Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
“Mommy, pretty,” Ava commented when I surfaced from the bathroom.
Miranda had come in to do my makeup for the party tonight after I got back from getting my hair done.
I’d almost talked myself out of going because deep down I felt like I didn’t belong or deserve to be going to a party, especially with all that I had going on, but I quickly rid my mind of those thoughts because I was no longer questioning God’s blessings.
I was going with the flow and relishing in them all.
“Thank you, pumpkin,” I said as I pulled her small body into a hug.
“Lips.” She pointed to the red lip that Miranda had done. “Can I have some?”
My eyes grew and almost glossed over when I heard her form a complete sentence. It wasn’t the first time, but it didn’t happen often, so I was always shocked and so proud of her when she did it.
“Of course you can.” I beamed, walking over to grab my lip gloss from the dresser, applying a little to her lips. I gasped for dramatic effect once I was done. “You look so pretty, baby.”
“Mirror!” she exclaimed, hopping off the bed and rushing to the bathroom. Kiyan’s dad had gotten her a little stepping stool to use so she could reach the sink and see herself in the mirror. “Ou, pretty.”
I giggled at the sight of her pressing her lips together to make sure it was evenly layered.
“Yes, it looks so good.”
“Party?” She looked at me through the mirror with her little head angled to the side.
“Yes. Mommy is going to a party.”
“Can I?”
Giggling, I helped her down from her stool and escorted her back toward the bed where I had her pajamas laid out.
“You guys are having a pajama party,” I pointed. “Don’t you want to have fun with your friends?”
“Yes. But—” she pouted.
“No buts and stop pouting,” I tapped her nose. “Pretty girls don’t pout, right?” I asked then began tickling her sides. “Right?”
“Right!” she cackled. “Right, mommy!”
“Okay, then, come on.” I stepped back and pulled her up off of the bed. “Let’s get you ready then mommy can get ready.”
I’d already ran her a bath, so we went back inside the bathroom after undressing her. I washed her up really good then brushed her teeth, lotion her up, and got her dressed just in time because Jazzlyn was at the door waiting for her when we were done.
I went ahead and started to get myself ready after they ran off.
I was glad that when I left Aldrick’s house, I’d grabbed my small jewelry box because my gold necklace and earrings were going to go perfectly with the dress that Mrs. Latrina and Mel picked out for me.
While we were at the mall, they insisted that I get jewelry too, but I declined and stood firm on that decision.
Kiyan and his family had done plenty, besides, I loved the set that I was wearing tonight because it was the last thing given to me by my own mother.
After I showered, I moisturized my skin then slipped on my dress.
I’d gotten my nails done short, so it was easy for me to put my jewelry on myself.
My hair was next. After getting it curled, I had them pin it up until it was time for me to go out later, so I removed the rollers then pulled the curls.
It came out perfectly. My hair was bouncy and full of volume.
Just as I got my shoes on, there was a knock at the door then Kayla stuck her head inside.
“Oh wow.” She grinned, stepping all the way in. “My brother is going to faint for sure when he sees you. You look amazing.”
I blushed, turning my gaze toward the mirror.
“Thank you,” I simpered. “So do you.”
“It’s not very often that I get to get this done up. We are usually so busy with work and whatever the boys have going on, so I had to go all out for my man tonight.”
“He’s lucky,” I commented. “It doesn’t even look like you’ve had two kids.”
“Oh, that’s because me and my little family are gym rats,” she giggled. “The way they eat, and have me eating, we have to be. Plus, it’s our little bonding time too.”
“I may have to adopt that idea, but I can’t imagine that Ava would do right in the gym.”
“Trust me, Kyron and Isaiah were a nightmare in there at first, but the more you go, the more she’ll get used to it. Besides, Kiyan has a gym right downstairs, so you don’t have to go far.”
“Oh, we wo—”
“Welp, it’s about time for us to head out,” she cut me off with a smile. “Are you ready?”
I chuckled lowly knowing why she’d cut me off.
Her and everyone else insisted that Ava and I stayed put, even after the holidays.
I liked Kiyan. A lot. But I also didn’t want to impose any longer than we had already.
He was nice enough to open his doors to us and had gone beyond imaginable measures to make sure that my daughter and I were straight, so even if me and him decided to take things further, I still thought it would be best if I had my own space.
I sprayed on some perfume, grabbed my clutch then followed Kayla out of the room.
Everyone else was already downstairs, so I hiked my dress up and began my descent.
Kiyan was standing at the bottom of the stairs having a conversation with his brother-in-law, but the moment he noticed me, he paused whatever he was saying and stared at me, almost as if he was in awe.
It was like that every time he saw me—as if it was the first time every time.
Grabbing onto the railing, he climbed a few steps to take my hand and help me down the last few stairs, but he didn’t stop staring and his expression never changed.
“Boy she’s not going to disappear,” his dad teased when we made it to the bottom.
“Leila, you look gorgeous, baby,” I heard Mrs. Latrina say, so I faced her and smiled.
“Thank you. You look beautiful too.”
“Leila… wow.” Kiyan pulled me closer. “You look…” he paused, casting his gaze down my entire frame then back up until our eyes met. “Wow.”
I blushed hard. “Thank you, Kiyan. You clean up nice too.”
“Come on, Ki. You have all night to stare like a lovesick puppy. We need to head out. These shoes are just meant to be cute, not to stand around in all night.”
He wasn’t paying his sister any mind, so I had to start walking and pull him along. I was with her. My shoes were cute and all, but I wasn’t going to make it all night in them, I needed to rest my feet as much as I could.
My baby ran up for another hug which I quickly reciprocated then I slid my arms into the coat that Kiyan was now holding open for me before we headed out.
“You good?” Kiyan leaned in to ask once we were rolling.
