Entering the kitchen, my steps slowed until I stood at the threshold. Jardin’s curious gaze flitted around while I waited for my family to notice me.
Kyra was the first to pick up her head. “Hey, Ray, you...” my sister’s words trailed off, drawing the rest of my family’s gaze to me, one by one.
Dad, Sianna, my grandmother, my aunt, Tamara and finally my grandfather. While each face registered shock, their gaping mouths differed in size. My family had grown accustomed to my months on end disappearing act, this time, however, I figured none of them expected to see me arrive unannounced with a baby in my arms.
My sister jumped up and came toward me. Her gaze trained on me, she caressed Jardin’s cheek. “Who’s this handsome boy?” Then she shifted her gaze to him. “What’s your name, pumpkin?”
Jardin looked at me and at my nod, he offered my sister a shy smile. “Jar...din.”
“Wow, what a beautiful name. Would you like a cookie, Jardin.” He nodded. She held out her hands, looking at me. “Can I?”
As Jardin slipped into her arms and she carried him to the table, my father and aunt approached me. “Hey, dad, aunty Tamara.” I grinned at her ever-ready scowl when we called her aunt.
My father swallowed me in a hug before I could protest and oddly, I clung to him a moment longer. I knew he noticed when his hold tightened, letting me feel the comfort and strength of his love once more.
“Should I even ask.” Tamara wiggled her brow as soon as my father release his hold on me. My aunt might be two years younger than my father, but she was cooler than some of my friends and our chats often turned mischievous when we were alone.
I shrugged. “You’re a grandfather,” I addressed my father, “and a grandmother,” I sniggered at my aunt.
“Fuck that,” she retorted then laughed. “Wow. Rayden’s a father, did you see that coming, Drake?”
“You leave home without a word and arrive back here with a baby that looks way older than the time you’ve been away, care to fill in the blanks, son?” my father’s quiet words filled me with a sudden calm.
He might’ve fucked up just once, but he was the tie that bound my family together, keeping me and Kyra grounded, always. Our voice of reason and a man I could easily turn to when shit went sideways. Even as the thought left my head, I wondered how he’d handle the latest pile of crap if I chose to drop it without warning. But, that part of my life was over, I had a son to worry about now.
“Raincheck?” I asked and I wasn’t sure if it was the fatigue in my body reflecting on my face that had him nodding.
“Come join us for lunch then.” He gestured to the table.
“Is it okay if I go up and take a shower first?” I caught his quick frown before he nodded. “Hey, nana, pops.” I waved at my grandparents. Both seemed preoccupied with the sudden addition to the family as my grandmother brushed Jardin’s locks off his brow and kept dropping soft kisses to his cheeks which he appeared to like. “Sianna.” I smiled at her, and she returned the greeting with a wave. “Raj is showing Nina to her room. She’s Jardin’s nanny, if I happen to trip and fall on my bed.” I told my father.
“It’s okay, we’ve got this,” my aunt consoled, her smile telling me she could see I’d been through hell.
“A baby? Wow.” I heard my sister chuckle as I turned away.
“Can’t say I’m not excited to get to know my grandson. I feel old now,” my father replied, his tone laced with humor.
Grinning, I headed for my room. If only they knew the shit that had gone down.
