I placed a hand over my heart. “Y’all be calling me Broccoli Head behind my back?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest. I pouted like my feelings were hurt to really sell it.
Shiloh immediately looked guilty. “Sorry, Mommy. Only sometimes, when you make me mad.”
I was supposed to be sad, but I started giggling. My baby looked so innocent; I couldn’t even be mad at him. “Only when I make you mad?” He nodded while holding his hands together in the prayer position.
“Yes, or make me eat broccoli and tell me I can’t fight crime.”
I wanted to be supportive of my baby, so I exhaled heavily. “Okay, since you were so honest, I will allow you to stay up a little longer to practice your moves.”
He cheered happily, then got busy. The three of us watched him do a series of kicks, punches, jumps, and flips. I tried my best not to freak out on the combos that looked dangerous. By the time he finally sat down on his bed, I had to admit he was a pretty good martial artist. I made a mental note to ask Poppa if we should enroll him in some classes.
“Okay, time for bed, boys. Y’all have school in the morning.”
Poppa assisted Shiloh with getting under his covers, while I turned my attention to Solace. He looked like he was deep in thought. “What’s on your mind, pumpkin?” He briefly looked up at me, then toward Poppa, and shook his head. Poppa picked up on it and backed me up.
“What is it? You can talk to us about anything,” he told him in case he needed the reminder.
He sat up slowly. “Can we be a family one day?” he blurted.
Well, I knew I asked what was on his mind, but I was not prepared for his answer at all. My heart raced a little as uncertainty began to creep into the corners of my heart. Was moving in here a bad idea? I was already crossing lines with Poppa, and now this . . . Would my boys be devastated if that never happened? I subconsciously lifted my finger to my mouth and began nibbling on my nail. His question was so unexpected, and now it felt like the pressure was crushing me. What could I say? The truth was that I had a friendship with Poppa and nothing more. His question suggested more when I knew it would never happen, despite my momentary lapse in judgment downstairs. I was just caught up in the moment and in need of a release. That was all.
“Um, baby . . .” I began, but I was cut off by Poppa speaking up.
“We’re already a family, Ace.”
I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until he spoke. The deepest exhale escaped me, and I felt normal again. That was until Ace doubled back with another question that knocked the air from my lungs. “No, I mean, like, will you marry Mommy?”
My panicked eyes found Poppa’s, only to find him smirking. The air in the room swelled with anticipation and uneasiness. “Maybe one day if Broccoli Head is game,” he said teasingly.
I picked up one of Ace’s stuffed animals and tossed it at his head for encouraging this. I should’ve known he wasn’t going tosteer things in the right direction when I saw the mischief in his eyes. Before I could respond, the boys got excited. Shiloh even kicked the covers off himself and sat up as straight as a board.
“Mommy, you’re game, right? You want to be a family with me, Poppa, and Ace?” my baby questioned eagerly. I wanted to smother Poppa with a pillow for getting their hopes up for nothing.
“She’s game,” Ace replied as if he was answering for me. “I can’t wait.”
I palmed my face, trying to gather myself. “For now, we take it day by day and let God handle the rest. Y’all ready for prayers? We almost forgot.” He questioned them, dampening their excitement and finally changing the subject. I still hadn’t mumbled a word because, what could I even say?
Poppa and Shiloh got on their knees next to Loh’s bed while I got on mine next to Ace. I released a shaky breath when Poppa’s deep voice began to recite the Lord’s prayer. He could make anything sound erotic. I started to feel guilty that I’d missed the prayer, so busy thinking about how lovely his voice was.Forgive me, Lord . . .
Chapter 6
Lyrix
As the door to the boys’ room softly shut behind us, Grai tried to rush ahead of me. I could feel the tickle of her racing mind across my arms. I couldn’t lie; Ace’s questions gave me goosebumps. They were so unexpected, and the topic was so sensitive, and it had to be handled with care. I didn’t want Grai to be uncomfortable, so I grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall.
Her chest heaved up and down as she tried her best to avoid my eyes. The attempt brought a smile to my face. She smelled sweet, like some type of candy. I inhaled deeply, trying to download the scent to my memory.
“Stop overthinking, Bubbles. We’re good. I promise.”
She finally lifted her eyes to mine and crossed her arms over her chest. “Why would he ask that?”
I tossed an arm over her shoulder, then dragged her with me down the steps. “Because he’s a kid that wants his mother to be happy. He knows you’re happy when we’re together, Broccoli Head.”
When we got to the first floor, she used all her might to push me. I stumbled into the wall from the force. “I can’t believe y’all be calling me that.”
We began laughing at the same time. The first time I heard Loh call her that, I hollered for a good hour. He was so pissed off at Grai for cooking broccoli for dinner. She’d paired it with salmon, which was his favorite. He knew she was trying to trick him, and he was furious. Since we were on the topic, I decided to offer some advice.
“And another thing, chill on trying to feed him broccoli. He hates it. Instead of forcing him to eat something he hates, try feeding him more of the vegetables he does enjoy, or introduce him to some new shit.”
