12. Keondra Daily
The pressure in my pelvis was a clear indicator that I was about to bust all in Colony’s mouth.
We were supposed to be heading out to go meet with Demetria, but Colony stopped me before we could walk out and dropped to her knees.
She assured me she only wanted to take my stress away, and from the way she held eye contact with me while my lower head tapped the back of her throat was evidence of her truth.
Palming the sides of her face, I worked myself in and out of her mouth, loving the way spit bubbled at the corner of her lips. All it took was her to release a low hum, and I sent my seeds spilling down her throat. I had to lean back on the door to catch my breath and balance.
“Now, let me return the favor,” I demanded.
Colony snickered and backed away as I tried to grab her. Waving her finger, she denied me. “Nope. We need to leave now, or we’ll be late.”
“And whose fault is that?”
“Yours for letting me do that.”
I slapped her ass as she walked away to get something to clean us up.
Her gift did take my stress away, but it also built up my yearning for her.
Colony had spent the night with me, and I couldn’t stay out of her.
We went two rounds before she tapped out.
She ended up falling asleep on top of me, one of the most peaceful things I’d ever experienced.
Once we were cleaned up, I led her out to my truck.
Kehlani was at day care. She’d begged to stay home since Colony was there, and I would’ve let her if I didn’t have business to tend to.
I’d never seen her pout the way she did.
It took Colony promising to spend a day with her, and only her, to calm my baby girl down.
Kehlani demanded it be the upcoming Friday, and Colony agreed.
Only music filled the air around me and Colony.
We were both lost in our thoughts for obvious reasons.
I was grateful for the silence. It provided me with more time to talk to God, asking Him to help me control my emotions and to be selfless.
To think about Kehlani and only Kehlani. In the end, it was about her.
We arrived at my restaurant ten minutes before Demetria made it.
While we waited, I checked on everyone and showed Colony a few things.
She showed genuine interest in my business, and I swear, it deepened my feelings for her.
The questions she asked and advice she gave didn’t go unnoticed.
We were both business-minded, that was a no-brainer, but there was something about her wanting to be knowledgeable of mine that did something to me.
“You ready for this?” Colony asked as we walked to the empty party area where Demetria sat, looking nervous as ever. She still twirled her thumbs around one another, which was a clear indicator her mind was racing.
“I am,” I replied boldly. She kissed my cheek, and we went to sit in front of Demetria.
Demetria’s gaze went back and forth between me and Colony. She cocked her head to the side, and wrinkles waved her forehead as she licked red painted lips. The twirling of her thumbs was replaced with tapping of her fingers against the table.
Finally, Demetria spoke. “Thanks for meeting with me, Keondra. I didn’t think we’d have an extra guest.”
Colony reached her hand across the table to Demetria, who hesitantly took it. “I’m Colony, Keondra’s girlfriend. I’m not here to overstep or have any input. I understand this situation is strictly between the two of you and the precious little girl y’all share. My goal is to support Keondra.”
My respect for Colony went to new levels.
What she did not only showed her maturity, but it also spoke volumes on her respect for me and her love for Kehlani.
She went out her way to ease Demetria’s nerves when she didn’t even need to.
Colony could’ve easily been petty and stated how she was the one who’d been the maternal support for Kehlani, but she didn’t want to take away from Demetria.
Demetria gave Colony a tight-lipped smile and nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, Colony.”
Colony reached underneath the table and intertwined our fingers. I gave her hand a small squeeze of appreciation, but I was eager to show her exactly how much I appreciated her later.
Glaring at Demetria, I asked the main question that had been on my mind since she showed up. “Why now, Demetria? Why show up after all these years?”
“I told you at your parents, Keondra. Kehlani is the only person who can fill this void I’ve experienced for years.
I’m in a better headspace now. I’m a better person now.
Leaving her was selfish, I can admit that, but how could I be good for her when I wasn’t good for myself?
How could I give her the best when I wasn’t at my best? ”
“Just like I have all these years. Do you know how many times I’ve had to push my wants and needs to the side to be present for her?
