Epilogue
Three and a half years later…
Cali rolled her eyes at her ringing phone then exhaled a deep breath. For a brief moment, she contemplated answering the call. After a second, she reluctantly grabbed it and pressed the green button.
“Yeah,” she answered.
“Ew, why you sound so dry?” Enya asked.
“Because I’m in the middle of something. What you want?”
“Well, I was calling because I need a babysitter. Mama and Dad are on their vacation so I need you to keep Emilee for me.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because I got shit to do. Take her with you or cancel your plans.”
“I can’t. I’m having an event with my sorority and I can’t mingle and watch my child at the same time.”
“That sounds like a problem that has nothing to do with me.” Cali grabbed her comb and played with her curls. “Tough shit.”
“You know what? You and Bria are some of the most deadbeat aunties I know.”
“The same could be said about your lowlife ass. Call her daddy and stop trying to keep him from being a father.”
After Kip’s infidelity was exposed, Enya divorced him shortly after.
Her parents tried their best to talk her into staying with her husband but Enya had refused.
Cali was proud of her for choosing herself but she didn’t like how she kept Kip from Emilee at times.
He could only see his child on her terms and Cali didn’t think that was fair.
“I’m not keeping her from him. He can come over and see her but I’m not sending my child with him so he can have her around that bitch that he cheated on me with. They will not act like a family unit with my daughter.”
“Girl, grow up!” Cali snapped at her. “This isn’t about you anymore. He cheated and you left. That has nothing to do with him being in his daughter’s life. Don't nobody wanna sit in your face in order to be a father.”
Enya snorted a chuckle. “It’s no surprise you don't care about cheating, considering you did it for most of your first marriage. I’m praying you don't fumble this remix marriage you're in. I hope Rio don't think he’s got a new version of you because I see through you, Cali.”
“Yep, and I pray I don't end up bitter and filled with resentment like you are,” Cali joked then halted her laughs. “Hold on.” She stood in silence until reality hit her. “Uh, I gotta go. It’s too quiet around here. Find somebody else to babysit. Bye.”
Cali hurried out of the ensuite and walked into her closet. Her feet came to a sudden stop when she looked down at the mess her two-year-old had made with her makeup.
“Cairo!” she scolded, bending down to grabbed the blush from his hands. “What did you do?”
He looked at her with his doe eyes and pink mouth courtesy of the blush. “Huh?”
“Give me this,” she fussed, grabbing a makeup palette from his other hand. “You sitting up here messing up the most expensive makeup I have.”
Cairo clapped his hands, making an even bigger mess.
Cali sighed then closed her eyes. Motherhood had been so hard and she was only two years in.
What came naturally to other women was a struggle for Cali.
Every day she felt like she was failing as a mom whenever Cairo would get into something and make a mess.
Cali wasn’t negligent, though. All it took for her was to turn her head for a second for him to destroy something around the house.
“You lucky you're cute. Come on.” She held her arms out and he ran into them.
Despite her challenges as a mother, Cali loved her baby boy so much.
The love she possessed outweighed what she deemed was her failures.
She rubbed his kinky curls before kissing him on the cheek.
Cairo was a doll with a mixture of Rio’s features and Cali’s.
His skin was umber just like his parents with a sneaky smile and long lashes like his father.
Rio walked in the room, looking down at his phone.
When he glanced up, his face contorted into confusion.
“What’s on his face?”
“My makeup.” She attempted to wipe some blush off his lips with her finger. “I turned my head for a minute and he made a mess.”
Rio shook his head and held his arms out for Cairo.
The baby quickly traded on Cali and went for his father.
The last three and a half years had been fast paced but blissful.
After Cali learned of her pregnancy, she and Rio continued to work on their relationship.
She spent many months in Diamond Falls before she finally moved back to St. Parklynn during her eighth month of pregnancy.
Rio traveled often to be with her and accompany her to prenatal visits.
He’d pushed for her to move sooner but Cali wanted to stay on her job for at least six months before leaving.
Cali kept in touch with Elara and had even invited her to her baby shower. However, Rule was someone she had to let go of when she and Rio got back together. Vividly, she remembered their last conversation and the disappointment he’d displayed when she had cut ties.
‘Damn, Cali, me and you were just finding our sweet spot. Now you trying to run from me.’
