving to her side and kissing her cheek.
“Hello, Daughter. Khalil,” she said with a curt nod.
“Mrs. Williams. It’s good to finally meet you in person. How are you, beautiful?”
“I’m fine. And you can call me Tina.”
“Noted.” Khalil pulled out the other gift box from the gift bag and handed it to her. “For you.”
“The buttering up begins. How cute.”
“Mama,” I reprimanded. “Be nice, please.”
She cut her eyes at me then accepted the gift from him.
She lifted the lid, and I leaned in to see what it was.
A gold, medium-sized bell sat inside with the inscription that read: To The Strongest Soldier.
Only The Strong Survive, with two pink boxing gloves under a pink breast cancer ribbon.
Beside it was a diamond tennis bracelet with pink ribbon charms.
“Awww, babe. This was so nice of you! You always give the best and most thoughtful gifts.” I teared up a little. He’d remembered me telling him about her battle with breast cancer. I tilted my head back and puckered my lips for a kiss.
“Thank you, baby.”
“That’s real nice, son. Real nice,” Parnell complimented. Mama didn’t say anything as her eyes stayed glued to the box. When she finally snapped out of her daze, she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I’m still mad at you, but I guess I can begin the process of forgiving you. This is very thoughtful of you, and I appreciate it.”
Khalil smiled. “I’m glad it’s a start. I do want to apologize again for how I handled everything.
Just know, when I made the split-second decision to marry your daughter, I had a one-track mind.
I just wanted to be her forever.” Khalil handed me the empty bag, pulled up his joggers, and got on one knee in front of her.
Parnell and I looked on confused, and Mama smiled in confusion as well.
“Mrs. Wi—I mean Mama Tina, the Big Homie knew what He was doing when He placed that seed in your womb. You nurtured, protected, and gave love to this beautiful, creative, funny, spicy being, and I fell in love with her at first sight. I meant no disrespect, and I promise to make it right. If it’s cool with you, I’d like to stay married to this beautiful woman you created and ask for your blessing to remain your son-in-law. ”
Tears gathered in my eyes, and I didn’t think it was possible to fall even more in love with this man.
Mama took in a deep breath and released it with a smile. “I don’t know who your parents are, but I can tell they raised you well. Since it’s your first offense, and you promised to make up for it, with this gift being the start, I will forgive you.”
Khalil smiled, lifted, and wrapped his arms around her tightly. My mom giggled and patted his back.
“Thanks, Ma. I can’t wait to spoil you,” he told her.
“No need. I’m spoiled enough,” she replied, winking at Parnell.
“That’s right,” Parnell agreed.
“Aye, what’s one more person to do it? Gotta spoil the ladies in my life.”
“Fine. Do what you will. I made us lunch, so come on in the dining room. Piper, come help me in the kitchen.”
“Okay.” I smiled and looked up at Khalil, who pretended to wipe imaginary sweat from his forehead.
“I dodged the knife. I live to see another day.”
I cackled and followed my mother into the kitchen.
The Next Day
I sat at my desk, eating my salad and looking over the quarterly reports, when my personal phone rang. I looked over to see Kiyanne’s name and contact photo on the screen.
I hurried and answered.
“Hey, pretty girl. What’s up?”
“Hey, M2! Are you busy?”
“Never too busy for you.”
“Okay, so I need your help.”
“What’s that?”
“My mom’s neighbor’s dog had puppies, and I asked Dad if I could get one, and he told me no. Can you like, try to convince him to let me have one? They’re sooo stinking cute!”
“Aww, what kind of dog is it?”
“A Shih Tzu. Answer the FaceTime.”
I answered the FaceTime, and the video populated of Kiy holding the small, multi-colored cutie that was all white with brown, gray, and tan spots, and a smile on Kiy’s golden face.
“Isn’t she cute?”
“She is! I love her colors.”
“Can you convince him, pleeeassee?”
I chuckled at the cute pout on her face. “I will talk to him. In the meantime, what do you want to name her?”
“Eek!” She screeched in excitement. “I like the name Aria!”
“That’s pretty. Okay, let me talk to daddy, and I’ll text you the answer, okay?”
“Okay! Byyyeee!” She hung up, and I called Khalil.
The phone rang three times before he finally picked up.
“Mi Amor. What’s good?” he asked, sounding out of breath.
“Nothing. What are you doing?”
“Shooting around with Is. You good?”
“Yes, everything’s fine. Kiy just called—”
“The answer is no, Mi Amor,” he said, cutting me off.
I laughed. “You didn’t even let me finish.”
“Because I know what you’re about to say. I don’t want that lil’ ugly-ass ankle biter in my crib. If she wants a pet, she can get a turtle, hamster, or a snake. Something that stays in a glass and don’t require much maintenance.”
