Chapter 12 #3
“Yes, McKay also told me what would be on the menu and that I better not have any complaints about it,” he teased as we walked further into the house. I turned to face him, playfully rolling my eyes.
“Damn, she got you spoiling her ass already, I see,” my dad said.
“I’m trying but believe it or not she fights me on a lot.”
“Okay, enough about me as if I’m not here.
I’m going to take Burkeley to wash his hands before dinner.
” I grabbed his hand then continued past the dining room to the half bathroom where we could go over the plan one more time.
Once inside, I closed the door and let out a heavy breath I had been holding, then rubbed my belly.
I then turned on the water just in case extra ears were lingering nearby.
“Whew, okay, one more time. How long have we been together?”
“You’re quizzing me now, McKay? You do know it was me who came up with that part, right?”
“BK, how long have we been together?” I asked again.
“Six months, and you’re fifteen weeks pregnant, or three months, almost four.
Stop stressing. Everything else about us will flow naturally.
Breathe with me.” When BK reached down and rubbed my shoulders then moved his hands down my back, massaging gently, my eyes automatically closed from his technique, matching his breathing.
Five seconds in and hold.
Five seconds out.
Just like on the porch, Burkeley managed to make me relax. It was weird how he was able to calm my racing nerves so fast.
“Good girl, just like that,” he coached.
His lips made their way to my forehead. I swear the low but steady throb of my clit made the flood gates between my thighs open just from that simple ass sentence I was sure Burkeley didn’t even mean in the way my pussy just took it.
“Now let’s wash our hands before your parents think we’re doing everything but washing up. ”
That had me opening my eyes to see the sly grin on his handsome face.
“Well that’s one thing they don’t have to worry about happening,” I said as I passed Burkeley the bag with their baby announcement gift, then turned to go first while he just chuckled behind me.
By the time we made it out to the dining room, the table was set with all the food I had requested.
“Ooh, Mama, everything looks and smells so good.” I rubbed my hands together as I salivated, glancing over the spread Kat had prepared for us. Along with the catfish, she made fried jumbo shrimp, homemade hush puppies, baked macaroni and cheese, and collard greens.
Burkeley guided me into my chair that he pulled out and I wasted no time making our plates which had my parents looking at me with silly looks on their faces. Well, my mother anyway. My dad was a different story. That man was giving me the craziest glare I had ever gotten from him.
“Mickey, I don’t see anything wrong with that man’s hands. He can make his own plate,” he said.
“Dad, Burkeley is a guest. I’m just being a nice host, and besides, Mama makes your plate all the time. I’m just being a good girlfriend.” Kat put her hand on my dad’s shoulder, getting his attention.
“Oh calm down, Chris, and just bless the food so we can eat.”
A quick prayer and we were all back in motion, but this time, I paused to get the bag, clearing my throat in the process.
“Dad, Mama, before we officially get started, I—”
“We,” Burkeley cut me off, correcting my word choice.
I looked at him and he nodded for me to continue, saying his word choice as I looked at him, swearing to seeing something in his dark brown eyes that caused butterflies to swarm in the pit of my stomach.
“We have one more gift for you two.” I lifted the bag, with Burkeley quickly taking over and passing it to my dad.
Burkeley grabbed my shaking hands, kissing the back of one, holding them tightly as we watched them dig into the bag, pulling out a box with T-shirts that said Grandma and Papa on them that Hollis had made.
Kat reacted first, screaming as they reached the first shirt, Chris holding it up. His was on top.
“My baby is having a baby. I knew it! I told your dad this was it from the moment you mentioned bringing your boyfriend to dinner. Oh, Mickey, I’m so happy for you two,” she cried out, getting up and rounding the table as I stood to embrace her.
Kat encased me in her arms so tightly, rocking me from side to side.
She leaned back and I noticed tears free falling down her cheeks.
“Oh, Mama,” I cried out, now wrapped up in the emotions with her. She then walked over to Burkeley and hugged him too, then made her way back to her seat.
“How far along are y’all?” my dad asked.
“Three months. We wanted to share the news after we got out of the first trimester.”
“And how long have you been together?” Chris asked. His questions were coming at a rapid speed as we began eating. So far his mood was calm but his scowl said anything but that. I should’ve known this would be his reaction, especially when he didn’t say anything about the baby.
“Six months, so far. Of course, if you ask me, I plan to spend my life with her.” Burkeley spoke up this time. He looked from my dad to me, holding my gaze. Something in my chest warmed, as if his words held truth. I smiled as Burkeley placed another soft kiss to the back of my hand.
“Hmph, and what is it that you do for a living?” Chris asked and I mentally prepared myself. Even though we were clearly here for the baby announcement, Burkeley too would be a heavy topic of discussion tonight.
“I’m a private investigator and I run my own firm.”
Kat pressed her lips together with a surprised expression on her face as she nodded.
“Oh wow, well that’s interesting. How long have you been in business?” Chris asked again.