Cali smirked at his words from over three years ago. She wasn’t sure if he had been playing a role or he genuinely liked her. She hadn’t stuck around long enough to figure it out, especially with Rio hovering over her about letting that situation go.
“I’ll clean him up,” Rio offered. “You can go get dressed.”
Cali appreciated how he always knew when she was overwhelmed and needed a break.
Their bond was solidified this time around.
He wasn’t neglectful or hadn’t thrown gifts at her to make up for his absence.
Rio was involved in her life as well as Cairo’s.
They were always together, making memories and being a family.
“I appreciate you.”
Rio leaned over and kissed her lips. “Stop telling me that. You know I got you. And don't be thinking you're a bad mom.”
Cocking her head, she challenged, “How you know that’s what I was thinking?”
“Because every time he does something, you get this look on your face. You a good mom, baby. It’s just these terrible twos are whooping our ass.”
Cali laughed. “They turning me every which way but loose.”
“Right.” He shook his head. “He just threw my phone down the toilet so be easy on yourself. You the best mother ever.”
“Thank you,” she cooed, kissing his lips. “Let me hurry up before Irish start calling looking for us.”
Irish looked around her backyard for anything that was out of place.
It was her baby girl’s third birthday, and they opted to have a party at home.
The smell of barbecue seasoned the air. Noble’s family was present and all the kids were either getting their faces painted or jumping in the bouncy house.
“Hey, Irish. I put the meat in the oven to finish cooking,” Lyra told her.
“Okay, thank you.”
Lyra had been in her life for the last three years, and Irish truly enjoyed her. She was a good grandma and was always willing to chip in. Her and Noble’s relationship was better than before although he still hated her husband, Bernard.
Irish spotted Ivory coming out of the house and waved her over.
She smiled at her sister, who was growing into a mature young woman.
Ivory still helped out with the clothing line but she was back in school fulltime to finish her degree.
Irish was so proud of her. Ivory had proven to be driven and goal oriented, which was what she wanted for her all along.
“I got the cake. It’s really cute.” Ivory grinned. “Isley’s going to love the ladybug theme.”
That was Irish’s nickname for her daughter, Ladybug. Ever since she came out the womb with ginger hair and a freckled nose, she thought the nickname was fitting for her.
“Yeah, she is.” Irish agreed, spotting Noble walk out with Isley in his arms. Kenji was right behind him with a basketball in his hand.
At nine years old, he was progressing well, despite the loss of Shay.
He took it hard when the news came, opting to be glued to Noble’s side to cope.
Irish did the best she could to love on him.
Daily, she showered him with maternal comfort and always made sure she was available to him.
She would never replace Shay but she would stop at nothing to ensure that he felt loved by her.
Kenji ran over to her. “Irish, can I have a cupcake?”
“You can have whatever you want.” She cupped his face and kissed his cheek.
“Don't tell him that,” Noble grumbled as Kenji ran over to the treat table. “That’s why he spoiled now.”
“Oh, Noble, please,” Ivory interjected. “You tell Isley all the time that it’s her world and she can have whatever she wants.”
“Exactly,” Irish instigated. “That’s the one that’s spoiled.”
Noble smirked at them. “We ain't talking about my baby right now. We talking about Kenji.”
“Come here, Ladybug. Let’s go see your cake,” Irish cooed, grabbing her from his arms.
“I want cake,” Isley cheered. “Can I have ice cream, too?”
“It’s your birthday, baby. You can have whatever you want.”
Irish led her into the home with Ivory right behind her.
She watched as Isley’s eyes glowed when she noticed her cake.
Everything about motherhood excited Irish.
As soon as Isley was placed in her arms, she knew it was her biggest purpose.
Being that Ivory was Irish’s practice baby; Irish adapted to motherhood seamlessly.
“Do you like it, Ladybug?”
Isley bobbed her head. “Yes, can I have some?”
“As soon as we eat, then you can have your cake.”
Irish kissed her cheek and thanked God for allowing her to be her mother. She wished Jovanis could’ve been there to witness her role as a mom, but she knew his spirit dwelled among them.
Noble sighted Zayd talking with Nuke and Vic over in the corner. Heading over, he caught a ball from Amare before throwing it back to him. When he arrived at the table, Noble requested for Zayd to come talk to him. They walked to the other side of the backyard where the pool was.