Page 35 of The Family Man

Anise shrugs like it doesn’t matter. “We all wanna know!”

“No, I didn—”

“Really you didn’t jump him?” Anise asks.

“No, but he did kiss me, and I can say—” I pause because they are all leaned forward over the island.

“Girl, I wanted to F-U-C-K him so bad!” I spell it out because the kids are still in the house. We all start to scream and holler.

“Yes, girl!” Cassia says as she taps the kitchen counter.

“You know my kids can spell, right?” Rosemary says just as Kayla chips in.

“Mommy, what’s FUKK?” Kayla asks as she stands by the kitchen wall with Nikhil at her side.

“Nothing, baby, this is grown folks talk. What do you want?” Rosemary asks as she opens her arms to Kayla.

She just wants attention, Kayla walks up to her mom and skins into her arms. In seconds, Finn and Chance follow.

Poppy stops and looks at Nikhil and grabs his hand. My heart melts. “Hey, you two wanna hug me? I have been dying for one all day.”

Poppy bites her bottom lip and looks at her twin like they are having a telepathic conversation.

She nods and walks up to me. I stoop down and bring them both into my chest. They both smell of sweat and baby powder. Their little head nestles under my chin.

“Okay, back into the living room and go watch TV. Aunty Ani will bring you all popcorn.” Anise says as she ushers the kids back to the living room. Poppy and Nikhil let me go and run back into the living room.

I move to the cupboard and take the microwavable popcorn down and pop it.

“How do you feel about being a stepmom?” Cassia asks as she pours more wine into her glass.

I stand still. “Um why?”

“Because if things get serious between you two, they are going to be your step kids, babe,” Rosemary says like she had to get me to focus.

Anise takes the popcorn out “The only one of us who is not mom material is me,” she whispers. I am concerned but she is not ready to talk. Unlike my other sisters, don’t push Ani to do what she doesn’t want to do, she will just shut down on you.

“I mean, when that bridge comes, I will cross it. I don’t think we—” I reply.

Just then, I hear the roar of an engine. Zac is home early. Nikhil jumps up and goes to the window.

Poppy just sits; she was laughing with Finn some moments ago, and now the cute smile is gone.

My doorbell rings, and I calmly get up and walk to open my door.

I don’t look back because I know my sisters are watching. I can feel their eyes piercing through my back.

I open the door and gasp in my mind. He is standing there in his black chef jacket, a pair of dark slacks and black crocs. A pen and thermometer poke out of his shoulder pockets, and a white plastic bag in his hand.

“Hey, beautiful.” Before I can say hey back, he leans in and pulls me in for a kiss.

I didn’t even have time to say, my sisters are still here. Once I feel his lips on mine, I want him to stay forever.

Something moves by our legs. I pull away, and Nikhil is standing there smiling up at both of us.

“Hi, buddy. Ready to go?” he asks. Poppy gets up and starts to hug Kayla, Finn, and Chance.

Kayla whispers something into Nikhil’s ear. He nods, and they both giggle.

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