Page 39 of Only You

“Girl please is that what you said when he put that baby in you and sat your ass down?” I said and laughed. She rolled her eyesand gave me the middle finger. I nudged her shoulder and laughed again.

“He tried, though, all night long, if you can catch my drift,” I said and smiled hard.

“Ayyyyyyeee,” Jourdan said, giving me a high five. I caught the eye of Brice, who sat across from us, having a private conversation. He winked, then focused his attention back on Steph.

“What do you think they are up to?” I leaned into JoJo to ask.

“It’s no telling, and they call us sneaky, hmph. But they are definitely up to something.

“Did Steph tell you about last night. Nina’s ass sent someone after Brice. Which means they’re coming for us all. I can’t believe I brought y’all into this shit. This is not why I came here. I was supposed to kill her ass and get my damn family back. That’s it and that’s all, but now there’s this. We have to get this handled starting tonight. Same as we talked about,” I said, and she nodded.

“Sounds like a plan. And stop saying shit like that. Did you forget that Nina knows who Stephon is, too, because of Julius? We can only hope he didn’t tell her about their alters. We’re in this together. Family!”

“Aye, Ma. Do you mind keeping the babies for one more night?” Steph yelled into the kitchen and asked.

“Yes, those are Abuela’s babies, and they can move in here if they want. You all enjoy your kid-free weekend; you can come back and pick them up on Sunday. Or don’t,” she said and snickered.

“Ms. Adri, are you trying to steal my baby?” I asked in mirth.

“Do you want me to lie to you?”

“You heard that, didn’t you?” JoJo added. I finally took a minute to look around. Her home felt so homely. The kid’s toys were thrown here and there, and it was calm in the space. I continued my perusal around the living room and stopped at the mantel. On it sat three picture frames. One of Stephon and his father, another with them all together, and the most recent was minus his father but included Jourdan and Angel. That’s when it hit me again, that somberness that likes to sneak in when I least expect it.

“Are you ready to eat, Mija?” Ms. Adri said as she leaned down, touching my shoulders. That’s when I felt this serenity wash over me. I felt safe, loved, and included. Stephon made me feel the same way whenever he touched me, too.

“Eat? That’s all you had to say,” I said as I stood to wash up. Stephon passed me in the hall, gently pushing me out of the way. He called himself, beating me to the bathroom.

“Jourdan, if you don’t get your baby, Al B. Sure, looking husband away from me,” I said, pushing him back.

“How I feel about you,” I sang all off-key to taunt him further.

“Where’s your jean jacket at?” I continued and laughed.

“Now you know what I go through with Brice,” she yelled. Stephon and I stood at the bathroom sink fighting over the soap until I elbowed him in the stomach. He leaned over, grabbing his stomach, laughing.

“Damn, Okoye, did you drink the heart shaped herb? Strong ass.”

“Oh fuck you Steph. Y’all gonna leave my hair alone. Now, that’s what you get,” I said, giving him one more push beforerunning out of the bathroom. When I entered the kitchen, the babies were lying in bouncers, going through two bottles of formula. Jourdan and Brice sat beside each other, leaving me beside Stephon. His mother entered the room, bringing two large Puerto Rican Chicken and Rice dishes. It smelled so good that my mouth began to water. We each piled our plates high, said grace, and dug in.

“Denise told me that you’re the director at A Child’s Haven. She told me that she’s ready for you to come back,” Ms. Adri said.

“Yes, and I’m ready to go back, I’m just trying to make sure that my body is prepared to chase kids around all day,” I answered. Another difference between our parents was that Stephon’s mother had no idea who he was outside of the son she raised. I’d been told not to mention our alternate lifestyles, ever. We were all raised in the game. Maybe things would have turned out differently for us had we not been.

“In speaking of A Child’s Haven. Ma, when will you finally give up the details on Mr. Declan?” JoJo asked.

“Wait, who is Mr. Declan?”

“Oh, that’s Devin’s fine sexy milk chocolate father-in-law,” Jourdan said. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ms. Adri blush. I looked on in confusion because out of all my research, he wasn’t on my radar.

“Watch it, Jourdan,” Stephon said under his breath.

“Or what, Stephon?” Jourdan let out loudly. Stephon gave her one look, and she sank into her chair.

“I’m so sorry, Ma. But I need to know.” Jourdan apologized and continued fishing for information.

“What in the hell do you need to know for JoJo?” Steph said with his face scrunched up. We all heard the chair screech away from the table. Ms. Adri stood and gave us all unyielding looks.

“I am not and will never discuss my love life with any of you because you’re all too immature.”

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