33. Daylin
THIRTY-THREE
daylin
BABY GODFREY . . .
“Is It a Crime” by Mariah The Scientist played in the backyard as everyone cheered for Rakim and I just for arriving.
Today would be our gender reveal, and though I’d asked for it to be a surprise for today, I could already tell I was carrying a boy or a very big girl. Our baby wouldn’t be due for some more months, but I looked full term already.
At my ultrasounds, I never looked, fearing I would ruin the surprise for myself if I saw a penis or… no penis. I forced Rakim to do the same. My doctor would just let me hear the heartbeat, confirm everything was perfect, and then let me go.
The baby shower/gender reveal was beautifully decorated, with half of it being blue and the other half being pink. I’d hired a planner for it, but Shardaya had taken over for me on the days where I was too tired or not in the mood, and I was thankful for her.
Of course, Rakim paid the bill for everything, not complaining once nor asking questions, which I appreciated.
“This is beautiful.” I teared up as our friends and family approached, greeting us.
Ayan was the only family member absent since he had an out-of-town engagement, and I couldn’t lie and say I wasn’t happy he wasn’t in attendance. I still needed time to grow to like him.
Everyone who thought it was a girl wore pink shirts, and everyone who thought it was a boy wore blue. Majority of the party thought it was a boy, but a few people like Serene and Kasia, felt it was a girl, so they stood out among the party in pink.
“Can’t wait to meet my niece,” Serene said, smiling before she hugged me tightly.
She and I were okay, but I didn’t think we would ever be close like I’d wanted, and I guess that just wasn’t in the plan. Before she pushed up on Rakim, we were barely cool and trying to work toward that, only to take one thousand steps back. And now, I didn’t trust her like I wanted to.
She’d begged me to be the one to know the gender of my baby, but I declined in favor of Kasia and Shardaya. Those two, and even Téa, had felt more like sisters than her, as sad as that fact was.
I did notice now that she had decided to give Avant the divorce he wanted, she was lighter and less of a judgmental grump, so that was nice.
I think it was because, according to her, she got a break from the kids to date and have fun since she and Avant were living separately now.
Therefore, when it was his time with the children, she was essentially childless.
“Well, she is gonna be over six feet for sure,” I half joked, making Serene snigger.
My mother and father approached, both rubbing my stomach before we paused for the photographer to take pictures of us.
“We need everybody for at least one.” My dad waved for Rakim to jump in the photo.
You would never know how my father and Rakim started by looking at them now. They were as close as ever, and some may say closer than my dad and his own son.
“Shit, I need one too.” Cairo Jr. slapped hands with Rakim before posing as well with us.
We took pictures for a little while longer with different combinations and then ate some of the amazing food Shardaya had catered, all while mingling and dancing.
“Okay, everybody, it’s time for the reveal.
’Cause let’s be real, that’s what we’re all here for!
” Kasia announced into the microphone as Josias cradled her into his side.
He kissed her face. “Babe, this is for your brother and Daylin, not us. Relax,” she scolded him playfully, making everyone laugh.
Josias waved her off before she got back on the microphone, instructing Rakim and me on how the reveal would go. A man wheeled a cart of tacos out in front of Rakim and me, making us both frown in confusion while Kasia explained everything.
“So the meat will be the color of the gender?” I clarified, lip turned up in slight disgust. “Kasia, I’m pregnant, and you chose this nasty ass way,” I said, compelling the party to crack up.
“I know, but you love tacos. So go!” She rushed Rakim and me along.
We started on the tacos, and though I thought I would throw up, they were actually so good and flavorful.
“Aye, aye, look.” Rakim gripped my wrist because, for a second, I’d forgotten the task at hand and had just been eating.
When I looked at the half-bitten taco I was about to continue devouring, I saw the tinted blue meat, making me jump.
“Boy!” Kasia shouted, causing the party to erupt into cheers as Rakim and I kissed.
“But there is another surprise too.” Shardaya joined Kasia at the microphone, rendering everyone silent including Rakim and me. “Peel open the quesadilla, guys.”
“This shit is disgusting. Don’t ever let them decide on shit again.” Rakim shook his head as we all guffawed.
I was too squeamish, so I let Rakim peel open the quesadilla to see our ultrasound that had two babies. I gasped as I stared down at it, but when I looked at Rakim, he was normal.
“It’s twins, babe. Look!” I pointed.
“I know, Day.” He caressed my belly and kissed the side of my still astonished face.
“You’re not shocked?”
“I’m a twin, I had twin little brothers, and my mama was a twin, so nah.” He shook his head, laying it down for me. “We got it though. I got you. I promise.” He pecked me.
“Well, what is it?” Téa queried.
“Twins,” Rakim announced, causing a cacophony of screams, laughter, and celebration to go on.
This was crazy, but I was still excited.
Once everyone got over the craziness of us having twin boys, we dispersed to enjoy the party.
“My feet hurt,” I complained as Rakim neared me.
He squatted down to help my feet out of my shoes and then reached his hand down to help me stand.
“Dance with me, baby.”
Though my feet were barking, I couldn’t deny his charm and that smile.
Rising, I let him lead me to the area where some people were dancing just as Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called To Say I Love You” came on. This brought more people to the dance floor as Rakim pulled me in as closely as he could, pressing his lips to mine gently as I held onto his strong biceps.
We said nothing, smiling flirtatiously at one another, tuning out everyone around us even as they sang along with the song louder than Stevie almost.
“I want you to know I would throw myself down the stairs if I was having twins with anyone else,” I joked, enjoying the way Rakim laughed with his fine, chocolate ass. “I hope they look just like you.”
“I’ll take it either way.” He kept his eyes pinned on mine. “I’ll take whatever life gives a nigga, so long as it’s with you.” His hand moved up to my face as he thrust his lips to mine.
We stood there in the middle of the party, tongue kissing passionately and completely forgetting that we weren’t alone. But that was the kind of power Rakim had.
Since the day I met him, he was able to seemingly stop time and whatever was going on around him.
The Stevie Wonder track couldn’t have been more perfect for how I felt at the moment.