“I’m straight, Angel,” he breathed into the crook of my neck.
“You’re lying, Xy. I could see it in your face at the table. What my father said in there wasn’t a harmless joke. And I just want you to know Iseeyou, okay?” Leaning back slightly, I locked eyes with him. “I see how much you’ve changed and matured and calmed down. I see how much you love me without over doing it. I see how you make sure we’re in the same bed every single night. Baby, you don’t even go to sleep unless you’re sure I’m okay. You wake up early just to get me a bath ready and talk to our daughter,” I took his hands and placed them on my stomach. “You’re not the man you used to be, and you should be proud of yourself for that. Don’t listen to my dad. You’re going to be the perfect example for her of how a man should treat a woman.”
His eyes softened and a small smile formed on his lips as his thumbs brushed against the fabric of my dress. “You really think so?”
“Nope. Iknowso. Your daughter is going to know that she came from a man who loves her mother with his entire spirit. I know you’re not perfect, Xy, and I don’t need you to be. I’ve watched you over this last year unlearn everything that fucked us up in the past so that you can keep doing better. The only thingshe,” I gestured to my belly. “…is going to see is her father treating her mother with respect, kindness, and complete devotion. It doesn’t matter what you did in the past, she’s not gon’ know about it.”
“What if she Google us or something?”
I giggled at his thought process. “I don’t think it’ll matter because all she will know is what she’s seen in our household, right? Keep being this man right here, and no amount of Googling is gon’ make her look at you any differently. You’ll still be her dad, the greatest man in the world.”
“I’m so fuckin’ glad I married you, Angel,” he leaned down and pecked my lips a few times.
“I know,” I winked with a smirk.
Hearing the sliding doors open, we both turned our heads in that direction and saw my dad walking out. My antennas stood up, but I noticed the regretful look on his face, which was a first for him. Giulio Lombardo didn’t do regret.
“Xyleek…Dreka…”
“Dad,” I countered, placing my hands on top of Xy’s because I felt him tense up again.
“I realize that what I said was inappropriate for the occasion,” he ran his fingers through his thick hair. “I…I wasn’t trying to slight you, son. I spoke out of habit and emotion, and it was wrong,” he stepped closer towards us, releasing a sigh. “You have to understand, Xy, that I’ve spentyearsworrying about Dreka. I don’t have to worry anymore, and I have to get my brain to remember that. I know you’re changing and improving. Dreka seems happier than she’s ever been, and I respect that and the marriage. What happened in there was a slip of the tongue but make no mistake about it, I’m very happy for both of you. I still wish my first grandchild could be a boy,” he playfully scoffed, causing us to laugh. “But I’m over the moon about being a grandfather. Congratulations,” he extended an open hand in Xy’s direction.
X glanced at me, and I nodded slightly, so he shook my father’s hand and then Giulio pulled him into a manly hug. I don’t know why I started tearing up seeing them hug it out. Actually, I do know why I had tears in my eyes. This damn baby.
“Today is a beautiful day, so let’s not let my mouth ruin it,” he chuckled, releasing Xy from his grip.
Sharing knowing glances between each other, Xy and I exhaled at the exact same time. I squeezed his hand, and hesqueezed mine right back. It was our secret signal to each other that everything was all good.
“Come, let’s go back inside. Both of your mothers have whipped out their iPads and are searching for venues for the baby shower.”
“Oh nooo,” I whined, heading back inside immediately.
I didn’t want a large, lavish baby shower, but Joanna, Jewel, Makenna nor Rae wanted to hear it. They promised to hire the best security and make it a no phone’s shower to prevent anyone from taking pictures and leaking them to the media. I really was trying to be on my Kylie Jenner shit and pop out with a pregnancy announcement along with a picture of baby girl’s foot or something. Seeing how excited they were to do this for me, I caved and agreed to let them handle all the details.
My dad gathered the men and took them out to the patio to smoke and talk while us ladies retreated to the great room. We were all buzzing with excitement, knowing we were welcoming a new princess into the empire.
“Have y’all thought about names?” Rae questioned while Joanna and Jewel ohh’d and ahh’d over whatever was on their iPads.
“Not really. He only said he wanted it to be a junior if it was a boy. We didn’t really cross into the girl name territory, but I’m sure we’ll talk about it now that we know.”
“Wellllll… I think Makenna is a perfectly good name. Only the best for my niecey,” she laughed while rubbing my belly.
“Oh baby you played! Her name should be Raven,” Rae pitched her name next. “’Cause what does Makenna even mean?”
Ken stuck her middle finger in the air. “Girl, fuck you!”
“Ken!” My mother chimed in. “Watch your mouth around my granddaughter.”
“Damn right!” Jewel added.
We all fell out laughing, and as I looked around the room at them, I felt so grateful and blessed. They were my village, and how lucky was I to have so many people who cared about me and my child.
I spent another two and half hours listening to the moms go in on this baby shower planning business before I got tired. The men hadn’t come back in, so I sent Xy a text, requesting that we leave so that I could swing by my shop real quick before we went home. After we said our goodbyes, we got in the car and headed over to my place of business.
It had been thriving ever since the re-model after Xy’s fuck buddy tore it up, so I guess I should be thanking her. Too bad the bitch was dead. I had been contemplating opening another location just for the maintenance side of things because the way this business was packed out every day didn’t make no sense.
“What you want for dinner, Angel?” Xy asked the minute we parked in the driveway.
