I stood outside the door of my former home, hoping that she and I could be peaceful as I held their Christmas gifts. Mama, who never cared for Joi, remained at my house while I picked up Sekani. Joi hated being ignored, and I hated arguing, which all it would’ve been if I answered. She opened the door, wearing a slight frown.
“Merry Christmas.” I greeted. “Have gifts for you and Kani. Figured we can open them together before he comes with me.”
Her frown deepened. “You don’t have to buy me anymore gifts. We’re not together, remember?”
I sucked my teeth. “You’re still the mother of my son. If I showed up with gifts just for Sekani, you would be pissed. But hey, save me some money and thoughts about what to get you.”
Joi glared. “Whatever, Carter.”
Barely holding on to my exasperation, I asked calmly, “Are you going to let me in, or do you want Kani to get in the car? Doesn’t matter to me if this is the attitude you’re going to give me.”
She glanced behind her, stepped outside, and closed the door. I backed up to give us space, set the gifts on the ground beside us, and warned myself to hold my tongue no matter what she said.
Joi crossed her arms and blew out a large breath. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been calling you and texting you like that. We’re not together for a reason. A decision I made first. You never post anyone, and when I saw that you posted her, a woman that I sensed you were attracted to, it brought back the good, sexy memories of us. And I wanted you again. Even if we had hooked up for old times’ sake, we would eventually remember that we don’t work.” She stubbed the toe of her fluffy slipper. “I was feeling lonely because it’s the holidays, which are already rough for me.”
“I know. I’m trying to keep the peace, which is why I didn’t answer or respond.”
Joi sighed, “Believe it or not, I’m trying to as well. It’s why I’m taking myself out of the equation. Kani is old enough for you to communicate with him directly. I’ll make myself scarce when I know you’re coming here. He’ll be driving soon, and then he can drive to see you. You won’t have to come here too much longer.” She looked back at the house. “I want to sell it anyway. Too many memories. Hard for me to move on when I still sleep in the same bed we shared. We can split the money once it’s sold.”
“You can keep it. Use it to get you a nice, smaller place. You always thought it was too big for us,” I quietly replied. “Whatever you need to be okay with us not being together, I’ll respect. Whether you ever believe me, I didn’t cheat on you. I never talked, flirted, or entertained another woman until we broke up. I wanted forever, I really did. But I can see how I triggered you.”
Her eyes glistened, and her lips curved slightly. “One thing I will never complain about is how you took care of me and of us. It’s why I fell in love with you and why I stayed as long as I did. I got some major issues to work out. Thought it was all you and realized it’s me. Maybe therapy, or maybe it’s me starting fresh. After Sekani graduates next year, I’m moving back to Texas. Don’t want to take him away from you, his doctors, and his friends.” She smiled wider. “Need to get back to me. Maybe go back to school. My people back there, and I need to be home. I was only here because this is where you are. L.A. not for me.”
“I feel that.” I shifted from one foot to the other. “So, do you want your gifts or not? Because I got you some nice shit.”
She laughed out loud. “Yeah, I want my gifts. I was being petty. Merry Christmas, Carter.”
“Merry Christmas.” I pulled her into my arms and embraced her. “Thank you for waiting to move until he graduates.”
She rested her head on my chest and inhaled deeply. “Mm...I miss these hugs the most.”
I chuckled to myself.I must really give good hugs.
Chapter 8
Brooklyn
“Yeah.” I cheered and clapped my gloved hands together and said to the young woman who went into labor three weeks early and was all alone as she delivered a healthy baby boy. “You have a Christmas miracle.”
The new mother smiled and held her baby to her naked chest. “Should I feed him?”
“Yes...he needs to be skin-to-skin so the world is not such a crazy place after being inside of Mommy for so long. Put him closer to your breast. Is he rooting?” I peered at the precious newborn whose eyes were closed as instinct steered him toward his mother’s nipple. “He’s ready. It might sting, but it’ll pass.”
“He latched. He latched.” Tears started running down her face. “Thank you, Dr. Kelley, for taking over. I didn’t like that other doctor who treated me like I didn’t matter. She ignored my birth plan and was about to do a C-section. If you didn’t step in, I would’ve had an unnecessary procedure that I never wanted and a scar for no reason. You made me feel like what I wanted mattered and helped me get through this. I didn’t expect to be alone, and he came so fast.” She sniffed. “If you ever have a clinic or something, I would come to you. You’re too good for this place. I can tell you that now.”
I patted her arm. “I appreciate your words. I’m also trained as an OB doctor, which is why they sent me up here when we realized that your doctor wouldn’t be here on time. And you and your little one are special. Tonight, you did one of the hardest and most dangerous things in this world on the most magicalday. Do you have anyone I can call since we can both breathe now?”
She looked down at her sleeping baby. “It’s just him and me. Came here from St. Louis to write screenplays, fell for the wrong man, now I’m a reluctant single mother.”
“You mean a grateful single mother who realized before it was too late she was dealing with a deadbeat,” I gently corrected. “Women have been raising these babies alone since the beginning of time. You got this. And if you’re struggling, I know a community center that has support groups for single mothers. It takes a village.”
“And you’re part of it. Thank you.” She kissed the top of her son’s head. “He’s my very own Christmas gift.”
“He is.” I smiled. “Your regular doctor will stop by in the morning to check on you, and she might even release you by tomorrow evening. I’ll be leaving soon. The nurse will be here in a few to check on you. For now, rest and bond with your new little one.”
She reached for my hand again. “Thanks for giving me hope that everything will be alright.”
“Three Little Birds. I play that sometimes when I’m feeling overwhelmed.”
