“Yeah? You high too?” he questioned, narrowing his eyes.
“Only off life and whatever my doctor prescribed,” she answered, hands falling to her size twenty waist.
Milani was in no way a petite woman, and since she’d been clean, the weight seemed to be sticking even more.
“I thought you didn’t care about me. Why you worried about if I’m sober or not?”
“Why are you here?”
“I got as much right to be here as anybody else. Southwick is my home too. It wouldn’t be yours if it wasn’t for me. Remi is also an extended member of this family. Now, you gon’ show some respect and at least introduce your mama to the mother of your children?” She waved a hand at Giselle who hung back silently.
Heavy didn’t respond at first. Instead, he searched his mother’s bright, attentive eyes. There was something different there for sure. She wasn’t all dazed, and they weren’t glossed over like she’d been high for days. Even her skin was clear, making her appear a lot younger than her fifty-two years.
“Hi. I’m Giselle.” She stepped forward with her hand extended.
“Excuse my son. He wasn’t raised like that.” Milani teased, grabbing Giselle’s hand.
“No. He’s always been nothing but a gentleman with me. I can tell he had some good influences.” Giselle hugged up to her man.
“Yeah, and I wasn’t one of ’em,” Milani chimed in, joining Giselle in laughter. “But you are a very beautiful girl. Must be special to have him out in a suit.” Milani reached out and tugged on the flap to Heavy’s blazer. “I don’t think I’ve seen one of these on him since my daddy’s funeral. I’m Milani, by the way.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m sure he’s told you all kinds of stories about me.”
“A few.” Giselle nodded.
“I’m not as bad as he makes me seem,” Milani voiced.
“Actually, he’s never said anything bad about you. Just little anecdotes from his childhood. The good things.”
“Really?” Milani was genuinely shocked before her gaze drifted back to her son, who remained stoic with one arm around Giselle.
She had no idea how much of an anchor she was in this moment.
“I didn’t know he still remembered those.”
“I’m going to check on the kids,” Heavy told Giselle.
“Can I see them? Please?” Milani pleaded, eyes flickering with excitement.
Hesitant, Heavy’s eyes drifted around the room and found exactly who he was searching for. Henna sat next to Oz, who engaged in conversation with Gem and Solo. She was looking dead at him. Her twin radar sensed distress. He didn’t want to react wrong in this moment, but he didn’t want to let Milani in, only to give her a chance to hurt not just him, but now his seeds. Giselle pressed a hand against his chest, eyes peering into his before her brows cinched slightly together.
“She’s the only grandmother they have,” she reminded him, pain resonating in the reality of those words.
Heavy’s entire heart ached for her. Nodding, he bowed his head to kiss her.
“Come on.” He pulled away from Giselle and walked his mother out.
She stared after them for a minute before joining everyone else.
“What was that about?” Henna asked, leaning forward.
“She wants to meet the kids.”
“And he’s going to let her?” she pried, brows lifting as she gripped the rim of her glass.
“He was hesitant. I made a point or two,” Giselle disclosed with a shrug.
