I wiped away the tears that were streaming down my cheeks from laughing so hard. “Please don’t. I don’t even know what all Port put in that thing. Your ass going to be spending the night.”
She shrugged. “That’s cool. Ain’t like I got shit else to do.” She looked up and squealed. “Ooh, let me go. It’s my turn to go down the waterslide.”
“Maniii! That is for the kids.”
She waved me off. “Girl, I am a kid at heart. That counts as being a kid.” She took off running, and sure enough, she strong-armed some kids out of the way to go down the waterslide. I couldn’t help but laugh. She was totally insane, but I wouldn’t trade her for anyone else.
Perfect came over with Pea in his arms. “You know she can walk, right?” I teased.
“Of course, but why should she when she got a strong daddy? Plus, one day in the future, my baby gon’ be too big to carry, so every chance I get, I’m carrying her.”
He tickled his nose against mine, making me melt. I loved to hear him talk like that. He genuinely loved being a father. I loved that for Precious and me because we wanted for nothing, from physical to emotional. Perfect was present in every way we needed him to be.
“Alright, picture time, Sweet Pea.” He helped me up on the platform before joining me with Precious. I tapped the screen to start it up, then the camera began to spin around us. I was posing until I noticed Port throwing up gang signs and popped him in the chest. Even worse, Precious was always copying him. He laughed before wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing me on the cheek.
When the camera stopped, we watched the video back. Even though it was ghetto as hell, it was so cute because we all looked genuinely happy. Tears came to my eyes because this was my little family. So unexpected, but they were everything I needed.
We recorded two more videos and took some pictures before heading back into the thick of the party. They were playing line dancing music, so I joined Mani on the dancefloor. I could feel the weight of Perfect’s eyes on me the entire time. Mani and I had a good time dancing together and drinking cups of Perfect’s Bluey punch. It definitely was not for the weak, because it hit almost immediately.
I took a seat at one of the tables to rest my feet. I smiled when my baby came running over to me. I opened my arms to place her in my lap. “Hey, baby. Are you having fun?”
I pinched her cheeks, making her giggle. “Yeah, I having fun. I look pretty?”
I laughed. “Of course you do, Pretty Pea.” She loved that little name Perfect called her the first time he saw her.
“I love you, Mommy.”
“I love you too, baby.” Ugh, she knew how to make me cry. She hopped off my lap and went back to playing. I loved her little life. She could really enjoy being a baby, knowing she was loved, protected, and cared for. That was all I could want for my baby.
I pulled my phone from my pocket to check the time and noticed I had a lot of notifications from social media. I went into the app and smiled when I saw what all the commotion was about. Perfect had posted the photos from Pea’s photoshoot, then the 360 video we’d just recorded at the booth. My heart raced as I read his caption.
I’ve learned that rock bottom might be the best thing to ever happen to you. When I was at my lowest, God reminded me that in order for there to be light there must be darkness. My girls are the light in my life. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without them. Happy 3rdBirthday, Pretty Pea. Daddy loves you and promises to always make sure you’re straight. Ima be daddy of the year all your life baby girl. I stamp that.
I hugged my phone to my chest, trying to keep my tears at bay. Now the whole world knew we were together. I clicked on his page and saw he’d even updated his relationship status to say we were together. I never thought something so simple would make me feel so secure, but it did. I already knew Perfect was locked in with me. Today ensured that the world knew too.
I went back to his post and scrolled through the comments. I paused when I saw some girl had tagged Starlet, asking if she saw the post.
Taty Hottie: @StarletJames you seen this?
Starlet James: @TatyHottie Girl what the fuck? Let me go get my man back. This look too much like happily ever after!!!
Taty Hottie: @StarletJames lmfao girl you messy af
Starlet James: @TatyHottie says the girl who tagged me on this hoe
I laughed because this girl was funny as hell. Bold too, but what really got me was Perfect’s reply. I guess that was why he didn’t delete her comment.
Perfect Porter: A bitch wish she could get close to me. I could never leave mine for sum I already know is unloyal af. Fuck yo life Star!
He’d attached the picture of us where I was sitting on his lap, and he was kissing my cheek. Mani had taken it when we were all out one night. It was so cute and one of the photos on his wallpaper shuffle. Star being unloyal was the best thing that ever happened to me. Perfect had to be completely detached from that situation to give me a chance.
Rockel Naveen: I love you baby! We created the most precious little girl (pun intended). You said its time for her to have a sibling?
I pocketed my phone and went to search for my man. I came up empty and ended up having to ask my father if he’d seen him. He nodded. “Yeah, he went walking down the street a little while ago.”
“Okay, thank you, Papa.” I took off in the direction he said Perfect went. I had a good idea of where he was.
The walk to the park was quick because it was only one block down from the house. It was the place Perfect always went to think. I smiled when I saw him sitting on the swing, staring up atthe sky. “How did I know I would find you here?” I teased when I walked up on him.
