Chapter 17
“Ms. Promise, what color scheme do you wanna use for the baby’s room?” Monae asked, sitting at the kitchen table scrolling her laptop for baby room ideas. She’d been spending time with her father and Promise for the last week, and there hadn’t been any dull moments since she’d been there.
“It’s funny you ask that,” Promise said, fixing them both a turkey and cheese sandwich, Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Puffs, and juice. “I’ve been trying to think of neutral colors since we don’t know for sure if we’re having a girl or boy.”
“I have a really good suggestion. You wanna see?” She asked, looking up from her laptop with a smile.
“Absolutely,” Promise said, picking up both of their plates, and walked them over to the table, doubling back to get the juice. “Let’s see what you got.”
“Thank you, “ Monae said, bowing her head to say her grace quickly, then turned her computer to face Promise.
“You’re welcome,” Promise replied, taking a closer look at the images Monae had pulled up on the screen. “Oh my God, Monae! These are perfect. How’d you know what I wanted?”
Promise couldn’t believe it. It was the same mixture of warm cream, oatmeal linen, soft taupe, champagne gold, cashmere beige, and white oak that she’d put together on her vision board a month ago.
“Yes, Monae! We are gonna order all this stuff today,” Promise said, immediately adding everything she saw to her cart.
“Don’t forget to get that plush blanket. Look how soft it looks,” Monae said. “I bet it’s even softer in person.”
“Girl, let me find out you have an eye for luxury interior designs,” Promise duly noted, impressed.
“When I was in Morocco, I took all honors classes. Interior design, fashion, and creative writing were the classes I liked most,” Monae revealed.
“I love how intelligent you are, Monae,” Promise genuinely stated, getting a glimpse of her potential.
“My mom says if I master everything I’m good at, I’ll grow up and become one of the richest women in the world,” Monae said, shrugging her shoulders.
“Your mom is right, but let me guess…That doesn’t move you, huh?” Promise asked, taking a break from the spontaneous shopping spree Monae had inspired her to go on.
Monae nodded her head side to side, confirming what Promise had discerned already. “Money can’t buy the things in life that really matter.”
Promise laid her hand on her chest, feeling Monae’s words as they resonated deeply, but still Promise had to ask. “What are you referring to?”
“My dad. Love. Feeling safe. My sister or brother that’ll be born soon. You,” Monae stated seriously.
Promise was speechless. She hadn’t expected Monae’s answer to be so deep.
“The things in life that matter most to me are the things I spent years praying for,” Monae continued, taking a sip of her juice.
“The things my mom’s money or time could never compensate for no matter how hard she tried, and she tried hard as she could…
it just wasn’t enough. I loved my father before he even knew I existed.
I wanted a sibling all my life, and wanted to know who my family was,” Monae said truthfully, then took a bite of her sandwich.
Promise didn’t know what she had expected for Monae’s response to be, but it wasn’t that. This is who she was to everyone though. Promise was a safe place. Her demeanor, aura, her heart, and ability to listen with her heart was a gift to those who got a chance to experience her.
“How long will it take for everything to be delivered because I want to be here to help you decorate the room if that’s okay,” Monae asked.
“I’m finna call your dad to see if he can get them to deliver it today,” Promise said, lifting her crossed fingers from the table.
“Yes!” Monae excitedly exclaimed, while Promise called Monroe on speakerphone, and added more items to the cart as the phone rang.
“What’s good, ma?” Monroe answered, stepping out of a business meeting.
“Hey handsome. You busy?” Promise asked, smiling at Monae.
“I ain’t never too busy to pick up for you, Queen,” he charmed. “What’s up?”
“Monae and I wanna start decorating the baby’s room today. I’ve already paid for it, but can you see if they can deliver it today?” Promise asked, hoping he could make it happen.
“Send me the invoice, and I’ll make it happen,” Monroe confirmed.
“Thanks, babe. I love you,” Promise said, sending Monroe the invoice.
“Fa’sho. I love you too, and tell Monae I love her too,” Monroe said.
“I love you too, dad!” Monae said, smiling.
“Ms. Promise,” Monae said as soon as the call concluded.
“You can call me Muffin like my parents do,” Monae approved. “I don’t mind.”
“I sure will,” Promise agreed. “And instead of Ms. Promise, you can call me Missy. That’s what my family calls me, and it sounds a lot better than Ms. Promise.”
Monae laughed. “Ms. Missy. I like how that sounds.”
Promise laughed. “Sounds like a deal.”
