Chapter 19
“ Y ’all don’t know how bad I needed this!” Salima exclaimed.
We sat on the rooftop of one of our favorite restaurants, having brunch.
Her, Shar, and I were having a mini girls’ day.
Romi was home because she was due to report to the hospital for delivery soon.
When my brother told Salima to take the day for herself and he had the kids, sis didn’t look back.
My newest nephew was a few weeks old now, and Salima said she was ready to get back to herself for a little while before my brother knocked her up again.
One thing I could say about my brothers was the fact that they loved being fathers. It was weird seeing any of them with kids in the beginning, because they were so against settling down with one woman. Now three of them were married with kids. It was the craziest shit.
“You and I both,” Shar agreed. “Marino has been running mommy ragged! Like, he can’t even walk yet, and he’s already getting into shit.
Yesterday, he fell asleep on the floor in the living room.
I didn’t move his little ass, ’cause I knew better.
Girl, I went in the kitchen to get me a snack, and when I came back, he was across the room trying to pull my curtains down.
When I called his name, he looked back at me, grinning like his goofy ass daddy. ”
I giggled. “Leave my nephew alone.”
“Come get him. I bet you won’t get any work done.”
“Marino loves his auntie. All the kids are good for me.”
Shar took a long sip of her mimosa. “Then you need to go on and have one. That man has been breaking your back in, hasn’t he?”
I smirked. “He has. I have to channel my inner you at times.”
She clapped her hands excitedly. “Yes, bitch! Let your inner freak ho out. Salima, we’re gonna be aunties again very soon.”
I waved her off. “Whatever!”
She laughed. “At least I don’t have to give you lessons anymore and watch you get all hot and bothered.”
“I did not get hot and bothered!”
“Baby, those nipples said otherwise. Almost poked my damn eye out.”
Salima almost spit out her drink. “Damn, Jaeda. Those Hershey Kisses get hard like that?”
I rolled my eyes. “Fuck both of y’all. I know somebody that likes my nipples just fine.”
Shar snapped her fingers. “Okay now! I’m so happy for you. You’re glowing these days, girl. He must be special.”
I blushed. “He really is. I’m meeting his parents on Saturday.”
“You nervous?” Salima asked.
“Kind of. This is going to be different from my brothers meeting your family.”
Shar’s brows knitted together. “How do you figure that?”
“Your parents knew what Maceo and Deuce did from the jump. His people know of my family, but they are also just learning that their only son is somewhat involved in this life too. His mother didn’t speak to him for a while after she found out. She only just apologized and spoke to him this week.”
Shar shook her head. “Damn. I mean, I get it. Your father and mine were scrapping in the street not too long ago.”
Salima broke into laughter. “I still can’t get over that shit. They were too old to be fighting like that. I’m mad nobody got it on camera.”
Shar shook her head. “My mama said Daddy complained about his back for two weeks after that.”
“Daddy did too,” I confirmed. “I guess it worked in his favor because him and Maddie started messing around again.”
“That was sympathy coochie,” Shar said, laughing. “Damn, that was a wild time in my life. Maceo and I really thought we were Bonnie and Clyde.”
“How is it that every significant other has been snatched up?” Salima asked. She pointed at me. “You Dillingers have a type.”
I couldn’t dispute that, because it seemed to be true.
In my case, however, I did the snatching.
It was no worse a beginning than Deuce and Salima.
He put a gun to her head, and she not only married the man but birthed two of his babies.
The only person with a normal ‘How did you two meet?’ story was Maceo and Shar.
We continued eating brunch and enjoying each other’s company. The only thing really missing was Mia. She was spending time with her grandfather, so she’d been away. I would say it was refreshing not to hear her complaining about that damn Titan.
The more I was around Quaid, the more I realized that he wasn’t that bad. It was more than dick that kept her running back to him.
When the bill came, we were surprised to learn that it had already been covered. Upon asking who paid it, the server gave us Quaid’s name. I smiled. I told him I was coming here and might swing by later. It was sweet of him to cover our tab, because this place wasn’t cheap.
“Look at your man taking care of you,” Shar said, poking me.
“Look at her smile!” Salima exclaimed. “Our baby is growing up, Shar.”
“To think, just a few weeks ago, she was a shy little virgin. Now she’s out here cosplaying on the dick, and her man is paying for her lunch. That’s what good pussy gets you.”
I laughed. “Lunch?”
“A generous man. Your brother brought me a private jet as a wedding present, Jaeda.”
“He bought you that because he worships the ground you walk on, girl.”
“Let me be delusional.”
Salima and I shook our heads.
“Have at it, Sharina.”
We shared a laugh as we stood to leave the restaurant. Safely in Salima’s car, I sent Quaid a text.
Me: Thank you, love.
BigQ: No problem, baby. Did you enjoy yourself?
Me: I did, although I always have a good time with my sisters. My brothers gave me my best friends.
BigQ: I guess the headaches they give are worth it.
Me: Lol. They are.
Just as I went to type something else, a text came through on the family group chat.
Smoke: Romi’s water broke. Get y’alls asses to the hospital. I’m finna be a pappy!
My excitement piqued. A new Dillinger was one thing, but we were getting two!
Serena and Sidney Dillinger.
My nieces were beautiful, and my brother was overjoyed. To see his big ass dancing around the room with them, with the biggest smile on his face did my heart good. He was smitten, and Smoke was rarely this openly happy.
