Chapter 16 #2
After distributing the food, we dug in, making small talk. Ellie was busy enjoying her burger and coloring in the little activity book that came with her kid’s meal.
“Where is Miyah?” Alayah asked.
“We had a teacher workday today, so she’s with her little friends. I can call her right quick.”
She picked up her phone and tapped the screen. A few seconds later, the sound of playful laughter could be heard as Amiyah answered the video call.
“Hey, sissy. What’s up?”
“Look who’s here.”
She turned the camera so Amiyah could see Alayah. The happiest squeal came from her.
“Layah! I miss you!”
Alayah swiped a tear from her eye. “I miss you, too, baby.”
“Why haven’t you texted me?”
“I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to get you in trouble. Your sneaky sister here informed me that y’all have two phones.”
She giggled. “We do. Wait. How long are you gonna be there? I’m coming right now. Please wait for me.”
Alayah looked over at me.
“We can wait,” I said.
“Oooo! Who is that? Do you have a boyfriend?”
Alayah laughed. “He’s a friend. You met him when you were younger, but I’m not sure if you would remember him.”
“Oh. Well, I’m leaving the park now. It’s right around the corner.”
“We’ll see you in a minute,” Adrienne said.
They disconnected the call, and I could see the excitement in Alayah’s face. I loved that she was gonna be able to see both of her sisters at the same time. I just prayed no drama followed.
It wasn’t long before Amiyah was running up to the table.
She damn near dragged Adrienne out of the booth so she could get to Alayah to hug her.
It was the sweetest reunion. Alayah reintroduced us.
She didn’t remember me, but it was okay.
I got the feeling Amiyah never met a stranger.
She had the bubbliest personality, and I could tell she was friendly.
Ellie was intrigued by the three of them to say the least.
“She has freckers, too!” she exclaimed, pointing to the speckles that littered Amiyah’s nose and cheeks. “Uncle Killian, I really want some now.”
I chuckled. “Well, baby girl, I don’t know what to tell you. I can’t just get a marker and put freckles on you.”
She giggled. “I never seen brown girls with freckers. Only—” She looked around, then whispered, “white girls.”
That made the sisters laugh.
“Freckles can show up on anyone. It’s just more visible on people with lighter skin.”
“Awww, man.”
She was really disappointed about that. I could already see me getting a call from my sister later telling me she asked her how she could get the freckles she admired.
We stayed at Burger Bliss through the rest of Adrienne’s lunch break.
We only had a few minutes left to spare before I had to get Alayah back to work.
It was bittersweet when they all had to part ways.
The little sisters hugged their big sister with tears in their eyes, and she cradled them in her arms with so much love.
I watched as she gently wiped the tears from their eyes and kissed their foreheads.
“It won’t always be like this,” she promised. “One day, we won’t have to sneak to have a relationship. I promise, I won’t ever leave you again. Nothing but death will keep me from you. I love you both so much.”
“We love you, too.”
They shared another hug.
“How about a picture?” I suggested, extending my hand for Alayah’s phone.
She handed it over with no hesitation. With her in the middle and her sisters on either side, I snapped the picture of the three of them and handed the phone back to her. She gave a teary smile as she looked at it. They shared one final hug before we all went our separate ways.
In the car, Alayah was quiet as she stared at the picture. Suddenly, her head dropped, and her shoulders began to shake. Tears streamed down her face as she cried softly.
“Ms. Alayah, what’s wrong?” Ellie asked in a tiny voice. “You’re crying. Are you sad?”
Alayah sniffled. “No, baby. These are happy tears. I haven’t seen my sisters in a long time. I’m just happy I got to spend time with them.”
“Why don’t you just invite them to your house?”
If only she knew it wasn’t that simple.
“Maybe one day,” Alayah answered.
She wiped her face clean and relaxed into the seat. Reaching over, she grabbed my hand.
“Thank you.”
“For what? I didn’t do anything.”
“You invited me to lunch, and I got to see my babies. Even if it wasn’t intentional, I appreciate that.”
“Well, even if it wasn’t intentional, seeing you smile made it worth it.”
She blushed as I squeezed her hand. Lifting it to my lips, I kissed her knuckles. Much to my surprise, she didn’t release my hand until we got to the shop. Turning to the back, she reached for Ellie.
“It was so nice to meet you, Ellie. I hope I can see you again.”
“Me, too! We can watch Moana together.”
She giggled. “I’d love that.”
I got out of the car and went to open the passenger door.
Alayah stepped out, and I closed it. She stood there for a moment, seemingly hesitating.
She trembled slightly as she raised her arms and slid them around my waist before resting her head against my chest. The trembling didn’t subside until I returned the embrace.
A breath expelled from her lips as she relaxed in my arms.
This was different. She’d held my hand twice since being home—once during her tattoo and just now in the car. We hadn’t shared an embrace. Even when I walked her to the door the other night, she’d only faintly touched my arm as she said good night. This was nice.
I gently cupped the back of her head and placed a kiss to her temple. She slowly pulled away, peering up at me with a red face.
“I’m sorry. I just…I needed that.”
“It’s no problem,” I said, palming her cheek. “I don’t mind hugging you when you need it.”
She blushed a little harder. “I’d better get back inside. Thank you for lunch.”
“No problem. Have a good day, Alayah.”
“You, too.”
I watched as she disappeared into the building. From my peripheral, I felt someone watching me. I turned my head to see Londyn with a big grin.
“I saw that,” she yelled, laughing as she headed back inside.
All I could do was smile as I got back in the car. In my rearview, Ellie was grinning just as hard.
“What are you grinning at?” I asked.
“Uncle Killian has a girlfriend,” she said, sounding like her damn mama.
She made kissing noises at me, followed by her high-pitched giggles. I shook my head as I put the car in drive.