Page 32 of Dom 3
Pops stood behind her near the bar, with his glass of bourbon in his hand, smiling the way only a proud father could. His eyes always said more than his mouth ever did because he wasn’t aman of many words, but I loved hearing his stories from back in the day because he was worse than his boys back then.
O’Shynn grinned, pulling away. “We couldn’t miss mama’s cooking!”
“You got that right,” Dique called from the couch, holding a plate in one hand and a piece of cornbread in the other. “We been waitin’ on y’all. I had to sneak a second plate; she act like she didn’t even wanna let us have seconds when she knew ya’ll was comin’. Talkin’ ‘bout we gotta save some food for ya’ll. Almost pissed me off. We don’t feed no dogs.”
“You the damn dog she was talkin’ about,” O’Shynn shot back, laughing.
“Watch your mouth in my house,” Mrs. Darlene shot back at her, smacking her lips. “This my day to be classy.”
Everyone laughed, as the sound filled every corner of the living room. I felt that love all over me, which was the reminder that even in our world, love still existed. Then my eyes caught Keondra sitting on the couch next to little Amour. She looked up at me with a smirk, and I swear for a second I forgot everything else. Her hair was bone straight and sleek back, with light makeup, and a decent outfit too. It was a soft tan dress that hugged her curves with gold accents. She looked put together, and confident, which was nothing like the girl I met before. I walked over and hugged her tightly.
“You look beautiful,” I whispered. “Carmen’s touch still holding strong.”
She giggled holding onto me a little longer. “You the reason I even halfway fit in here. I been practicin’ everything you told me. It ain’t that bad. Shit, when I’m outside, I’ma act right but when I’m home, I’ma cut the fuck up again.”
I grinned and leaned back, proud. “You’re doing more than fitting in, Ke. You’re belonging now and don’t forget that.”
Her smile grew wide. “Thank you.”
I could tell she had never in her life had guidance before, but I didn’t mind helping her. Before I could say anything else, Mrs. Delores’s voice boomed again. “Come get this baby, Marlon. I’m about to steal all of her time before she leaves so you better get in where you fit in.”
Everybody turned toward the center of the room where Amour was sitting on her lap, giggling, with sticky hands and a bright smile. Mrs. Darlene was feeding her fruit like she was royalty.
“Grandma, I want another one,” Amour said, reaching for more grapes.
Mrs. Darlene chuckled and kissed her forehead. “You can have the whole damn bowl, baby. Grandma don’t say no to that face.”
Pops leaned down, laughing under his breath. “Don’t let her spoil that child Dique.”
“Too late,” Dique replied, grabbing Amour and tossing her gently in the air. She squealed, laughing so loud even Mrs. Darlene’s smile got bigger as she watched. “You hear that, baby girl? Grandma already got you wrapped up.”
“Grandma the boss,” Amour said proudly.
Mrs. Darlene snapped her fingers. “You damn right I am!”
I took a seat on the arm of the couch next to Dom. He was leaned back with a calmness in his eyes and a black tee hugging his chest with his chain glistening under the light. It just made no sense for one man to be so damn fine from head to toe. He looked up at me when I sat down and automatically placed his hand on my thigh like it belonged there. That small touch alone made something inside me melt. Mrs. Darlene must’ve noticed, because her head slightly tilted to the side and her eyes shot from me to Dom, then back again. Her smile started slowly, looking mischievous; one of those almost knowing kind of smiles.
“Mmhmm,” she said, tapping her nail against her glass. “That glow right there ain’t from no spa treatment girl.”
O’Shynn’s eyes widened, and her mouth was already half open. “Oh no…” she started.
Mrs. Darlene pointed straight at me, grinning like she’d just won a bet. “Don’t play with me, Carmen. That’s a mama’s glow if I ever seen one.”
The whole room got quiet, and everyone’s eyes landed on me. Dique froze mid bite waiting to see what was up. Pops raised a brow, waiting for confirmation and even little Amour looked up like she understood what was happening right now although she had no clue and could care less. She was just being a kid. Dom rubbed his jaw. I looked at him, with my heart skipping and he gave me that small head nod as if to say I might as well tell them.
I exhaled, smiling softly. “She’s right.”
The room erupted. Mrs. Darlene jumped up with her hands to her chest, shouting, “I knew it! I knew it! Lord, you done blessed me again!” She grabbed Pops’s arm, shaking him. “You hear that, Marlon? We gon’ have another grandbaby!”
Pops laughed, deep and proud. “I heard her, woman. You ain’t gotta shake the walls down.”
Dique clapped his hands, laughing loud too. “Boyyyy, look at you, Dom! The Miami King really out here buildin’ an empire! Congrats my King.”
O’Shynn got up and hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe. “Again, I’m so happy for you!”
I laughed, overwhelmed by the love swarming around me because they were truly the family that I never had the chance to have. Mrs. Darlene had tears in her eyes now, smiling wide as she cupped my face.
“You deserve this, baby. You’ve been through enough storms to earn some sunshine,” she said softly. “That baby is going to be blessed, you hear me. Blessed.”
