Ever since they found out she’s eleven weeks pregnant two weeks ago, Akeem can’t stop kissing or talking to her stomach. His kisses are so endearing and tender and Sunjiya loves it. She loves him and she’s ecstatic about their little girl scheduled to arrive in June.
“But Quise can date and have overnight stays like this at sixteen?” she asks, not believing the double standard coming from her husband’s mouth.
“Yes, ’cause he’s a boy. I don’t make the rules.”
“Baby. That’s exactly what you’re doing,” she huffs, then laughs.
“Well, it just is what it is but I’m not trying to talk about that right now.”
“What you trying to talk about?” she asks.
“Nothing,” he says before turning over and playfully pushing her onto the sofa. “I haven’t been able to fully enjoy my wife with Quise and his friend here and I’m trying to do some things,” he says with a slight smirk.
“They leave in one more day. Besides, it’s not like we’ve been abstinent or no shit like that. I do remember doing some things in the shower last night,” she says, then winks.
“Not the same,” he rebuts.
“What’s different?”
“I can’t make you scream as loud as normal,” he says and she can’t stop her laughter.
This is them—love, laughter, and living. Last week marked five months married but it still feels like they are honeymooning on the beautiful island of Dominica. She still smiles when shethinks about her husband planning a secret destination wedding with their family and friends in attendance.
With the help of Darisha, he paid for everyone’s travel, booked the hotel suites, reserved the restaurant for their rehearsal dinner, and planned their beautiful beachfront ceremony. They said “I do” right as the Caribbean sun dipped into the sea. As they kissed, the ocean breeze kissed their faces. The ceremony and honeymoon were flawless, every detail exactly as she imagined: elegant, breathtaking, and impeccable. He did it all simply because he loved her and she’s been on cloud nine ever since.
After lifting her head and running her tongue over his lips, she says, “Well, let’s go into the room, husband, and see if you can make me scream like that now.”
“Oh, I can with yo’ fine ass. I’m gon’ fuck around and give you twins,” he teases.
“You know that that’s not how twins happen. Our little girl is already inside and cooking. No other baby is welcomed,” she says while laughing.
“It’s not gon’ hurt to try.” He kisses her lips then her stomach and eases off the sofa. When he stands, he extends a hand to help her up. She accepts his hand as her phone rings. Thinking it’s Talesia’s mom calling back, she quickly answers.
“Hello,” she says.
“Hey, birthday girl,” her twin sister exclaims.
Sunjiya hasn’t heard from her twin since her betrayal in Conyers months ago. She took heed to Sunjiya’s final words and hasn’t bothered to call or text. However, she couldn’t let today go by without trying. Because of their unique birth times, they claim both the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth as their birthdays. She didn’t reach out on the twenty-eighth, yesterday, so she had to try today.
Because Sunjiya and Akeem have vowed to not keep secrets, before Sunjiya answers, she puts the phone on speaker and places it on the sofa cushion next to her.
“You know I don’t celebrate,” Sunjiya says.
“But I do, Twin. You can at least say it back,” her sister says. Akeem’s back stiffens at the sound of her voice. He’s also surprised she’s reaching out.
“Happy Birthday,” Sunjiya responds reluctantly.
“Thank you.”
“Why are you calling me?” Sunjiya asks.
“I mean…It’s our birthday…I miss you,” she says slowly, stumbling over her words. “And I was wondering if I could, um, maybe borrow some money until I sell this house.”
She’s selling that house for real? What happened to her insurance money? Where’s all the money I gave her? What the fuck is going on?
So many questions flash through Sunjiya’s mind and dance in her eyes. Akeem sees her wheels churning so he sits back next to her. His hand caresses her leg for comfort and it helps.
After pressing the mute button, Akeem tells her, “Bae, if you want to help your sister, help her. Just set boundaries.”
