Chapter 25
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Burkeley
I whistled into my house, loving the scent of fruity cherries and oranges.
It wasn’t a familiar smell, but I for fuck sure welcomed it and the woman who’d brought it with her.
It had been two weeks since I’d gotten McKay officially moved in and I swore the warmth that she brought with her finally made it feel like a home.
I rounded the corner as I made my way into the front room. This was her favorite room in the whole house. Even upon moving in, she was in here more than any other room. Well, besides my bedroom.
Our bedroom.
R&B played lowly while she sat on the ground mixing herbs in her mortar before grinding them with the pestle while her head bobbed along to the song.
“When God told me I would have everything I ever wanted in life, I didn’t imagine I would get this blessed to come home to this beautiful ass sight.
Hey, baby.” I got down on her level, stretching my legs wide so I could scoot closer to her.
The second I got close enough, I overtook her lips with mine.
“Hey, daddy,” she sang into my mouth as I deepened my pursuit to make her fall in love with me.
“How long have you been in here today?” I asked, now running my nose down her neck, inhaling her scent. I was addicted to drowning in it.
“Not long. I read in one of my natural pregnancy books that toward the end of their journey some women start drinking raspberry tea to help with inducing labor. I figured I would start drying out a few ounces now so they are perfect by the time I brew them in a few weeks.”
“A few weeks? And inducing labor? We have time. Stop trying to rush my baby out of you. Are these teas safe for real?” I grabbed the mortar out her hand, getting a closer look. Beyond the dried deep green leaves, I had no idea what the hell I was looking at for real.
McKay rolled her eyes playfully, snatching it back and going back to what she was doing.
“Yes, daddy. I just said it’s in a whole ass book.
I wouldn’t be in here just risking it. And no one is rushing her, just want to make sure when the time comes my tea is ready.
I’m doing this red raspberry leaf and chamomile.
That one isn’t dry yet. It’s still in the dehydrator. There are about six more hours left.”
“Gotdamn, six more? I thought the dehydrator was supposed to speed up the process.”
“Trust me, for that it is. Without it, it takes days, weeks sometimes, depending on the batch. Since I’m doing both that and this red raspberry, I’m only doing a small amount.
I won’t start drinking them until very late in my last trimester.
Once Dr. Compton gives the green light, I can start of course.
” I knew by her sly smirk she’d added that last part just to keep me quiet.
“I knew you were making your herbal remedies for Grandpa Mackie, but have you ever considered doing this, making your teas and stuff for real? Like legal and legit of course. I meant what I said about you being done with the weed part.”
“At one point, yes. I mean I did go to school for it, remember. This is my Viola Marie side. Up until I went to school, she taught me everything she knew. I honored her when I got the degrees and certifications she was never able to. I wanted to be just like her in her garden of beautiful plants, flowers, and herbs. The suite life, as you also know, came from Mackie.”
“Do you still want your own garden one day?”
When her full cheeks rising and her pretty white teeth now on display, the excitement in her eyes told me my answer before McKay could even form the words.
“Oh my gosh, is that my birthday present?” That had me chuckling because I loved how she reminded me with subtle hints that I had yet to show out for her birthday. I had to put some things in motion before I could officially begin rolling out the gifts.
“What? No, girl. I don’t even know how somebody could gift a whole garden.
You were outside this morning, did you see one back there?
” McKay’s once bright face fell as she shook her head.
It was hard for me not to laugh at her truly being sad about something I was still trying to figure out how to put in motion.
“If it’s not my gift, why do you want to know if I still want one if you’re not going to make it happen?
” She crossed her arms over her chest and poked her bottom lip out.
It had begun to swell once she hit twenty weeks, not a lot and it wasn’t noticeable, but I peeped it, especially since I loved kissing them.
I sucked it into my mouth before I snaked my tongue in hers.
“Don’t play me out like that. I can make everything happen for you, you know that. Baby, it’s the beginning of November in Crescent Falls. Would an outside garden be the smartest gift? I’m no professional but would starting a garden when winter is coming be the best decision?”
I was talking, gauging her mood on the topic and hoping for clues on how to effectively execute it. It was definitely on the list of gifts. I just didn’t know if I could make everything happen before Christmas, let alone my belated birthday gift.
“Yes, there are certain plants and herbs that thrive in the fall into the winter. Thyme is a good one, and ooh, sage, lemon, ginger, and lavender. A lot of them are great for fighting off colds and the flu.”
“And you’re doing this outside, in the winter months?”
“Yes. Rosemary is another good one that will even survive and thrive, even in the snow. Gardening isn’t a spring or summer hobby, it’s a year round lifestyle that has many different benefits that will help you in each of the four seasons. So my garden, is that my gift or not?” I smirked.
“Yes. I had something else in mind that involved you and me catching a flight to somewhere warm, laid out and relaxing, but this—
“Wait, laid out and catching a flight. The garden can wait. I was talking too fast.” By now I was scooting back and getting up. I fell out laughing as I watched McKay hold her arms up so I could lift her too.
“No, the garden sounds like a better move. Shit, I might even save a few coins. Something is telling me your virgin margarita is going to run my damn pockets on this trip.” I was moving out of the room now, with McKay right behind me, continuing until we reached the living room.
“Please, baby, I don’t even like margaritas.
I’ll drink water the whole time. Ooh, where are we going?
When are we going? You said warm and laid out.
So I’ll need a bathing suit or something.
Is there a nude beach? Maybe I can skip buying that one.
” My damn woman knew just what to say to get my ass back in the position she wanted me in.
I turned around so fast to see a sly grin on her face.
