Chapter 16 #2
She shrugged but didn’t look up at me, going in for a forkful of her garlic mashed potatoes.
“That’s not an answer, baby.”
“I know, Luke, but it’s the best I got right now.
I mean, up until earlier today, I hadn’t thought about BGMM in years.
So I don’t know. Probably not, it’s a little too late at this point in the game, even though Jimmy was…
is convinced I can still have everything I want in life, including the magazine. ”
“He isn’t the only one. Holls, if you want to quit Caught Live tonight and pursue BGMM; that’s something I’m not only going to fully support, I would do everything in my power to make it happen for you. If that’s what you truly wanted in life,” I said, taking a bite of my food.
“Luke, we just got back together. I would never ask you to do any more than what you’re already doing.”
“Baby, I swear I love you, but please shut that pretty mouth the fuck up. You didn’t ask me.
I’m telling you, as your husband, I’m your dream catcher.
Every star in the sky you wish upon I’ma catch and see to it that they come true for you, just point to it and tell me what you want.
Nothing is too big or impossible when it comes to you.
” I emphasized my words using my index finger, stretching it toward the ceiling, giving her a physical manifestation of our imaginary sky filled with her stars of wishes.
“Can I have some time to think about it?” she asked.
“Baby, you just tell me when you’re ready,” I assured her as I got up, kissing her before going to get another gift for her to open. I was more excited for her to see what I’d bought than she was.
“Keep eating. I’ma open them for you.” She only laughed but didn’t protest as I pulled out a smaller box of diamond earrings.
I woke up to the sound of my phone going off with a message from Kay that had me grunting while trying to type my response with one squinted eye.
I rolled over, prepared to go back to sleep for a few minutes until I heard a baby yelling that had me jumping up.
I found my living room filled with Hollis’s sister and friends and their kids.
Hollis had a baby in her arms who I now registered was just talking and attacking my woman with his sloppy kisses.
“Hey baby, good morning. Did we wake you up? I apologize, they popped up on me,” Hollis asked as another little girl sat on the floor near her playing baby dolls with Cami. The ladies waved as they gave their greetings.
The whole scene had me smiling while I shook my head as I made my way over to her, stealing a kiss where I could since little man barely left me space to do so.
“It’s cool. I know Cami, but who is this little man trying to steal all my wife's kisses from me?” I asked jokingly, making my way over to Cami to do our handshake.
“Oh yeah, you never officially met the babies. This is CJ, Johnni’s baby.
Well, a big boy now, since he’s one. And that is Minnie, she’s two and belongs to Mickey.
Babies, say hi to Uncle Deacon.” While Hollis had little man wave, Minnie quickly jumped into the conversation, correcting her instead, “Auntie Holli, my name is Berkley James like my daddy. Ain’t that right, Mommy?
” I chuckled while Hollis sighed as she playfully rolled her eyes.
“Well girl, my bad. I didn’t know you wanted your uncle to have your government name too. Can you tell him hi now?”
“Hi, Uncle Deacon,” she said in the sweetest tone ever.
“Hey, baby girl.” I bent down, getting eye level to shake her hand when she tried to do the handshake I did with her big cousin that had Cami giggling.
“No, Minnie, it’s like this.” Cami took over showing Minnie, causing me to smirk.
I turned to leave the room when I heard Hollis tell them she was going to start plating breakfast for the kids, following me out of the room now, baby free.
We ended up in the kitchen with me snatching her close, wrapping my arms around her waist, my hands cuffing her booty as I placed quick kisses on her lips and Hollis smiled through them.
“So you babysitting today, huh, Auntie Holli?”
“Oh shit, I forgot to mention my plans the other day. The girls and I do these presentations to determine our next outing or date with just us, and well, I won a family pool day. Callie has been begging me to do something since my move in day, so I figured a small kickback… I mean, girls’ day, well kinda, since CJ is here, but he’s my baby; so it’s okay.
I also invited a couple of the ladies over too.
I figured a dip in your pool then a movie date in the theater would be a good time. I hope it’s okay.”
“Hershey, stop asking if shit is cool. This is your home too. It’s our pool. If you want people over, I don’t care. Wait, so this means you’re not coming to the game today?” I said, tapping her ass, going for the fresh coffee I knew she’d brewed for me since she wasn’t big on it.
“No, sir. Besides, it’s time I tell the girls about us in our talking phase. Callie said I can’t keep hiding my husband from the world.”
“Talking phase? Holls, don’t fucking play with me. The only talking we do is me telling yo’ ass you ain’t leaving me and you saying never. But yeah, I guess it’s time we tell the family we’re back together, officially. You can also tell them about the baby we’re having too.”
Hollis’s laugh came out heavy as she moved to get the eggs, French toast, and sausage patties she had prepared for the kids, starting with the girls’ plates. I stepped in to help, getting their cups of juice since she already had the orange juice out and I didn’t see a plate for little man.
“Luke, I just said good morning. Let’s keep it that way, please and thank you.”
Hollis moved around me to get little man situated as she began cutting up his food and placing it on a tiny baby plate then putting it on his tray.
“Don’t tell me you changed your mind about having my four babies, our two sets of twins.”
“Auntie Holli, you’re having a baby?” Cami asked. We turned to see that her and Minnie had joined us in the kitchen, which caught us off guard as they made their way to the table.
“We already have another baby though, Auntie Holli. What about CJ? We don’t need no more. He cries all the time.” I did my best to hide my humor, laughing lowly. Hollis hit me in my chest with the dish rag.
“Um… Cami, this is my second time reminding you to stay out of grown folks’ business. Let’s not make it a third. Focus on your food, girlfriend,” she said, checking Cami.
“I’m sorry,” Cami said, putting her head back in her plate.
I pulled Hollis into my arms and began kissing her face all over.
“Ey, calm down. She’s a kid who’s excited about having a little cousin. And you didn’t answer my question, so you don’t want my babies anymore?” I said lower, so only she could hear me this time.
“I didn’t say that, Luke. I laughed at you thinking there’s already one in there to tell them about. Slow your roll, partna. We just moved to the boyfriend-girlfriend step.”
“First of all, partna, we’re husband and muthafuckin’ wife. And trust, I’m in there, my money’s on the day we blessed our new home in my old bedroom. Who knows, it might be twins.” I rubbed her stomach, making Hollis kiss her teeth as she pushed out of my hold.
“Anyways, what are you about to do?”
“Headed to Kay’s house real quick. She messaged this morning and said she needed help with something on her TV that can’t wait.
I told her I wasn’t the cable man but of course her ass insisted I was only one who could help.
I’ma go check it out so I can make it back.
I wanted to spend the morning together before I had to go in.
I leave tonight for Detroit and Cleveland after that.
It’s a normal week away, not like the special two weeks. ”
Hollis turned to me. “I didn’t know you were headed back out so soon. I feel like you just got back.” I could hear the sadness in her tone. I hated that shit and it had my chest tight.
“I know, baby. It’s a quick week, I’ll be right back.” She put on a brave face but her eyes told the truth as tears welled up.
We weren’t even a full six months fully back in and it already felt like a repeat of everything she left me for.
“Ey, uht uht, shit is different this time, okay. We’re different this go ’round. I’m always coming back home to you at the end of the day. Plus, we got video calls or you can fly to me, baby. It’s not the same, nor will I let it be.”
“Okay, it’s not the same.”
“Let me hear you say that shit with confidence, please and thank you. Damn, baby. Stop hurting my chest with your lack of faith in us.” I tapped her ass hard enough to cause her to hiss lowly as she glared at me.
“Ouch, Deke.”
I pecked her pouty lips softly, rubbing the same spot I had just hit.