Page 46 of Counting His heartbeats

"You good?" I whisper for Zurmani's ears only, completely tuning out the chatter filling the room around us.

Ding. Dong.

The sound of my doorbell causes Zurmani's eyes to bulge, and her eyes instantly fill with moisture, causing me to remove the inch of space between us. Wrapping my arms around her while sandwiching Jalil between us, I speak softly to Zurmani.

"It's you, him, and me. Nobody else matters, regardless of what happens in the next few minutes. Nobody will disturb your peace, alter our feelings about our son, nor stain the blessing God has given us. I don't have a problem bouncing a single motherfucker from your space if anything, but congratulations fill our ears," I say before hearing an unknown male voice enter the room.

"What's going on?" an unknown voice pierces the air.

When air from Zurmani's mouth hits my face before she nods subtly, I kiss her softly before gently removing Jalil from her arms and stepping to her right side. My gaze lands on an older couple whose skin complexion matches Zurmani's toffee tone. Despite her age, the woman beside the man looks identical to Zurmani, bringing a smile to my lips.

Wow. This is a heck of a way to meet my in-laws, but it's whatever.

"Hi, Dad. Come over here. I want to introduce you and Mom to some special people," Zurmani requests, waving her parents over.

The senior Coates duo looks from their daughter to me and the baby in my arms. Zurmani's dad has wrinkles stretching across his forehead, while her mother's face is hesitant, and the area around her eyes is tight.

Ding. Dong.

The doorbell sounds again, and my eyes leave Zurmani's parents while watching the living room threshold to see who else is arriving. A minute or so later, in walks Zion, Evie, and Jamaica, whose presence in my house increases my body temperature. The stirring in my arms pulls my attention from the trio, landing on Jalil, squirming in my arms.

"My bad, man," I lowly say, lifting him to place him on my shoulder before Zurmani's hand reaches out to throw a receiving blanket in place without uttering a word. "Thanks, Tigress."

"Uh, Zurmani. What's going on, honey?" Mrs. Coates asks.

"I want to introduce you all... this is Jawaan, and this is our son, Jalil," Zurmani announces in a confident, firm, and steady tone that instantly warms my soul.

"Uh—your what?" the snappy feminine voice rings around the room before Zurmani's parents can utter a response to Zurmani's introduction.

Everyone's eyes peer over to Jamaica, whose mouth hangs open before closing, and a deep frown slides in place on her lips.

"Oh wow. I knew your place in her life wasn't temporary," Zion says, cutting into the silence before heading toward Zurmani, Jalil, and me.

The beaming smile he's wearing has the tension slowly falling from my shoulders from watching the sour response coming from Jamaica.

"I had no clue why you summoned your father and me to this address, although I need more information soon... congratulations. It's nice to meet you and all, Jawaan, but I'm going to wash my hands so I can hold my grandbaby," Mrs.Coates declares before walking away, asking Kyce, who's close to show her where the bathroom is.

"I agree with my wife, but the next announcement I hear better be an engagement because my daughter ain't baby mama material," Mr. Coates insists, staring at me with a glower.

"Say less," I reply, nodding.

"All right now that everyone is here, let's get this unplanned baby shower/family mingling started," Ms. Aretha declares.

"What in the Virginia Slims do you have me smoking?" I ask Kayshon after choking on the imitation cigar in my hand.

"Listen, this is what you get when you spring a baby on a nigga last minute. Stop complaining and enjoy the moment," Kayshon responds.

Kyce, Kayshon, Zion, Papa D, Mr. Coates, and I are on my back deck hanging out, which gives me an opportunity to get to know Mr. Coates and Zion without pressure. The women are in the house drooling over my son, and I'm sure doing whatever women do in these situations.

"Tell me a little about yourself, Jawaan," Mr. Coates requests, blowing smoke from his mouth.

"Right, tell your father-in?—"

"Shut up," I cut in, stopping whatever Kayshon was about to say.

"Focus, little bro," Kyce interjects, looking in my direction and giving me a subtle nod.

"I'm a flawed man who was on the brink of falling apart before God, in His infinite wisdom, allowed me to cross paths with your daughter. I'm also a man who is willing to fight you and your son if either of you attempts to convince her that lovingme isn't what's best for her," I pledge, stopping to take another drag of the wack cigar Kayshon passed out when we all hit the deck.

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