Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
Johnni
“What if they don’t like me?” I asked as Courtland led me through the house that showed all the remnants of children at every corner we passed.
“Lou, I promise they will love you because I love you.”
“Do you think the kids will like their gifts I got?” Yes, I did that. I knew I wasn’t just meeting his brother, his wife and his father, but also the pirates.
“Yes, baby. The pirates will love them too. Breathe, Lou.”
Before I could further protest his words that didn’t soothe my nerves at all, he grabbed the handle of the glass sliding door and pushed it open, welcoming the music that mixed with the laughter from the kids jumping on a trampoline.
“Ahoy, mateys!” Courtland yelled, making our presence known as we walked further onto the deck.
The smell of food from the grill greeted my nose and had my stomach rumbling. I used my free hand to rub my small bump to calm the hunger pangs a bit.
“Uncle Tunk!” the kids screamed as they all made their way toward us. I let go of his hand right before they attacked him.
“Hi, you must be Johnni. I’m Liv, the sister-in-law. It’s so nice to meet you.” I turned to face a very pregnant woman extending her arms for a hug. I walked into her arms and instantly felt a sense of calmness and warmth that settled my nerves a lot.
“Yes, hi. It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for having me,” I said, still in her embrace. We separated and shared a quick, genuine smile. I wasn’t big on reading energy but Liv’s came to me easy.
“Of course. Can I get you anything? The food isn’t quite ready yet, but I’m sure I can find some snacks to nibble on while Tunk’s father and brother finish up on the grill.” She used her hand to motion toward two men who both held a resemblance to Courtland making their way over.
“Oh no thank you. I can wait fo—”
“I got it, Liv. I’ma find her something once she meets the people.” Courtland cut me off from lying. I wasn’t aware of him paying attention over the kids all talking to him at once.
“Damn, I see he was telling the truth. It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Johnni. I’m Lando.” I laughed as I shook his hand.
“You too.” He stepped aside, heading back to the grill while his father made his way toward me.
“Hi dear, I’m Kelvin. I can understand why my son lost his sanity for a second. Courtland, she’s beautiful,” he said, addressing Courtland who had the littlest kid in his arms now while the others huddled around him.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Please, just Kelvin. I heard we’re family now. Congratulations, dear. How far along are y’all?”
I looked at Cortland who only shrugged. Of course he’d told his family.
“Thank you. We’re twelve weeks.”
“Wait, you’re having a baby?” Liv practically screamed, gaining Lando’s eyes.
“Yes. Things moved fast with us.”
“Girl, I was the same way with my husband.”
“When love is real, it grows,” Kelvin said, making me smile.
“I don’t know what you did to my son, but we all welcome the change,” he said as he grabbed me into a quick hug.
“It was him who changed me,” I said, looking over at Courtland as he tossed me a wink that had my cheeks warming.
“And this is Talia, the youngest pirate,” he said as he tickled the baby girl in his arms.
“I not the youngest, Unc Tuk, Baby Huey is.” She pointed to her mother’s belly, further stating her case, which had me smirking.
“My fault, the youngest baby girl. Is that better, Talia?”
She nodded.
“Next we have Neela, Cece, and the little big brother JoJo.”
“You’re really pretty.” A tiny voice came from below and had me looking down to see another cutie clinging to his leg. I bent to talk to her directly.
“Thank you, pretty girl. I must say, you girls have the cutest dresses on. And JoJo, I can see where your uncle gets his fly style from. I like your tennis shoes.”
“Thank you, my dad bought them for me.”
“My mommy said that you’re a queen. Is that true?” Neela asked.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Can we be one too?” Cece asked.
“Of course. But first, I have to teach you the most important thing about becoming a queen, the wave.” I leaned back on the heels and straightened my pose enough to do the signature move with my hand. I smiled once I noticed the girls doing their best to mimic my movements.
“Oh yeah, I knew you were naturals. All you girls need are crowns.”
“Unc Tuk, down please. I wanna try,” Talia said with Courtland putting her down next to her sister now waving the same.
“For you, JoJo, kings do a different type of wave. You go like this,” I said, not wanting him to feel left out.
“Perfect! I feel like you are officially ready to be crowned.” Hopping into gear, Courtland went to get their gifts.
I got them crowns and other pirate stuff, eye patches and all.
It had been a long season without seeing my kids at the center, so I went all out for his nieces and nephews, even getting Liv a baby gift.
After he passed out their bags, he helped me up. Their little oohs and ahhs rang out in unison.
“Oh girl, you won them over for real. Thank you,” Liv said as Courtland hugged me from behind.
“See, baby, I told you.” He kissed my cheek before releasing me, with Liv taking me by the hand and leading me to the lounge chairs.
“Come, Johnni, it’s officially girl time.”
“Okay,” I said as we took our seats.
