Chapter 42 Titan
Anigga had been on cloud nine for the last two weeks and it wasn’t from my good ass weed.
I was about to be somebody’s daddy and that shit felt amazing.
It was hard as hell keeping the news of our pregnancy a secret.
Morning sickness was taking a toll on Mia.
Her energy was up and down, but she was pushing through like a champ.
I cherished the moments when we were alone, and I could just love on her and our baby.
My hands and head were forever on her stomach.
I couldn’t stop touching it or kissing it, or talking to my seed.
These were the moments I missed the first time around.
Her being away for three months at the start of her pregnancy with Eden robbed me of them.
To get her back and ultimately lose our child was the most devastating thing I’d ever experienced. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.
Today was Mia’s birthday and the whole family and extended family was gathering at the big house for a party. We had plans to share our big news then.
I rolled over in bed and pulled my wife into my chest, smothering her face with kisses as I rubbed her belly. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at me.
“Happy birthday, mamas,” I said, then leaned in to kiss her.
She smiled. “Thank you.”
The smile fell from her face as a nauseated look took over.
She tossed back the covers and sprang from the bed, then ran to the bathroom where I heard her throwing up like she had been every morning.
I tossed back the covers and stood from the bed.
After making it up, I headed into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Mia was brushing her teeth.
“I cannot wait for this morning sickness to be over,” she said, groaning.
“I know, baby.”
“You better tell your child to let me eat today. I know daddy is making steak and I need the fattest, juiciest one.”
I chuckled and rubbed her stomach. “Baby boy, give mommy a break and let her enjoy a good meal today, okay? Your Pop Pop can throw down on the grill. I promise you’re gonna enjoy it.”
I pecked Mia’s lips, then undressed her and put her in the shower.
While she washed up, I brushed my teeth and gave my beard and hairline a little taper.
Then I washed my face and stripped down to join my wife in the shower.
By the time we got out, Bleu was scratching at the bedroom door. I walked over and let her in.
She ran straight to Mia, who stooped to greet her.
“Good morning, Bleu Bleu,” she said, scratching behind her ears.
Bleu pressed her nose to Mia’s cheek, her version of a kiss.
“My sweet girl.”
“Bleu baby, we have to give Mommy her gift,” I said, scratching her back.
Mia stood tall and looked over at me. “You got me something?”
“Why wouldn’t I get you something, mamas? Get dressed so you can see it.”
She squealed and ran into the closet to find something to wear.
I went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of sweats and a t-shirt.
Since the party wasn’t starting for another couple of hours, there was no need to put my good shit on.
By the time I was dressed, Mia was coming from the closet dressed in a pair of leggings, hoodie, and those damn Uggs she loved so much.
She damn near pushed past me to go downstairs. I shook my head. I had her gift delivered early this morning.
“Where is it?” she asked, searching the downstairs area.
“Come here.”
She huffed and walked over to me. I covered her eyes and opened the front door. Carefully, I led her down the front steps. Once we hit the bottom, she started squirming.
“Hurry up!”
“Don’t rush me, woman. It’s not going anywhere.”
“Titan Ahmad.”
I chuckled. “On the count of three. One. Two. Two and a half. Two and three-quarters—”
“Titan!”
I grinned. “Three.”
I removed my hands. She opened her eyes and squealed.
“No you didn’t!”
She screamed as she ran to the blacked-out Bronco sitting in the front yard.
I’d ordered this months ago for customization.
The interior was pink and black and her name was stitched into the headrest. I had that bitch sitting on some nice ass black twenty-six-inch rims. It was very much my wife.
She hopped her pretty ass in the driver’s seat and cranked it up, revving the engine.
I walked over to the passenger side and opened the door. “You like it?” I asked.
“I love it!”
She finally looked in the back seat to see the plethora of gifts. I’d been hiding them at my loft in the city because her ass would have found them here. There were items from all her favorite designers. Everything from clothes to shoes to jewelry and accessories was back there.
“Baby,” she said, poking out her lip. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do all this.”
“You deserve nothing but happiness today and always, mamas. Not just material things, but love and joy that they can’t bring. You deserve security, protection, and to be provided for, no questions asked. I’m gonna make sure you always have that.”