Just as Promise scrolled out of the text thread between her and Monroe, a back notification popped up from Monroe.
Bank of America ‘BOFA’: Monroe A. Black Jr. sent you $30,000.00 for “Our Son’s Room.” Text stop to end account texts.
Promise laughed because this was typical Monroe behavior. He didn’t give a damn about her money, she was going to spend his. Shaking her head, she sent him a text.
You didn’t have to send me the money I spent on the baby’s room, babe. I promise I didn’t break the bank with that lil’ bit of money.
My Man: Neither did I.
You get on my nerves! Thank you baby.
My Man: Already.
About four hours later, the elevator sounded, and Monroe was stepping off with the men who were delivering their baby’s room furniture and decor.
He led them straight down the hall, and into the room where Promise and Monae had been waiting patiently to direct them on where they wanted everything to go.
It took three trips on the elevator to get everything into the room, but once it was there, Monroe stayed home to make sure everything was put together correctly, while Monae and Promise went downstairs to bake cookies and listen to some good music.
Monroe observed quietly the way Monae gravitated to Promise, and snuck off guard pictures when they weren’t paying attention.
Promise had blessed him in ways that made him love her more.
Ways that made him want to do more for her in every way possible, and Monae had become the blessing he never knew he needed in his life.
Having her in his life settled something inside of him that nothing else could.
He had needed her just as much as she needed him.
Being a real father came with sacrifice, responsibility, patience, and being present no matter how he felt or personally going through.
It came with a weight… a weight that Monroe would willingly carry for the rest of his life.
Monroe didn’t feel right watching the delivery guys do all the work, so he walked out and changed into something more comfortable. When he returned, he was ready to put in work. The sound of Promise and Monae laughing downstairs made him smile before walking back into the baby’s room.
It was after ten o’clock at night and Monroe had tipped the delivery drivers, and had just finished painting the walls.
Promise and Monae had slipped out to the store and bought all the nic-nacs, decorative throw blankets and pillows, lamps, and so many more things to give the room that warm lived-in feeling.
Promise had even bought Monae some things to put in her room to make her more comfortable.
Closing the door behind himself, Monroe walked down the hall, and knocked on Monae’s door before sticking his head in.
“What’s good, Muffin? You a’ight?” Monroe asked as he walked in and sat down in the chair in front of her computer desk.
“Hey, Dad,” Monae replied, grabbing the gold feather bookmark that was sitting on the bed beside her. “Did you finish with everything?”
“Yea, I finished the room. It’ll be ready for you and Promise to put y’all’s touch on it tomorrow,” Monroe confirmed, knowing that’s really what she was interested in doing. “You talked to ya mom’s today?” Monroe was genuinely concerned.
Monae smiled. “I did this morning, but I’ma call her before I go to sleep tonight. We gotta talk about this book she got me reading.”
Monroe chuckled, remembering how addicted Sienna was back in the day to her urban novels. “What’chu readin’, Muffin?”
“It’s a book called Now I See. It tells a story of a blind woman who’s self-sufficient and accidentally finds love. It’s a lot more going on in the book too, but her journey is intriguing,” Monae said, thoroughly enjoying the story.
“Interesting,” Monroe returned. “I’ma gone and let ‘chu get back to it. I just wanted to come in here and give you some attention before I close my eyes.”
“Aww, thanks for checking on me. Good night,” Monae said, standing to hug her Dad.
Monroe met her halfway, and kissed her forehead. “Good night, Muffin,” he said, stopping at the door, looking over his shoulder. “Yo’ lil’ ass better skip over them sex scenes too. I know it’s some in that book.”
Monae cracked up laughing. “See you in the morning, Dad.”
“I’ma go buy you that Power Moves book by Sarah Jakes shit,” Monroe complained, but he wasn’t really mad about it.
I can get used to this, Monae thought, walking over to close her door again.
Promise had set her up right. Monae had her LED lights on, Bath & Body Works candles lit, a fluffy blanket, and a fire playlist to listen to while she read her book.
She’d watched her mom do the same thing for years, the only difference is Sienna had a good glass of red wine.
By the time Monroe made it to the bedroom, Promise had her favorite playlist playing as she moisturized her skin. “There goes my baby,” she said, taking a break from bending. “Thank you for rearranging your schedule for us today.”
“It’s all good. Them niggas know what to do,” Monroe dismissed, kneeling in front of Promise. “I got ‘chu, Doll,” he said, reaching for the shea butter balm that she was using for her skin.