Between the kids now playing with their new toys and Courtland and his brother bickering over the grill, I felt at home for the first time in a long time.
“I’m happy to see that look in your eyes,” Liv said, catching me off guard.
“What look?”
“Peace… love. I know we just met, but this is the first time I’ve noticed it in your eyes.”
My brows bunched in confusion.
“Oh, girl, you’re public royalty. Let’s just say we both know sometimes pictures lie.”
I nodded, accepting her answer because it was the truth. I was finally happy and in love.
It had been a few days since everything happened and I was finally making my way back up to the hospital to see Quincey.
Mama Steph called and let me know he was officially in police custody, awaiting the doctor to release him to go straight to county.
I didn’t want to make a jail visit, so I had Nas put a rush on the divorce papers so I could serve them before his life was hectic behind bars.
I got close to his room, which was crawling with police. I could hear Mama Steph fussing before I walked in, which made me laugh a bit.
“You don’t need to be watching this mess. It’s only going to stress you out, Q,” she demanded as the TV got louder, making me draw my eyes to the screen of a picture of the lady I’d kept seeing at the parties Quincey had. My heart fell into my chest once I finally put a name to her.
Andrea Rodgers.
She’s Tim’s wife.
I decided to keep that bit of information to myself since she was dead now, so it didn’t matter anyways.
“Okay, that’s enough.” Mama Steph snatched the remote, turning it off.
“Mama, I was trying to see something.”
He wasn’t though. The news hadn’t been nice to Quincey at all, which in honesty, I hated.
“You’re not missing anything,” I said, offering a small smile, making myself known to the two of them.
“Oh my darling daughter, what a pleasant surprise.” I hugged Mama Steph while Quincey remained quiet.
“Hey, Mama. How’s it been?”
“Good. Well, besides fighting over the remote.” I smirked.
More awkward silence filled the space since neither Quincey nor I said anything.
Mama Steph cleared her throat.
“I’m going to get some food from the cafeteria; I’ll be back in a few.” She squeezed my shoulder as she passed.
I waited until I knew she was out of earshot before I pulled out the papers.
Quincey snorted while shaking his head.
“Well this wasn’t on my damn bingo card this year,” he said, making me laugh. I took a seat at the end of the bed.
“Mine either,” I agreed.
“My Josie.” He reached for my hand with his free one that wasn’t cuffed to the bed.
“I’ve been an asshole for the past few years and didn’t deserve you in my corner, but my, am I grateful that you were.
You’ve been an amazing best friend. I promised to always make sure you were safe, secure, and happy.
Even through the end of us, you will forever be taken care of.
The house and cars are already in your name, including an apartment downtown.
I had my name removed from the bank accounts the other day.
I had a feeling shit was going to get bad after the last picture came and didn’t want to take any chances of not keeping my word to you. ”
“No, Q, you’re going to need money for your lawyer and stuff.”
“Mama has that taken care of.”
We got quiet before he motioned toward the papers.
“Those for me?”
I cleared my throat, laying the papers on his tray along with a pen.
“Yes.”
“What a time, huh? I was blessed to be married to the most beautiful woman in the whole universe. You tell that man he better treat you right because your first one fucked up pretty bad.” I chuckled as he flipped the document, signing in his designated spot.
“Trust me he knows,” I said matter-of-factly.
Quincey fake gasped, sounding hurt but he knew the truth.
“Well, who is he?”
I shook my head.
“Remember don’t ask, don’t tell,” I said as I took the papers and the pen.
“I can respect that. Besides, I got an idea,” he said, nodding. He gave me a look as if he already knew who it was anyway.
I got up to leave when I turned to look back at him one final time.
“Q, no matter what happens, live for you and be happy. I broke out; so can you.”
“I will. I will always love you, Josie.” His smile was genuine with me returning it.
“Love you too, Q.”
I walked out of the room and down the hallway to the waiting room where Courtland waited for me. He stood, holding his hand out for me. We walked out in silence, with him kissing the back of my hand every few seconds.
Once we were in the truck, he finally spoke.
“How did it go?”
I released a sigh, pausing to feel everything.
“Good. I’m finally a single woman.”
“You’re not single, Lou. You got a whole ass fiancé who is about to ask you to be his girlfriend, officially.”
He opened up the dash, pulling out a little black velvet box. He set it in the middle of us. I grabbed it, expecting to see a piece of jewelry, but came face to face with a key.
“I know you just got out of a long-term relationship…marriage, but Lou, will you be my official lady and move in with me?”
“Now we’re moving in? I swear you stay having your foot on the gas.” He stopped at a red light, turning to face me.
“Is that a yes or no?”
“Of course, Chief. I don’t want to be anywhere else but with you.” I leaned over and placed my lips on his, sealing the fate of my love with him.