There were so many of us in the waiting room that we had to take turns going back to visit them. Currently, I was here with Deuce, Mama Allison, and my father.
“Look at this big ass nigga,” Deuce said, chuckling. “Welcome to fatherhood for the fourth time in a year.”
Smoke grinned. “Thank you, man.” He handed one of the babies over to Romi. “We really have four kids.”
“We do. And don’t think about getting me pregnant again anytime soon. Three under two is enough for right now.”
“It’s ghetto as hell,” Deuce commented with a chuckle.
Smoke kissed his teeth. “I hear you. Just promise me we can try for my boy at some point.”
Romi rolled her eyes. “Whatever, sir. I can’t wait for Korri and Juri to meet them.”
“Ju is about to be jealous as hell,” Smoke said. “You know she doesn’t like to share her daddy.”
Juri loved Smoke something serious. From birth, they developed a special bond. Even though she wasn’t his biologically, one would never be able to tell. She was stuck to him like glue when he was around. Even Romi couldn’t get any of her time, and she gave birth to her.
“Juri will be alright,” Romi said.
Deuce chuckled. “Lil’ bit is gonna terrorize the twins. She already pops Korri in the face when she gets too close to Smoke. I almost had to square up with her the other day. Me and Smoke were playing around, and she tried to bite me ’cause I hit him.”
Smoke laughed. “That’s my lil savage. Don’t play with her daddy. She mean mugged the hell out of you the rest of the day.”
“That’s what you get,” I chimed in. “She’s a baby and already tired of you. Sis knows my pain.”
Deuce kissed his teeth. “Too bad you have a lifetime to be stuck with me. Until the good Lord calls me home, I’m on yo’ ass.”
I waved him off. “Don’t make me send you to your maker, and I’m not talking about Mama Steph.”
Our father laughed. “Y’all wonder where these kids get it from. Let me hold my grandbabies,” he said, reaching for Serena. Once she was secured, Smoke placed Sydney in his arms as well. He grinned as he looked down at them. “Damn, they look like you as a baby, Smoke.”
Mama Allison walked over to observe. “They really do. Just not as fat as you were.”
Deuce, Romi, and I laughed as Smoke frowned.
“I ain’t ever been fat. A nigga was husky.”
“I’ve seen the pictures, baby,” Romi said. “You were a regular butterball.”
“Nigga looked like the Michelin Man’s baby,” Deuce added. “Neck rolls. Arm rolls. Back rolls. Just a fat ass baby.”
Smoke shot him the middle finger, causing his mom to laugh. She went to him and cupped his face.
“You were cute then, and you’re cute now,” she said, kissing his cheeks. “I’m so proud of you, Devin. Seeing you as a father was something I never expected but blessed to see. I went from no grandchildren to one to five real quick. Keep being the amazing father you are. I love you.”
Smoke’s big ass blushed. “I love you too, Ma.”
It was funny how my brothers, as hard as they were, reverted back to kids when their moms showed them affection. Smoke and Maceo in particular felt some type of way whenever Mama Allison didn’t give them that. I’d literally seen them frown and pout until she gave in.
He wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. For the longest time, she held him, and I could tell he needed that. When he pulled away, his eyes were wet with tears.
I poked my lip out at the sight but didn’t draw attention to the obvious.
“Stop hogging the babies, Daddy,” I said, going over. “Let me have one.”
He placed Sydney into my arms, and I melted.
“Hi, beautiful,” I cooed. “They are perfect, you guys. I’m so happy for you.”
“You’re next,” Romi teased.
Smoke and Deuce both frowned.
“Like the fuck she is,” they both said.
There went the slaps to the back of their heads.
“Watch your mouths!” Mama Allison warned them. “Stanley, you undo everything we did with these boys. They get their filthy mouths from you.”
“I ain’t even do nothing!” my father protested.
He looked down at Sydney. “Baby girl, you see how your grandma does me? Everything is my fault. Pop Pop can’t catch a break.
” He turned to me. “Your brothers are right, though. Ain’t no babies until you get a ring and walk down the aisle. I told that boy that.”
“Oh my God . . .” I groaned. “I’m not trying to have a baby?—”
“Wait a minute,” Mama Allison said. “You have a boyfriend?”
I blushed. “I do.”
“And your baldheaded ass mama didn’t tell me? Wait till I talk to her again.” She turned to my brothers. “Y’all better not run him off.”
Smoke pointed at me. “She tried to off him in the beginning, Ma. Had us snatch that man up.”
Mama Allison gasped. “Not my sweet Jaeda! I’m sure she had a reason.”
Deuce frowned. “Oh, she has to have a reason, but when we do it?—”
“Shut up, Stanley.” She turned back to me. “Let me see a picture, baby.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket and went to my photos to show her Quaid.
“Ooo, he’s handsome. Look at you two! You look so happy, Jae.”
“I am happy, Mama Allison. He’s a great guy, even with your son and his brothers constantly trying to punk him.”
“We cool with the nigga now,” Smoke defended. “Let that hurt go, sis.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “You’ll have to meet him soon,” I said to Mama Allison.
“Absolutely. I can’t wait.”
We sat with my brother and Romi for a little bit longer until it was time to switch out with the next group.
Back in the waiting room, the heap of family had taken over the space.
One thing about us, we showed up for each other.
Of course, we didn’t miss the stares from other people.
When there was a room full of Dillingers, anything could happen.
We would be chill today, though.
Today was a celebration of life.