Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
The sound of a door opening woke me from my sleep.
It took a few seconds, but when my blurred vision settle down and focused, I realized that Kiyan was standing in the doorway of his closet.
Shirtless. I felt like a creep taking his tattooed, toned back in.
It was literally a roadmap of muscle and obvious that he was no stranger to the gym.
It was damn near impossible to look away.
I found myself trying to count the droplets of water that I could still see sliding down his back.
I thought I’d get to lay there and enjoy the view for a while, but when my phone sounded, signaling that an email was coming through, he glanced over his shoulder, catching me red handed.
A smile spread across his face when we locked eyes and he said, “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” I returned the smile and he turned to face me completely.
“How are you feeling this morning.”
“Ugh, so much better,” I admitted. “I can probably actually get out of bed today.”
His brows dipped some as he studied me then he walked around the bed, and my eyes remained on him the entire time. I spotted more tattoos and even more muscle with each movement. When he pulled the shirt that he’d gotten from his closet over his head, I was a little sad because it tainted my view.
“Let’s take your temperature.” He lifted the thermometer that was laying on the nightstand and hovered it in front of my forehead. “98.7. That’s a good sign.”
“I told you I’m all better thanks to the doctors of Ward Hospital,” I teased.
Kiyan and his mother weren’t playing about me resting and getting past the cold I got out of nowhere.
They had me quarantined in his bedroom for days, taking turns bringing me medicine, food, and water.
They even brought Ava to see me briefly every day but did their best to keep her occupied and entertained so that she didn’t catch what I had.
I truly appreciated them and their efforts.
“We do our best around here,” he smirked. “But seriously, are you sure you want to get up today? You can take one more day to rest and fully recover.”
I shook my head. “As amazing as this bed feels, I need to get out of it. If I don’t, I’ll eventually become part of the mattress,” I chuckled. “Plus, I want to see and play with my baby.”
He nodded. “Aight. Why don’t you get your things together while I run you a hot bath.”
Since I’d been in his room, Kiyan made it his business to run me a bath twice a day.
Most of the time I was asleep, so after he ran my water, he’d wake me to let me know it was ready then leave me alone.
His mom or his housekeeper would bring me clothes to put on afterward, then he’d come in throughout the day to check on me.
After I nodded, he got up to go do what he said, so I went to retrieve some clothes to put on. I’d only been in pajamas for the last couple of days, but I wanted to actually get dressed today. I was a firm believer in putting on clothes every day because when you looked good, you felt good.
As I made my way down the hall, I heard Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” on full blast downstairs, and I knew right away that it was my baby’s doing. That was her favorite holiday song and the same one that had Aldrick losing his mind the night that he tried to whip her.
The thought of that night had me thinking about the fact that it had been almost a week, and he hadn’t bothered to call or text to check on us, or at least his daughter.
He was an asshole, but I thought he’d at least feel bad enough to call.
I clearly thought wrong though, and that was fine because I’d had plenty of time to think and plan while I was sick and bedridden.
Kiyan’s mother was right—he didn’t deserve to get away with what he had done, and I wasn’t going to let him.
I was able to talk to Ava’s teachers who agreed to allow us to do her work from home for the next few weeks, and starting next week, I’d do virtual visits with her doctors and therapist. They made it clear they still wanted and needed to see her in person, but until I was able to get us in a new place, we could do everything virtually.
By the time I made it back to Kiyan’s room, my bath was ready, so after closing the door, I undressed then sank down into the water.
I didn’t know how he did it, but the water was always the perfect temperature and whatever he put in it had my skin the softest it had ever been, and it smelled amazing.
I took about thirty minutes to soak and enjoy the bath before I let the water out and took a shower. There was shampoo and conditioner there, so I washed my hair since it had been over a week since I was able to.
After I redressed and got my hair together, I made my way downstairs.
I still heard the music playing, so I found my way to the den area where it was coming from.
I spotted Ava over by the T.V. playing with a little girl that appeared to be about the same age as her.
Melonie was there too sitting between Kiyan’s mother and two other women, one who was obviously older with a face almost identical to hers.
“You look refreshed and so much better,” Kiyan’s mother commented with a smile when she noticed me.
