Epilogue
Istared down at my baby boy with a smile on my face.
He was ten months old and the absolute love of my life.
I’d never known perfection until I had him.
I never knew what it was like to love someone before I met them.
Titan Ahmad DeLuca Jr. was my rainbow baby and something I never knew I needed so bad.
His little smile lit up my world. He was the happiest baby, but also had a mean mug like his damn daddy when he was upset.
I was raising a mini crash out at times.
If he was still hungry, he was going to throw a fit until he was full.
When he was wet, he wanted that diaper off immediately.
I’d quickly learned to differentiate between his cries and moods.
After everything I’d gone through, being a mother was still my biggest challenge, but one I refused to fail at.
My baby girl sent him to me when I needed him the most, and I wouldn’t fail her either.
“Good morning, TJ,” I said, scooping him up from the crib.
His little coos and babbles did my heart all the good in the world.
I smothered his chubby cheeks with kisses and loved on him for a bit before getting him ready for the day and heading downstairs.
The smell of breakfast made me roll my eyes because I knew exactly who was in my house.
When I entered the kitchen, I was surprised to find not only my father but my mother in there.
I shook my head as they argued over who was supposed to be doing what.
Their relationship was much better these days.
While they always came together for me, there wasn’t any tension when they shared a space anymore.
They’d had a conversation where my father sincerely apologized for what he’d done to break her heart.
My mother admitted that she’d always held some reservations about him and Ms. Stephanie.
She said her gut told her too many times that something was going on back then, and she’d just ignored it because she loved him.
That was her mistake. They ended up calling a truce, however, I think Mr. Bronx, who was now my stepfather, had something to do with that.
My mother was in love and happy as hell.
True to her word, she retired and spent her days enjoying being a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Our relationship was much closer these days.
She was right. I enjoyed her not being my coworker.
Bronx was a great addition to the family.
The man spoiled me with his cooking and he loved my mama something serious.
He came into this with an open heart and treated me like his daughter. He and my father actually got along, but that was no surprise. Senior could make a damn friend out of anybody if he gave them a chance.
“You ain’t even supposed to be here,” Senior said, snatching the plate from her. “You just popped up and waltzed your ass in here like you right.”
“How are you gonna tell me where I can be when this is my child’s house?” my mother retorted.
“The house I built and paid bills in until Titan—”
My mother grabbed a dish towel and smacked him with it. “See if I don’t choke the shit outta you. I don’t give a damn what you did. You’re her father, and you did what fathers are supposed to do.”
“Bronx, you better get your wife, man.”
Bronx chuckled. “I’m not in it.”
“Y’all aren’t about to be doing all the fussing around my baby,” I said, making my presence known.
My parents looked at me and smiled.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” my mother said, coming over to hug and kiss me. “We came over to make you two breakfast, but this old fool was here. Hi, Grammy’s baby!”
She scooped TJ up and kissed his cheeks. While she loved on him, I went to hug Mr. Bronx and my father.
“Daddy, why are you being difficult this morning? You just walked in here like you were right too.”
“Exactly!” my mother agreed.
“Baby girl, I always cook breakfast for you and TJ when Titan is away. Don’t act brand new.”
He shook his head before focusing on my son.
“Pa Pa,” TJ whispered with a grin as his eyes landed on my father.
Now wasn’t that about a bitch? His first words weren’t MaMa or DaDa. It was Papa. He said it, and since then my father had to let it be known that he was his grandbaby’s first word.
“Hey, Papa’s baby!” he said, going to take him from my mother. TJ was just kicking and squealing while he rubbed on the shiny, ass bald head. “At least you’re happy to see me, ain’t you lil’ man?”
“Papa! Papa!”
My mother folded her arms. “That’s crazy.”
Senior chuckled. “You know these kids love their Pop Pop. Get like me.”
My mother rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Mia, when is Titan due back?”
“He should—”
My words were cut off when the front door opened and my man walked in carrying his overnight bag.
I abandoned my spot and ran full speed to meet him.
Thank God he had good balance, because I jumped in his arms and wrapped my body around him.
He’d been gone on a mission for the last week, and I missed him terribly.
He chuckled as he held me up. “Damn, you missed me, mamas?”
“You have no idea,” I said, pulling back.
I crashed my lips into his, kissing him passionately.
Since having TJ, I scaled back on missions a little.
I hated leaving my baby and cried whenever I had to leave him for work.
Titan was still actively working with my grandfather, however.
The old man had finally gotten over his anger toward him.
Titan didn’t care one way or the other. He still showed up and did his job.
My grandfather had no choice but to respect him.
“A’ight now!’ Senior said from the kitchen. “That’s enough of that.”
I rolled my eyes as Titan placed me on my feet. “Daddy, please. I haven’t seen my husband in a week. You can deal with a little kissing.”
Titan chuckled as we walked over to greet everyone before grabbing our son.
“My boy!” he said, tossing him in the air. “Daddy missed you, man.”
TJ giggled as he kissed all over his face. My boy loved his daddy just as much as he loved his grandfather. They were the apple of his eye.
“You been good for mama, man?”
“He’s been himself,” I answered, coming up beside them. “We’re happy to have you home.”
“I’m happy to be home.”
He draped an arm around me, pulling me into him. I melted at his side as he kissed my temple before kissing my lips.
“I don’t think I will ever get used to this,” my mother said. “The most unlikely pair are married with a whole child. If that ain’t a living miracle.”
“Right,” Daddy agreed. “All that fussing and fighting, just to end up together. I should whip both y’all’s asses for all those arguments we had to endure.”
“Daddy, why are you bringing up old shit?”
“Because it’s relevant! All my kids stressed me out, but you two almost sent me to an early grave. I’m so glad this shit is over. I finally feel like I can retire in peace.”
Titan chuckled. “You aren’t gonna miss getting in the field, Senior?”
“If I miss it, I’ll just go to the gun range. I’m in my soft era. Ain’t that what y’all call it, baby girl? I just wanna smoke my weed and chill with my grandbabies. Ain’t no need for action unless it involves getting some ass.”
I frowned. “Ew.”
He playfully mushed my head. “How do you think you got here? Somebody was getting something.”
“I don’t wanna hear that, Daddy.”
He waved me off. “Whatever. Y’all come on in here and have a seat. Breakfast is almost ready.”
As we ventured to the kitchen table, random conversation ensued. I appreciated moments like this. We were all flawed individuals, but one thing that always remained at our forefront was family over everything. It didn’t matter what that family looked like.
I smiled as I looked around the room at some of the people I loved the most in this world, thankful to still be here.
I’d never say I needed to have a near-death experience and lose my child to truly appreciate life and love, but it changed me for the better.
While there was heartbreak in the lesson, the lesson needed to be taught.
I was the best version of myself these days, and I needed to be that not only me, but for my husband and my son.
Make no mistake, I’d still fuck some shit up, but now I had even more of a reason to make it home every night.
I wrapped my arms around Titan and rested my head on his shoulder. He looked down at me and kissed my forehead.
“Everything good, mamas?”
I nodded as I palmed his face.
“Everything is perfect.”
The End