Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
WILL
Iwas finally back at work, and it had already been a long day.
With Miracle added to the bunch, we had a total of five babies under the age of one.
Not to mention two sets of triplet toddlers, Chase, Elena, and Capone’s three-year-old stepdaughter, Gabrielle.
Crystal, Debbie, Victoria, and I were handling it, though.
I had been gone for six weeks, so it took me a while to get back into our routine.
The kids were so excited when I walked through the door this morning, especially Mari and Gabrielle. According to those two, no one did arts and crafts as well as I did. Before Capone claimed his Ol’ Lady, Giovanna, Mari was the only one who was obsessed with my paint days, but now she had Gabi.
Gabrielle was a little Picasso. At three years old, she was extremely talented with a paintbrush. Most of her paintings reflected a child much older than she was. I had recommended to Capone and Giovanni that they enroll her in some classes. As good as I was, I wasn’t a professional.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, gaining my attention. I rocked Caleb in my arms when he started to squirm. I was currently in the nursery putting him to sleep for his nap. He had been fed and changed. Now, all he needed to do was quit fighting the sleep that was so desperately trying to take him.
I got up from the rocking chair and began humming while swaying him in my arms. His big green eyes that matched Alice’s started to close.
It wasn’t long before his mouth popped open and sleep claimed him.
I kept this up for a few minutes until I was sure I could lay him in his crib without waking him.
Once I had him settled on his back, I returned to the chair and whipped out my phone. A grin took over my face when I saw the text thread in my notifications.
Cara: Ladies, let’s welcome Will to the SSGC. I may need a new name since the group isn't only ladies anymore.
Sara: Welcome, Will. Remember, judge-free zone. We speak our minds here.
Sofia: Yes. Guard this chat with your life, Will. Some people don’t understand the importance of confidentiality.
Bianca: Sof, pump the brakes. Blade texted in this chat one damn time! Be like Elsa and let it go.
I chuckled reading their texts. I wasn’t going to respond just yet. The show was just getting started.
Cara: That was one time too many. The next time you violate the codes of conduct, I’m fining your ass.
Madison: I’m with Cara on this. Do you have any idea what will happen if our men read these text messages?
Cara: Nothing is going to happen to me. My man knows I’m crazy. Y’all are the ones trying to hide it.
Alice: Ladies! We are getting off topic lol. We’re supposed to be welcoming Will.
Crystal: Exactly. Welcome, Will. Ignore the heathens.
Laughing, I decided to finally reply.
Me: Thank you, ladies. I feel so honored to be a part of the infamous group chat.
Sara: We should have added you a long time ago. You were Tech’s Ol’ Man long before he asked.
A grin stretched across my face. It never got old thinking about Tech claiming me. I always wished this moment would come. Now that it was here, it felt so surreal. I was finally his, and I couldn’t be happier.
Cara: Speaking of Ol’ Men, that is why I summoned everyone to the group chat. I was thinking about planning a couple's trip to Vegas. We’ve all been so tapped into work and parenting that we haven’t taken a moment to unwind and reconnect with our spouses.
I was intrigued. A trip to Vegas sounded like lots of fun. Since I’d been here, it had been one baby being born after another, brothers claiming their women, and weddings. Even when the club threw parties, the couples mostly chose not to attend.
Sof: I could get with that. I’ve been knee-deep in my studies. A break sounds lovely.
Madison: Same. I love my baby girl, but she sure knows how to cockblock.
Alice:
Cara: So, we’re all in agreement that I have the green light to start planning.
Crystal: You can do what you want, just leave me out of the plans. I will not go to Sin City with you all.
Victoria: Same! You’re all going to be like a bunch of escaped convicts who are experiencing freedom for the first time.
I chuckled but quickly smothered it with my hand. I peered into the crib and saw Caleb was still sound asleep. I decided to step out of the nursey before I ended up waking Caleb. Making my way into the guest room next door, I kicked my shoes off and lay across the bed.
Cara: I’m not even going to try and dispute that. I will definitely be living my best kid-free life for three days.
The next string of text was the ladies giving their stamp of approval for the trip. Once I pocketed my phone, I put my shoes back on and made my way to the living room. It was fairly empty since all the toddlers were in the playroom with Debbie and Victoria.
I barked out a laugh when I saw CJ nestled into Paul’s side in his recliner. He had a chicken wing in his hand, gumming at it as he watched Paw Patrol. He had just turned ten months, and Crystal had been feeding him anything his little heart desired.
“Is it good, CJ?” I cooed at him.
