“Pwitty! Pwitty! Moo in,” Zakiyah says when I enter the family room as she holds a sign with clearer words.
We Can’t Live Without You
So, will you move in?
My hand cups my mouth, and although I have shed many tears today, more come out of thin air. In a minute, I’m gonna call myself a crybaby.
“No cry, Pwitty,” Zakiyah says before she drops her sign and runs to me as fast as her little legs will allow.
“Yeah, don’t cry, Ziya.” Zakai cosigns before I feel his presence seconds before he picks Zakiyah up and places her in my arms. Then he wraps both of us in his.
My God!
A wave of heat fills me as I tighten my hold on Zakiyah’s little body, and she places a kiss on my cheek. Stick a fork in me because I am done. My ears ring, and my vision becomes blurry from my steady stream of tears.
“So, do these tears mean that you’re gonna put me and Kiki out of our misery? Or do I need to kidnap your ass and have somebody?—”
“Bad word, Daddy,” Zakiyah tells Zakai, placing her finger on his mouth to keep him from saying anything else.
A giggle that charges and quiets the storm clouds within me escapes my mouth from the pinch in Zakai’s eyes.
“Are you sure that you’re ready for that type of commitment?” I ask.
“It’s the first of many that I plan for us. I’m not interested in tossing and turning every time you think you should sleep in your bed instead of mine. I get my best rest with you in my arms.”
“Me too,” I say as our eyes connect, and my chest expands when I see the love that shines brighter than every star in the night sky, in Zakai’s eyes. That expression, along with the feeling I have in this moment, pushes me to answer. “I’ll move in. My lease is coming to the end of the term anyway.”
“Say less. By then, your address will already be changed.” With that, Zakai leans in to kiss me before Zakiyah frowns and pushes him out of the way.
“Yuck, Daddy.”
I laugh heartily as my body returns to normal after an emotional morning of ups and downs, hills, and discoveries. If this is how I’ll get through the challenges I face from here on out, I will gladly welcome the storms. The option to reset and regroup with these two is worth every tear I have shed today. This moment feels like dancing in the rain.
“Luh you, Pwitty,” Zakiyah tells me before she kisses my cheek again.
“Aw. I love you so much more, Zakiyah.”
“I love both of you,” Zakai cosigns.
My heart leaps while merriment surges through my body as the three of us continue hugging. This is the restoration God knew I needed after my recent interaction with Rosetta. Right here and right now, I feel like I have everything I need to mentally recover from the bombs that hit my psyche. With Zakiyah and Zakai in my presence, I know that everything will bealright. My heartbeat steadies, and my pulse calms as euphoria spreads through my body.
A Year Later. . .
Man, oh what a difference 365 days makes. Caziya went from Pwitty to Mama with Kiki, and at first, all I could do was stare blankly. Now, my chest warms every time I hear Kiki call Caziya. Or whenever Zakiyah calls herself telling Mama on me like Caziya is capable of whupping my ass. Nevertheless, it has been a great year of bonding between the three of us.
Caziya, although hesitant, has become the glue Kiki and I needed to make my house a home. The makeover has been subtle yet necessary, particularly in the different furniture pieces in the family, living, and dining rooms. Instead of the card table in my dining room, there is now a ten-person table with elegant place settings, all thanks to Caziya. My kitchen alsofeatures brand-new pots, pans, utensils, and matching plates. Hell, everything that Caziya put in the kitchen matches now.
Not to mention the new bedroom furniture and girly pieces Caziya upgraded in Kiki’s bedroom. Thankfully for me and my wallet, Caziya didn’t have a problem with my bedroom furniture. Although she did add some valances, curtains, or whatever she called them. I will admit that the best part is the vanilla and lavender scent that fills the foyer upon entry. But I refuse to tell Caziya that I like it for fear of her adding some other womanly fragrance around the house.
“Why are you sitting there daydreaming, Zakai? You said you were coming back to help me,” Caziya fusses, causing me to laugh before daggers pierce into me, instantly ending my humor.
Caziya is a sight to see with her back pushed back with a mean waddle as she makes her way to me. I didn’t waste any time giving Caziya a permanent reason to be stuck with my daughter and me. She’s now five months pregnant, and I couldn’t be happier. Kiki holds her hand, and I smile when I notice that their outfits match. Zakiyah and Caziya wear pink and denim. Caziya’s pink shirt says “Mama,” and Kiki’s shirt says “Mini” with a pair of denim shorts and white tennis shoes. Caziya’s hair is now at bob length, a positive effect of the bump in her stomach, while Kiki’s shoulder-length hair is in a bun.
“Earth to Zakai. Why are you not helping Caziya?” Dad asks, which prompts me to jump into action.
“I’m sorry, Ziya.”
Caziya rolls her eyes hard enough to get stuck in their sockets as I assist her the rest of the way. It’s a beautiful summer day, and instead of the family gathering inside for dinner, I thought this would be the perfect alternative. We’re at Gripley Park for a cookout, and only immediate family is invited.
