Page 105 of Senior

“It’ll be a few weeks with paperwork, inspections, home visits, and getting their rooms ready.”

“Well, when can we meet the lil’ nigga and nigglette?” Maceo asked.

“Right,” Smoke agreed. “They need to see if they wanna be a part of the foolishness. Y’all told them about us?”

“Of course,” I answered. “I think it would be nice for the family to meet them beforehand. We can try to set something up.”

“I smell a cookout,” Grams said. She clasped her hands together and looked at us. “It’s been a blessing to witness this family grow over the years. I’m not calling any names, but some of y’all went a little crazy in that department, especially a few years ago.”

“Grams, you can say it,” Maceo said. “We all know how fertile Romi and Smoke are.”

“I haven’t had a kid in four years!” Romi exclaimed, mushing his head. “Anyway! Senior, Mama Steph, we can’t wait to meet these babies.”

“Agreed,” Jaeda said. “They are gonna be welcomed with so much love.”

“And aggravation,” Mia added, pointing at her brothers. “Another girl’s dating life to ruin and another boy to be the bane of my existence.”

“You came in late,” Deuce jested. “You’re still playing catch up. Damn. We’re about to have another Mia. Remember how she came in?”

As they went on and on, I couldn’t help but smile as their excitement grew. One thing I could say about our kids was they loved each other to no end. They were going to be exactly what Daxon and Sevyn needed.

“The kids are excited,” I finally answered, giggling to myself. “We really talk about these kids like they are literal children at times.”

“Because they act like literal children at times,” Allison said. “Maceo and Devin think nothing of coming to sit their big heavy asses on my lap.”

Tavia smiled. “Jaeda and Kerrion still climb in my bed.”

“Mia still calls me Mommy,” Maddie added.

“Well, we all know how my son acts about me,” I said. “They are never gonna grow up when it comes to us or their bald headed ass daddy.”

Allison smirked. “That’s just our baby daddy. That’s your bald headed ass man.”

I playfully flipped my hair. “And is.”

“Wow!” I heard from behind us. I turned to see Kathy standing there. “I knew you were still messing around with that man.”

“Excuse you?” I said, turning completely.

“You heard me. My brother told me you were sleeping with him before you two got serious. I always told him he shouldn’t trust that it was over. You were probably messing around with him while you were married.”

“Not that I owe you an explanation, but no. I wasn’t.”

“Oh, but you couldn’t wait to run back to him after my brother died. You weren’t messing with him, but now that’s your man? I heard you.”

I clasped my hands and heaved a heavy sigh. “Kathy, it’s been four… almost five years since I lost Aaron. I haven’t entertained a man since, and even if I did, what the hell does that have to do with you?”

“Because the man you’re entertaining isn’t someone new.”

“Again, why is that your concern?” Tavia asked.

Kathy glared at her. “He is familiar and it leads me to believe that this isn’t just now happening. I wouldn’t expect you to understand. I’ve heard the rumors about you all sharing that man.”

Allison laughed. “Steph, you better get your sister-in-law. I’m not a problem she wants.”

“And she for damn sure doesn’t want one with me,” Maddie said, turning around completely and crossing her legs. “You better walk away before I start saying some shit that will have you looking at me crazy.”

Kathy scoffed. “Bullying? How old are we?”