I left them to head back to the front of the house. This time, it was El’s parents, and my coworkers were right behind them. I hugged them both, then stepped aside to let them in. They’d been over here plenty of times, so it wasn’t something for them to stop and marvel at.
“Look at this nigga wearing pajamas, looking like he in the Christmas spirit and shit,” Titus joked before dapping me up.
I chuckled. “Listen. Whatever the wife wants, she gets. Wassup, Cell.”
We hugged each other, and I closed the door behind them. “Nothing much. This shit is nice. Your girl decorated?”
I nodded. “Hell yeah. She loves Christmas.” It was hell getting all of her decorations and lights up, but I got it done. I worked on a little bit every day after work until it was what she envisioned. I couldn’t lie as if it wasn’t satisfying to see how giddy the lights made Pea. It was going to be hell taking it all down too, but it was worth it for their smiles. I would literally do anything to see my girls smile. If they were smiling, then I knew I was handling my business as a husband and father.
“I can tell. She got me in the Christmas spirit now. House smell like cookies when you walk in and shit. I love this for you, man,” Titus joked while bumping into me on our way to the back.
“A nigga is blessed for real.” I couldn’t help but admire our family gathered around the living room. Mani was the only one missing, but she’d come earlier in the day and was passed out in the guest bedroom for the time being. Who knew what she was up to that had her so exhausted, but she treated our home like it was hers. I didn’t mind it; she was a great friend to my girl and loved her goddaughter wholeheartedly. I knew she would always have their backs.
Shay walked up to me with a glass of El’s spiked eggnog. “Your dad is on the phone.”
I nodded while taking the phone from her. I stepped out onto the back patio to have some privacy. “What’s good, old man,” I teased.
He chuckled heartily. “Merry Christmas, Son.”
“Merry Christmas, OG. My bad for missing your call earlier. El has had me running around like a chicken with its head cut off getting everything ready for tonight.”
“It’s all good. I know you have a lot on your plate. I just really wanted you to know I am so fucking proud of you, Perfect. You went home and did everything you said you would. Got you a stable career, made me a grandfather, and will soon be a husband. You did good, my boy.”
I could hear him getting a little choked up, which brought tears to my eyes. There were times I doubted I was worthy of any of it. Then, when I would look at my family, I knew I was. “Thank you, OG. I wish you were here with us,” I admitted.
“Don’t I know it. Maybe someday soon. They approved my parole hearing.”
Now, that was good fucking news. “What? Are you serious?”
“Serious as the day you were born.”
My heart raced a little at the possibility of my father being a free man too. “You gotta give me the court details. You know me and El will be there with Shay. We can bring Pea too. I know you want to see her.” Like how he’d done me when I was younger, he refused for me to bring my baby up there, which I understood. She knew who her G-Pop was though.
He chuckled. “Oh, don’t I know it, but listen. I just wanted to check in with you. Send me some pictures when you can.”
“You know I got you. Pea is getting so big; I can’t stand it.”
He laughed and sighed. “Yeah, kids grow up fast, so cherish every single moment.”
If being locked up taught me nothing else, it taught me to enjoy all of life—the good, bad, and downright ugly because they all played a part.
“Word. Well, I’ma give the phone back to Shay. I love you, OG.”
“I love you too, Son.”
I went back inside and passed the phone off. Shay disappeared to talk to him for a little longer while I slid up behind El. My arms went around her waist. She was dancing to “All I Want Is You” by Boney James while holding a glass of white wine. The way that man played the saxophone should’ve been a crime. October London was the perfect voice for the beat too.
“You good, babe?” she questioned.
“I’m perfect,” I replied with ease.
She turned to me and winked. “Yes, you are.” She walked over to the speaker and turned the music down. “Okay, we can all head to the dining room for dinner.” Turning to me, she said, “I’m going to go upstairs to wake Mani up.”
I nodded and gave her a kiss on the cheek. When she turned to walk away, I slapped her hard as hell on the ass. She yelped,trying to get away from me. I smiled proudly, about to follow everyone into the dining room, when motion outside caught my eye.
“Oh, look, it’s snowing,” I told everybody excitedly.
We didn’t get snow often in South Carolina, so we all raced to the back patio to watch the flakes drift down to the ground. Precious was running around the yard with Titus, trying to catch them with her tongue. I felt so at peace watching my baby laugh and play. This was my definition of success.