He didn’t even take his eyes off the television. Paul glanced down at him and shook his head. “He’s just like his daddy was at this age. He wouldn’t pay anybody any attention if food was in front of him.”
Crystal glanced at Paul with a smirk. “Leave my baby alone. Formula and baby food aren’t doing the trick anymore.”
“I wonder why that is.” Paul stared at her accusingly.
Crystal’s only response was to roll her eyes. She knew it was her fault. As soon as a baby turned four months old, she started letting them sample mashed foods and yogurts. One thing Crystal was going to do was fatten up a baby.
The front door opened, and Blade, followed by Sara and Cara, walked through. There wasn’t a set time for parents to collect the kids, but normally, as soon as they were off work, they came by.
“Hey, Mama,” Blade said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. He made his way toward Paul with a closed fist. “What’s up, Pops?” He paused as his eyes zeroed in on the chicken wing in CJ’s hand. He whipped his head back to his mother. “Mama, a chicken wing? Seriously?”
She waved her hand, adjusting Jasper in her arms. “Boy, hush. Last time I checked, I’ve been a parent for almost thirty years. I know what I’m doing.”
“See, that’s why nobody can eat anything around his chunky butt. Little dude be trying to wrestle me down anytime I have a plate of food.”
We all roared with laughter because we knew he wasn’t exaggerating. It wasn’t just CJ, though. All the Romano kids had healthy appetites, especially Cara’s kids. She could eat like someone twice her size, and her children were the same.
Cara walked over and plucked Miracle from her swing before taking a seat beside me. “Cameron, shut up. Ain’t nothing wrong with him having a growing appetite. It just means he’s going to grow up big and strong.”
“Says the woman who’s raising a bunch of Sumo Wrestlers in training.”
He ducked when Cara lobbed a remote at him. “I done told you and Christian to stop playing with my babies.”
“Alright, I’ll chill.” He laughed. “Let me collect my kids and get out of here.” He stepped over to the entrance of the hall where the playroom was. “Girls!” he shouted.
The sound of tiny feet rapping against the floor came soon after. “Daddy!” they shrieked as they practically tackled him. After hugging and kissing each one of them, he made his way over to CJ. When he tried to lift him from the recliner, he squirmed away.
Blade pulled back with a frown. “That’s how you doing me, CJ?”
Just like he did to me, CJ ignored him, focusing on the television. Blade tried once more, but this time, CJ got pissed and let out an angry cry.
“Boy, leave him alone. He’s not worried about you. CJ wants to chill with his nonno and watch his cartoons. Go on home. I’ll bring him later,” Paul said with finality.
Blade scoffed, shaking his head. “You know what? Go ahead and keep that little traitor. I know my girls would never.”
“We want to stay too, Daddy,” Naomi spoke up.
“Gigi made meatballs,” Abigail added, and Mari agreed.
Blade’s face dropped. Cara and Sara were roaring with laughter at his perplexed face. “None of your kids is messing with you!” Cara howled, making Miracle giggle as if she knew what Cara was talking about.
Blade nodded, shrugging his shoulders. “That’s cool. I’ll just go home and mess with their mama.” He turned around. “Call me when they're ready to come home,” he said over his shoulder and made his way out the door.
“Just nasty,” Cara spat. After bouncing Miracle on her lap, she turned to me. “How was your first day back?”
“It was good. I had to get back into the rhythm of things, but once I did, it was smooth sailing from there.” I paused to look around and noticed that Paul and Crystal were both occupied. “I need to ask you for a favor,” I said in a low voice.
Cara’s face scrunched up. “This seems serious.”
“It is.”
Ever since that night I asked about Cody, Tech’s nightmares started up again. I didn’t bring it up because I could tell he was embarrassed. I hated this for him. Cody was a trigger. He needed closure on this.
I knew the only two people who could help me were Cara and Sara.
I needed to try and find out what happened to him.
I knew it was a slim chance that the girls would find anything, but I had to try.
This would forever haunt him. I knew he said people said the disciples were told to kill Cody, but I just didn’t want to believe that a young man disappeared, and no one paid for it.
“Let’s step outside and talk.” Cara returned Miracle to her swing, motioning for Sara to follow us.
I was taking a big risk by doing this, but I wanted to help Tech in every way I could. I didn’t want anything holding him back. He had too many things from his past that were disturbing his present.
Something inside me wouldn’t let this go. I was going to do whatever was necessary to help him get through this. In the end, I just hoped whatever news the girls brought back was enough for him to make peace with his past.