“Che-Che, this child is accepted and loved. Obasi may be stubborn but you’re his pride and joy. He’s going to love him as much as he loves you. There’s nothing he won’t do for you and loving this child is included. Malachi Afor Atkins is accepted and welcomed. Isn’t that right, Obasi?”
My mother was always going to be a mother. I knew she wouldn’t let me leave here without knowing where she stood. It had nothing to do with the way Dad ran his family. I grew in her womb, and she would never abandon me.
“She’s my only child and his only mother. Of course, he’s welcomed. I love my daughter too much to see her turn away from me. That would hurt me more than anything in this world. Rest easy baby girl, Malachi Afor will be treated as royalty,” he assured me ignoring the Atkins I attached to his name.
Tears. All I could do was sit there and cry a pool of tears. I just knew I would have to beg and plead for forgiveness, their support, and whatever else. However, they showed me that the love for your child could make anyone go against their own will to protect them. They did that for me, and I was doing it for my son.
Black wasn’t around to love him, but I had it covered until he was. I wasn’t going to let anyone make him an option in their life. He was either a priority or nothing at all to you. Royce taught me early on to be confident and certain about every decision I made behind my son. I’d cut off whoever necessary to ensure he live a life surrounded by the purest love.
We engaged in a hug where I was the center of my parents’ attention. All I cared about was baby boy having all of me. Obasi and Chinara were pieces of me and all I truly had. Nesh was a plus one and already loving him like her own. My side was accounted for, so he didn’t have to second guess a thing this way.
“Thank you. I know it’ll take a lot of convincing for his father, but I’m good for now,” I jested.
“That criminal will never be accepted,” my father reiterated. He wasn’t going to let me think otherwise.
“I think he will. Just give me some time to wear you down. I always do,” I said chuckling.
“Seriously, Cheyonne, is that a man you see yourself with? He kidnapped you and held you at gun point. You let us come and see you once after it happened. We were worried and couldn’t sleep most nights baby girl. You weren’t the only one going through the motions. Now you pop up months later with a protruding belly. I understand now why we kept at a distance with just a phone call, ” my father expressed.
Parents always had a life built for you and the kind of person they wanted you to marry. Black was nowhere near being the upstanding guy they envisioned for me. He defied everything about it, but he cared for me in ways a man never had. So tough but the softest nigga with me. They would grow to like and eventually love him much like I did.
“I have hopes that he’ll forgive me for what I did. My assumptions put him there and he just let me do it too. He didn’t object to it knowing it wasn’t him. Mama how do I apologize and drop a bomb like this when or if he gets out?” I questioned pointing to my belly.
“Be a woman and don’t run away from your problems. If this guy is as nice as you say, let him know about Malachi and go from there. We don’t live in fear, Che-Che. You know this,” my mother advised.
There was a lot of things I knew but none of them applied to my view on Black now that I had time to reflect on the entire situation. Having an incurable disease and not expecting much from anyone had always been my mindset. However, Black didwhat a stranger wouldn’t. I think I fell for him unaware of the things that laid ahead.
“He makes me nervous with his unpredictability, Mama,” I whined.
“You don’t know each other baby. You won’t really know him until you live with him and that’s the God honest truth. Take your time and just see what each day brings. Being in this kind of space at such a young age seems so chaotic. I won’t tell you not to be with him, but I am warning you on the stress that lies ahead. You see the path he’s on now so keep that in mind,” she advised. My mother was going to tread lightly every time while my father just didn’t give a care if it hurt my feelings or not.
A path I sent him down.
“Thanks Mama. I’m heading upstairs to get some rest.”
“Are you not eating with us?” she questioned pointing to the pot on the stove.
Shaking my head for the umpteenth time today, I said, “Not right now. I’m a little tired. Let me nap and I’ll be down to spend time with you guys.”
“That’s fine. Get some rest and join us when you can. Obasi and I will be in the family room.”
Nodding, I gave them both hugs and headed upstairs to my old room. Sticking up for my child was draining but worth every second. I’d always been a confident woman and now that I was a mom, that trait skyrocketed several levels. I was confident in my love for him, in protecting his peace, and making sure he received genuineness all the way around the board. I wasn’t second guessing a thing behind him or if someone wasn’t for him.
Sitting on my bed, I placed my hand on my belly and smiled. I went from being nervous and unsure to knowing for certain what kind of life I wanted us to have. Malachi Afor Atkins had amother that would and could give him the world. All he needed to do was live and I had the rest.
It had been quitea while since I showed my face at LOL Modeling Agency. After everything hit the news, I was embarrassed and disgusted with everything. More cautious than anything afraid that Black’s family would retaliate. As soon as I found out he was an Atkins, I thought of the rumors Nesh informed me on and just knew they were coming after me. It was a shocker that they didn’t. It was even more surprising when I got a Royce different from others.
Walking through the revolving doors, I expected many to stop and stare for two reasons. The kidnapping must’ve been hard to hear but seeing me walk through with a belly was going to spark conversation for real. However, I was no longer ashamed of the things that transpired. I could face them and many more.
The first person to stare was Halona. Her eyes were as big as saucers, and I was sure she had thoughts that couldn’t process. Not to make it more awkward than it already was, I decided to break the ice and speak to everyone in the lobby. I might as well had got it over with in one setting than to prolong it.
“Good morning, everyone. Halona, how are things around here?” I questioned her.
“E-Everything’s good, Ms. Afor. Wow. I was not expecting that,” she said aloud. Her hands flew to her mouth covering it seconds later. Her intrusive thoughts won.
“No one did. Before the questions fire off, I am a hundred percent okay. Some things hit the news so if you were worried, thank you. I am truly fine and yes, I am pregnant,” I statedslowly rubbing my stomach. “Let’s keep in mind, my business is my business. Let’s not let it get you fired. Have a good day everyone.”
The smile stayed as I strutted to the elevators. It was nine in the morning and my first appointment was in thirty minutes. Getting back in the saddle at seven months was crazy, but I still had a business to run. I sent so many flowers to Toneshia this morning for carrying the company on her shoulders during my leave. She was my lifeline in more ways than one.
