Scared and all, but somehow, that was the safest I’d felt in years.
By the time I finished straightening up the living room, my back was screamin’ at me.
I dropped the throw pillow I was fluffin’ and put both hands on my lower back, breathin’ out slow.
“These kids better come out lovin’ me,” I mumbled. “‘Cause I done did enough.”
“Baby, sit down,” Trend called from the kitchen. “I got the rest.”
“You ‘got the rest’ after I done did everything,” I shot back.
He poked his head around the corner, brows raised. “I done been cookin’ all day.”
“Yeah, and I done been carryin’ two humans for months,” I said. “We both tired. Go stir somethin’.”
He laughed and disappeared back into the kitchen.
Even with the jokes, my chest was tight.
Tonight was supposed to be a little family dinner. Nothin’ major. Just us, Truce and Charlee, and Charlie Mac. I wanted it to feel… normal. Like we wasn’t about to have our whole life turned upside down.
The clock on the wall said six twenty.
I eased myself down on the couch, rubbin’ my belly.
“Aight, y’all,” I said to the twins. “Mama need y’all to act right tonight. No crazy kicks while I’m tryna eat, please.”
They ignored me, of course.
First knock came a few minutes later.
I pushed myself back up with a groan.
“I got it,” Trend called, but I was already halfway there.
When I opened the door, Truce and Charlee were standin’ there, arms full.
Charlee had a dish in her hand and an attitude on her face.
“Here,” she said, shovin’ the pan at me. “Mac and cheese. Don’t be tryna say I don’t contribute.”
“Hey to you too,” I laughed, steppin’ aside so they could come in. “You look cute, and cranky.”
“Thanks,” she said, rubbin’ her stomach real quick like she forgot she was doin’ it.
But, I clocked it.
“So y’all just bringin’ one pan?” I asked, lookin’ at Truce.
He held up a bag. “Dessert in here. And I brought drinks. Non-alcoholic for you, ‘cause I like bein’ alive.”
“You smart,” I said. “Trend in the kitchen.”
Truce went that way, dappin’ him up, loud as hell. I hugged Charlee, feelin’ my emotions already sittin’ too close to my throat.
“You good?” she asked low.
“I’m here,” I said. “We gon’ see about the rest.”
