Page 64 of Pieces of Us

Having a kid wasn’t something that I’d always dreamed about, but it had always been on my agenda when Morgan and I were together. We always had talks of being married, having children,and living in this very home. The night before I left for college, we both were emotional—her more than me, but knowing that I was leaving her behind had a nigga sad as hell.

I wasn’t thinking about protecting us, and it all happened so fast, so I knew she wasn’t thinking either. That night produced this fourteen year old that had my house full of teenagers that I was about to put out. These little heathens were live as hell, but the smile on my baby’s face was priceless.

I had no idea how I was living without her in my life. In the matter of a month, she had shown me what true love really meant. Coupled with having Morgan back in my life, I was a grateful man.

The DJ mixed the tunes while my uncle Trent manned the grill. If uncle Trent didn’t know how to do shit else, he knew how to grill.

I had to put my eagle eyes on because Megan neglected to tell me that she was inviting boys to the party. Although my family was in attendance, I still kept my eyes on these little horn ball niggas.

Morgan emerged from the patio doors rocking a teal one-piece with cut out sides, a sheer teal cover up, and gold three-inch sandals. Her hair was wild and curly with a pair of gold-tinted glasses. She had her little mama on her hip matching her fly with her hair wild and curly too.

My heart galloped as I let out a slow breath. A nigga had been waiting to exhale since our separation. She walked around hugging everybody, and when she got to my father, I watched their exchange. My pops was never mean to Morgan, but I could tell because of who her father was, he kept his distance. He would speak and be cordial, but he never showed her any affection. Of course, Morgan took it as he didn’t like her, but I knew my pops was cautious because of who she was connected to.

I watched as they said a few words, then he tickled Mariah’s side and she erupted in a fit of giggles. He then hugged Morgan and kissed her cheek just as Megan walked up. She wrapped her arms around my pops and he cringed from her being wet and laughed while kissing her forehead. I grabbed a beer from the cooler and made my way over to them.

“Daddy, are you getting in the pool with us?” Megan asked.

“In a minute, baby girl.”

“Okay. Come on, Mariah.”

“Him not you daddy,” Mariah blurted out.

We all looked at each other before Morgan kissed her cheek.

“He is, Honey Bee. Your sister has two dads now.”

“Can me have two daddies too? Pleeease!”

“Soon, little one,” I assured her.

“Yayyy! I like you now, Megan.”

“Yay! Come on. Let’s go swim.”

“Make sure you put on her floaters and goggles,” Morgan told Megan.

“I know. I know.” She took Mariah and walked off.

I slid my arm around Morgan’s waist and kissed her temple. I looked at my pops, and he smiled at us.

“Y’all look real good together. Picture perfect as it should have been.” He patted my shoulder before he walked off as well. I looked down at Morgan and smiled.

“Hey, sexy.”

She smiled up at me. “Hey, handsome. Can I talk to you in private?”

I nodded and took her hand, leading her back inside. I felt bad for Leann as I looked around the house at all the shit she was going to have to clean. I wouldn’t put it all on her, though. I was going to help her since this was my daughter’s birthday.

I led Morgan into my den and poured us a drink. I was almost sure she wanted to talk to me about her father, so I prepared myself to tell her that I warned her about what I was going to do.

I handed her the drink. “Talk to me, baby.”

“Did you beat up my dad?”

“I did.”

She paused, biting the inside of her jaw, looking worried.

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