“But she really wants the dog, babe. I promise to stay on her about its upkeep. Give her one month; if she doesn’t do right by it, we’ll get rid of it.”
“Y’all killing me, baby. A’ight, it’s on you when she gets to crying that we gotta send that lil’ motherfucka to the pound.”
“Yayy! You’re the best daddy,” I purred.
“Mm. Say that shit again.”
“You’re the best daddy in the whole world,” I repeated.
“I’ma fuck them braids out ya head when you get here.”
I bit my lip. “You promise?”
“I do.”
I giggled. “You all packed?”
“Nah. I need your help.”
“Khalil, be for real. Our flight leaves at five in the morning.”
“I know. I want to bend you over while you pack so I can see that ass waving.”
“Aye, nigga, I’m sitting right here!” I heard Isaiah yell in the background. I laughed.
“Cover ya ears then, nigga.”
“Babe, stop! I’ll be over tonight to help you since you want to act handicap.”
“I am handicap.”
“Bye, husband. I love you.”
“Ditto, baby.” I hung up just as Shina walked into my office with the biggest and prettiest bouquet of pink and white roses I’d ever seen.
“I couldn’t knock, because this shit heavy as hell!” she exclaimed, walking over to me. I stood and took them from her.
“Oh my. Who sent these?”
“Girl, you know your man sent these.”
I smiled wide. It had to be about three hundred roses.
“He loves me.” I beamed.
Shina smiled. “I’m sure he does. And I really hate to interrupt your euphoric moment, but that one bitch out in the lobby, saying she needs to talk to you.”
“What bitch?”
“Khalil’s ex-bitch.”
I frowned deeply. “What the hell?”
“I can drag her ass out of here if you want me to. I ain’t had a good fight in a minute.”
“No, Shina. This is a place of business. But let me check her temperature, and I may be inclined to allow it.” I set the roses down on my desk then headed out of my office and down the hall to the lobby.
Sure enough, Anais sat gracefully in one of the chairs along the wall with her security flanking her sides.
When she saw me, she stood abruptly and smiled.
“How can I help you?” I asked.
“I just came to get a clear visual of the woman my fiancé left me for. I must say, I’m highly disappointed.”
“Bit—” Shina started, but I held my hand up to stop her.
“Shina, I got this. Get back to work, please.”
“You sure?”
“I am.” Shina glared at her for a second before she walked off. “If you came here to insult me, then you gotta come harder than that,” I told her.
“I’m only making an observation. When I saw you coming out of his house this morning, I just had to follow you and see exactly who you are. Anyway, since your man blocked me on everything, I thought I’d deliver the message through you. Tell him that we’re expecting.”
My heart dropped, and anger resonated inside of me. “Expecting what, bitch?”
“A baby, silly.” She went inside her bag and pulled out some papers and a test, handing them over to me. I didn’t accept it, but instead I looked her straight in the eye and laughed.
“Anais, get your desperate, delusional, sick ass out of my face before I drag you through this lobby. And I don’t give a fuck about your fake-ass men in black. They won’t be able to stop me from beating your ass.”
“Okay. I tried to spare him by not going to the blogs, but I see you both want to do this the hard way.” She giggled then waved to her security.
“That’s funny. You’ll only be embarrassing yourself, sweetheart.
Imagine going on a talk show, and your fiancé exposes your infidelity, only for you to turn around and say you’re pregnant by the man you cheated on.
Girl, those comments are going to go crazy.
I wouldn’t even play myself like that if I were you.
But go off, love. Your little fake pregnancy threat didn’t rattle me.
I’m still going to be riding his face tonight with a smile on my face. ”
I could see I struck a nerve. Something I seemed to have always been good at when bitches tried to come for me. The old me probably would have said all of that to her, and then stayed away, leaving Khalil to figure out why I wasn’t answering his calls.
Not this time.
That nigga was mine, and I wasn’t coming up off him until one or both of our bodies hit the dirt.
“Fuck you, you home-wrecking whore. If he did this to me, what the hell do you think he’s going to do to you?”
“Marry me, fuck me, and put his babies in my womb. Something you couldn’t seem to obtain.
We are not the same, sis. Now, get the fuck out of my office before I do what ya mama and daddy should have done and whup your ass.
” I pointed toward the elevators, and she said nothing more before storming off.
I waited until they loaded into the car, then I turned and headed back to my office.
“What happened? What that bitch say?” Shina inquired.
“Nothing. Forward all calls to my cell. You can go. I have to get home to pack, and make sure you shut down your computer before you go.” I walked inside my office without another word, shut everything down, replied to Kiy’s message, grabbed my belongings and flowers, then headed home.
If that ignorant broad knew what was good for her, she would stop trying to create chaos in our lives. Orlando’s daughter or not, I wouldn’t hesitate to lay her ass out next time.