“We’re going to see him at the shop after we eat, baby. There are some things we need to talk to you two about,” Giselle noted, locking eyes with Remi across the room.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” Remi removed her apron. “I left a plate for you in the microwave and cleaned up. I have to head to church. I’ll be praying for you. All that sinning you was doing last night.”
“Hmm, it was worth it too.” Giselle reached for a strawberry off Heir’s plate and smiled.
“I will see you babies later!” Remi stopped long enough to give them both a kiss to the cheek.
“Thanks for watching them, Auntie!” Giselle called after her.
“Any time!” Remi sang on her way out.
Giselle selected outfits for the twins and got them dressed and settled in the living room while she went to shower, brush her teeth, and handle her facial routine. She chose a simple look for today with a green and white preppy style tennis dress and matching DKNY Juna lace up running sneakers. The spring weather was kicking in, phasing them into summer slowly but surely. She pulled her hair up at the top into a braided bun and left the back hanging in her natural curl pattern. When she was done, she styled Harlee’s hair in a similar style and loaded the kids into her SUV for their drive.
When she arrived outside the shop, she spotted Heavy’s truck parked in front and shut her car off. Just knowing she was coming to see him had her second guessing her look and everything for the day. Heavy gave her high school sweetheart vibes, leaving her stomach full of butterflies. He popped out through the front door; chiseled chest covered with an oil-stained wife beater with his navy jumper hanging off his waist. Even covered with grease, he was fine as shit.
She took a breath when he grinned in her direction and wiped his hands on a towel while stepping toward them. Licking his lips, he canvassed her slowly when she hopped out and met up with him on the side of the car where Heir was seated. There were even little specks of grease on his face, but she leaned in to kiss him anyway.
“I just wrapped up. I’m about to take a shower real quick. Horace and Toussaint in there, though.” He opened Heir’s door, and Giselle stepped up to help him out.
“Oh, good!” She lowered their son to the ground, and he took off running toward the entrance door.
Giselle climbed into the car and unlocked Harlee’s seat and picked her up. She immediately held her hands out for Heavy,not giving one care in the world that he was covered in dirt. The three of them strolled into the shop together, and the first thing Giselle noticed was that nothing had changed.
“I feel like I traveled back in time,” she jested, eyes skimming the lobby and rusted check in desk ahead. “This place looks exactly the same.”
“About that… how do you feel like taking on a project when you get time away from Elmo’s?” Heavy probed.
“What do you mean? This place?”
“Yeah. Come up with a budget and a concept for me. I’m looking to do something for both shops.”
“Really?” Giselle simpered, pleasantly surprised.
“This place old as Horace. It definitely needs some updates.”
“I heard that.” His grandfather emerged from the office with a hoagie sandwich in one hand and a bag of chips in the other.
Behind him, Heir walked out with half a sandwich and a bag of chips as well.
“Heir, you just ate.” Giselle playfully scolded him.
“That boy got an appetite like his daddy. Did Heavy tell you he used to be fat?” Horace quipped, popping a potato chip in his mouth.
Giselle tried to hide her laugh and glanced toward Heavy, who was grilling the shit out of his grandfather. Smiling wide, she stepped closer and placed a hand against his chest before standing on her toes and kissing his cheek.
“It’s alright, baby. I saw that picture. You were still cute.”
“Heavy’s our daddy?” Heir spoke up, held tilted to the side, ignoring the present conversation and going back to Horace’s statement.
Both Giselle and Heavy froze, and Harlee’s head damn near fell off she turned to him so fast in his arms.
“He is?” Her eyes grew as wide as two saucers.
“What about Daddy Lonzo?” Heir questioned.
“He was mean and never played with us.” Harlee pouted. “I love Heavy!” She mushed her little cheek against his face and gave him a squeeze.
“From the mouths of babes.” Horace recited, taking a bite of his hoagie.
