I close my eyes and press my nose to my son’s head. I have to count to ten to reel it in. I have a son. She didn’t take that pill.
“Wait, he’s really ours? I mean, Zah is family. She’s like my sister, so of course he’s like my nephew. But … the baby is my real nephew, like my nephew by blood?” Eddy says, sounding as surprised as I feel.
“You couldn’t have thought a kid that cute or smart belonged to Manning,” Erica huffs.
“Why would you say those things? No wonder she’s been freezing us out,” my mother says as if she’s in sheer disbelief.
“I said a lot of things, but I didn’t mean any of them. I was hurt and angry. We both said things,” I mutter.
“Dada,” my son coos and cups my face to kiss my cheek.
“Hey, buddy. That’s right, I’m your dada. You’re so handsome. What’s your name?”
“Me Aaron. I big boy. Smart and strong.Grr,” he growls at the end and makes a muscle with his little arm.
I chuckle and kiss his forehead. I never knew I could love someone so fast and completely.Aaron. Did Zah name him after my dad?
“Aaron Christopher Nickels,” Erica says as she comes over and ruffles his hair.
“Mommy, Nana,” Aaron squeals as he tries to jump out of my arms.
I turn to find Mrs. Nickels and Zahirah. I’ve never seen Zah look so pale in my life. She’s standing with her mouth hanging open as I hold my son in my arms.
I glare at her as the situation begins to set in. Quickly, she snaps out of it and rushes over to take Aaron from my arms. He wraps his arms around her neck and hugs her tightly.
“Before you try to verbally take my head off, for once, listen to me and hear me,” Zah says, holding a hand up as I open my mouth.
“First, I was going to tell you. Second, hold on.” She pauses as Aaron gets fussy in her arms.
She places him on his feet and takes his little hand in hers. I take a step back as the wind is knocked out of me. He’s so tall standing on his own two feet.
He takes a few steps forward and holds out his tiny free hand for mine. I take his hand and look down at him in awe.
“When was he born?” I ask tightly.
“His birthday is next month. July.”
“He can walk and talk?” I knit my brows.
“He’s been walking since he was eight months old. And he’s been making noises—as if he could talk and hold conversations—since Erica started asking him for dating and shopping advice,” she says and snickers lightly.
“Yeah, so about since he was five months,” Erica says.
“No one else is pissed off about this?” Eddy growls.
“Will you chill?” Erica snaps. “The only people here who have a right to be seriously pissed are Bentley and Garret. The rest of us have been in Aaron’s life one way or another since the day he was born.”
“Um, guys, we’re starting to draw a crowd. Mom has been cleared to head home. I’d like to talk and explain if you will listen,” Zah says.
“Rice and nuggies, Mommy,” Aaron pleads, looking up at his mother.
I dip to scoop him back up into my arms. “You like rice and chicken nuggets?”
“Yes, yum.Please.”
“Anything you want, buddy. I’ll make them myself,” I promise.
“Bent—”
