“Boy, fuck you. You’re damn right I’m messy, and my messiness is the reason you might have a chance to get your family back. You really should be thanking me,” Janae quipped.
“Well, if that’s the case, I might need to buy you something nice.”
“I prefer my appreciation in the form of Chanel or bundles. Whichever works best for you.”
“Y’all are something else. Where are my girls at?” I noticed Tyeis and Yaya in the kitchen, but I didn’t see any signs of Peace.
“She’s in the guest room upstairs putting on Promise’s bathing. The kids are all outside swimming, and she wanted to play with the kids,” Ciyani told me.
“Alright. Let me go up here and see my baby before she gets in the pool. You’d better tell Orion and Cartier to watch out for my baby. I don’t have a problem fighting those little niggas about my princess.”
“If you touch my little brother, I’m jumping in. You might be like a brother to me, but you already know how I’m coming behind Cayden and Cartier. I’ll jump right on that thick ass back of yours. Don’t try me, Dreaux. Now, go up there and handle your business.” Ciyani held her finger in my face as her last warning.
“I thought we were better than that.”
“We won’t be better until you make things right with our girl. I don’t know what you have going on, but I know the type of person you are. You might be a dickhead at times, but you’re a good man. You deserve your happy ending, too.”
Ciyani’s words made me uncomfortable, because a part of me felt defeated. On top of dealing with the bullshit with Belleza, I had to deal with Peace being in a relationship. As much as I tried to pretend I wasn’t bothered, it was fucking with my head. I thought I would have time to fix things before she thought about dating, but time wasn’t on my side.
“I hear you, sis. I really do.”
I jogged up the stairs to find Peace and Promise.
It only took a few seconds to find them because I heard my baby’s voice as I walked down the hall. I didn’t bother to knock because I could tell she was running around.
“Where’s my pretty girl?” I called out as I stepped into the room.
“I wight here, daddy!” She leaped into my arms before I could bend over to pick her up. I rained kisses all over her face while she held onto my neck like a vice grip.
“I missed you so much.”
“I miss you more. See my shwim suit? It’s twolls.” Promise pointed out the characters on her bathing suit and told me their names, even though I already knew. I listened intently, though.
“What’s up, baby momma? How’ve you been?”
We hadn’t spoken much since I delivered her car. She tried to decline it, but I made it clear that she didn’t have a choice.
“I’m fine. I might regret saying this, but I’m happy you’re home. This little girl has been giving everyone hell since you’ve been gone. I told you were creating a monster, but you wouldn’t listen. Now, we all have to suffer when you decide to leave town. Next time, take her with you.”
“Hey! I not a monster, mommy.” Promise laughed because she knew she did whatever it was her momma said she did.
“My bad. I wasn’t planning to be gone so long, but I’ll make better accommodations next time. Daddy doesn’t like it when his baby is sad.” I kissed Promise’s cheeks, sending her into another fit of giggles. The sound of her laughter gave me an indescribable peace. I needed it with all of the chaos around me.
“Are you okay? You seem a little off,” Peace questioned.
I wasn’t sure how to answer her because the answer to her question was loaded.
“I’ve got a lot of shit on my plate. Nothing I can’t handle, though.”
“Daddy, don’t say shit. Dats a bad word.”
I turned my head to hide the grin on my face, but it was pointless.
“I’m sorry, pretty. I won’t say it again,” I lied.
“Knock. Knock.” Yaya’s little sister, Maleah, peered her head into the room.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Ciyani sent me up here to get Promise so y’all could talk.” I chuckled as Promise reached for her.