“A little over ten years now. It took it a little while to become a steady and successful stream of revenue, but I can happily say I am the number one P.I in town.” Burkeley finished selling him on his business and career.
I was glad he’d sensed Chris needed the reassurance without it being too much for him to handle.
“Ten years? Wow, so how old are you again? Mickey is only twenty-four. So, ten years ago she was still in high school.”
“I’m aware of how old McKay is. I’m only thirty-six, Chris.”
“Hmph…You mentioned your company being successful. I’m assuming your plan is to move my baby girl out of that condo before the baby comes, correct?”
I jumped in. “Okay, Dad, that’s enough. BK, you don’t have to answer that.”
“Like hell he doesn’t. Mickey, you live in a one-bedroom condo when I’m sure he lives in a house.
Y’all have made a baby, so obviously your boyfriend can afford to move you and the baby somewhere more suitable.
You don’t need to be coming in the parking deck late at night, with a baby in a stroller and trying to carry that and groceries up.
Elevator or not, it’s a lot. And again, you don’t even have a separate room for the baby to sleep in,” Chris stressed to me while his stoned expression held Burkeley’s full attention, making me groan while I took another bite of my fish.
“No, your dad is right, baby. And of course I do. We’re still looking.
There is a little bit of time left before those final decisions need to be made.
That’s the part that McKay fights me on, but I agree with you.
I don’t like the idea of her coming in late from the parking garage,” Burkeley said, now taking a bite of the food.
My eyes bugged as I stared at him, hoping to communicate through my eyes. Burkeley was doing too much right now.
BK, what are you doing? You can’t promise houses and change of environment with a temporary baby daddy role.
When he held my gaze, I swore this muthafucka was challenging me to say something before I was reminded of his words.
To the world our relationship is real. They have to not only see it but feel it.
I backed down, turning my head forward. My dad went to open his mouth again, but I held a hand up, stopping him from asking his next question. This lightning round of interrogating Burkeley was over.
“Dad, please let him breathe and eat a bit. You don’t need all the answers to your fifty thousand questions tonight,” I said, which had Chris huffing while taking a bite of his food.
Burkeley leaned over and kissed my cheek before whispering into my ear.
“We talked about this, McKay, we want them comfortable. Let him ask whatever he wants. I have nothing to hide.” I nodded. But we did and I hated that I was the only one remembering that shit.
Burkeley then put his attention back on my parents. Kat was all smiles. Chris’s snarl was deep and seemed permanent since he’d pulled out the T-shirt.
“Dad, are you at least happy about the baby? You haven’t even said you were excited about being a Pop-Pop,” I teased, hoping to lighten the mood.
“First of all, baby girl, I believe the title you gave me was Papa, and secondly, as much as I would’ve loved to meet this young man without the extra announcement, of course I’m excited. My Mickey is giving me my first grand.”
“Chris, I can understand all of this is a lot, especially for a first meeting. You have my word though, I will take care of both McKay and Peanut. My parents raised me to be a man above all things. That includes handling my responsibilities and I can assure you the family we’re creating together is high on my list.”
“So the baby’s nickname is Peanut, huh?” Kat asked.
“Yeah, it only makes sense. McKay Marie, M&M, of course she would be carrying my Peanut.”
I knew my reasoning for calling the baby Peanut. I didn’t know if they were a boy or girl yet, but when Burkeley gave his reason, that warm sensation returned to my chest, making me tear up.
What the fuck is this?
Emotions had no place between us, but Burkeley was making it hard.
“You never told me that. And here I was thinking it was a safe, gender-neutral name,” I said softly, avoiding his burning eyes.
“And when do we find out what we’re having? I won’t lie to you, Mickey. I hate being late to the news, especially for my first grandbaby. I’m weeks behind on shopping. We need to get your registry going and start planning the baby shower.”
Kat went on and on while I playfully rolled my eyes and groaned my annoyance.
“Mama, slow down. We have weeks left before we find out. Meaning, we have time before planning the baby shower or thinking about a registry. Dr. Compton said we can try to see at our next appointment,” I said, taking a bite of my fish.
“I can’t wait. I hope it’s a girl. Ooh, and instead of pink and blue, we can do colors like purple and green or something different and cute.” I laughed at my mom’s excitement.
“And what are you hoping for, a boy?” Chris asked and I knew the question was directed toward Burkeley.
“I’m not picky when it comes to all that.
Just a healthy baby for me.” He reached down and placed his hand on my stomach, rubbing it in a circular motion, making sure to cover the full surface.
Those fucking butterflies were back filling me up again and I hated that I was becoming so weak from Burkeley’s hands on me too damn fast. All of his touches and kisses since we’d stood on the porch were overkill to the pulse of my clit.
Mickey, this is only our first family encounter. How the hell are you going to survive three more months of this with this man and keep your rules and pussy intact?
I didn’t know, but I knew tonight would be one of those nights with me and my favorite battery-operated toy.