Chapter 22 #2
We shared a laugh as we fell in step. No sooner than we reached the door did my mother open it with a smile. My father stood behind her.
“I was wondering what was taking you all so long to come in,” she said.
“Sorry, Mrs. Michaels,” Jaeda said. “My father is a clown and plays all day.”
My mother laughed. “Well, laughter is good for the soul.”
“He’s not that funny.”
Mr. Dillinger playfully mushed her head. “Lies you tell.”
Jaeda rolled her eyes. “Mr. and Mrs. Michaels, this is my father, Stanley Senior, my mother and stepfather, Tavia and Hershel Jenkins, and this is my sister Kalia and my brother Jaiden.”
My parents smiled.
“It’s very nice to meet you all,” my father said. “I’m Linus, and this is Chandra. You’ve raised a wonderful daughter.”
Ms. Tavia blushed. “Thank you. She’s one of our pride and joys.”
“Looks like you are about to have another any day now,” Mom said, her gaze dropping to her prominent belly.
Ms. Tavia gave her stomach a rub. “I can’t wait to get her out of here. I swear this is my last one.”
“Well let’s get you off of your feet. Come on in.”
My parents stepped aside to allow us in. Dad led us into the dining room where the table was already set and the food was spread. Once everyone was settled, my father led us in prayer before everyone piled their plates.
“You have a lovely home,” Ms. Tavia complimented.
My mother smiled. “Thank you. Quaid blessed us with paying it off once his cyber security firm took off. He’s taken such good care of us, even though we told him he doesn’t have to.”
“Sounds like my oldest,” Ms. Tavia said. “We’re more than comfortable, but he insists on putting money in my account. I blame that on his daddy.”
Mr. Dillinger chuckled. “If I taught my boys nothing else it was to always take care of the women in their life.”
“Remind them of that when they complain about giving me money,” Kalia said, shoveling a helping of rice into her mouth. “Your son wants to be stingy with me, Uncle Stanley.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll get on them, baby girl.”
My father took a sip of his wine. “This is an interesting dynamic. She calls you uncle?”
Mr. Dillinger nodded. “They’re like bonus kids. I’ve been around them their whole lives.”
Ms. Tavia spoke up. “To be fair, there is a very healthy co-parenting relationship among us and the rest of the kids’ mothers.
People think it’s weird, but we’re family.
We all love each other’s children like our own.
Luckily, we have spouses that are very secure in their marriages; otherwise, this wouldn’t be a thing.
” She smiled at Mr. Dillinger. “We didn’t work out, but he’s always been a great father and a great friend, .
. . even if he works my last nerve at times. ”
Mr. Dillinger smirked. “Again, it’s all love.
It takes a village to raise kids. I’m forever grateful for the mothers of my children.
They could have hated me and each other, but they never folded on the kids having a healthy relationship with each other.
I’ll always credit them with being the reason my children ride for each other so hard. ”
“That’s beautiful,” my mother said. “The world needs more of this maturity.”
We all nodded in agreement. I was glad my parents were getting to see a different side of the man they had reservations about. Stanley Dillinger wasn’t perfect, but from being around him, I knew he was a good man and a great father.
Dinner continued as our parents got to know each other.
I could see my mother and Ms. Tavia becoming fast friends.
They had a lot in common, including embarrassing their kids.
When the conversation switched to mine and Jaeda’s childhood, out came the stories.
I would’ve thought my mom had run out of them at this point, but sadly, she hadn’t.
At one point, we excused ourselves to go outside and get away from the madness. Hand in hand, we walked through my mother’s flower garden out back. We took a seat by the small fountain she had installed not too long ago, and she grabbed my hands.
“This is going well, aside from the embarrassment,” Jaeda noted.
“I told you.” I kissed her knuckles. “Worried for nothing.”
“This is my first time doing anything like this, sir. Cut me some slack.”
I grinned as I leaned in to peck her lips. “I got you.” My face turned serious as I looked at her. “I have something for you.”
“Really?”
Reaching in my pocket, I pulled out the three-carat diamond ring I’d been carrying around for a while now. She gasped as she realized what it was.
“Quaid!”
I laughed. “Hold on, hold on. This isn’t a proposal.
It’s a promise. I know it might be corny.
Shit, I don’t even know if people give promise rings anymore, but I need you to know how serious I am about you, Jaeda Dillinger.
This ring is just a placeholder until the time is right to ask you to be my wife, but it comes with a promise.
A promise to love and cherish you. A promise to always hear and see you for exactly who you are.
“You are peace, happiness, and the manifestation of a love I never knew was possible for myself. I’ve wanted you since I laid eyes on you.
I’ve cherished every moment I’ve spent with you.
You’ve given me so much of yourself, parts that no other man has yet to experience, and I don’t take that lightly. This right here . . .”
I placed a hand over her heart, pausing briefly to look deep into her eyes.
“This is something I carry with the utmost care. I’ll never bruise it, never break it, or mishandle your heart for any reason. I love you, Jaeda. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. That’s my promise to you.”
Tears were streaming down her pretty face at this point. I reached out and swiped them away before kissing her lips.
“Will you wear this?” I asked, hopefully.
She nodded. “Yes.”
She held out a trembling hand, and I slipped the ring on her finger.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and cried softly against my shoulder.
Unbeknownst to her, when I bought this ring, I bought a four-carat engagement ring.
It was currently being custom designed and would be ready in a few weeks.
I had a few things to get in order before I asked her to be my wife, but it was coming. I knew this shit was crazy. We hadn’t been together as long as other couples, but I knew. I felt it in every bone in my body . . . Jaeda Dillinger was the one.
My one.