11. Colony Miles #2
“Don’t look at me like that, Colony. I’m all for this new love you’ve found, but you gotta ease that type of affection on me,” Daddy stated and peered at Keondra.
“If you take care of my daughter and love her properly, we’ll have absolutely no problems. One of the things I’ve prayed for since the girls were in their mother’s womb was for them to find men better than me.
For them to find men who loved them to no end and would truly be their best friends.
Serenity found that in Jacob, and something tells me Colony will find that in you.
“If you even think about hurting my baby girl, let her go. Never string her along or give her false hope of anything. I’ve seen her hurt and broken over a man who wasn’t worth a pot to piss in because he played in her face for years.
To this day, I regret not knocking him on his ass, but I also never got the chance to once the truth came out.
Just know, I’ll pop up at your restaurant, your house, or anywhere you may be if she comes to me about some bullshit you did. Do we have an understanding?”
Without hesitation, Keondra agreed. “Yes, we do. I feel every word you said, because I’m the same way about that little girl in there napping without a care in the world. You have my word that I won’t do anything to intentionally hurt Colony.”
They shook on it, and my mother pressed her fingertips against her lips. Her eyes were misty as she peered at Keondra. It was the same look she’d given Jacob when Daddy had the talk with him, which gave me hope that Keondra was the one for me.
The conversation shifted. We were all laughing and talking until Kehlani woke up.
Immediately, Keondra and I became invisible to my parents.
Their attention was strictly on Kehlani, who was eating it up.
When she asked for something to eat, Mama whisked her away to the kitchen while Daddy went out to get her the juice she asked for.
I took that time to pull Keondra out to the back where we sat on old porch swing.
“I like your parents,” Keondra expressed. “They’re cool as hell, and I can already see Kehlani will have them wrapped around her little fingers like she does everyone else.”
“She definitely will. They can’t wait to be grandparents, honestly. Since they can’t get that luxury from me, they’re counting on Serenity. I am, too, because I’m ready to have a baby to love on.”
Briefly, a familiar pain stuck my heart, then subsided. The reminder of not being able to bear children would always sting, but it was no longer to the point where it lingered.
“Looks like you’ll be the first one to give them what they want.”
My head swiveled so fast to look at Keondra. “What do you mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean, babe. Once we get married, Kehlani will be yours just like she is mine. Outside of my mom and aunt, you’re the only mother figure she has.”
“But what about her mother?”
Keondra’s tongue raced over his teeth as he looked out into the distance.
“This shit is hard, Colony. As badly as I want to be selfish and say fuck what Demetria wants, deep down, I know I can’t.
I’ve talked to God and my family about it every day.
All signs are pointing to me sitting down and talking to her about it.
Even your father put things in a different perspective for me. He and my father said the same thing.”
“What did they say?”
“For me to put Demetria’s shoes on. What if it was me who walked away from Kehlani and wanted to come back?
How would I feel if I was denied being a part of her life and not given a second chance to prove myself?
” Keondra craned his neck back against the swing.
“I know what I need to do, Colony. I need to give my daughter a chance at getting to know her mother, but damn . . .”
Stress was written all over Keondra’s face. If we weren’t at my parents’ house, I would’ve temporarily eased his mind. Instead, I dug a little deeper. “Tell me something, babe.”
“Yeah?”
“Before Demetria decided to walk away, was she a good mother?”
“To a certain extent. There was no doubt in my mind that she loved Kehlani. It was evident in the way she looked at her, but the distance was there as well. Kehlani spent most of her time with me. Whenever she was with Demetria, I never questioned anything.”
“Do you think she still loves Kehlani?”
“I do. I could see it in her eyes on KeKe’s birthday.”
“I know my opinion might not matter, bu—”
“Don’t do that.”
I tipped my head to the side. “Do what?”
“Downplay like your opinion doesn’t matter to me, especially when it comes to Kehlani. Let’s keep it real. You’ve been more of a mother to her than Demetria has. You know Kehlani better, and she truly loves and values you. I’d pick your decision over Demetria’s any day. Now, what were you saying?”
How could I argue with that?
“Well, if I was a mother and desired a second chance to be in my child’s life, I’d pray it happened.
You never know, babe; this could be the best thing ever for Kehlani.
She deserves to have both parents in her life.
I say sit down and talk with Demetria. If she proves to be unfit, the ball is in your court.
I understand it’s hard thinking about the possibility of Demetria not sticking to her word, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. ”
“You’re right. Everyone is right. It’s just me.” He released an exasperated sigh. “Will you go with me to meet with her?”
“Uh, you don’t think that’s something the two of you need to discuss privately?”
“What did I just tell you, Colony?”
“I know, bu—”
“No buts. I need you there with me.” Keondra gently placed his fingers underneath my chin. “You’ll be the calm and peace I need if the worst happens. I know how I am, especially when it comes to Kehlani. It’s not even a question anymore. You’re coming with me.”
He finalized his statement with a kiss, and I obliged. If my man needed me by his side, who would I be to deprive him of that? I just prayed we’d both be able to keep our cool because like him, I didn’t play when it came to Kehlani either.