Epilogue
Birthday Party
“Thank you all for coming out to celebrate my baby. She wanted to keep it simple since we just came back from vacation, but next year we’re going all out. I hope y’all enjoy yourselves and don’t steal none of my shit. We have cameras everywhere.” Keynauri lifted his drink as he stood next to me.
When he asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday, I told him I wanted to take a vacation with just the two of us.
We rarely spent time with just the two of us because of our kids, and I needed some time alone.
He flew me out to Tulum and catered to my every need.
When we got back home, I told him I wanted to have a simple cookout with the people we loved, and he made it happen.
I was impressed by the decorations and the setup because it wasn’t expected. Even though I told him to keep it simple, he went out of his way to make it special. There were gifts piled up on two tables, and I knew most of them were from him and Nova. The two of them spoiled me so badly.
I smiled widely when I noticed who was coming over to us. “I’m so glad you made it. You outdid yourself on my cake, Boo. I don’t even want to cut it because it’s so beautiful.” I greeted Benet and her husband, Jah’Shun.
After she made Keynauri’s cake, the two of us started interacting more and more on social media. Benet was a sweetheart, but she also had a sense of humor.
Overtime, we became friends and I extended the invitation to my birthday dinner. Her husband was a giant, but he rarely said much. I could tell he was observing the room, much like Keynauri did whenever we went out.
“Hey, Boo. Happy Birthday. You already know I had to do it big for your special day. I’m glad you love it. Baby, you already know Naiari, and this is her husband, Keynauri.” Benet hugged me, then rubbed my belly. Baby boy was kicking up a storm, so I was sure she felt it.
“What’s up, bro. You can call me, Keyz. I don’t know why my wife likes to tell everybody my government name.” Keynauri grumbled, reaching out to shake his hand.
“It’s all good. You can call me Jah. My woman does the same shit. I’m like damn, are you gon’ tell them my social security number too?”
I giggled because I never heard him talk so much. Benet told me his mouth was just as reckless as Keynauri’s and I could tell she wasn’t lying.
“Thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t have missed out. Although, I had to drag my husband out of the house.” Jah’shun glared at her as if she had spilled a big secret.
“Why are you exaggerating? You’ve got her over here thinking I didn’t want to come to her party when the truth is, I was tryna get some pussy before we left the house. Your bad ass kids have been cockblockin’ all week.” Jah’Shun fussed.
“Boy, bye. Don’t talk about my babies. My brother is keeping the kids tonight, so I hope your old ass keeps that same energy when it's time to put out. I don’t want to hear shit about you being tired.” Benet shot back.
“Yo’ y’all are hell. Jah, the fellas and I are about to head to my man cave to smoke and take a couple of shots. You’re more than welcome to come if you want,” Keynauri offered.
“Hell yeah. I didn’t get a chance to roll up before we left, but I brought my shit with me.” Jah held up a baggie with purple and green colored weed.
“Oh, shit. What you got in there? That looks like some exotic shit.”
“Hell yeah. My weed man is the truth.”
“Say less. Baby, I’m gonna be in the house if you need me. I’ll be watching the cameras in case anything happens.” Keynauri kissed me before he and Jah disappeared with the rest of the fellas.
“Can you believe those two just ran off like the best of friends? Jah’Shun always teases me about making new friends. I can’t wait to talk about his friendly ass when we get home.” Benet snickered as we walked over to my table.
“You know they like to put on an act. Keynauri is overprotective, but he’s a softy at heart.”
“I wouldn’t call him a softy, friend. I vaguely recall him, pulling out a gun when that random man kissed your cheek at the restaurant. He was nothing nice.”
“How could I forget? Keynauri had to pay the restaurant owner for the security tapes and for his silence. I keep telling his ass that he is a celebrity now and he cannot act that way in public.” I could laugh about it now, but at the time, I wanted to scream.
Keynauri was still a hot head, especially when he thought someone was trying to disrespect his family.
“Jah is the same way. He won’t even let me deliver to any of my male clients without him, and he makes sure his gun is sitting in his lap when we pull up. It’s embarrassing, but he doesn’t give a damn.” Benet revealed.
