Page 62 of Breeze and Melodie

“None of your business, nosy.” He mimicked me before kissing my forehead and heading to where all the men were gathered.

Yvonne and Mari joined us after greeting my parents. Harmonee wasn’t too far behind them.

“So, Harm, is it official? Are you moving to Onyx City and joining the crew?” Raine asked.

“It’s official!” she exclaimed.

“Ayyee! Welcome to the team,” Raine said, pulling her into a hug.

Yvonne and Mari welcomed her with hugs as well, then Raine asked how our parents had taken the news.

“At first, they were shocked, but it turned into excitement. It’ll take them a while to get used to my absence,” she shared.

“Food’s ready!” my mother shouted over the chatter.

The menu included spaghetti, fried catfish, garlic bread, salad, corn on the cob, and grilled asparagus. I hadn’t eatenmuch and was starving, so I was at the front of the line. Breeze was behind me and inspected what I had on my plate.

“Is that plate for me?” he asked.

I looked back and forth between my plate and Breeze. “Umm, it wasn’t, but you can have it. I’ll just make another one.”

“I’m just playing with you, baby. I wouldn’t take food from you and my babies.”

He whispered the last part and kissed my forehead before making his own plate. A few minutes later, he sat next to me at one of the tables my parents had set up in the backyard. The tables were set up so that everyone could converse with one another.

After I finished my food, I went to the dessert table. The cake I ordered to surprise my parents was delivered right before our surprise guests arrived. The timing was perfect because my parents were distracted. I turned the music down, gaining everyone’s attention.

“Now that I have everyone’s attention, we have a few announcements. First, I would like to congratulate my sister, Harmonee, for graduating from cosmetology school, passing her state licensing exam, and becoming a licensed cosmetologist. I can’t tell you how honored I am that you followed in my footsteps, and I’m excited to work beside you.”

“Don’t make me cry, Mel.”

“I’m not trying to make you cry. I’m just telling the truth.”

“Thank you, Sis, and everyone at Black Reign, for giving me the opportunity.”

I gave everyone a moment to congratulate her, and her smile was as wide as the backyard while they did so.

“Next, I would like to wish my mother a happy birthday. It’s hard to decide what to gift a woman who doesn’t want a big celebration and is the least materialistic person I know. Hopefully, our surprise will be the perfect gift.”

“And the gift that keeps on giving,” Breeze added as he joined me, wrapping his hand around my waist.

“I can’t wait to see what it is,” my mother said, pretending as if she didn’t know I was pregnant.

“Baby, can you get the cake?”

Breeze nodded and disappeared behind me, returning a few seconds later with the cake.

“Ma, I got your favorite cake from your favorite bakery, but it’s actually for you, Daddy, and Harmonee. I want you to open the box together so you can see it at the same time.”

Breeze took the cake to the table where the three of them were seated. My father and sister looked at me suspiciously while my mother smiled and softly clapped her hands. When Breeze stood next to me again, I counted down from three, and my parents and sister lifted the lid to the box.

“Wait a minute,” Ma said, sounding a bit confused.

“Twice the bless—Hold up. Mel, you’re pregnant with twins!” Harmonee exclaimed.

“Oh my God! My baby is having twins!” my mother shrieked.

“Now that’s what I call a surprise! C’mere, baby girl!” Daddy shouted.

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