Every single day. There’s not one day where I woke up and decided I would choose me and only me.
Parenting doesn’t work like that. Having Kehlani pushed me to go harder.
It pushed me to follow my dreams. Not one time did I think being a parent would hold me back.
And as you can see–” I paused and waved my hand around. “You can see that.
“Don’t get me wrong. We’re two different people who handle things differently.
I get that, but I can’t sit up here and act like I don’t feel what you’re saying is an excuse.
You could’ve been there if you wanted to.
You could’ve still gone to school to become a doctor and been there.
It wasn’t like you would’ve been doing the shit alone, Demetria.
You had me and my family there to support you.
Regardless of our relationship ending, we would’ve stayed down for you off the strength you’re Kehlani’s mother.
At the end of the day, we wanted what was best for you because that meant it’d be best for our daughter too. ”
Tears streamed down Demetria’s cheeks, and for the first time, they moved me.
Her bottom lip quivered as she placed her hands over her face and bawled.
I glanced over at Colony, who discreetly nodded her head, silently telling me to comfort Demetria, but I couldn’t.
I guessed one could say my heart was still a little hard toward her.
Her tears may have wavered my feelings, but not enough for me to comfort her. I wanted my word to marinate with her.
To my surprise, Colony got up and went to sit next to Demetria.
She asked Demetria if it was okay to hug her, and Demetria agreed.
I sat there, watching Colony comfort Demetria.
She was putting her pride and emotions to the side.
I’d overheard her conversation with her mother when we were at her parents’ house.
Despite her being worried about her placed in Kehlani’s life, Colony showed that the best for Kehlani truly mattered, even if it meant taking a step back to allow my baby girl to have her mother.
Yeah. She was it for me.
If I didn’t know I loved her before, Colony showed me in that moment that I’d fallen in love with her. She made it too easy for me.
“Thank you.” Demetria sniffled and pulled away from Colony. “I needed that.”
“Of course.”
Colony patted Demetria’s hand and came back over to sit by me. I wasted no time kissing her lips and pulling her closer to me. “Thank you.”
“I told you. I got you.”
Once upon a time, I loved Demetria. I spent years of my life with her. Colony didn’t know her from a can of paint but easily extended her grace. Maybe because of my connection to Demetria, it made it harder for me to do so, but Colony’s grace allowed me to see I needed to extend some as well.
“You know,” Demetria started, still wiping tears from her eyes.
“You’re right, Keondra. Everything you just said, my therapist did as well.
It’s just . . . I wasn’t mentally strong enough.
As bad as it sounds, I knew she was good with you.
I can’t sit up here and act like you haven’t always been the superior parent.
From the beginning, you wanted her. Over time, I built the connection with her, but nothing like you did.
“Nothing I say is an excuse. It’s me being real and speaking from the heart, but it doesn’t justify me leaving Kehlani.
I specifically came back to Maven Falls to be in her life, if you will allow me to.
I want to be the mother she deserves. I want to take some of the weight off your shoulders and give you time to live as well, Keondra. ”
Saying the right words was hard for me to do.
They were on the tip of my tongue, but for some reason, they almost seemed impossible to say.
Deep down, I knew it was because I never thought the day would come to where I’d be agreeing to allowing Demetria back into Kehlani’s life.
I was going against my word, and so was she.
Everything happened for a reason.
I ran the pad of my thumb over the back of Colony’s hand to soothe myself.
“I’ll let you reintroduce yourself to Kehlani, but Colony and I will be there.
I want her to be good and comfortable, so we can go to her favorite ice-cream parlor and ease it all on her.
I’m not sure how she’ll react, but it’s a start. ”
Demetria leaned her head back with her eyes closed, whispered something, then looked back at me.
“Thank you so much, Keondra. Seriously. You don’t know how much this means to me.
Not only do I owe Kehlani an apology, but I also owe you one as well.
I’m sorry for leaving the responsibility on you to raise her alone.
It wasn’t fair to you. From what I could see at her birthday party, she is extremely blessed and a true daddy’s girl. You deserve all the praise, Keondra.”
“Thank you, Demetria.”