Page 111 of Smoke

“Yeah, baby.”

“Can I change her?”

He chuckled. “My bad.”

He laid her down and stepped back. I quickly and carefully slipped her out of her hospital onesie and into the one webought. She was a little fussy as I put on the tutu, socks, and headband, but she calmed right down when I was done.

Alaina and Korri had finished setting up the backdrop for the pictures, and I was too excited to get started. The first couple shots were of Korri in a basket with a simple backdrop. The next few were of her swaddled on a fluffy blanket. We ended with a few group pictures. Korri was excited to finally be able to hold her sister without all the wires being hooked up to her.

Her smile was bright and wide as she posed for the picture. There were shots of me with Juri, me with both girls, Devin with Juri, and finally, a group shot with the four of us. Devin sat on a chair while I sat on his lap. Korri sat on my lap while I held Juri.

“Oh, this is possibly my favorite one!” Alaina exclaimed.

She came over to show us the shot, and my heart swelled in its cavity even more. We looked like we belonged to each other. Tears formed in my eyes as I looked at the picture. There was so much love there. So much peace… I couldn’t take it. If this was the blessing that came from everything I had to go through the last couple of months, I would take it as a peace offering.

I sniffled as I wiped my eyes. “I have a request,” I said.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Can we get one with just Devin and the girls?”

His head jerked in my direction. “Really?”

I smiled. “You deserve a special moment with your girls too.”

I motioned for Korri to get off my lap and handed Juri to Devin. Korri made herself comfortable at his side. For a moment, I thought I saw tears pool in his eyes, but he pulled it back in.

“Smile for me, papa,” Alaina said, aiming the camera at them.

Devin and Korri put on their best smiles as she snapped away. My heart was so happy in this moment. They just lookedlike they belonged to each other. I peered over Alaina’s shoulder, in awe of the image on the screen.

Now this was perfect.

After spendinga while at the hospital, we left to go get lunch and spend some time with my parents. Devin was in the kitchen with my mom, watching her cook and taste testing everything. Korri was cuddled up with my dad watching his westerns, while Renay and I were in the living room watching the scene in the kitchen.

“You see how your mama is acting up?” Renay said, sipping her glass of wine. “Now if that was us, she would have put us out of the kitchen while she was cooking a long time ago.”

I shook my head. “I know, right.”

Renay smirked. “See, everybody likes your new man. A vast improvement.”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. How are things with you and Jakobi?”

She blushed. Actually blushed.

“I think I like him,” she admitted. “I mean, it’s only been a week of communicating with him, but I like his vibe. He’s relaxed, and he’s funny as hell. I mean, it’s no surprise. That family is hilarious.”

“They are some characters. I like them, though. I didn’t expect them to be so welcoming, you know?”

She nodded. “It definitely felt like we’ve known them for years. That’s always a good thing. I love how they immediately loved on you and Korri.” She eyed me curiously. “How are you feeling after… recent events?”

I shrugged. “I don’t feel any type of guilt if that’s what you’re asking.”

“It is. I know you, Romi. You feel bad even when people deserve it.”

“Not this time.”

“Good. I don’t think you have to worry about anybody bothering you again. I still can’t believe he made the chief apologize to you.”

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