Page 157 of Mia

“You ain’t even supposed to be here,” Senior said, snatching the plate from her. “You just popped up and waltzed your ass in here like you right.”

“How are you gonna tell me where I can be when this is my child’s house?” my mother retorted.

“The house I built and paid bills in until Titan⁠—”

My mother grabbed a dish towel and smacked him with it. “See if I don’t choke the shit outta you. I don’t give a damn what you did. You’re her father, and you did what fathers are supposed to do.”

“Bronx, you better get your wife, man.”

Bronx chuckled. “I’m not in it.”

“Y’all aren’t about to be doing all the fussing around my baby,” I said, making my presence known.

My parents looked at me and smiled.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” my mother said, coming over to hug and kiss me. “We came over to make you two breakfast, but this old fool was here. Hi, Grammy’s baby!”

She scooped TJ up and kissed his cheeks. While she loved on him, I went to hug Mr. Bronx and my father.

“Daddy, why are you being difficult this morning? You just walked in here like you were right too.”

“Exactly!” my mother agreed.

“Baby girl, I always cook breakfast for you and TJ when Titan is away. Don’t act brand new.”

He shook his head before focusing on my son.

“Pa Pa,” TJ whispered with a grin as his eyes landed on my father.

Now wasn’t that about a bitch? His first words weren’t MaMa or DaDa. It was Papa. He said it, and since then my father had to let it be known that he was his grandbaby’s first word.

“Hey, Papa’s baby!” he said, going to take him from my mother. TJ was just kicking and squealing while he rubbed on the shiny, ass bald head. “At least you’re happy to see me, ain’t you lil’ man?”

“Papa! Papa!”

My mother folded her arms. “That’s crazy.”

Senior chuckled. “You know these kids love their Pop Pop. Get like me.”

My mother rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Mia, when is Titan due back?”

“He should⁠—”

My words were cut off when the front door opened and my man walked in carrying his overnight bag. I abandoned my spot and ran full speed to meet him. Thank God he had good balance, because I jumped in his arms and wrapped my body around him. He’d been gone on a mission for the last week, and I missed him terribly.

He chuckled as he held me up. “Damn, you missed me, mamas?”

“You have no idea,” I said, pulling back.

I crashed my lips into his, kissing him passionately. Since having TJ, I scaled back on missions a little. I hated leaving my baby and cried whenever I had to leave him for work. Titan was still actively working with my grandfather, however. The old man had finally gotten over his anger toward him. Titan didn’t care one way or the other. He still showed up and did his job. My grandfather had no choice but to respect him.

“A’ight now!’ Senior said from the kitchen. “That’s enough of that.”

I rolled my eyes as Titan placed me on my feet. “Daddy, please. I haven’t seen my husband in a week. You can deal with a little kissing.”

Titan chuckled as we walked over to greet everyone before grabbing our son.

“My boy!” he said, tossing him in the air. “Daddy missed you, man.”