Page 39 of And It’s Still You

“Send them to me too.”

“I will.”

The second I sent the pictures to Elise, three bubbles instantly popped up.

Elise: Moyaaaa!

Elise: Girl!

Elise: OMG!

Elise: Y’all look good as fuck!

Elise: Not the family being back together! I love it so much!

She had me giggling so hard with the back-to-back texts. If anyone was rooting for Shea and me, it was her and Terrance.

Me: We do look good, girl. I can’t deny that. It feels so good, Elise.

Elise: I know it does. I’m glad your stubborn ass decided not to fight your feelings anymore and got your man back.

Me: We’re taking things slow.

Elise: Y’all will be remarried next year. Mark my words.

All I could do was shake my head.

Me: Bye, Elise.

Elise: You know it’s true. Love you, girl.

Me: Love you too.

Leave it to Elise to have me wondering what the future held for me and Shea. I didn’t want to think too much or too deeply into it, because I’d overthink myself right into denial. So, I reached over and laced my fingers with Shea’s. He kissed the back of my hand and winked at me, sending my stomach into somersaults.

It didn’t take us long to arrive at Angela’s house. His sister’s cars were already parked in the driveway, so I mentally prepared myself for what was to come. Hand in hand, Shea, Ocean, and I walked inside. We were immediately greeted by the enticing aroma of whatever Angela was cooking, along with his nieces and nephews. They didn’t even acknowledge us as they came over and swooped Ocean away, going straight to the backyard.

August’s husband, Daniel, was the first to greet us. He came over and dapped Shea up before giving me a side hug. Next was Wednesday’s husband, Greg. He mimicked Daniel’s actions, and we all went to the kitchen to join the ladies.

Angela spotted us first. She wiped her hands on a towel and exclaimed, “There goes my baby!”

She rushed over to Shea and me with open arms. Shea approached her, but she walked around him and came straight to me. His mouth hung open as everyone except Wednesday burst out laughing. I stuck my tongue out at him, and he bobbed his head.

“A’ight, Mama,” he started and stepped back when she tried to hug him. “I’m going to remember that.”

“Remember it, Son. You know Moya is my girl, and I haven’t seen her in a while. I saw you not too long ago, so don’t even act like that.” She playfully fussed and jerked Shea up by the arm. He melted into her embrace like I knew he would. He could play hard all he wanted to. We all knew he was a mama’s boy.

“Let’s not overlook the fact that y’all walked in here looking like a happy family, matching and all.” August called us out, beaming as she stirred something in a bowl. “Let me find out y’all keeping secrets.”

“It’s nothing I haven’t already talked to you ’bout.” Shea went over and kissed August’s cheek, then playfully mushed Wednesday’s head. The two of them started running around the kitchen.

Angela put her hands on her hips and expressed, “Now, I know the two of you better act like y’all got some sense. I don’t care that y’all are grown and married. When have I ever let y’all run around my kitchen?”

“O isn’t married. Moya divorced him, remember?” Wednesday stated, glaring directly at me.

Never the one to back down, I folded my arms and hiked a brow. “Yet, I’m here with him. Is that a problem?”

“I need all the men to exit my kitchen, please,” Angela demanded.