“I feel it too,” I returned the gesture. As soon as my baby heard my voice she whipped around then shot to her feet to rush over to me. “Hi, baby.” I smiled down at her, noticing that her hair was different.
“I hope you don’t mind that I did her hair,” Melonie said. “I knew you weren’t feeling up to it.”
I shook my head. “I don’t mind at all. It looks so good,” I glanced Melonie’s way. “I can’t believe she actually let you braid it.”
It was braided into ponytails with beads on the ends. She always had a fit when I did her hair, so I couldn’t ever even imagine her sitting there to get it braided.
“Told you guys I’m the baby whisperer.”
“Then you need to have one,” the other older woman said before she climbed to her feet to approach me.
“Hi, baby. I’m Patrice. Trina’s sister and Melonie’s mother.
” I was about to shake her hand, but she pulled me into a tight hug.
“You are absolutely stunning,” she complimented.
“I see where this one gets it from.” She pinched Ava’s cheek.
“Thank you so much,” I beamed. “I’m Leila.”
“Trust me, I know.” She grinned. “My sister and Kiyan haven’t stopped talking about you and Ms. Ava. I just had to get on a plane to come and meet the woman they were raving on and on about.”
I tried not to, but I failed miserably at trying not to blush when she said that.
“Mhm, he’s just as smitten as you are.”
“No, I’m n—”
“Hush those lies, girl.” She smiled, then turned slightly. “This is my oldest daughter, Miranda, and my granddaughter, Jazzlyn.”
Who I learned to be Miranda came over to hug me too while little Jazzlyn just waved from where she was.
“My husband, Gary, and son-in-law, Chris, are here too, but they went out to the store with Keith and Kiyan to get the stuff we’re going to need to make dinner later.”
“The stuff that you’ll need, Pat,” Mrs. Latrina corrected. “I told you I was off duty the moment you got here.”
She shook her head while smiling at me. “That’s what I get for spoiling my little sister.”
She went back to the couch while I went to over to take a seat on the floor with Ava to see what she was up to. I was pleasantly surprised to see her playing so well with Melonie’s niece. She had little friends at school, but it took time for her to get used to them.
“What are you doing, baby girl?” I asked, examining the spread of toys they had laid out on the floor.
“Food.” Ava lifted a plastic plate with a piece of chicken on it. She also handed me a plastic fork then a little cup. “Eat, mommy.”
“Oh, okay.” I giggled, tucking my feet underneath me before I started to act like I was eating the little food that Ava and Jazzlyn were making for me.
When they were done with that, the two of them started to give me a makeover with the toy makeup kit they had, then they both tackled my hair.
I had fun playing with them because I really missed Ava while I was sick.
I wasn’t used to being isolated from her.
I rarely got sick, but the few times that I did, I still had to take care of her and home.
I went to make both the girls some lunch after they got done playing since Ava said that she was hungry.
I just made them some sandwiches that I shaped into Christmas trees and ornaments using the cook cutters that I saw on the counter.
I gave them both some Cheetos and a juice before I went to clean my mess and put everything away.
“Get right out of bed from being sick to making lunch,” Mrs. Latrina commented when she entered the kitchen, walking to the refrigerator to get something to drink. “You just don’t know how to sit down do you?”
I chuckled as I wiped the counter down. “I needed to do something. Being in bed for days made me a little lazy.”
“You needed that break,” she chuckled. “That was the first time I’ve seen you sit down since I got here.”
“I know, but I’m used to being on go all the time.” I laughed lightly. “Thank you guys for looking after Ava for me.”
She waved me off and said, “You don’t have to thank us for that. I told you that you two are family now, and that’s what family is for. We look out for one another.”
“Well, I really appreciate that.” I nodded.
“Mel was telling me that they’re all going down to Blues Boulevard later to hear a live band. You should go with them. They’re dragging Kiyan out.”
“Oh, no, I can’t,” I shook my head. “I—”
“Need to go, Leila.” She rounded the counter, taking the dish towel from me. “You need to do more than clean up after everyone and take care of Ava,” she said. “You’re more than a mother. Go out and have some adult fun. Let me and Miranda look after the girls.”
“But you’ve been watching her for days since I’ve been sick…”
“And? One more night won’t hurt or make a difference. Keith and Gary can go out there and make the girls pizza on that outdoor oven Kiyan has. We’ll have a date night with them while you have one too.”
