Chapter 20
Thirty Days Later
W e’d closed on the house, and to celebrate, our friends wanted to take us out.
We agreed, but before that, there was something more important that we had to do.
As we pulled up in front of Stacy’s home, the nerves that had been rattling around for the entire drive settled within me.
For some reason, I wasn’t nervous or worried at all.
God had already showed me glances of my future, and Jayla and the kids were there.
I remember the conversation I had with my parents after Jayla and I looked at houses. We looked at around five, but we both were in love with the first one, so that’s the one we purchased.
“Are you sure you’re ready for that responsibility, Son?” Pops asked carefully. “Having those kids for a weekend at a time is one thing but having full time custody is something altogether different.”
“Yeah, Pops. I’ve thought about this long and hard.
I’ve prayed, fasted, and talked to my future wife about this.
Those kids have always been ours. We might not have created them, but we love them as if they are our own.
If they have to go to Virginia, we’ll love them just as much and do whatever we can for them, but I know they will soon be coming with us. ”
“In that case, let me get rid of some of that junk in those back rooms so I can make room for my grandkids,” Mama said as she stood with a grin. “I’m happy about these two, but I still want you and Jayla to give me a little baby though.”
My smile spread as I thought about what Mama had said.
“You ready, pooh?” I questioned.
“Yes! I can’t wait to see their faces when they hear the news. You really think they’re going to say yes?”
“Of course, but even if they don’t, we can still be in their lives. I don’t want you heartbroken if they say no, but I really don’t see that happening, bae.”
“Yeah. I keep telling myself Miley has made it clear that she wanted to live with me, and Mateo said the same thing to you, so I know they will say yes. God. I’m still nervous.”
“Well come on. Let’s go on and ask them to put you out of your misery.”
She laughed as I got out of the car. After I opened her door, we grabbed the gift bags and headed up the pebbled walkway.
I wasn’t sure what career fields Stacy and her husband, Mark, were in, but they seemed to be doing really well for themselves.
After I rang the doorbell, Mark greeted us then let us in.
The kids didn’t know we were coming, so when we walked into the living room and they saw us, Miley’s eyes grew wide, and she screamed before running over to hug us.
Mateo tried to play hard and make it seem like he wasn’t just as happy, but he slowly made his way over and hugged us.
The longer he held on to me, the tighter his grip became.
I wanted to assure him that he didn’t have to worry about me ever letting him go. I had him . . . for life.
“Hey, my little nugget,” Jayla cooed, holding Miley close as she pulled Mateo into her side. “I missed you,” she confessed before kissing the top of his head.
We’d been seeing them at school, but this was the first time we’d seen them after hours.
“We missed y’all too,” Mateo confessed.
“We missed you so much!” Miley added, hugging me.
“We missed y’all too,” I shared. “We’ve been working on some things for us and for you.”
My eyes locked with Stacy’s, and she smiled and nodded for me to continue. I told the kids to sit down, then we handed them the bags.
“Before y’all open those, be honest with us. How do you feel about moving to Virginia?” Jayla asked.
They both looked at Stacy. “Be honest,” she told them. “It’s okay.”
Miley nudged Mateo, as if she wanted him to speak for them. He huffed.
“Articulate yourself, son,” I directed. “Just like you do in my office. Tell us what your mind and heart tell you. You’re safe here.”
Mateo pulled in a deep breath and nodded slightly, as if he was hyping himself up.
“We like it here with Aunt Stacy and Uncle Mark, but they never have time for us.” Mateo looked at them. “Y’all are always at the hospital just like Dad was always at work. Only difference is, we have a lot of food and a babysitter here.”
“I like when we do stuff with Miss Anderson and Mr. Mathis,” Miley said. “It feels like a family, and I always wanted one of those like my friends have.”
Swallowing back my tears, I wrapped my arm around Jayla to keep her steady when I noticed her body swaying out the corner of my eye.
“And we don’t want to leave our schools and friends,” Mateo continued.
“I don’t get bullied anymore because of my clothes and I’ve made some great friends.
Plus I really like being in the gaming club.
” His eyes shifted in my direction. “If I can stay here, I promise I’ll keep my grades up so I can stay in the club. ”
Stacy explained that she was a gynecologist with her own practice, so she was almost always on call.
A lot of her obstetrical patients were high risk because that was her specialty, so her hours were demanding.
Mark would be medical director at a hospital when they moved, which was the highest level there, and it came with extra work and responsibility.
I understood their lack of time and respected that they were even willing to step up the way they did.
“With our schedules, we won’t lie and make it seem like we’ll have all the time in the world for the kids,” Stacy confessed.
“There are times we don’t see each other for days straight, and though we know that’s not the best environment for children, we were willing to do whatever we could for my niece and nephew. ”
“Their situation here mirrors their home life with their father in a way we aren’t the proudest of,” Mark said. “They want for nothing with us except our presence and time. Right now, our careers require so much that we can’t be there the way we’d like, so . . .”
He motioned for us to speak.
“Okay, kiddos,” Jayla said. “Open your bags.”
They both pulled the wrapping paper out with haste. As they stared at the door hangers with their names on them, I almost spilled over with excitement.
“What are these for?” Mateo asked.
“We were hoping you’d put them on the doorknob of your new rooms . . . with us,” I said. “We got a new house, and we’d love for you to stay with us.”
“Yay!” Miley yelled, tossing the door hanger onto the couch and rushing toward us. She stretched her short arms wide to try and hug us both at the same time.
Mateo’s head hung and shoulders slouched. While Jayla held Miley, I walked over to the couch and sat next to him.
“Wassup, big man?” I asked softly.
“Are y’all for real?” Mateo sniffled. “Because if this isn’t for real?—”
“It is,” I interrupted him to say. “Now it’s up to you guys. Your grandmother can be your legal guardian and you only stay with us. That means she’ll have a say in what we do, and if anything ever comes up as far as school, or your health, or any legal matters, she will have the final say.”
“Or we can adopt you,” Jayla countered. “And you’ll be our little and big nuggets legally.”
“You’ll be my mommy?” Miley asked while Mateo wiped a tear.
“Yep, and Kayne will be your daddy.”
“And we won’t have to move again?” she asked, looking at me that time.
“That’s right. No more moving,” I guaranteed.
“Yaaay!” she squealed before clapping her hands. “Tae Tae, we’re gonna have a mommy and daddy again!”
I cleared my throat as my eyes watered all over again. These kids were making me soft. “How do you feel about that?” I asked Mateo.
Wordlessly, Mateo tossed his arms around my neck and buried his face in my chest as he sobbed.
“T-thank you,” he cried. “I would l-love that.”
“Aww, son. You about to make me cry.” I hugged Mateo back as my own tears fell.
Stacy squeezed Jayla’s hand, pulling her eyes away from us. “Thank you for loving my family,” she expressed before giving her a side hug.
“Thank you for trusting us with them,” was Jayla’s response.