Chapter 32
I sat back watching Sevyn and Dax with the family, specifically the kids.
The little Dillingers were fascinated with them.
When they learned they were an aunt, uncle, and new cousin, they wanted to show them everything and ask a million questions.
I could tell the Sevyn had a soft spot for kids because she was smiling more with them than I’d ever seen her smile.
I could also see her, Nayelli, Korri and Jaiden being fast friends.
When she could get away from the trail of kids running behind her, the four of them were ducked off talking like they were now.
My eyes searched the yard for Dax and found him sitting with my boys, going to town on a plate of food. I chuckled to myself because my boy could really put it away. My mother was going to love feeding him.
“Damn that boy can eat,” she said, from the seat next to me.
I laughed. “He sure can. Might give Smoke a run for his money.”
She giggled. “They are such sweet kids, Stanley. Oh, I just know I’m gonna fall in love with them in no time.”
“I’m already there, Ma.”
She smiled. “I know. I see it in you. Look at you getting second chances at the life you originally wanted with that woman. I need you to hurry up and propose. I don’t know how much longer I can hold out on the secret.”
I shook my head. “Now, Ma. I’ve never known you to have loose lips.”
“I don’t. I just want her to say yes this time. I mean, you two live together and are adopting children, she better say yes. I’m about ready to get my belt out on both of y’all at this point. Been stressing an old woman out all these years. Y’all make me sick.”
“Well damn, Ma. Tell me how you really feel.”
She gave a side eye. “Seriously, Stanley. I’m happy for you, baby. If only your brother could get his shit together.”
As though we spoke him up, Blake came over, sipping a beer. He plopped down between us, draping his arm around both of our necks.
“What are y’all over here talking about?” he asked, slurring slightly.
“You need to go sleep that shit off,” Mama said.
“I’m good, Ma. I’ma head out in a minute anyway.”
“Mmm hmm.” She removed his arm and stood to her feet. “I’ll be back.”
She walked away, leaving the two of us alone. Blake moved away from me and took a sip of his beer while looking out at the family. He hadn’t been himself since Jeanie went around his ass and was granted her divorce. His dumb ass thought if he didn’t sign the papers, he’d force her to come back.
She was crazy to let that shit go on as long as it did.
I think she got a rise out of making him suffer.
The nigga was literally begging and crashing out, yet still not doing right by her.
She finally put her foot down and stopped playing games.
They had been officially divorced for three months now and it was finally hitting him that she wasn’t coming back.
“You were right,” he finally said. “About everything you ever told me about getting my wife back. I fucked around and lost the best thing that ever happened to me. I let my ego and pride get the best of me.”
I didn’t say anything, just looked at him.
He sighed heavily. “I’m gonna get my shit together, Stanley. Shit, the way your son been trying to get me to go sit on that lady’s couch…” He chuckled. “Can you see me in therapy?”
“Your ass needs it. That ego and pride of yours will be your downfall, Blake. You’re my brother and I love you, but you been wrong a long time, man.
I’m nowhere near perfect, but I’m man enough to admit when I fucked up.
I’m even more of a man because I know how to apologize when I’ve wronged someone.
You hurt that woman. You played in her fucking face for years with different women and she still held you down while you were embarrassing her.
“You withheld divorce to make her miserable because you couldn’t handle her finding a fucking backbone.
I’ve been telling Jeanie to leave your ass since we were in our twenties.
You been on that same bullshit for almost forty years, Blake.
You have to grow the fuck up. It might be too late to get your wife back, but it’s never too late to be a decent human being.
Be a father your kids can be proud of. A grandfather your grandkids can look up to and respect. ”
He nodded. “I am… I’m gonna work on it. I just want her to forgive me and know I’m sorry.”
“Words mean nothing if your actions ain’t shit.”
“You right.” He sniffled and looked at me.
“I’m happy for you and Steph, Stanley. I’ve seen the work you’ve put in to be a better man and I admire that, little brother.
One of these days, I’ma be like you.” He gave me a drunken kiss on the head and stood to his feet.
“I’m about to head home and sleep this off. Congratulations on the family.”
“Thank you.”
He saluted me and walked off toward the gate. I shook my head. He talked all that shit when I was trying to give him the game, now look at him wishing he’d listened.
“May I speak with you for a moment, Mr. Dillinger?”
I looked up to see Shelly standing next to my seat.
“Sure thing.”
She copped a seat and smiled as she looked out at the scene before her.
“I’ve worked with these kids for the last two years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them so happy,” she stated.
“I have no doubt that this was the right choice… the only choice for them.” She looked at me.
“I trust that you and Ms. Stephanie will take good care of these children and never let any harm come to them again.”
