Chapter 18 #3
“The Museum of Ice Cream,” Presley answered. “Oh and The Skydeck.”
Noble nodded. “Okay, I promise to take y’all.”
“Yesss! Uncle Noble is taking us to Chicago!” they cheered and ran toward the dining room.
Watching Noble with the girls made Irish wonder how he’d be if they were to have a daughter. He was so sweet and endearing with them.
“Well, I hear you two have a little one on the way,” Lyra said. “Do you know what you're having?”
“We’re going to wait until I give birth.” Irish beamed.
Lyra clasped her hands together. “Aww, I can’t wait to meet my new grandbaby.”
“Me either.”
“Let’s go to the dining room,” Noble suggested. “Is Ivory on her way? I don't wanna eat without her.”
“Uh, let me go get my phone so I can call her.”
Irish walked toward the staircase to retrieve her phone but derailed when she heard the doorbell. Opening the door, she smiled when Ivory held up some bags.
“Sorry, I’m late. Traffic was terrible.” She stepped inside.
“I heard. I told you not to bring anything. Noble took care of the food and drinks.”
“Yeah, but you needed some virgin margaritas since you can’t drink alcohol.”
Irish poked her lip out. “Aww, thank you, sis. You're always thinking of me.”
“See, I knew you would appreciate it. Is everyone here?”
“Yeah, come on.” Irish led her toward the dining room where the chatter was.
“Oh shit!”
Irish spun around, her face contorted into confusion as Ivory ducked.
“What the hell wrong with you?”
Ivory peeked around the corner then hid behind the wall. “How does Noble know that guy right there?”
Irish glanced at Zayd and Wilde. “Which one?”
“The one with the hat on?”
“That’s his brother, Zayd. Why?”
“Fuck.” She covered her face with her hands before declaring, “I can’t eat here.”
“Wait why not?”
Ivory shuffled to the door and walked outside. Irish followed her, making sure to close the door behind them.
“Girl, tell me what’s going on. Did he do something to you?”
Ivory paced back and forth while her hand was on her forehead. “Ugh, out of all the people in the fucking world…”
Irish impatiently, grabbed her shoulders. “Ivory, tell me what’s going on.”
“Do you promise not to judge me?”
Irish rolled her eyes dramatically while bracing herself for Ivory’s confession. “Okay, I won’t.”
“No, say you promise.”
Irish held her hand up. “I promise.”
“Okay.” She exhaled. “So, one night I got really drunk and… I had sex with him the night we met.”
Irish’s mouth gaped in incredulity.
“You said you wouldn’t judge me,” Ivory reminded her.
“Okay, I’m not but damn… out of all the men, you hit Noble’s brother? We’re supposed to be family now.”
“I didn’t know that was his brother. I thought he was actually from Miami, which is why I came back home.
I was wildin’ out back then. I felt like I was losing myself.
Like it had gotten bad. I was having sex like an addict.
I recklessly fucked with Zayd, though, and got pregnant.
That was a wake-up call and why I was so adamant about getting an abortion. ”
“So, was it a one-night stand? Nothing more?”
Ivory bobbed her head. “Yes, it was just a one-night stand.”
Irish was disappointed but suppressed her distaste since Ivory already felt bad. Irish didn’t go to college so she hadn’t experienced the level of freedom that came with it. On the brighter side, she was thankful Ivory had recognized her behavior and made a choice to change her environment.
“I know I was on some hoe shit but at the time, I just wanted to have fun.” Ivory’s stare drifted to the grass in deep thought.
“Hey, don't beat yourself up. You saw that you were being reckless and made strides to change. I appreciate your self-awareness. Now, what are you going to do about dinner ‘cause I want you to stay.”
Ivory gawked at her. “I’m not staying so he can be talking about me in his head.”
Irish kissed her teeth. “He don't have room to judge when he had sex with a woman and didn’t use protection.”
“I get that but it’s not viewed the same for a man. Listen, I’ll come back after they're gone. I’m going to stop and see Mama. Just call me.”
Irish grabbed her arm when she turned around. “No, I need you to stay here. This is the first time I’m meeting Noble’s mom and sister. I need my wingman. Please, Ivory. I swear I won’t let Zayd come at you crazy. Noble will get in his ass if he try you. Please stay.”
Ivory peered at her for a moment then sighed. “Alright, if I feel uncomfortable, I’m outta here and I don't care about you being mad.”
“Okay, okay. Everything will be fine. Come on.”
The two walked back inside the house and headed toward the dining room. Everyone was already seated with Noble sitting at the head of the table.
“Um, everyone this is my little sister, Ivory. Ivory, this is Noble’s family.”
“Hey,” everyone said in unison.
Zayd openly ogled Ivory as she took a seat across from him. He smirked at her but quickly looked away. Irish watched them both, hoping she didn’t have to curse him out for fucking with her sister.
“Alright let’s say grace.” Noble held his hand out to Irish. “Mama, you can do the honors.”
“Oh,” she chirped. “Okay.”
Everyone held hands and bowed their heads.
“Lord, we thank you for keeping us together. We thank you for family and for new members that were added. God bless us on our paths and see to it that we are covered in the blood of Jesus. Help us continue to restore broken bonds and build new connections. In Jesus name, amen.”
“Amen,” everyone said.
The chef, along with his staff, served everyone plates. The kids were at a smaller table eating their meals while the grown-ups chatted and pigged out. Irish was thankful Zayd didn’t make Ivory feel uncomfortable.
