19. Han’some Valentine
Turning on my side, I reached out for Koi, only to find a cold and barren space. My eyes popped open, and I sat up in bed to confirm I was all alone. Refusing to even exhale, I listened for a noise, only to be met with silence.
Considering we had a toddler and a newborn, I would’ve heard something if they were here. Scooting so my back could rest on the headboard, I reached for my phone and immediately went to see where Koi’s location was. I couldn’t tell much by the address, but she’d gone into the city.
I glanced at the time, seeing that I’d slept well into the afternoon.
I had a late-night studio session to complete a list of features, and I didn’t stumble into the house until the sun was out.
Even still, I expected to wake up to breakfast in bed or something.
That would be better than waking up alone, on today of all days.
Going into my call log, I tapped on Koi’s name to see what time she planned to come back home. “Hey, baby,” she answered chipperly. “You’re finally up. Did you sleep good?”
I ran a hand down my face and sighed. “Yeah . . . Why didn’t you wake me up?”
I tossed the covers off my legs, tucked the phone between my ear and shoulder, then walked into the bathroom to relieve myself. “You were sleeping so hard. I didn’t want to disturb you. Ocean was so cranky that I decided to get out so you could have peace.”
At four months, our second daughter, Nalani Ocean, was not afraid to test out her lungs. I wouldn’t call her a crybaby, but that girl could surely blow. I had hopes that maybe she’d become a singer and pursue music like her daddy.
“You didn’t have to do that, baby. I would’ve rather woken up to her crying than by myself,” I admitted before flushing the toilet. After washing my hands, I propped the phone up on the counter. “Where are you? I’ll come meet you wherever you are. We can go have lunch or something.”
Twisting the knob for the water, I began to brush my teeth. “Okay, cool. I know you already checked my location, so just come here. I want to show you something first, so bring your wallet.”
I chuckled with a shake of my head. “Aight, baby. I’ll see you in a little bit.”
I thought she was going to hang up, but she said, “Wear the outfit I picked out for you in the closet.” Not thinking twice about it, I agreed to wear it. “Kay, I love you. See you in a little while.”
She hung up before I could respond. Since I knew I was about to see them, I decided to cheer up, even though something heavy was weighing on my heart. That stupid elephant video from a few months ago popped in my mind, further souring the air around me.
After a shower and moisturizing my body, I found the outfit Koi had laid out for me. It was fly, per usual, and I liked what I saw when I looked in the mirror—minus the sadness in my eyes. I was the forgotten child, so I knew better than to expect anything differently.
Once was I ready to go, I grabbed my keys and ensured I had my wallet in my pocket.
Who knew what Koi would have me spending money on today.
She knew I didn’t believe in the word no when it came to any of my girls, and today would be no different.
I was just thankful to have a family I was able to provide for and spoil without having to check my accounts first.
The ride to Koi’s location took me around half an hour.
It appeared to be some kind of venue, but I couldn’t tell much else from the sign.
Hopping out, I made my way inside to find her waiting for me in the lobby.
Her face lit up when she saw me. It lifted my sadness to see her be so happy to see me. She rushed over to me with open arms.
“You look so handsome,” she complimented me. As I glanced down at her, she bit her bottom lip, looking like she was ready to go half on another baby.
“Thank you, baby.” I gave her a kiss on her full lips and sighed. Glancing around, I finally asked her, “What is this place? Where’s the girls?”
She smiled brightly. “I found the perfect place to have Skye’s birthday party,” she shared with me. “And Nini came with me, so they’re still in there with her.”
“Oh,” I mumbled. Rocking back on my toes, I tucked my hands in my pockets and nodded. “Okay, cool. How much is the deposit?”
“Don’t ask until you see the place.”
I eyed her suspiciously. That must’ve meant it was going to be a no-budget party. My baby girl was worth it, though, and I would always give her things I never had the pleasure of enjoying, like birthday parties. She had parents who loved her and would never let a year pass without celebrating her.
“You have to wear this, though, because I want you to be surprised. It’s so cool,” she said, stopping me from walking forward. I glanced down to see a blindfold in her hand.
“Okay . . .” I thought it was an odd request, but at the same time, it was Koi. She was a little weird. I still loved her, though. I remained in place while she tied the blindfold around my eyes.
“Alright, just follow my lead, and walk backwards.”
I paused and glanced to my right where I could smell her perfume and feel her body heat. “Koi, really?”
“Yessss! Just trust me. It’s going to be worth it.” I sighed heavily, trying to get out of the funky mood I was falling into. Spinning around, I did what she said and stopped walking when she told me to. “Okay, take your blindfold off.”
Doing as I was told, I nearly jumped out of my body when I heard voices yelling, “Happy birthday, Valentine.”
I spun around so fast I almost gave myself whiplash.
My mouth fell open when I saw all the people I cared about standing behind Koi.
She held a cake with flickering candles on it.
I sniffled, trying to keep my tears to myself.
I thought she’d forgotten today was my birthday, but instead, she’d given me the one thing I’d always wanted—to feel loved, seen, and celebrated for simply being here.
“Happy birthday, baby,” she said excitedly when I got closer to her.
“I thought you forgot,” I admitted.
She laughed. “I know you did.” She stepped closer with a serious expression. “There will never be a birthday that won’t be celebrated for the rest of your life. We love you.”
As if it were a cue, Skye ran forward to hug my legs. “Happy birthday, Daddy.” I smiled down at her before bending to pick her up. In her hand, she held a custom-made birthday card.
And that was what did it. That was what made me cry.
I kissed my baby on the cheeks, feeling so much joy that I thought I was going to burst. Was this what it felt like to be God’s favorite?
Was this the reward for being on His strongest warriors list for the first half of your life?
I wasn’t sure why He chose to bestow these blessings on me, but I would always be grateful and take care of them.
As I bent over to blow out the candles on my cake, the only wish that came to mind was being able to spend the rest of my life with the people I loved.
I never thought I would become a family man with a loving wife and children who could do no wrong in my eyes.
I didn’t expect a career that would feed my family for generations to come, yet that was my portion.
I remembered a few months ago, feeling at my lowest and thinking I wouldn’t last much longer with the way things were.
Now, I was thankful for rock bottom, because the only direction left for me to go was up.