Page 133 of I Don't Want You Back

Chapter 40

“I know that y’all are used to having your own rooms, but this is only temporary. The room is big enough for me to fit two twin beds and some more furniture. I’ll get y’all a game and tv to put in here too. It’ll take some time, but I just need y’all to be patient with me. I’ll make good on my promises,” Malia said as she looked at her sons.

With the help of her mother, Malia had just signed the lease on her new apartment. Cora co-signed for her and she even paid her rent up for three months. She was so proud of her daughter for taking steps in the right direction. Malia worked a full-time job and went to school. Aside from spending time with her sons, she stayed inside and hit the books. Cora was happy to do whatever she could to help, but Malia had to promise not to tell her sisters. They would have a fit if they knew that Cora had their younger sister living in an upscale apartment while they called the projects their home. Malia was different though. She wasn’t as tough as she sister were. She was fragile, and Cora knew that.

“Do y’all like it?” Malia asked after they had looked around for a while.

“Yeah,” Lennox replied.

“Faryn used to live back here, right dad?” Lance asked while looking up at his father.

“Really?” Malia questioned while looking to Landon for an answer.

“Yeah, but she lived in another building,” Landon replied.

When Malia told him that she had an apartment, he wanted to see where it was for himself. He had to make sure that his boys were in a decent neighborhood. Malia asked him to meet her at her new apartment with their kids, and Landon happily obliged. He was pleasantly surprised when she sent him the address to Faryn’s old apartment complex. The area was nice, and the apartments were nicer. They had a gym, playground, and three swimming pools. He would definitely feel comfortable with his boys being over there.

“I have a living room and bedroom set already. Y’all can sleep in the bed and I’ll get a blow-up mattress for when y’all visit,” Malia said.

“Can we get bean bags like we have in our rooms at home?” Lance asked.

“Yeah, I’ll get y’all some.” Malia smiled.

“Come on Lennox. Let’s go outside on the balcony,” Lance said to his little brother.

“Look, I’ll get whatever they need for their bedrooms when you move in. I’m not trying to have my kids sleeping on no floor,” Landon said once they were gone.

“Seriously Landon? I’ll sleep on the floor before I put my babies down there. I have a king-sized bed and it’s all theirs whenever they come over,” Malia replied.

“You don’t have to do that Malia. I got whatever they need. When are you moving?” Landon asked.

“Hopefully, next weekend,” she replied.

“Cool, I’ll get my wife to get them some furniture and stuff for their room. I’ll buy their game and tv too,” Landon offered.

“Thanks Landon. I appreciate everything that you do. You’re raising them to be great men,” Malia complimented.

“That’s my job.” He shrugged.

“How are your twins?” Malia asked.

“They’re good,” Landon replied.

“How old are they now?” she questioned.

“Three months old today,” Landon answered.

“Wow, they’re getting out the way fast. They look so much like you and their big brothers. Lennox and Lance are always showing me pictures. I’m surprised they’re not with you now,” Malia said.

“Nah, my wife is hanging with her brothers and sister and she took them with her,” Landon replied.

It felt weird for Malia hearing him call somebody else his wife and talking about other kids besides their own. It was also weird now that she knew that Faryn’s brothers were Roman and Chad. Her sons told her that they were always at the house and that was crazy to her. Landon embracing the man that she left him for was odd, in her opinion. He and Roman never did have any bad blood, so maybe he didn’t see it that way. He was his brother-in-law now and they seemed to get along great. Malia was the one who looked like a fool, but she was trying to get herself together.

“I know that you probably don’t care anymore, but I want to say it anyway. I’m sorry for how I left you and our kids. I was selfish, and I didn’t think about anybody but myself. We were so young when we got married and had kids, and I just felt like something was missing. I regret a lot of decisions that I made and that was the biggest one,” Malia confessed.

“That’s water until the bridge now Malia. Everything happens for a reason and things were destined to happen the way they did.” Landon shrugged.

“I agree, but I just felt the need to apologize for my actions. You were a great husband and father, Landon. I don’t want you to think that it was something that you did wrong because it wasn’t. You did all that you could to make me and our kids happy. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s you and I’m happy that you found it,” Malia said.

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