Noble leaned over to her. “You good?”
She blinked and smiled at him. “I am. Thank you.”
He kissed her cheek. “You know I’m thankful for you, right?”
“I know. You show me every day.”
“And I’ma keep showing you ‘cause you and Kenji are my biggest blessings.”
Irish gushed and kissed him. Life with Noble was beautiful.
It was so gorgeous that she couldn’t put it into words.
Her life had changed, drastically. She’d suffered a loss and was now gaining with her new baby.
If she had to go through it all over again to get to this point, Irish would without a second thought.
Later that night…
Thanksgiving dinner had been a success. The food was amazing; the desserts were delectable and no one argued or brought up old topics.
After eating, everyone had dispersed through the house.
Irish, Lyra, Kaliste, and Ivory were in the theatre room.
The kids were running around the backyard and Noble, his brothers, and Nuke were sitting on the patio.
Nuke had arrived later since he had dinner with his father’s side of the family.
After the phone call he received the other day, Noble had gained much clarity.
He had so much insight that he hadn’t had to go talk to his Uncle Dame.
It had been days since the call, leaving him with time to really ruminate what his next move would be.
He did nothing out of emotion but this would undoubtedly affect him.
“Aye, check your phones to make sure it’s clear. I need to holla at y’all about something.”
Everyone checked their phones and gave Noble their undivided attention.
“I know who’s been after me.”
“Tuck, right?” Wilde asked.
Noble nodded. “Yeah, but I found out who he had shooting at me.”
“Who?” Zayd inquired.
Nuke shook his head. “Please clear my name ‘cause y’all was acting like I was the opp.”
After the phone call, Noble immediately ceased his suspicions of Vic and Nuke being disloyal. One would think he should've known they wouldn’t betray him but, in this lifestyle, Noble deemed everyone a suspect.
“You wouldn’t be here if I thought you were,” Noble made clear.
“Well, I hope you don't say Vic,” Nuke replied. “I know he’s been moving shaky but don't tell me he went against the grain. I just can’t see him doing that.”
Noble prepared his lips to speak a name that had never been in the lineup.
“…Daysha.”
They all stared at Noble in silence until Wilde smacked his lips.
“Ain't no way you just said your baby mama.”
Zayd snorted a chuckle. “Bro, I’m calling cap. Her ass ain't capable of that shit. Nah, she ain't on that.”
Noble refused to believe the woman he shared a child with wanted him dead.
For a minute, he remained suspended in denial.
He remembered when they were married, taking her to the gun range to learn how to shoot.
He’d been the one to purchase her first Glock.
It was specifically supposed to be used for protection—not on him.
Daysha was a lot of things but she wasn’t a killer.
Noble had so many questions but the evidence added up.
“She is. I didn’t believe it at first but it all made sense. So much shit been happening under my nose. I got a tip that her ass been visiting Tuck since he went in.”
“A tip from who?” Zayd inquired.
“Champ… He called me from the prison but told me to meet up with his girl at his diner. I was skeptical but I did and made sure I watched her from the parking lot come in alone. We talked and she told me what Champ told her. Tuck wanted me gone because I wouldn’t kill Jovanis.
Nigga said I was disloyal. Daysha wanted me gone for this stupid-ass divorce that she can’t get over.
She felt like I ruined her life and the life she wanted for Kenji.
” He chuckled. “This bitch really tried to take me away from my son.”
Nuke rubbed his hand down his face. “What the fuck, cuh? That’s Kenji’s mama and she’s trying to kill you.”
“Now, it makes sense why she would shoot at Irish,” Zayd noted.
“Exactly, she wanted to kill her for personal reasons. I doubt Tuck ordered a hit on Irish.”
“Damn,” Nuke muttered. “Fucking Daysha. How you gon’ handle this shit?”
“What you mean?” Wilde countered. “He better handle that bitch like a nigga off the street.”
“But that’s Kenji’s mother,” Nuke argued. “He can’t just kill her off like that.”
Noble couldn’t wrap his mind off taking her out when Kenji loved her so much. Still, she tried to not only kill Irish but him as well. The love and respect he had for her was null and void at this point.
“Nigga, you sound crazy as fuck.” Wilde flicked his hand. “That bitch gotta go. Right, Noble?”
He bobbed his head.
“But why Champ telling you this, though?” Zayd wondered aloud. “What’s his angle ‘cause I know he ain't doing this out of the kindness of his heart.”
“His family got some financial issues. Basically, if he scratch my back, I’ll scratch his.”
Silence fell amongst them while Noble deliberated on the reality of Kenji not having his mother around.
“This shit crazy, bro,” Zayd stated. “I know it’s fucked up ‘cause this is your son’s mother but she was trying to take you away from him. You gotta get her before she get you.”
“I know.” Noble sighed. “But I can’t do this without y’all.”
“You know I’m ready. I don't give a fuck about her ass at all,” Wilde snarled.
Zayd nodded. “I’m down. You know that.”
Noble looked at Nuke. “What about you?”
He chuckled and held his hand out for a shake. “You don't have to ask, fam. I’ma always show up for my people.”
Noble shook his hand and leaned back in his seat. “We’ll handle this shit on Friday. I already let her know she can come stay at my condo. I’ll fill you in on the plans on Thursday night.”
Nuke peered at him. “You sure about this? Are you mentally ready to take care of her?”
Noble mulled for a moment. “It’s kill or be killed, and I ain't letting no bitter bitch take me away from my family.”