Journei
The shock of not breakin’ my neck from how fast I jerked it in Christian’s direction after the word daddy left Mrs. Gills mouth was surprising.
I knew for sure I heard that woman say “they miss their daddy” clear as fuckin’ day.
He had approximately ten seconds to clear what she said up before I blew up.
“Mama, it’s not what you think,” he said.
That charmin’ face would’ve calmed me down by itself, but not today. I needed an explanation ASAP. There I was thinkin’ our son was the first when it sounded like to me, he already had kids.
“This finna be good.” Kégo taunted.
He sat back in his chair followed by the gesture of him crossin’ his arms across his chest. The smirk he held was that of a sibling waitin’ for the other to get disciplined.
“Don’t tease your hermano,” Diego chimed.
“It’ll be easier if I show you.” He stood, not lettin’ the hand he held majority of the dinner go.
He took me to the backyard of Mrs. Gills’ home. There was a guesthouse that was damn near the size of my and Alexis’s mini mansion. I had an attitude with every step I took. I had more heat coming off me than the sun.
Christian opened the door, and I honestly didn’t know what I was walkin’ into. I planned on cryin’ if I saw lil’ people runnin’ around with his face. That was goin’ to be a different type of hurt.
Walkin’ in, I noticed there was furniture, nice furniture, but not fit for an adult. The anger I had coursin’ through my body was replaced with confusion. Toys were scattered but not for a human. I looked at Christian, and my expression said it all.
“Macaria y Melinoe… vena qui (get over here)!” he yelled.
Out of nowhere, two scary-lookin’ dogs came runnin’ from the back. I tried my best to take off, but Christian stopped me and wrapped his arm around my waistline.
They might’ve come flyin’ like a bat out of hell, but they were well trained. Both dogs stopped a few feet away from us and waited for Christian to speak. Not once did they give me their attention.
“Girls, meet your new mamá. Journei, Macaria and Melinoe.” He introduced us like it was a human interaction.
“Uhm, hi.” I waved.
I didn’t know what the fuck to do. All I knew was those dogs were almost as tall as me, and they looked like they belonged in hell some-damn-where. Them bitches bowed their heads and focused back on Christian.
“Don’t freak out when you meet Persephone. She’ll mess with you every time I’m not around if you show her fear.”
“Man, fuck this bullshit you on. How the fuck you say some shit like that and expect me not to be scared?” At that point, I was fuckin’ terrified. My attempt to leave again was ignored.
“Persephone… la casa de papá (daddy’s home).”
My soul left my body when that fuckin’ dog came around the corner, I was soulless. First off, the damn dog didn’t run the way the other two did. That bitch had a slow-paced walk as if she was huntin’ her prey.
Persephone was pitch black with white eyes. Her body was muscular like that of the dogs I would see on YouTube. It made no sense on how her presence alone had me fearin’ for my life.
She strutted right past the other two dogs and came right up to Christian. She sat directly in front of us. Unlike the other two, her eyes remained on mine. I tried my best not to break a sweat. Fear was all up in them droplets.
“Mamá y bebé (mama and baby),” he voiced with his hand rubbin’ my stomach.
Persephone held her gaze as well as her stance. I felt like she was debatin’ which part of me to eat first. A minute or two passed with neither one of us movin’. I was too scared to move to be honest.
“H-H-Hi, Persephone.” What was blowin’ the fuck out of me was a dog had me actin’ like a lil’ bitch. I was bewildered.
When she rose to stand on her back feet and place her front paws on Christian’s chest, we were face-to-face. She was the same height as me and not an inch taller.
She leaned in and smelled me several times. Any saliva she had on her tongue was now on my face. Christian laughed and stroked Persephone as she warmed up to me. A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders.
“She likes you, mama. Relax.”
“Baby, why are they so big?” I asked.
She got off Christian’s chest and went to sit beside the twins. Her size was that of the twins combined plus more. I was tryin’ to understand how Mrs. Gills wasn’t afraid.
“Persephone is a Ambullneo Mastiff, so she’s naturally big by her bloodline. Macaria and Melinoe are Xolos, which are hairless Mexican dogs. Their appearance may be formidable, but they’re friendly until they’re not,” he explained.
“Why are they here and not at your condo in Nashville?”
“Because the same way you were frightened, so was everyone else. They have freedom here. Plus, I know Ma is safer with them around. Last time we came, they were at the spa, so I couldn’t introduce you.
They’re intelligent, well trained, and won’t harm a soul without bein’ told.
They understand you’re pregnant as well. Your protection just went up a notch.”
I gained enough courage and walked over to my new bodyguards. Squattin’ down I extended my hand and petted the twins.
Their reaction let me know they approved of me. Instead of being a mother of one, I believed my mother status had upgraded to a mother of four.
Later that night, we got situated in one of Mrs. Gills’ guest bedrooms. Diego and Kégo decided to stay as well, occupying the other two bedrooms. Their love for one another was displayed all throughout the evening.
After dinner and the introduction to his dogs, we joined everyone in the house again and enjoyed a family game night.
It was such a stress-free day. I was able to hear the heartbeat of my son, which made me being pregnant that much more real.
My thoughts drifted to my wife a time or two throughout the day. I wasn’t goin’ to lie and say I didn’t still love her, because I did. However, the things she did to me wouldn’t allow me to wallow in the feeling.
It was hurtful to know I gave someone all of me even though I had nothin’ left for myself and had treated me as if I were a fresh pile of shit. I wasn’t one to wish bad on anyone, but she didn’t deserve to be loved.
Divorce was thrown on the table and never revisited. I felt like it was time to put it in motion. Before my son got there, all ties to Alexis would be severed.
“Mama, what’s on your mind?”
“Huh?”
“I asked you what you wanted to watch, but you didn’t answer me, so I asked what was on your mind.”
I was in my head and didn’t hear him talkin’ to me at all. I rolled over and got comfortable on the right side of his body. He was patient with me and rarely got out of character. I wanted my son to take after him.
“Alexis crossed my mind. I need a lawyer to draw up divorce papers. I refuse to be married to her when my child gets here.”
“I’ll look into it.” I nodded from his response. “And from here on out, I don’t want to hear her name come out your mouth again. You’re mine, and if she thinks I’m gon’ let you go as easy as she did, she got another thang coming.”
I looked up into his face and saw a stoned expression. He meant everything he said. Thing was… it’d been him since our introduction at Scorpio’s.
Christian put a movie on off Netflix, and I was only able to get in the openin’ credits before I dozed off. My son was kickin’ my ass.