“I put that on my life.”
“Can I speak frankly, Mr. Dillinger?”
“Of course.”
“My husband… he works on the force. Specifically, he’s on your payroll.”
I sat up. “Oh really?”
“Forgive me if I’m overstepping. I don’t want any problems. I just…
I know what you do and I wanted to pass along some information that might be helpful.
” She reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope.
, handing it to me. “Daxon and Sevyn are near and dear to my heart. If I could have done this myself, I would have, but I can’t.
These kids deserve justice, Mr. Dillinger.
In that envelope are the names of four of the people involved in hurting those poor babies.
They are in jail, but I know for a resourceful man like you, that means nothing. Do with this what you will.”
I looked down at the envelope then back up at her before taking it.
“I’ll take care of it.”
She nodded. “On a lighter note, I have some news. This is off record and you’ll receive official correspondence soon, I wanted to be the first to tell you that we have a hearing date.
In three weeks, Dax and Sevyn will officially be yours.
Judging by everything I’ve seen here today… they already are.”
I smiled. “We’re in love, Shelly.”
“I can tell.”
“Three weeks is perfect. Their rooms will be ready by then. Steph has been ordering shit. We’re just waiting on furniture delivery before we start set up.”
“Daxon is very excited. He’s been telling everyone that would listen that he was getting a new family. Sevyn… she doesn’t speak on it too much, but I’ve caught her staring at the picture the four of you took at the meet and greet a few times. She wants this. Just… be patient with my girl.”
“We will.”
Shelly stood. “Well, thank you for this talk. I’m about to go make my third plate. I don’t know what your mother put in that food, but it has to be crack.”
I laughed as she walked away. Standing to my feet, I made my way over to the table with all seven of my boys. They were talking about something that had Daxon tuned in and soaking it up. As I approached the table, I caught the tail end of the conversation.
“He really doesn’t like it when we call him old,” Smoke said, grinning. “He thinks he’s still young like he doesn’t have a beard full of gray hair.”
I slapped the back of his head. “What are you over here telling him?” I asked.
He chuckled. “All about you, old man. He had a few questions and we answered honestly.”
“You over here slandering my name?”
Daxon laughed. “It was mostly good things. They are funny, just like you said.
“Yeah, funny looking.”
“What does that make you?” Maceo asked, throwing a grape at my head. “We have half your genes.”
“You get that from your mama’s side of the family.”
“Where is Allison?” Maceo looked around the yard for his mother. “You ain’t been beat with a dish towel in a minute and it shows.”
They all laughed, while Daxon looked confused.
“Beat with a dish towel?” he asked.
“You’ll learn, lil’ man,” Kerrion said. “If you see one of our mamas with a dish towel, watch your mouth. If you don’t watch your mouth, be prepared to run or be swatted with it.”
Quaid snickered. “I have never been hit with the dish towel, so I can’t relate.”
Titan dapped him. “Me either.”
Deuce smirked. “Nah, Ms. Maddie just got your ass with her belt in Paris.”
That caused another round of laughter. Daxon grinned as he looked around the table.
“I can’t wait to have my own memories with y’all.”
Deuce playfully rubbed his head. “You’re building them right now, kid. Remember what I told you. Your brothers and sisters got y’all.”
“I know. I got y’all too.”
“My man.”
They all dapped my boy and I was a proud father, watching the moment. I could already tell they were gonna fuck up the world behind their little brother.
“Mr. Stanley?” Daxon said.
“What’s up, son?”
He looked around nervously. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course. You can ask me anything.”
“Wait. I need to ask Ms. Stephanie too. Can you get her?”
I nodded and located Steph, sitting with the ladies. Her eyes met mine and she smiled. The moment I motioned her over, she excused herself and came.
“Are y’all behaving yourselves over here?” she asked, slipping into the cusp of my arm like she often did.
“They aren’t,” I answered. “Dax has a question for us, my love.”
She smiled and cupped his chin. “What can I do for you, my sweet boy?”
“Well… I know it’s not official just yet. But you’re adopting me and Sevyn. You both call me son or my boy so… I was wondering… can I call you mom and dad?”
Stephanie gasped as her hand flew to her heart. I couldn’t believe he asked that shit my damn self. There was no doubt in my mind that I saw him as my son. Knowing he could see me as his father… that shit hit different. Steph looked at me and squeezed my hand. We both nodded.
“Of course you can, baby,” she whispered, pulling him in for a hug.
While she rubbed his back, I kissed the top of his head. Now I’d never been the most emotional man, but lately, shit was just bringing it out of me. I guess this was what it felt like to just be happy and content with love and life.