Chapter 7 Steel #2
“We knew that shit was coming.” Smoke stood to his feet and embraced them. “We’ll see which one of y’all catch up to us first.”
Jakobi snorted as he stood to hug the happy couple. “Yo’ fertile ass will always be ahead. I’m surprised Romi ain’t pregnant already.”
Romi shoved his shoulder. “Don’t speak over my womb! I gave this man a two-for-one special the last time.”
Deuce laughed. “He gon’ be his daddy.”
I put on a smile as I stood to congratulate my brother and sister-in- law.
“I’m happy for y’all,” I said, dapping Maceo.
“’Preciate it, bruh.”
When I got to Shar, she eyed me curiously. Her hands came to my face.
“You okay?” she asked softly.
“I’m good. I promise. Congratulations, sis. You couldn’t keep this nigga off you.”
She giggled as I embraced her. “Clearly, I didn’t stand on business.”
As I went to reclaim my seat, I noticed Jaeda and Quaid talking softly. She cleared her throat.
“Since we’re making announcements . . .” She lifted her shirt, showing off a small bump. “Quaid and I are expecting too.”
Once again, the ladies screamed in excitement.
“Bump buddy!” Shar yelled, rubbing her belly against Jaeda’s. “I knew you were over there getting put through the mattress.”
“Aw, hell naw!” Deuce and Smoke said, jumping to their feet.
“You got my sister pregnant?” Smoke said.
“I got my wife pregnant, nigga,” Quaid answered. “This is only the first of many to come. Ain’t that right, baby?”
Jaeda blushed as he kissed her lips. Smoke walked over and grabbed him up in a playful headlock. He was shocked as hell when Quaid lifted his big ass over his shoulder.
“Put me down, muthafucka!”
Quaid laughed. “I thought we were playing around, man.”
He placed Smoke back down with ease and slapped hands with him.
“Congratulations, nerd,” Smoke said.
My brothers and cousin slapped hands with him next.
“You know this means I’m back on yo’ ass, right?” Deuce asked. “My sister better not lift a finger this entire pregnancy. You better be waiting on her hand and foot.”
Quaid rolled his eyes as they shared an embrace. “I hear your overbearing ass.”
I was the last to approach them, offering Quaid a dap. When I turned to my sister, she was staring at me with an uneasy smile. My little baby was having a baby. I knew she would be a great mother because she was the best auntie to KJ. Fat Man loved her something serious.
I cupped her face and kissed her forehead.
“Congratulations, baby,” I said, pulling her in for a hug.
She squeezed me tightly, and I felt like she knew I needed that shit. Now would have been the perfect time to tell my family about my daughter, but I couldn’t. They were sharing happy news, and while my news was happy, too, it had a sour ass undertone because of the way my daughter came to be.
“Can we talk?” Jaeda asked quietly.
I nodded. She grabbed my hand and pulled me away from everyone.
“Where y’all going?” Maceo called.
“Y’all know they have that same mama, same daddy sibling thing,” Deuce said.
I shook my head. It was no secret Jaeda and I had a special bond, just like Smoke and Maceo. Of course, we loved all our siblings. It was just different when you and that sibling were raised in the same house.
Jaeda led me out the back gate and down the road a ways before she said anything.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“I don’t know what to feel, Jae. She had my baby and kept her from me. I wanna choke the shit outta her.”
“I know, I know. Maybe you should talk to Mama or Daddy.”
“Soon.”
She stopped and looked up at me. “She’s a beautiful little girl. I can’t wait to spend time with her, KD.”
“Me too.”
As if we’d talked her up, my phone rang with a FaceTime call from Nayelli. My baby must have sensed I needed her because I smiled for the first time in days. Swiping the screen, I answered her call.
“Baby girl.”
“Hey, Mr. K! What are you doing?”
That Mr. K shit stung, but I wouldn’t rush her to call me daddy. She could do it in her own time.
“Taking a walk with your auntie.”
I turned the phone so she could see Jaeda.
“Hey, beautiful!” Jaeda said, waving.
“Hey, Auntie Jae! Mr. K?”
“Yes?”
“Can you come see me?”
I felt the tears swelling in my eyes. She wanted to see me. It had been a few days since I’d pulled up on her mama. I needed to calm my nerves before I did something I regretted to her ass. I definitely didn’t want to do anything to her in front of Nayelli.
“You wanna see me?” I asked, all choked up.
“Please?”
I dropped the phone from my face and pressed my fingers into my eyes to stop the tears from falling. Jaeda hugged me and rubbed my back.
“Go to her.”
“Mr. K?”
I cleared my throat and came back into view.
“Yeah, baby. I’ll come see you. I’m on my way, okay?”
“Okay. See you soon. Bye, Auntie Jae!”