“Date night?” I repeated. “I—”
“You’re going,” she insisted. “Ava is having the time of her little life with Jazzlyn, so you don’t have anything to worry about. Go get all dolled up and have some fun, Leila.”
I held eye contact with her briefly before allowing my eyes to trail over to my baby who was giggling at something that Jazzlyn was showing her on her tablet.
My baby was different. She was happy. Genuinely happy, and enjoying herself like a six year old should be.
She wasn’t tucked under me, worrying about if it was okay to speak or be herself with them.
She was just doing it and they were all receptive to it.
“Bike.” Ava pointed to the screen then looked at Jazzlyn who smiled as she nodded.
“Do you have a bike?” she asked my baby who shook her head. “That’s okay. You can ride mine, Ava.”
I had to fight to hold back my tears when my baby grinned and clapped then hugged Jazzlyn.
Ava did have friends, but they were all dealing with similar things which I actually preferred because at least I knew they wouldn’t pick on her or make her feel bad about her differences.
Kiyan’s family reminded me that not everyone cared about that kind of stuff.
It was refreshing to see her able to play and get along with someone completely new and different.
There were still some kind people in this world.
Kiyan’s mother touched my back lovingly. “Go out, Leila. I promise you everything is going to be okay.”
“I don’t have anything to wear,” I admitted.
All of my clothes that would be decent enough for a jazz bar were still at my house.
“I do.” Melonie popped in with a smile. “I wasn’t eavesdropping, I swear.”
“Yes, you were with your nosy behind.” Mrs. Latrina chuckled. “But that’s okay. Leila, maybe you can go over to Mel’s and get ready there. She’d have everything you need, and you wouldn’t have to worry about her forgetting anything.”
“Oop, Auntie, is that shade?”
“Nope. It’s the truth. You always forget something.”
“It be your own people.” Melonie shook her head. “But, yes, Leila! You and my sister could just get ready at my place then we can meet Chris, Ki, and Ramell there.”
“Ramell?” Mrs. Latrina repeated with lifted brows.
“He’s my little friend. Isn’t that what women your age call the men you deal with?” She grinned.
“I call mine my husband, heffa.” Mrs. Latrina laughed. “Keep on and I’ll tell your mama about Ramell.”
“Oh, God, please don’t,” Melonie groaned. “She’ll be trying to marry me off by the end of the night and expect a baby by New Year’s Day.”
“You ain’t lying.” Mrs. Latrina laughed. “Pat knows she’s ridiculous, but that’s my sister, so don’t do too much.”
“I’m just saying.” Melonie shrugged. “So, is it a yes, Leila?”
I eyed Melonie, her aunt, and the girls again before smiling and nodding.
“Yes. I’ll go.”
“Perfect.” She clasped her hands together then ran off calling for her sister.
Mrs. Latrina was right behind her, so I turned my focus to getting the kitchen cleaned back up while shaking my head.
I hadn’t been out in forever. Fun for me was my baby achieving something new or beating the crowd to Total Marketplace on their restock day, so I hoped that they were all ready to practice patience with me later.
I spent a few more hours with the girls since they were basically inseparable now. We’d been watching T.V. in Kiyan’s den since we arrived, but his little cousin showed me that he had a whole theater room in his house when she asked if they could watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
It was decked out like an actual movie theater too with reclining chairs and a popcorn machine that had every flavor of salt you could think of to go with it.
There was an ICEE machine too, but it had to be plugged up and blended, so I got them regular drinks instead, but I did make some popcorn and let them pick candy from the selection he had.
The two of them didn’t even make it halfway through the movie before they were out.
I didn’t bother waking them, I just made sure they were both covered with the throw blankets they had before I crept out of the room.
Kiyan had cameras all over his house, so the others would be able to see when one or both of them woke up.
I went upstairs to put some things I was taking to Melonie’s in my bag since she wanted to leave soon so we’d have plenty of time to get ready.
My nerves were totally rattled in anticipation for the night, but I was throwing caution to the wind.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had adult fun, so I was changing that tonight.
Even if it was only a one-time thing, I’d at least be able to say that I’d done it.