Page 50 of Counting His heartbeats

What happened to you pouting about our unannounced visitors?

Jawaan's face transforms into a happy countenance while his gaze is on the bags in Dad's hands.

"I made some enchiladas, cheesy Mexican rice, guacamole, and salsa. I figured we could share a meal while we visit with this handsome cutie," Mom says, leaning in to kiss Jalil's head.

"Bet. Let me go put on a shirt, and I'll be right back. I'll get Little Man ready, too," Jawaan voices.

Like his dad, Jalil isn't company-ready since he's only wearing a diaper and some booties on his little feet. Jawaan has continued skin-to-skin care with him every day since he's been home with us. Jawaan is wearing joggers and slides but no shirt, although Mom doesn't seem to pay attention to his bare chest one way or another since her focus is on the baby.

"Hey, you two. Come on, we'll get everything set up in the dining room while Jawaan gets him and Jalil situated," I urge, smiling.

"Hey, Nae. How are you?" Dad asks, entering my space to kiss my cheek before he and Mom follow me.

"I'm perfect. Adjusting to my new normal, but I'm terrific. Jawaan makes parenting easy."

"He seems to be a natural at being a father," Mom says.

"I know. Jalil has been spending most of the time with Jawaan while I wrapped up last-minute things before taking my maternity leave."

"Your father was the same way when I had you and Zion. Some days, I slept so well that I forgot I even had a baby. Kerry would somehow get to you or your brother within minutes of hearing your little cries. Most would say that women are hard-wired to hear their children crying, but in our case, it was Kerry. I slept like a bear," Mom admits, laughing.

"Which hasn't changed even after all these years," Dad interjects.

"Then I am my mother's daughter because a few times that has been me. Jalil's little cries haven't become common for me yet."

"Wait until he realizes that all his needs are tied to the funny-looking people constantly cooing and drooling over him," Dad says, smirking.

Or when he decides that his parents don't need to have sex.

"If I can get him to not int?—"

"Jawaan," I say, cutting him off before he can complete the statement that I'm positive mimics the one in my mind.

Jawaan enters the room appropriately covered, holding Jalil, who is now wearing a light blue sleeper.

"I'm holding him first, Michaela," Dad insists, and his eyes light up while twinkling at seeing Jalil squirming in Jawaan's arms.

"What happened to the age-old rule... ladies first?" Mom asks.

"It was upheld the first day we met our grandson. All bets are off now." Dad leaves the room with Mom's crestfallen face, inciting my giggles that I quickly try to cover with my hand when Mom shifts in my direction.

"Is something funny, Zurmani Coates?" Mom's right hand rests on her waist, and her eyes are devoid of humor.

"No, ma'am. I was?—"

"Cruising for some act right. Don't worry, Mrs. Coates, I'll get her together for you," Jawaan interjects with a sneaky, sensual promise shining in his orbs.

"See, this is why I like you already. They don't treat me right, and I need an ally. Now, why don't you help me out bef?—"

"All right. Grandpa is ready for some loving from his grandson." Dad reenters the room, cutting Mom off, and my uncontainable laughter surfaces when Mom's frown appears.

Seeing Mom and Dad's excitement over becoming grandparents in the most unorthodox way either could have imagined has my chest pinching and jumping. While I didn't know how they would react to the news, which made me do itin the presence of Jawaan's family, I'm happy that neither Mom nor Dad rejected my baby. For two weeks, Jawaan's house has been a steady stream of family, which is why he's talking about a getaway for the three of us.

"See why a babymoon is necessary? Our family is gonna have us vying for time with our son, and I ain't feeling sharing him yet," Jawaan says, wrapping his arm around me while we watch Dad talk gibberish to Jalil with Mom standing guard.

"Mhm. Where are we going?"

"You worry about packing for you and Little Man, and I'll take care of everything else."

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