Chapter 12 #2
“In the midst of all this going on, you procreating? You realized this is a new job for all of us, right? Now I gotta get a fucking car and babyproof the crib. The fuck? I’ma be uncle of the year and shit.”
I chuckled at the way he took the news, knowing he was serious. Though he didn’t want kids, he was good with them and they gravitated toward him.
His phone rang. He looked down at it, then back at me. He had a big, dumb ass grin on his face. “I’ma drop by the house tonight and bother you and sis. Right now though, one of my usuals is in town and I need that.”
I laughed. “Aight, fool. I’ll make sure Nic puts you something to the side.”
“Bet.”
We talked for a little bit longer, then I was on my way home.
I hadn’t heard from Nic since earlier, but I half expected her to be sleep.
When I left earlier, she was yawning while Amethyst talked a mile a minute, so I figured she’d be out soon.
The vibration of my phone caught my attention.
I glanced at the screen to see who it was.
It was my mother, probably calling me because she couldn’t get in touch with Nic.
“Yeah, Ma.”
“That is not how you answer a phone. Especially not one I’m calling. You were taught better than that, Hondo,” she scolded, all in one breath.
I shook my head. “My bad, Mama. You wanna hang up and call back?”
“Boy, don’t get smart with me. I’ll pop you upside your shit when you get here.”
I laughed. “Get where, Alora? I’m on my way to the hous—”
“Yes, your father and I dropped by. I figured we’d come by and check in, but child, there is nothing here to eat and you gave your house manager the weekend off. Have you lost it? What are y’all eating? Who’s cooking?”
“Ma, I had that handled.”
“Sure, and while you have it handled, I’m gonna throw a few things on the grill and get some meals together for you, my daughter, and my future grandchild. Did she take that test I sent over?” She whispered the last question loud as fuck.
I laughed hard as fuck. “Where is she?”
“In the pool with Amethyst. Now answer my question, boy.”
“Ain’t she at the house with you? Ask her,” I said, just to mess with her. Moms was hovering bad even though she was trying not to. I got it though. Otto was adamant about not procreating, so that only left me and she wasn’t getting any younger.
“Hondo Dominic Carter, when I see you I am gonna crack you upside your head. Your wife is going to watch me rock your shit.”
By now I was laughing hard as hell, Mama wasn’t playing at all. “Yeah, Ma, but don’t ask her. Let her tell you.”
She let out a squeal so fucking loud I had to pull the phone from my ear. Then she was speaking again. “Wait, did it say yes? It had to say yes, right?”
“Alora, what the hell is wrong with you? Over there jumping up and down about to lose your fucki—”
“Oh, shut up and get from over here. I’m talking to my son.”
I could feel her joy from across the line which had me smiling too. “Aight, Ma. I’m like a block or two away.”
“Okay baby boy, let me go get this food finished. I need to call your brother also. I haven’t spoken to him today.”
“We just parted, he’s coming by a lil later. He’s straight.”
“You sure?” she asked, tone serious.
“Yeah, Mama. He’s good,” I assured her, knowing she still worried… we all did.
When I made it to the house, all I was focused on was relaxing. Had we not had my parents over, we’d be in the movie room with the screen on watching us. The barbecue smelled good as fuck, shit lowkey foreign given I had missed the last few times my mama grilled.
I was greeted by the security as I moved further into the house. Everything looked like it did before I left, so I continued to the back patio. My parents were off to the left. Pops seated at the table while my mother stood at the grill. Then my eyes went to the pool.
She was so fucking beautiful, so radiant, even when I could only see her from the back.
She was sitting on the side while Amethyst floated.
My eyes went back to Nic as I admired the vined flower tattoo that took up most of her side.
She must have felt me looking at her because she turned around and we immediately locked eyes.
A smile indented itself at her lips, then she lifted her hand to wave at me while holding the other up to shield her from the sun.
I approached like a nigga in the deepest of love… Which I was and anybody who knew me well enough could see it.
“I thought I wouldn’t see you until later.”
I shrugged. “Shit wrapped up kind of early. You ain’t miss me?”
“Yes, but you already knew that. Now what do I have to do to have you in this pool with me?” She had a playful grin on her lips, but she was dead ass serious.
