She pouted, and I chuckled, leading her out of the room.
We arrived at my parents’ house around three. I got out of my truck, then went around to open the door for Alicia. I helped her out, then opened the door for the kids.
“Don’t forget y’all bags,” I told Chloe and Carsyn.
“We got them!” Chloe exclaimed in excitement, as always.
I unbuckled Carlee and closed the door, taking Alicia’s hand, then headed toward the back of the house. As soon as we turned the corner, everyone yelled, “Surprise!”
Alicia’s palm went to her chest, truly surprised by the outburst.
“What the—” Her eyes came up to me in shock as I smiled and kissed her temple.
“Happy birthday, baby.”
“Yayyy! A birthday party!” Chloe yelled in excitement. Carlee clapped along, oblivious to what was going on, but she knew we were celebrating something.
“Happy birthday again, Mommy,” Carsyn said, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“Thank you, my handsome prince.” She bent and kissed his forehead. “Baayye,” Alicia whined, wrapping her arms around me. “Did you do all of this?” she asked when she pulled away.
“I had a little help.”
My parents and hers walked over to us with smiles on their faces.
“Nana! Pop Pop!” Chloe and Carsyn rushed over to them.
My moms stepped up first. “Happy birthday, beautiful. It’s nice to finally meet you,” she said and wrapped her arms around Alicia. Alicia smiled widely and hugged her back.
“Likewise.”
“How are you, sweetheart? Happy birthday. I couldn’t wait to meet the lady who has my son doing the most,” my pops said, hugging her as well.
Alicia blushed. “Nice to meet you as well.” Alicia hugged and kissed her parents.
“And who are these adorable babies?” Moms asked.
“This my daughter, Chloe, my son, Carsyn, and my baby girl, Carlee,” Alicia introduced.
“Hi, babies. My name is Gloria. I’m Basil’s mom.”
“Hi!” Chloe and Carsyn exclaimed.
“So precious.” Moms beamed. “Well, let’s not keep everyone waiting any longer.”
“Right,” I said, side-eyeing Alicia. She nudged me with her shoulder, then went to hug her aunt. Everyone in attendance showered her with love and affection. My soldiers hugged her, then they all took off to get ready for the pool.
The party lasted well into the night.
Alicia had finally loosened up, and she and her family laughed and danced all day. She was worried for nothing because her family was actually on their best behavior. They were still their normal selves, but it wasn’t over-the-top like they would normally be with Alicia.
Her aunt Lex, Ms. Anika, Ms. Vicki, and my moms got along well. A little too well. They had been cackling and drinking the spiked punch Lal always made for every event. I warned them not to drink it, but they ignored me, and now they were buzzing and talking crazy.
After we ate, Alicia opened her gifts, smiled, laughed, and cried the whole time. When she opened my gift, she smiled even wider, seeing the Birkin satchel with her name stitched on it. She beamed brightly and thanked me a million times.
When I told her to look inside, she pulled out a matching legal pad cover with her initials on it, a lady Patek Philippe, a diamond bracelet with all the kids’ names on it, and twenty thousand in cash to do whatever she wanted with it.
My heart skipped a beat when she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me in front of everybody. We weren’t particularly hiding our relationship, because those who knew, knew how I was coming behind her. It was because she was showing a public display of affection, and that shit made my chest explode.