“I guess they might be a match made in heaven after all. Every single one of Nauri’s friends is crazy, but we love them.”
Benet had already been introduced to all of my friends, but a couple of my siblings were in attendance, so I made sure to introduce her to them as well. Naria and Naymire came to celebrate with me.
“Damn, sis. When are you dropping that load?” Naymire asked with his hands on my belly.
“He’ll be here before you know it. I can’t wait to have my body back. I love this little boy, but it’s time for him to make his exit.”
“I feel you. I got him some custom-made baby sneakers. I’m gonna turn him into a sneaker head just like Nugget.
Speaking of my nephew, I told him I would be coming to get him next weekend.
The Shorty I’m talking to has two little brothers his age, and we’re going to take them to the LEGO store and Kalahari.
I already promised Kiaya and Keyami I would take them to that Dollhouse place the next time I’m in town.
” He informed me. Naymire visited often, and he made sure to spend time one-on-one with Keyaire.
At one point in time, he was the only male figure in his life, and their bond had only grown closer over the years.
“So, you’re using my son to make a good impression with your new flavor of the week?” I teased him.
“Hell naw. You should already know I don’t need any help in that department.
The ladies love me, but I figured it would be a good opportunity to introduce her to somebody I care about.
I’m not quite ready to bring her around the whole family just yet, but if Nugget approves, I might reconsider. ” Naymire smirked as I rolled my eyes.
“Whatever. She'd better be someone you’re serious about if you’re bringing her around my baby.
The last time you brought a girl around our family, I almost had to beat her ass.
I’m pregnant, so I can’t be out there fighting.
I can cuss a bitch out though.” I warned him.
For some reason, when he cut those girls off, they always wanted to pick a fight with his sisters.
Naria and I both knew how to fight, and we didn’t back down from anyone.
“Naw, I promise there’s nothing like that. Bellamy is a cool girl. You don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Yeah, I’ll take your word for now.”
“Have either of y’all heard from Dad? I’ve been calling him for weeks, but he hasn’t returned any of my calls. Honestly, he’s been moving funny for a while now, but my mom said she has seen him around.” Naymire inquired.
“As far as I’m concerned, I don’t have a dad.
The last time I talked to that nigga, he told me that I shouldn’t need any money from him because I have a pussy.
Apparently, he thinks I should be selling ass instead of asking for help from the man who helped make me.
I don’t have any more respect left for his ignorant ass.
” Naria’s revelation blew my mind, but I guess I should have expected it from him.
“Why the fuck am I just now hearing about this?” Naymire fussed.
“You’re always busy, so I didn’t want to bother you. I told momma and she started making excuses for him. I ended up getting the money from one of my little boos, so I left it alone. He can kiss my ass, though. I don’t want anything else to do with him.”
I hadn’t told them about Lyric and Symphonee because it wasn’t my business to tell. I told her they needed to know because Symphonee was our little sister, but she wasn’t ready. I respected her decision, so I let her know I would be there whenever she was ready.
“Mrs. Joseph. A woman is outside demanding entry. I advised her that her name wasn’t on the guest list, but she says she is your mother,” Edward informed me. He was one of the bodyguards who worked for Keynauri, so I was familiar with him.
“Okay. Is she still at the door?” I asked, getting up from my seat.
“Yes. She refuses to leave. I figured I would check with you before we escorted her from the premises.”
“I’ll be right back, y’all.”
“Are you sure you should go alone? I can come with you and bring my taser in case she gets to actin’ funny,” Dominique offered.
I shouldn’t have laughed, but I couldn’t help it.
“No, crazy. I don’t need you getting into any trouble. I’m not worried about her.”
Truthfully, I wanted to hear what she had to say. Ever since our fight, things between us have been awkward. She would text me to ask for the kids, but we hadn’t sat down to talk. My mother was stubborn, and so was I.
“I don’t want to hear shit you have to say. Tell that fat nigga to hurry up and get my daughter!”
I heard my mother yelling. The moment I stepped outside, I saw my mother frowning.
“Hey. What are you doing here?”
She had been to the house a few times, but only to drop the kids off.