I grinned. “I’d say a few things, but then again, you got company. So I’ma take it easy on you. I’ll be back out in a few.”
A small laugh escaped her lips before her expression went serious. “Wait, you’re leaving me again?”
I shook my head. “Gotta change, right?”
“Look at y’all over here being all cute and shit. So cute that it makes me sick to look at.” Amethyst’s voice made me look away from Nic at her. Every single time I looked her way, her hair was even more purple than before.
I waved her off. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. I feel like I should have a room here seeing as how when the B-A-B-Y gets here this is the only place I’ll be because there are no nannies in this family.” Of course she spelled the word baby.
Nic laughed. “You’re a trip.”
Amethyst shrugged, then began floating back into the center of the pool, leaving us alone again.
“You told your mom, huh?” she asked, eyes on me.
I nodded. “Needed to get her o—”
“No explanation needed. We’re a family and it’s news she had been damn near praying for.”
I grinned. “She asked you?”
“Nope. She has made me plates… and is watering me like a damn fish.” She threw her head in the direction of the glass water bottle a few feet from us.
I laughed. Alora was gonna always be Alora. “Lemme get changed.”
Her happiness and joy was contagious. Her smiling made me smile, like everything that was happening didn’t exist. “Hurry back, please.”
Though we confirmed Nic was pregnant at the house, she still made the appointment at Founders to be fully sure and make sure everything was fine. That didn’t have me too worried, but being here with her like this had me ready for a life I never saw myself having.
“IJ, get over here and sit down.” The visibly pregnant woman across from us scolded her youngin as he kept veering toward the center of the room.
“Maaaa.” He did some jumping around, sparring with the air shit.
“I’m about to call your father right now. Keep going so he can see you acting up in here.” She pointed her finger in his direction.
It took everything in me not to laugh because she said that and he straightened up for all of five seconds before jumping up and down with his arms in the air, loudly screaming, “IJ for the knockout.”
Even his mother laughed, which invited Nic to laugh as well.
“He’s adorable,” Nic commented.
His mother shook her head. “He’s bad, and I’d blame all of this on his father, but I bargained with him to get in the car this morning for a honeybun brownie.”
Nic laughed hard as hell. “Bargaining?”
“Yes. It’s the only power I have with him. He’s stubborn.”
“Mommy I what?” The toddler stopped and moved toward his mother, now out of breath and reaching for her water bottle.
“You’re stubborn. Just like your father.” She poked his nose, then opened the bottle for him to drink just as the door opened. The first to enter was a heavy nigga who was obviously security, then another nigga behind him.
“Daddy,” the toddler screamed, nearly dropping the water and rushing his legs.
“Now watch, he’s the pillar of an angel because his father just walked in the room,” Ol’ girl said to Nic, who laughed.
“Patience Carter.” The nurse stood in the doorway calling Nic.
We were on our feet immediately, but Nic turned to the woman. “You said honeybun brownies. Is there somewhere you buy them from or a recipe?”
Leave it to her ass to inquire about sweets.
“Um, yes. I make them at my bakery. Best Kept Secret.”
Nic eyes lit up with recognition. “I knew I recognized your face from somewhere. Selah, right?”
Ol’ girl nodded.
“You made my wedding cake and did your thing. You probably make a billion cakes. It was the floating top tier with the marble texture finish. I’ve been meaning to come by and get some pastries.”
Selah nodded. “Oh, I definitely remember you. For the Carter wedding, right? I absolutely loved making that cake. I’m so glad you liked it and come by any time.”
They exchanged contacts before we finally made it to the examination room. Back there Nic became quiet while my eyes stayed on her the entire time. While she was in her head, I wanted to know what was on her mind.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?” I asked, facial expression remaining neutral.
“Like shit… I don’t know, but you’re staring.”
I laughed. “You’re over there overthinking and I’m waiting on you to tell me what you’re overthinking about.” My eyes left her to look around the dimly lit room with colorful balloons adorning the walls.
“I’m not overthinking; I’m processing. I never saw myself here. And now I am here. I’m shocked. It’s wild how much life can transform in a matter of months.”
“That’s because even though yo’ stubborn ass was ready to fight me, you knew where you belonged.”
She nodded and was about to respond, but there was a knock at the door then it opened.