She smiled and cupped my face. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, baby.” I pecked her lips. “Wanna take her for a spin?”
“Hell yeah!”
I laughed as I closed the door. She put the car in reverse and backed out of the yard. The smile on her face made me feel good. If I had anything to do with it, it would always be there.
The party was underway and my wife was lit, even without any drinks in her system.
She was out on the dance floor with her girls and the kids fucking it up to the Cupid Shuffle.
I was sitting with the guys on the heated patio, watching the babies.
It was crazy that there were three of these little muthafuckas chilling in their strollers sleeping soundly.
Neha had given birth to Semaj Michael Dillinger a month ago.
The only person still pregnant was Romi, but she wasn’t too far behind.
“Damn, them kids ain’t got no rhythm,” I said, shaking my head.
Maceo snickered. “Out there looking like Smoke’s big stiff ass.”
Smoke smacked the back of his head. “Fuck you. Not everybody be out there gyrating like y’all.”
Deuce shook his head. “It’s not our fault you can’t dance. Even Senior can move. Look at his old ass.”
He nodded at the dance floor, where Senior was dancing with Jaeda and Mia. The man looked happy as hell, and he was moving like he wasn’t in his fifties.
“Nigga gon’ pop a hip out of place,” Deuce added with a laugh.
“Right,” Maceo agreed. “Then we’ll be the ones at his house taking care of him. Can’t even enjoy him not popping up when he feels like it.”
I shrugged. “I don’t mind a pop up. I know he’s coming with good weed and a good laugh.”
“You’re still new here,” Smoke said. “It’ll get old. The kids are just as bad. Every time I look around, one of them is calling him on the iPad. I hear Pop Pop too damn much in my house and the nigga don’t even live there.”
Deuce, Maceo, and Steel nodded in agreement.
“Fat Man can’t call him on his own yet, but he’ll start yelling his name,” Steel said. “At that point, I just call him to come get him before he throws a fit.”
Deuce chuckled. “When Darlyn gets mad at me or her mama, she’ll go in her room and pack her bookbag. She has the nerve to call that man and sit on the steps until he comes to get her. Talking about she running away. You ain’t going very far. Go on with your bald-headed ass granddaddy.”
We all shared a laugh.
“I’m sure Lil’ Stanley will be just as bad,” Quaid said, lifting his son from the stroller as he became fussy.
“Senior calls to see him every morning. As soon as he sees that man’s face, he starts kicking and grinning.
He’s a good grandpa, though. I don’t know many grandfathers that would get all these damn kids at once. ”
“That part,” I agreed.
The back door opened, and Grams stepped out with her hands on her hips.
“Y’all know the window is open and I can hear y’all out here talking about my son.”
Deuce grinned. “You know the nigga you birthed, Grams.”
“I do. Say what you want, but all of you would be lost without that man out there. Every time any of you call or get in some mess, he’s right there. Let’s face it, all of you have had your fair share of mess. Don’t take the time you have with him for granted.”
“We don’t, Grams,” Maceo said, picking up Charm, who was growing fussy too. “We might talk shit, but we love the old man. Couldn’t do life without him.”
Smoke poked her in the side. “Not you coming out here to check us about your baby boy.”
“And is,” Grams said. “That’s my son and I don’t play about him. I’ll bust all your asses about my baby.”
I laughed. “We don’t want no smoke, Grams.”
“I know you don’t. I may be old, but I got something to make you tap dance if you aren’t careful.”
“Don’t hurt us, Killa,” Deuce said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.
Grams rolled her eyes and shifted her attention to her great-grandbabies. She smiled.
“They are just too cute. What a blessing. Deuce, Titan, and Smoke, y’all come on in here and help us carry this food out.”
We all got up and went into the kitchen to grab the first round of pans.
With all these people here, I knew they had been in the kitchen all morning making several batches of sides.
It was the fact that Grams didn’t allow too many people in her kitchen besides her daughters, daughter-in-law, and occasionally Senior’s baby mamas.
She always cooked a shit ton of food, and I could tell it was a love language.
As soon as the food was put out, my wife came over to see what was in the pans.
“I’m starving,” she complained. “I need Grams to come bless this meal.”
