Page 104 of Mia

“She’s my hardheaded muthafucka,” I said, walking off toward the house.

I didn’t bother taking a tour of the place. I followed Mia’s scent until I found her in one of the bedrooms. She was standing on the balcony, overlooking the backyard. I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

She leaned into me, and I kissed her temple.

“You know your dad is right. You need to rest a little.”

“I know. I’m just anxious. I remember my promise to do this right this time and I’ll keep my word.”

“Good. The last thing we need is to be at odds with anybody.”

She sighed. “I need Bleu. I should have brought her.”

“We can call her.”

We’d decided to leave Bleu with Jaeda. Those kids would have run her crazy if we left her anywhere else. I pulled out my phone and sent Jaeda a FaceTime request. It was late over there, but I was sure she was awake, waiting on Quaid to call.

She answered groggily. “Y’all made it?”

“Just got to the house,” I said.

“Is she okay?”

“I’m fine, sis,” Mia answered. “I just need to see Bleu.”

Jaeda giggled. “Your baby is fine, Mia.”

“Please, Jaeda. I’m feeling anxious and I should have brought her with me.”

“Hold on. Give me a minute to roll this belly over.”

A few seconds went by before the dim light came on. She came back into view as Bleu snuggled into her neck.

“Bleu Bleu, look who’s on the phone.”

Most people wouldn’t believe how alert Bleu was. She was very attentive. When Jaeda moved the phone in her line of sight, her ears perked up.

“Hey, Bleu Baby,” Mia said with a smile.

Bleu’s head turned from side to side.

“How did they get in there?” Jaeda asked her in a baby voice. “Say I miss you.”

“We miss you too, baby,” Mia said, sniffling. “I could really use some of her love right now.”

Jaeda stuck her head in the camera. “Awww, sissy. Everything’s gonna be okay. You’re gonna handle business and come back to your girl. I mean, I might let her leave. She gives good cuddles.”

Mia chuckled. “She does.”

“You call her feet in my face good cuddles?” I asked.

On the rare occasion she slept with us, Bleu damn near shoved her feet in my mouth. She just had to sleep with her face in Mia’s neck, and her body on my pillow. Many times, I’d woken up with her big ass foot pressed against my lips. I’d almost tossed her little ass off the bed.

“She’s clingy,” Mia said. “You just wanna be up under Mommy and Daddy, don’t you, Bleu Bleu?”

Bleu started whining and sniffing the phone.

“Awww, I think she gave you kisses. That’s so sweet!”