“I’m fine. Thank you,” I smiled. “Are you?”
He nodded. “I know I didn’t exactly say it earlier, but you really look amazing, Leila. You’re beautiful every time I see you, but tonight you’re just… it’s so hard for me to put into words.”
“It’s fine.” I pushed some of my hair behind my ear. “The way that you look at me says it all.”
Our hands were entangled so he gave mine a gentle squeeze before turning to look out of the window.
We pulled up to the university thirty minutes later and after making it inside the grand hall, I was in awe of the décor.
There were three massive Christmas trees covered in ivory and golden ornaments as well as accent pieces across the room that immediately caught my attention.
It was in front of a large, bay window that gave the perfect view of the snow blanketed university grounds.
There was a large, open space that was clearly the dance floor with the deejay booth tucked in the corner of it.
Garland was intertwined with gold lights circling the banisters and posts all around the room.
All of the tables were covered in either ivory or gold satin tablecloths perfectly decorated with plates, glasses, and dinnerware to match the Christmas theme for the night.
Along the walls, subtle nods of academia were woven into the décor.
There were leather bound book stacks beside arrangements of holly, calligraphy styled signage with timeless literary lines, and a massive fireplace with stockings embroidered with the university logo or seal on them. It was all beautiful.
Kiyan took my coat and said he was going to put it away then welcome all of the guests right before Melonie whisked me away to meet some of their colleagues that were already inside, then we went to the open bar where her cousin and sister were already waiting with glasses of champagne for us.
“Ugh, I needed tonight,” Kayla voiced. “Irving and I have been so busy with work and the boys that I don’t know if I’m coming or going most days. A night to drink and just relax is just what the doctor ordered.”
I nodded. “I will admit that it’s been nice to do something other than be a wife and mom. I know that sounds horrible,” I looked between them all, “but it’s the truth. Parenting a special needs child can be taxing on my mental as well, so you guys inviting me out has been a great reset.”
“Oh, I could only imagine girl,” Miranda replied, delivering a sympathetic look.
“And it doesn’t sound horrible. Not to us anyways.
” She nodded toward Melonie and Kayla. “Sure, you married and had a child… both of those things require a lot of time and attention, but you have to take care of you too,” she nodded.
“My mom was notorious for taking the weekends off from everything and doing what she wanted to do. I didn’t understand it when I was a little girl, but now as an adult, who works and takes care of my family, I fully understand why it’s important to take care of myself first.”
“Right,” Miranda agreed. “You have to take care of you in order to take care of everyone else.”
“And now that you have me as a friend slash cousin, you won’t have to worry about that ever again.” Melonie held onto my arm and smiled. “We’ll have girls’ day at least twice a week.”
“Oh God,” Kayla playfully groaned. “I’ll be sure to pray for you, Leila.”
We stayed over by the bar drinking until Melonie was summoned by one of the deans.
Miranda and Kayla’s husbands both came to get them as well.
They tried staying with me, but I assured them that I was fine and encouraged them to go and enjoy their kid free time with their men.
I went and found a seat at one of the empty tables, looking around, taking everything in until my gaze locked with Kiyan’s.
He was clearly having a conversation, but his eyes were on me the entire time without shame. I had to be the topic of the conversation because the other two men looked my way as well, waving when they saw that I was looking, so I smiled politely and waved back.
Kiyan excused himself shortly after that and made his way in my direction. Like it always did when he was around, my chest tightened. I was used to being in his presence now, and I loved it, but my palms still got sweaty, and I still got butterflies when he was close.
“Hey.” I took the hand that he’d extended when he was close enough and allowed him to help me up. “What are you doing?”
“Dance with me.”
“Ki—okay.” Even if I’d reminded him that I couldn’t dance, he’d only tell me to follow his lead, so I didn’t argue—I just smiled allowing him to escort me to the dance floor.
When we got to his desired spot, he pulled me close to his body.
I immediately closed my eyes after laying my head on his chest, enjoying the scent of his cologne and the feeling of being in his arms. As we swayed to the beat of the song, I thought about how I felt, not just in that moment but in general.
Things were nowhere near resolved and I wasn’t where I wanted to be yet, but I was at peace, and I was happy.
My daughter was doing better; she wasn’t tucked underneath me twenty four seven, she was expressing herself more, learning more, just all around doing better.
And it was all thanks to the man that had me feeling like I was floating on a cloud somewhere.
“What’s got you thinking so hard?” His deep voice had his chest vibrating on my face.
Pulling my head up, I glanced up at him and smiled. “You actually.”
He chuckled softly. “Yeah? What about me?”
“How I wish that I could live in this moment with you forever,” I confessed. “Well, not specifically this moment because these shoes aren’t it,” I chuckled lowly, “but in this space that I’m in… happy and at peace with you.”
“Who says you can’t? I’m not going anywhere, Leila. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Not when you get scared and start to overthink or when you try to push me away.” He brushed his thumb gently along my jawline. “You deserve to be where you are, love.”
My arms were already around his neck, so I tightened them some, bringing him down into a kiss. I know he expected it to just be something quick, but it wasn’t. It was deep and passion filled. It didn’t matter that we weren’t the only ones in the room because the timing felt right.
Everything felt right.
Unlike the other times we kissed, he was the one to pull back this time.
“I don’t want to get carried away in here,” he mumbled lowly.
“Y-you’re right.” I dropped my head, but he caught my chin with his index finger, forcing my gaze up again.
“I said in here.” He smirked then kissed me again. “I got you later.”
My body tingled in anticipation from what that meant as he led me off the dance floor.
There was a server walking by with flutes of champagne on the tray, so I grabbed one and downed the contents because I needed the liquid courage.
I wasn’t talking myself out of what my night could possibly become.