Page 53 of Chrome

“They won’t disrespect you because of their love for me. They won’t disrespect you period because you a grown ass woman and they know how to talk to people. You ain’t got nothing to worry about,” he assured me.

Nodding, he hopped out and came around to help me out. I was a little nervous, but it was what it was. My child would be in their care just as much as they would ours. I had to develop trust and bonds if I wanted a smooth life moving forward.

Walking up to the door hand in hand, I lowkey cowered behind Chrome as he turned the knob. He was the dominant one in this relationship, and I was just at a space where I didn’t want to stress. I needed him to take the wheel on this. Plus, he knew his people best. If he could control them, I would be good to go.

Entering, the smell of collard greens smacked me dead in the face. It smelled so fuckin’ good in here. My stomach felt empty immediately. However, I knew I couldn’t engage until the dinner. He wanted us all to eat together including the BMG crew as one. We were his family and I accepted all that knowing there was no turning back.

“Ma, Pops, where y’all at?” Chrasmere shouted for them.

“In the kitchen baby. Come here,” his mother shouted.

Chrasmere looked back at me and asked, “You straight?” I nodded and he gave me a light kiss on my forehead. It was exactly what I needed.

I was ushered to the kitchen where his parents sat at the table sharing a glass of wine. I was so jealous that they got to enjoy alcohol so freely. I’d been yearning for a glass. Taking in their features, his mother was exceptionally beautiful, and his father was just as handsome as I imagined him. Chrome definitely took after him in many ways.

“It’s about time,” his mother said as she bypassed him and came straight to me for a hug. I hugged her back looking at Chrome to figure out what the hell was going on. He smirked and shrugged. “I’m Niecy and this is my husband Chrasmere Sr.”

“You’re a junior?” I questioned Chrome.

“Fortunately. They were too lazy to go through names and find the best one that fit. Pops don’t really like doing too much,” he said throwing shade at his parents.

“Aye, if I have to live with it so do you. Can’t nobody get us confused with a soul though. We’re torn from a different cloth,” his father chimed. “My son calls you Fade, but I’m sure that isn’t your name.”

“It’s not, it’s Kosha. All of my friends and family call me KoKo though. Feel free to use it as well,” I responded.

“Kosha, I like that. Do you care for a glass of wine?” Niecy asked.

“Uhm, no. Ask me again in January and I’ll gladly accept,” I said not thinking. The room went quiet as I realized I spilled the beans. Chrome just sat there smiling shaking his head. He knew how nervous I was, and this moment showed.

“You’re pregnant?” Niecy inquired stepping back.

“Uh, yeah. Eleven weeks,” I answered in a hushed tone.

They looked at Chrasmere and I could feel the disappointment in the air. I was older and they probably expected him to bring home something younger. I couldn’t control where my feelings settled, and they settled on their son. He was it for me and as much pressure as he applied, I wasn’t gon’ be able to do a damn thing in this city without him.

“She’s knocking on forty’s door. Don’t you think robbing the cradle for a cradle is a lil’ diabolical?” Niecy’s remark offended the fuck out of me. Chrome said they would be respectful because that was the kind of people they were, but I didn’t catch any of that in this moment.

“She is up in age, son,” Sr. added.

“I didn’t ask him to get me pregnant. My thing is, why does it matter how old I am and why does it matter who he has a child with? At the end of the day, I don’t need him to do a bitch ass thing for me or mine. I can handle that like the grown woman I am. Are y’all really on that type of timing? Chrasmere give me the keys to my shit so I can go.” I was hurt on the low. My hormones were already unstable as fuck. I didn’t need this.

I stood with my hand out, and they all busted out in laughter. I didn’t find shit funny. I came to create a bridge so we could have a life where the child had healthy bonds with everyone, where no one got left out the picture. I was trying…

“Okay, okay. We’re just joking. We’ve already been scolded several times over by Chrome and he would never let us openly disrespect you. You’re carrying our grandchild for heaven’s sake. And to address the age thing, Chrome has always loved olderwomen. I just never thought he would bring one home. Is it weird that we’re like five years apart? Most fuckin’ definitely. However, I have never seen my son so serious about a woman or in love. You changed that for him. Me and Steel were teen parents, so we had to learn early. Chrome is our only child due to unforeseen circumstances, but we care about his health and happiness. If you are that for him, then congratulations and welcome to the family. You’re carrying our blood so what more can we object to.” Niecy gave me an earful, but I was glad to see they had a sense of humor.

She threw her arms around me once again and I hugged her back with a sense of relief. I wasn’t here to cause a riff in their family. All I was here to do was love their son. I could’ve gone without the extra.

“I’m sorry baby. This how they play. They joke all day long and only get serious when necessary. She loves her grandchild already and, in a few months, she’ll love you too. She ain’t mean nothing by it.” Chrome was back to reassuring me, but my sensitive ass didn’t want to hear any of that. I thought it was mean a little.

“We really do joke all day, Kosha, and my apologies if you took that any other way. We don’t get to love anyone outside of family and BMG, so this is a nice feeling for us. If it makes you feel any better, that was the first and last time we’ll joke like that.” Sr. was apologetic and I was grateful that they were grown enough to hold themselves accountable. It showed maturity.

“I appreciate it. If only I could drink, I would down a glass of wine right now,” I responded.

“Look, we’re here and family at the end of the day. We have to grow on each other so that’ll take time. Hell, I need a new girlfriend to actually do shit with. Now, we can hang out and shop for the baby. The food is ready and we ‘bout to head to theclubhouse. I know you’re hungry and I want to be able to feed you properly. Chrome, bring her to the clubhouse.”

I looked to Chrome, and he grabbed me by the hand. So much happened so fast and I wasn’t sure on what the hell was going on for real. He escorted me out the house and I was glad he did because the fresh air was needed. I felt suffocated but also my nervousness was still present.

“What the hell was all that?” I questioned the second we hit the porch.

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