Chapter 19 Mia #2
The kids were in the playroom across the hall fucking some shit up. Hopefully not each other. They were so loud with their yelling and laughing.
“I’m slowly feeling like myself,” I said, sipping the mocktail. I scrunched my face at the taste. “Shar, this needs liquor.”
“Bitch, it ain’t even that bad.”
“It’s fucking juice,” Renay said. “Don’t worry, I got us.”
She went into her bag and pulled out five mini bottles before distributing them to those of us who weren’t pregnant.
Shar scoffed. “So disrespectful.”
“Baby, you know I love you, but when I think cocktail, I think liquor. It’s not my fault y’all can’t keep these niggas off you. I don’t have that problem. My uterus is gone.”
The room grew silent as we all stared at her. I wasn’t blind to the fact that people sometimes used humor to mask pain. I didn’t think about how being around all these pregnant women might make her feel, knowing she could never carry a child.
“Please don’t look at me like that,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “I can joke about it because I’ve lived with this for years.”
“Are you okay, though?” Dinah asked.
Renay sighed. “I won’t lie and say that it doesn’t get the best of me sometimes.
Being here with all these kids makes me want a little family of my own.
With Jakobi and I being engaged now, it scares me a little, you know?
I can’t give him biological children. He’s told me a million times that he doesn’t care about that, but what if he decides that’s a problem? ”
Kaylynn shook her head. “Kobi ain’t like that, babes.
I get you may need some reassurance, but you have nothing to worry about.
You were upfront with him about your medical status.
I promise, if that man told you he doesn’t care where these kids come from, he doesn’t care.
Whether you two adopt or have a surrogate, he’s gonna love those babies and you will be their mother.
We see you with the little Dillingers. Mommyhood is in you, boo. ”
Renay sniffled as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Romi went to her sister and wrapped her up in a strong hug. I reached out and squeezed her shoulder.
“You’re gonna be a great mom, Renay,” I offered.
“The best,” Romi said, cupping her face. “You practically helped me raise Korri and Juri, and the twins are crazy about you. You know you and Kobi can take them all for a few nights to get in some practice.”
Renay giggled. “I have to take the last three in doses, sis. Juri is a mess like her damn daddy, and them terror twins—”
“Don’t do my babies like that!” Romi protested. “They aren’t even that bad.”
“Shiiiiit!” went up around the room before we all broke into laughter. The kids really weren’t that bad. There were just so many around the same age, and they all fed off each other. It wasn’t just hers and Smoke’s kids. It was all of them.
“All right, all right,” Romi said. “We have a lot of damn kids, okay? My husband loves being a father, and I love seeing him in daddy mode. I’m not even mad that he wants a son. The way he caught me in the closet the other day, he might just get it.”
Salima shook her head and laughed. “Just barefoot and pregnant. Deuce thought he was gonna get me again. No sir! You got your boy. Give me a break, and we can do a tiebreaker in a few years.”
“This is definitely my last one,” Shar said, rubbing her stomach. “I love my babies, but mama can’t keep wrecking this body!”
Salima waved her off. “Girl, please. Maceo is gonna devour you no matter what you look like after having his kids. That man is obsessed.”
Shar stuck out her tongue and twerked in her seat. “Well, you know. What did Latto say? Type of pussy make him say my name while he swimming.”
The girls all hyped her up. I couldn’t help but laugh because I missed my girl. Sharina was nothing if not a good time. Then we added Renay to the bunch, and it was double the laughs. Now we had Dinah, and even though I was still getting to know her, I could tell she was another Shar and Renay.
Jaeda took a sip of her mocktail. “You know who needs to give us a baby? Dinah and Kaylynn. How cute would they be pregnant at the same time?”
Kaylynn frowned. “Who said that! The only way you will ever see me pregnant is if my wife can’t carry.”
Dinah snorted. “And I ain’t nobody’s wife. Until I see a ring on my finger, ain’t no babies.”
I laughed. “Kay better put that backpack down and pick up a ring box. I’m sure Jakobi will hook you up.”
“Speaking of rings,” Kaylynn said, picking up my hand. “I see you’re wearing yours. Titan put his foot down?”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know why y’all think that man can tell me what to do.”
“Ha!” Jaeda said loudly. “My brother put that ring back on your finger, and you haven’t taken it off since. What’s understood doesn’t have to be said.”
“I like how you are just claiming him as your brother,” I said sarcastically.
“He’s your husband and my husband’s best friend. That makes him even more my brother. Not to mention, he’s Lil’ Stanley’s godfather.”
“I can’t believe you’re naming that baby after Senior,” Kaylynn said. “He’s gonna be part nerd, part young nigga, and part old head. Baby won’t know what he’s supposed to be.”
Jaeda flipped her off. “Not too much on my son.”
Everybody laughed. When it died down, Shar looked at me.
“Can I ask you something, boo?” she said softly.
“Go on.”
“Do you and Titan plan to try again? I’m sorry, you can tell me to mind my business.”
“No, no,” I said, holding up a hand. “We’re all family here.
To answer your question, yes. Once we handle what we need to handle overseas, we want to try again.
” I fiddled with my wedding ring. “Most of y’all know I’ve never been the most emotional person or shared my feelings like that, but I know this is a safe space.
I’m scared. Scared of having another baby and being somebody’s mama.
Scared of staying married and getting it right.
Scared because I actually want both. Me, of all people. ”
Shar smiled. “This isn’t a joking matter, but we all knew that man would wear you down eventually, girl. It’s beautiful that you want to genuinely experience motherhood and being a wife. There’s nothing wrong with that, and there’s nothing wrong with it scaring you because both are unpredictable.”
“Say that again,” Salima said. “I never thought I’d be married to Deuce after that man put a gun to my head the first night I met him.”
“Him fingering you on the pool table totally made up for that,” Shar interjected.
Salima mushed her head. “Shut up.”
“Let’s not forget the table at the gun range,” Renay added. “My man told me about that one.”
“Fuck all you bitches,” Salima said, sipping her drink. “My man isn’t the only one that likes to get frisky in public. . . Sharina.”
Shar waved her hands. “Oh, it ain’t just me, bitch. I’m not a closet freak.” She turned to my sister. “Jaeda and Quaid were fucking in the maze not too long before their wedding.”
Jaeda’s mouth dropped as everyone gasped. “You said you wouldn’t say anything!”
I was doubled over. “Not my innocent Jaeda,” I said.
“So nobody is gonna question how she knew that?” Jaeda asked. “Her and Maceo were in there too. She had leaves all in her damn head. Since we’re telling shit.”
They started going back and forth, and the room grew loud as hell. I’d really missed this. My girls were always a good time. It didn’t matter if we were in the club, out of the country, or sitting in the house. There was sure to be nothing but laughter.
The front door opened, and Neha walked in with my brother behind her. Sis looked like she’d just gotten wrecked, and she was thoroughly satisfied.
“Sorry she’s late,” Steel said with a grin. “We had some business to attend to.”
“Mmm hmm,” went up around the room.
“You look real pleased with yourself, little sister,” Dinah said with a smirk.
Neha grinned. “I am.” She turned and kissed my brother. “You can go now. Don’t forget to pick up the kids from your moms.”
“Nah, they’re staying the night. Don’t plan to be over here too long.”
She blushed, and he slapped her ass and walked out the front door.
“Bitch, you finna be pregnant too,” Kaylynn said.
Neha laughed as she came to join us. “So, what did I miss?”