“Bye, sweetheart.”
She disconnected the call, and I shoved my phone into my pocket. At that point, the dam broke, and so did I. Jaeda held me, stroking my back.
“I know, I know,” she said, sniffling. “I got you.”
“Why would she do this shit to me, Jae?” I sobbed. “A nigga ain’t perfect, but I would have done anything for my kid.”
“I know you would have. I’m so sorry, Kerrion.
” She cupped my face, forcing my eyes to meet hers.
“You are an amazing father to KJ. And you’re going to be an amazing father to Nayelli.
She’s here now, and I hate the way that it came about, but that little girl is gonna change your life.
She’s going to give you the kind of love only a daughter can give her father. ”
This shit hurt like a muthafucka. I never imagined one of the people I’d love most hurting me like this. She could have done anything. She could have cheated, and it would have hurt less than this. This shit right here . . . hurt me to my core.
After getting it together, I took the walk back to my house to shower and change clothes before heading out.
I didn’t want the smell of weed on me when I hugged my baby.
It was a little after eight when I made it to Neha’s house.
I wasn’t sure if Nayelli told her mother I was coming, but I didn’t give a fuck.
I hopped out of my car and made my way up to the front step with the flowers I bought in my hand.
After ringing the doorbell, I stood back and waited. A few seconds later, the door opened, and Neha stood there with her arms crossed. I felt my jaw tighten, looking at her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“My daughter asked me to come see her, so here I am.” I stepped over the threshold and walked past her. “Where is she?”
“Upstairs. You could have told me you were coming—”
I threw her a look, and she pursed her lips. “Can you get my kid?”
She huffed as she slammed the door and went over to the stairs. “Nayelli!”
The sound of footsteps running across the floor caused me to look at the top of the stairs. When Nayelli saw me, she sprinted down and jumped into my arms. I caught her, lifting her into a hug and smothering her face with kisses.
“I missed you, baby,” I said, hugging her tightly. After placing her on her feet, I handed her the flowers. “These are for you.”
Her eyes widened. “I’ve never gotten flowers before.”
“Don’t worry. Daddy will always buy you flowers.”
She blushed as she sniffed them. “Thank you.”
Neha gave a light smile. “You want me to put them in some water and put them in your room?”
“No,” Nayelli answered sharply. “I don’t want anybody to touch them.”
Neha sighed heavily as she walked back into the kitchen. I wasn’t sure what was going on between them, but Nayelli didn’t even look at her. She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the kitchen with her flowers in hand. Neha was quiet as we headed out the back door.
After setting the flowers down, Nayelli pulled me toward the swings. I was glad this was some metal shit because my big ass was likely to break it. We took a seat, and she started swinging lightly while looking at me, grinning. Her smile made me smile.
“Whatchu grinning about, lil’ bit?”
“I’m just happy. It feels weird having a dad, but in a good way.”
I reached for her hand, and when she gave it to me, I kissed it.
“I’m happy to be your dad. You have to clue me in on what you like so I can get a room ready at my house.”
“I can come stay with you?”
“Of course you can. That’s your home now too. Me and KJ can’t wait to have you around.”
“He’s so cute. I’ve always wanted a little brother or sister.”
“Well, you’re about to have two new little cousins that will be like siblings. Your uncle Maceo and his wife are having a baby. Auntie Jaeda and her husband are expecting too.”
“Awwww! I can’t wait to meet them.” Her face turned serious. “Can I ask you a question?”
“You can ask me anything.”
“Where’s KJ’s mom? Is she your wife or girlfriend?”
“No, no, I’m single. KJ’s mom . . . she passed away giving birth to him.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry!”
“It’s okay. No need to be sorry.”
“So who helps you with him?”
“Your grandparents, mostly, and Auntie Jaeda and Uncle Quaid. That’s her husband.”
“Do you wanna get married?”
I chuckled. “Getting married and having kids is one thing I’ve always wanted.”
“Did you ever want to marry my mom?”
My smile dropped. “Once upon a time. That’s not in the cards for us anymore.”
“Because she kept me away from you?”
I nodded. “That really hurt me.”
“I’m so mad at her right now. This is so unfair.”
“I know it is. But we have each other now. I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you.
From this moment on, no matter where life takes us, Daddy is always gonna be right by your side.
Whenever you need me, call me. Whatever you need from me, Daddy’s got you.
I know we have so much to learn about each other, but my heart loves you already, Nayelli.
You’re no different than your brother in that aspect, understood? ”
She nodded. “I understand.”
She stood from her swing and crawled into my lap, resting her head against my chest. I cradled her in my arms as I gently swung us back and forth while placing kisses to the top of her head.
This was my baby . . . She was mine, and nobody would take her from me again.