Kiyan and his mother weren’t playing about me resting and getting past the cold I got out of nowhere. They had me quarantined in his bedroom for days, taking turns bringing me medicine, food, and water. They even brought Ava to see me briefly every day but did their best to keep her occupied and entertained so that she didn’t catch what I had. I truly appreciated them and their efforts.
“We do our best around here,” he smirked. “But seriously, are you sure you want to get up today? You can take one more day to rest and fully recover.”
I shook my head. “As amazing as this bed feels, I need to get out of it. If I don’t, I’ll eventually become part of the mattress,” I chuckled. “Plus, I want to see and play with my baby.”
He nodded. “Aight. Why don’t you get your things together while I run you a hot bath.”
Since I’d been in his room, Kiyan made it his business to run me a bath twice a day. Most of the time I was asleep, so after he ran my water, he’d wake me to let me know it was ready then leave me alone. His mom or his housekeeper would bring me clothes to put on afterward, then he’d come in throughout the day to check on me.
After I nodded, he got up to go do what he said, so I went to retrieve some clothes to put on. I’d only been in pajamas for the last couple of days, but I wanted to actually get dressed today. Iwas a firm believer in putting on clothes every day because when you looked good, you felt good.
As I made my way down the hall, I heard Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” on full blast downstairs, and I knew right away that it was my baby’s doing. That was her favorite holiday song and the same one that had Aldrick losing his mind the night that he tried to whip her.
The thought of that night had me thinking about the fact that it had been almost a week, and he hadn’t bothered to call or text to check on us, or at least his daughter. He was an asshole, but I thought he’d at least feel bad enough to call. I clearly thought wrong though, and that was fine because I’d had plenty of time to think and plan while I was sick and bedridden. Kiyan’s mother was right—he didn’t deserve to get away with what he had done, and I wasn’t going to let him.
I was able to talk to Ava’s teachers who agreed to allow us to do her work from home for the next few weeks, and starting next week, I’d do virtual visits with her doctors and therapist. They made it clear they still wanted and needed to see her in person, but until I was able to get us in a new place, we could do everything virtually.
By the time I made it back to Kiyan’s room, my bath was ready, so after closing the door, I undressed then sank down into the water. I didn’t know how he did it, but the water was always the perfect temperature and whatever he put in it had my skin the softest it had ever been,andit smelled amazing.
I took about thirty minutes to soak and enjoy the bath before I let the water out and took a shower. There was shampoo and conditioner there, so I washed my hair since it had been over a week since I was able to.
After I redressed and got my hair together, I made my way downstairs. I still heard the music playing, so I found my way to the den area where it was coming from. I spotted Ava over by theT.V. playing with a little girl that appeared to be about the same age as her. Melonie was there too sitting between Kiyan’s mother and two other women, one who was obviously older with a face almost identical to hers.
“You look refreshed and so much better,” Kiyan’s mother commented with a smile when she noticed me.
“I feel it too,” I returned the gesture. As soon as my baby heard my voice she whipped around then shot to her feet to rush over to me. “Hi, baby.” I smiled down at her, noticing that her hair was different.
“I hope you don’t mind that I did her hair,” Melonie said. “I knew you weren’t feeling up to it.”
I shook my head. “I don’t mind at all. It looks so good,” I glanced Melonie’s way. “I can’t believe she actually let you braid it.”
It was braided into ponytails with beads on the ends. She always had a fit when I did her hair, so I couldn’t ever even imagine her sitting there to get it braided.
“Told you guys I’m the baby whisperer.”
“Then you need to have one,” the other older woman said before she climbed to her feet to approach me. “Hi, baby. I’m Patrice. Trina’s sister and Melonie’s mother.” I was about to shake her hand, but she pulled me into a tight hug. “You are absolutely stunning,” she complimented. “I see where this one gets it from.” She pinched Ava’s cheek.
“Thank you so much,” I beamed. “I’m Leila.”
“Trust me, I know.” She grinned. “My sister and Kiyan haven’t stopped talking about you and Ms. Ava. I just had to get on a plane to come and meet the woman they were raving on and on about.”
I tried not to, but I failed miserably at trying not to blush when she said that.
“Mhm, he’s just as smitten as you are.”
“No, I’m n?—”
“Hush those lies, girl.” She smiled, then turned slightly. “This is my oldest daughter, Miranda, and my granddaughter, Jazzlyn.”
Who I learned to be Miranda came over to hug me too while little Jazzlyn just waved from where she was.
“My husband, Gary, and son-in-law, Chris, are here too, but they went out to the store with Keith and Kiyan to get the stuff we’re going to need to make dinner later.”
“The stuff thatyou’llneed, Pat,” Mrs. Latrina corrected. “I told you I was off duty the moment you got here.”
She shook her head while smiling at me. “That’s what I get for spoiling my little sister.”
She went back to the couch while I went to over to take a seat on the floor with Ava to see what she was up to. I was pleasantly surprised to see her playing so well with Melonie’s niece. She had little friends at school, but it took time for her to get used to them.
