We arrived at her favorite steakhouse. It was her dad’s birthday so he wasn’t thinking anything suspicious was going on. I helped Tatiyonna out of the car and gave the keys to the valet. Mr. Cole was already waiting at the table.
“Happy birthday, daddy.” Tatiyonna hugged her dad.
“Thank you, baby girl.”
“Happy birthday, old man,” I teased as I dapped him up.
“Man, you keep living. Better hope you look this good.” We all shared a laugh.
As we all ordered our drinks. I looked over at Tatiyonna to see she was uncomfortable. I reached over and grabbed her hand. I knew it wasn’t because she was afraid to tell her dad about the pregnancy. Mr. Cole was cool as hell and was ready to be a granddad. I followed her eyes to see Kileen sitting across the restaurant.
“Baby, I got you. He ain’t brave enough to walk his ass over here with me and your daddy at the table,” I told her lowly so her dad couldn’t hear. I didn’t want to alert him.
Kileen had yet to remove his stuff from the other property. I asked Tatiyonna several times did I need to intervene, but she said no. His ass was supposed to be out thirty days ago. It was like the nigga was testing me when it came to Tatiyonna. He should’ve known that I would go to the end of the earth for her and my child.
Tatiyonna ended up settling down and focused on what we were there. We ate our dinner and she was ready to hand him his gift.
“Daddy, this is from me and Jah,” she said, giving him the gift bag.
“Y’all didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Man, take the bag,” I told him.
The first thing he pulled out was the ballcap. We both knew he wouldn’t get it. It said, ‘Grandad Est. 2026’. He looked at us, confused, and dug back in the bag. He ended up pulling out the onesie and sonogram at the same time. Mr. Cole dropped everything and started crying.
“Man, y’all just don’t know. This…this has really made my day. I know how much my baby struggled,” he said, as he wiped his eyes.
“You ready to be granddad?” Tatiyonna asked.
“Baby girl, just go ahead and get me a room over at your place. Congratulations to the both of you,” Mr. Cole told us.
“Thank you,” we said in unison.
“Congratulations,” Kileen said, as he stood over our table.
I stood immediately. This was a fancy restaurant, and I would hate to be banned from one of my girl’s favorite spots.
“No need to stand up and get air in your chest. I just noticed the excitement and wanted to give my congratulations. I’ve also covered the tab for you guys. Y’all have a nice night.”
Did this nigga just try to little boy me like I couldn’t pay for our meal? I was about to go after him, but Tatiyonna grabbed my arm.
“Jah, please. You know by now that the man likes to do stuff to get under your skin. That’s why he hasn’t left that house yet.” Tatiyonna let slip.
“He ain’t left what house?” her dad asked.
“The one he bought for his baby mama. He was supposed to be out thirty days ago, but he keeps coming up with excuses,” she told him.
“I’ll have a talk with him,” Mr. Cole stated.
“No! You sound just like Jah. It’s fine. I’ve been dealing with this man for years. I’ve already let his lawyers know he is to be out no later than next week.”
“And I told her, if he is not out by next week, I’m handling it,” I stated.
Mr. Cole and I both looked at each other and nodded. I knew what it meant just as he knew what mine meant.
TWENTY-FIVE
TATIYONNA