“I don’t know why you’re fake concerned about a gotdamn nude beach, McKay, it doesn’t matter if there was one.
Yo’ ass gon’ be fully covered. Yeah, fuck this trip, we’re staying home where I can keep you in all the layers up to your neck.
” McKay kissed her teeth now, closing the space between us, pushing me onto the couch.
“Daddy, why are you acting like you like seeing me in clothes anyway? Just like I like you being naked, you love when I have nothing on, giving you either this sweet, juicy pussy on fat daddy’s tip or in your mouth.
” I was half ass listening as she dropped down to her knees, now undoing my jeans, my eager ass lifting to help her as she pulled my dick out.
“And I know if daddy wants to feel any of those wonderful, life changing things again he gon’ book this flight for my very late birthday gift, right?
” Before I could give her an answer, her wet mouth was on my dick, swallowing me whole.
I frowned as I looked down at those same swollen lips now pulling me deep into her mouth.
I didn’t last a minute longer with holding off on the response she wanted to hear.
“It’s already booked, M&M, I swear,” I rushed out as her tongue looped around the tip before sucking me back in, causing my toes to crack and my head to fall back against the couch.
And just like her tongue, McKay had me wrapped around her finger. Now I was mentally preparing to make sure she came home from our trip to her garden in the backyard.
“Wait, so you’re trying to take Mickey away for her birthday?
” Hollis asked. She, Johnni, and I were all sitting around my dining room table.
While Amber came to take McKay shopping for the trip and to get their hair done, I called the ladies to go over the birthday shenanigans I had planned and ask for their help to ensure the home front items got taken care of since I wouldn’t be here.
“A late ass birthday gift. And yes, that detail is important in this conversation. Because why now?” Hollis added before I could even respond. I prepared more for her pushback than Johnni’s.
“Yeah. I need her gone for at least two weeks while I make everything else happen. Plus it’s perfect timing right before Thanksgiving.
I wanted to wait until I had the time off and the perfect time for her babymoon.
All the books I’ve read said five months along is the best time for this,” I said, pulling out the brochure for the botanical resort down in Austin Peaks I had already booked.
“Ooh, this is nice, but now I’m confused. Why are we here?” Johnni asked while Hollis was still going through what the resort had to offer.
“While we’re gone, I’m having a workshop built for her in the backyard along with a garden.
Our moms will be here some days, but they are busy decorating the nursery, so I don’t think they’ll be much help outside of that room.
And with this being for my woman, I only trust her friends’ judgement when it comes to this project for her. Can y’all help me?”
“A workshop?” Hollis asked in disbelief as her face scrunched in confusion.
“Oh my gosh, her own garden! BK, she’s going to love it,” Johnni gushed.
“Yes. And trust me, I know. McKay knows about that part, but she doesn’t know about her work space.
Once Peanut is born, she’s going to need her own area to make her herbal remedies and teas.
McKay takes pride in her craft. I just want to create a space for her and only her.
And since both of those things go hand in hand, why not make both happen. ”
“Aw, that’s so cute. Of course, we can help. Leave a key just in case one of the glams isn’t here,” Johnni responded before she shot a look at Hollis, making me smirk before she agreed too.
“Yeah, we can help. And I love this whole idea, but please tell me you still plan on throwing our baby momma a party or something? Hella late or not, I know for a fact that Mickey would love a surprise party.” I chuckled because I was leaving that party up to them.
“Hollis, please, that’s why we’re planning the baby shower. This is the best thing for her right now. Something lowkey and all about her. Let her man handle this.” Hollis kissed her teeth at Johnni’s words and began to plead her case for a separate party outside of the baby shower.
I chuckled at the two of them going back and forth before I calmed them down.
“Listen, I’m good with both. Just shoot me the details for that too so I can handle that budget as well.”
“Ignore Hollis’s ass. She finds any reason for a party. We’re only going to throw one party and that’s the baby shower. Like we said before, the godmommas got that covered,” Johnni said as they got up, preparing to leave.
“Ooh, we’ll need your side of the family’s addresses for the invitations.
So please let me know as soon as you can.
It’s getting close and we’re a little bit behind since…
well.” Hollis cleared her throat before she finished and I knew why.
I wasn’t supposed to be here this long in the original plan they knew about.
I shook my head. I would pass them to Anna since it would be more of her friends than mine.
“Naw, I understand. Get up with Anna this week. She’ll know better of who she wants to include from our side. You met my crew, they don’t need no paper invite, them niggas are word of mouth people.”
“Oh yeah. Since y’all are holding on tight to the gender of Peanut, do you want us to say neutrals for the baby clothes?” Hollis said with a hint of sarcasm in her tone. I tucked my bottom lip to fight off my laugh that wanted to escape.
Once McKay told me she had told our mothers, who we knew would tell our fathers, we told them not to say anything else while we came up with another way to spread the word.
It wasn’t intentional, but it just played out that way.
And I could admit I enjoyed the private moment with my woman with just us and the grands knowing about my baby girl's gender.
“Hold off on printing or saying anything just yet. I promise, everyone will know soon.” I had come up with the perfect plan that would take place on the babymoon so we could finally announce not only the gender, but the fact that McKay and I were starting our family together.
The sound of a phone ringing had Johnni rushing toward the door.
“Oh shit, I got to take this. Okay, BK, just text us the details and we’ll make sure everything is handled. Hollis, love you, I’ll call you later.”
“Wait, heffa where are you rushing off to? Practice doesn’t start back for another month.” All of that wasn’t my business, so if Johnni responded, I had no idea what she said as I got up, making my way back to my office to get ready for my appointment with a client.