“What the fuck do you mean? I think it’s crazy that you invited your siblings, but not your own mother! I had to find out from Naria’s page that you were having a birthday party, and I don’t even like that little bitch.” She scoffed.
“I don’t know what you want me to say. You have a relationship with my kids, but it has nothing to do with me, which is why I still allow them to spend time with you.
It doesn’t change the fact that the two of us haven’t spoken in months.
You put your hands on me and expected me to invite you to my birthday party? Make it make sense.”
“Wow. You really are a dizzy bitch. Your father told me how you chose this family over him, after they beat him up, and I can see he wasn’t lying.”
I scoffed.
“I thought he was your enemy. You were just talking shit about him before we got into it. Now, all of a sudden, the two of you are discussing my personal life. I didn’t take their side over his. I still stood for what was right. You don’t know your baby daddy as well as you think you do.”
“Oh, please. Don’t tell me you’re taking that little bitches word over your own flesh and blood.
She’s a hoe like her drug addict mother.
Hell, both of them have sucked your father’s dick.
The only reason I tolerated Keynauri being around was that he used to give me money to pay bills in the house.
Plus, I was fucking Tone’s big dicked ass, so I loved the fact that both of the men in her life were taking care of me,” she confessed.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I checked the cameras and noticed you were standing out here.” Keynauri looked between my momma and me.
“You need to leave.” I was so disgusted, I couldn’t even bring myself to argue with her. My momma made a lot of mistakes, but this took the cake for me. She stood there with her hands on her hips as if she were in the right, and I couldn’t stand to look at her any longer.
“You heard her. It’s time for you to go. Today is a special day for my wife, and no one is going to ruin it.”
I still hadn’t gotten used to being called his wife. Keynauri kept his word and booked us a trip to Vegas to tie the knot. Our official wedding was scheduled for after I gave birth, but I had never been happier.
“I don’t know how you managed to come back and brainwash my child, but you can go to hell.
She has her head in the clouds right now, but she’ll wake up eventually.
I’m sure you’re fucking plenty of bitches, and she’ll be running to me for a shoulder to cry on.
I can’t wait to say ‘I told you so’ since she thinks her shit doesn’t stink. ”
Keynauri squeezed my hand as I tried my best to hold my tears in. Pregnancy made me even more emotional than I normally was.
“It’s gonna be a cold day in hell before she ever comes running to you concerning me.
It’s sad to see a mother so jealous of her daughter’s happiness, but it is what it is.
My job is to protect my family, and I’ll do whatever is needed to keep them safe and happy.
It’s clear you have some work to do internally, and until you get your heart right, you won’t be allowed around my family.
I’m being as respectful as I can in this moment, but don’t push me.
Tone lost his life for coming for the people I loved.
Don’t get yourself added to the list in Hell.
I’ll gladly serve another sentence to protect her heart. ”
Keynauri grabbed my hand, leading me back into the house. He took me to the room so we could talk, and I could tell he was concerned.
“Are you okay? If I had known she was out there, I would have–”
I cut him off with a kiss. Keynauri froze for a moment, then his arms wrapped around me. I deepened the kiss, pushing my tongue into his mouth. We made out for a few moments before Keynauri pulled away. His eyes were filled with lust, but the concern was still there.
“Baby, are you okay. I’m being serious. I know that shit was heavy, especially coming from your momma.”
“Nobody has ever protected me the way you do. Her words bothered me, but I don’t want to let her take up anymore space in my life.
Hearing you stand up for me reminded me of how lucky our family is.
I don’t care about anything or anyone if it’s not us.
Ou se ewo mwen. Mwen renmen ou.” (You are my hero. I love you.)
Keynauri smirked, leaning down to kiss me again. “You’ve been practicing, Cocoa Puffs? Mwen renmen ou anpil. Ou se lavi mwen.” (I love you so much. You are my life.)
“Mwen renmen ou tou. Now come give me that dick before people notice we’re gone.” I lifted my dress so he could see I wasn’t wearing any underwear.
“I know damn well you aren’t walking around all of these folks with my pussy all exposed.” Keynauri fussed.
“We can talk about that later. Come fuck me.”
“Say less. You can get anything from me.”
The End...For now