CHEVY
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I stood around and watched as my handpicked family enjoyed the holidays.
I had gone from a nigga with nothing to a nigga with everything.
The journey of the Zoo was one I will never forget.
Seeing everyone grow and unfold into their greater selves was something I would do all over again if I had to.
Only minutes after Zu and Freckles announced that they were going to adopt, Pierre, Tuesday, Bleek, Synai, their kids, Anthony, Bishop, Indigo, and that fucking dog came through the door. Symphony rushed over to give them a hug while Pierre grilled Beans. Hmph.
I watched as Indigo held the pearl leash in her hand. The damn dog wore a white fur-like dress with a pearl collar to match the leash. Bishop took the leash from Indigo as she stepped further inside and hugged the women. When she walked over to me, she smiled. “Sup, sis,” I said to her.
“Merry Christmas,” she paused. “Chevy.”
As she leaned in to hug me, I watched as Bishop leaned down and pulled something from the patch on the dog’s dress. He glanced up at me and winked.
My nigga. I mouthed.
Indigo pulled away as she had now walked back over to a nervous-looking Bishop. “Hold on really quick!” Foe said.
He hopped up, ran outside, and came back with a big ass box and handed it to Harvey. “I know I got you a lot already, but here,” he told her.
Harvey began to open the box, and it moved. “What the hell?” she mumbled.
She opened the lid to a miniature Doberman with a gold collar. I tossed my hands up, “Fuck is up with these dogs!” I shouted.
“June, please!” Z spat.
Harvey picked him up and cooed at the dog. Foe was so excited, the nigga jumped up and down like a kid. “It’s a boy, bae, what do you want to name him?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe, Lucky.”
“Fuck that, we’re naming that nigga Brick or something,” Foe scoffed.
As they went back and forth about what to name the dog, Navi came through the door, “Merry Christmas!” she shouted.
Z and Yana’s eyes widened when their mother was right behind Navi. Zaria stood there, but it wasn’t happiness I saw in her eyes, rather confusion. “The fuck!” Zaria shouted.
I didn’t want Zoomas to be fucked up because shit had been going so good. I leaned forward and whispered in Zaria’s ear. “Just one day, baby. Let her meet the twins.”
Zaria sucked her teeth and turned toward me. “No!”
“Come on, Z, I don’t want to have to fuck shit up on Christmas.”
As commotion began to ensue, Bishop cleared his throat, catching everyone’s attention.
“I want to thank all of you for opening your doors to the Cove,” he paused as he looked at his people then mine.
“If you had asked me back then when that nigga,” he pointed at me, “bumped into me, if I had seen this day coming, I would have said fuck no. But we’re here.
I’m happy I not only met you guys, but Chevy, nigga, you inspired me whether you know it or not.
The blue and the orange are together for life, despite what anyone thinks,” he paused again as he turned toward Indigo.
“Baby, this has been a long time coming. Since that day in London when I saw you, to now, my heart has never stopped beating for you. Even when you took time away to do what was best for you, that muhfucka still beat the same way.”
I looked at Navi, who rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth. Hating ass, I thought. I turned back to focus my attention on Bishop. He got down on one knee as he pulled the box from his pocket. “Indigo King,” he choked up.
I knew the feeling of nervousness, though you know the love you have for a person is stronger than nerves. I clapped. “Come on, nigga, make her your wife!” I shouted.
His lips trembled. “I love you the long way. My heart beats for you and only you. You know, xoxo and shit. Lulu wants her mommy back. Will you marry me?”
Indigo ugly cried as she nodded. Bishop slid a cold, blue diamond on her finger.
They kissed as we all celebrated. I stood around, watching the orange and blue connect in ways I didn’t think would happen.
Preach got up and rushed toward the door.
When he came back, he was with Sage. She had waved at everyone.
Preach pushed up his glasses. “I want to formally introduce my girlfriend, Sage.”
Mrs. Richardson stopped bouncing baby Love as her head shot toward Navi. Navi threw her hands up in frustration. “What type of shit is this!” she spat.
“Navi, please don’t start!” Yana yelled.
Zaria rolled her neck. “I mean, what type of shit is this?” Zaria pointed at her mother. “You’re mad, and you brought her.”
Navi’s head snapped toward Zaria. “And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
I could see Zaria getting riled up. I rushed over toward her, grabbing her by her waist and pulling her toward the door. “The sick part of me would love to see you fight, but not today, please. We haven’t even eaten yet.”
Zaria let out a loud sigh. I turned to see that the door was left open, but what caught my attention was much more important.
I looked at Zaria as she looked at me. We both stepped outside to see Samara talking to a lady.
When she noticed we were standing there, Samara gave us a weak smile.
“Mom and Dad,” she paused as she looked at the lady who was covered in bland draping. “This is my biological mother.”
The lady bowed her head at us. “Thank you for keeping my sweet child protected.”
We couldn’t respond as Streets and Dio came out of the house carrying the turkey that was on fire. Everyone began coughing as they came out of the house. Dio let go of the pan, leaving Streets no choice but to drop it into the snow. “Mars, who is this?”
She took a deep breath as she glanced at Dio. “It’s my mother.”
I don’t know what this meant, but if this lady thought for a second that we were accepting her as Samara’s parent, she had a nigga fucked up. Zoomas was far from perfect, but shit like this is what made us the Zoo.