Those sharp eyes were growing colder by the second reminding me so much of Black. For them not to know one another, they showed similar traits. I truly didn’t care about his icy demeanor though. He was in my home trying to run things and that wasn’t how shit was about to go. The irritancy with him and his wife was sky high. She had no right to utter a word about my pregnancy if it was one. The visit itself was overwhelming, and I could feel myself starting to slip into that space.
“Look, I’d like you and your husband to leave my home, Klarity. I’m no longer comfortable with you two here. Hell, if I’m being honest, I never was.” Standing, I gestured for them to exit the same way they entered. Their presence was never wanted in the first place.
Klarity was a sweet soul but with her husband around, his entitled and intimidating behavior overshadowed her as a whole. Also, you could tell that she went with whatever he proposed. The way they played off each other’s sentences and actions said it all. They were one and the synchronization between the two were unmatched. I could only hope for a relationship as strong as theirs. He listened to everything she told him. Despite the bullshit they brought, I admired their marriage.
“Take the fuckin’ test, and we’ll gladly leave,” Royce wasn’t letting up.
“She ain’t got to do a bitch ass thing. This her shit and her business. I’m getting real irritated with you and yo’ bitch,” Nesh spewed.
“Watch yo’ fuckin’ mouth,” Royce warned her. He was on his feet reaching for his waist when Klarity grabbed his arm. Sheshook her head, and he rocked his head from side to side flexing his jaws.
“Or what nigga?” Nesh asked stepping up still holding her gun.
“Toneshia, is it? I’m sure you love Cheyonne dearly. I can see she’s of importance to you, but this man right here, he’s my life so if you value yours, I’d point that gun to someone other than him from now on. Oh, and watch your mouth. I have a few months left to carry. Don’t fuck around and get added to my plans. I’ll spank that ass before feeding my family for dinner. Watch it,” Klarity chimed and those same cold eyes Royce had, were now mirroring hers. They were indeed a union. I had to admit that was some fly ass shit.
Looking over at Nesh, she stood with a stern look still gripping her gun. She never let it go, and I had to commend her for being the one that housed no fear because I was starting to get a little frightened. She was talking shit, but the room grew cold moments ago. There was no doubt in my mind that Royce, hell, Klarity too was about to show her why the Atkins were consideredthefamily of Sage Springs.
“It’s fine, Toneshia, and Klarity, please understand she’s just overprotective of me. Don’t be offended,” I said trying to warm the room again.
“Oh, I’m only offended by her disrespecting my husband, that bitch word don’t faze me. If this was the other way around, my cousin Serinity would’ve walked both of y’all down already, so we’re good. I am curious about the results though, which is why I said something. You’re taking on our kids as their agent, so we’ll naturally be close. I just want to break the barrier, that’s all. I overstepped, but it was with good intentions. Sorry,” she apologized with a grimacing face.
Waving her off, I grabbed the test from Nesh and headed for the bathroom. I could see why both Royce and Klarity were curious. It would be their niece or nephew if I was.
Closing the door, I peeled open each test that remained in the bag and the one in tow. There were small paper cups I kept in the mirror for those that needed to rinse their mouth out. I grabbed a few before sitting on the toilet. I was more than nervous but I felt like I knew what the results would be before taking them. Black and I exchanged fluids so much that night the real shocker would be if they came back negative.
Finishing up, each test sat on the sink in a line. After washing my hands, I stood waiting nervously and unsure of what to do. A knock came through on the door startling me. I opened it expecting it to be Nesh but instead it was Royce. He had softer eyes for me this time than those icy ones he’d thrown my way the entire time he’d been here.
“You aight?” he asked showing a more caring side. Nodding, I released a deep sigh as I continued pulling at my fingers. I didn’t really know what to say to him. “I talk a lot of shit, but I take care of my family. That goes for all Atkins. If that’s my blood, I got you. I mean, you really don’t need a nigga. This house big as fuck. Nevertheless, I don’t want you to think you doing this shit by yo’self.”
“Tuh. Am I supposed to believe that?” I said walking back into the bathroom to the sinks.
He stepped in and came to stand beside me. We spoke through the mirror and for some reason, I felt like he could see right through me. “I hope so. I don’t play ‘bout my people.” His eyes shifted to the test on the sink causing a chuckle to rumble in his chest. “And whether you want to accept it or not, they will have me. That’s my blood you carrying.”
My focus followed his going from test to test reading the same result. Obasi and Chinara were official grandparents.I found myself in a situation that granted me a path of unconditional love. A child wasn’t in my future plans. Hell, if I was being honest, a man wasn’t either. However, I ended up with both.
Get a grip, Che-Che. You and Black are not together and this crazy nigga Royce ain’t as friendly as he’s playing. Snap out of it.
“Royce, I don’t need anything from you or your brother for that matter. You have your answer now leave my home,” I said picking the tests up and trashing them.
I went to walk pass him when he pulled me in for a side hug. “Come here mane. Stop all this tough girl shit. You pregnant with an Atkins. Hold up. It is an Atkins, right?”
“What? Move,” I said pushing him away, but he brought me right back.
“Aye don’t beat my ass, but I’ll take that as a yes. Shit, I ain’t know how you got down. I had to check, Brat.”
Lifting my head up, I looked into his eyes. I didn’t know what I was searching for, but I was searching. That name was used by Black and Black alone. Hearing that again caused my heart to ache.
“Why would you call me that? Did he tell you about me? What the hell was that, Royce?” I was firing off questions back-to-back.
“What? Brat? Girl, you really do favor a Bratz Doll. Shit, I ain’t ‘bout to keep calling you Cheyonne. That’s too long for me,” he jested.
“It has the same number of syllables as your wife.” Pushing him off me again, I shook my head exiting the bathroom with him right behind me.
Once I entered the living room, Nesh was on her feet and coming toward me. She gave me a onceover looking for anything out of place. I knew she was itching to take her frustrations outon Royce. I offered a small laugh because she really was my protector. I loved this woman dearly.
“Damn, Luca Brasi, she straight. All I did was talk to her. My Baby you got a partner in crime with that pregnancy shit now. Brat pregnant, too,” he said smiling.
Smacking my lips, I shook my head. He was already running his mouth. “Royce don’t go telling everybody. My business is my business, but you and your wife seem to enjoy it. I really just want to keep this on the low, so please allow me to tell Bla… Genesis on my own time,” I voiced hoping they wouldn’t broadcast it.