“Baby, I watched you snack the whole time you were dancing.”
“So! I’m eating for two now and this one won’t let me be great.”
I discreetly rubbed her belly. “You’re almost out of the first trimester. The morning sickness should let up.”
“I hope so. I’m ready to tell everyone. I wanna do it before we eat.”
“Come on.”
I grabbed her hand, and we headed over to the DJ table. After speaking with him for a moment, he lowered the music and handed Mia the mic.
“Can I have everybody’s attention!” she said, waving her arms.
The crowd quieted down.
“First, I just wanna say thanks for coming out to celebrate my birthday with me. Y’all know I love a good party and shaking what my mama gave me.”
“And do!” Shar yelled.
“Anyway, Titan and I have something to share with you all.” She looked up at me with a smile, and I nodded for her to continue. “In a few months…. we’re having a baby!”
Her girls, my mama, and Ms. Maddie screamed, and everybody else erupted with cheers and claps.
Senior stood with his hand over his mouth.
I could see him getting teary-eyed. The girls and our mamas made their way over to hug and kiss us both.
When Jaeda got to us, she palmed both our faces with tears in her eyes.
“My babies are having a baby,” she whined.
She pulled us in for hugs and kissed our cheeks. She then stooped to kiss Mia’s belly.
“You go easy on my sissy,” she said before standing. “I’m so happy for you both, and I love you.”
“We love you too,” we both said.
She stepped aside for my mama and Ms. Maddie. Both of them were a crying mess as they yanked us into a group hug, rocking us from side to side.
“We’re gonna be grandmas!” my mama exclaimed. “Oh! I have so much to do. I have to make up a room at the house and buy furniture, and—”
“Ma, chill,” I said, laughing. “You have plenty of time.”
She looked at me and broke into tears. “I’m so happy!”
I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tightly. Ms. Maddie was holding Mia like she never wanted to let her go.
“I’m about to be the finest grandma out here.”
Mia laughed. “And is.”
Senior and my father came over, both misty-eyed.
“Congratulations, you two,” Pops said softly. “I know how long you two have been working toward this moment. Things may not happen when we want them, but they are always right on time.”
“Amen to that,” Senior said. His eyes shifted to Mia, and she immediately went into his arms. He held her against his chest and kissed the top of her head. “You’re about to make me a grandpa for the fourteenth time,” he said with a chuckle.
Pops shook his head. “Your kids gotta stop fucking.”
That made us all laugh.
Soon, the fellas ventured over to offer their congratulations.
“We’re happy for y’all,” Deuce said, hugging us both.
“Hell yeah,” Maceo added. “Another Dillinger to the fold. We’re about to terrorize those schools in a few years.”
Smoke chuckled. “Group parent meetings ‘cause they are all in there whipping ass.”
“And yours are gonna be the ones starting it,” Steel shot back.
Smoke shrugged. “Probably.”
“Hold up,” Quaid said, looking at them all. “So y’all ain’t gon throw a fit right now? It was the end of the world when I got your sister pregnant.”
Smoke kissed his teeth. “’Cause that was Jaeda and my baby was innocent. This one right here is a no-limit soldier.”
Mia reached out and twisted his nipple. “Kiss my ass, Devin.”
“I’m just saying!”
“Jaeda is just as freaked out as the rest of us.”
Jaeda gasped. “Mia!”
“Aight!” Senior said, frowning. “Some things your daddy don’t wanna hear about, and that is one of them. Y’all need to learn to filter your nasty ass mouths.”
Deuce rolled his eyes. “Oh, now he wants censorship, like he doesn’t talk to us like we’re one of his little friends.”
“Your friends might not beat your ass, but I will. Make me take off my belt.”
“Bet you can’t catch me, old man.”
The brothers all looked at each other before each of them slapped Senior upside his bald head and took off running. He immediately took off his belt and went after them. Everybody was in stitches as he caught them one by one and whipped their ass with that belt.
“Whip them good, Daddy!” Jaeda yelled.
Beside me, Mia wrapped her arms around my waist and laughed.
“At some point, that’s gonna be you chasing your grown ass son for trying you like that,” she said.
I smiled. “I’ll take that.”