Page 20 of Marshall: The Manny

And of course… that caused me to worry.

15

Marshall

As I worked on my next workbook, I got a call from my mother. I used to spend every weekend with family when I worked with other clients, but that hadn’t been the case lately. With Demi and Denver, I wanted to spend the weekends with Demi. It was rare that we had Denver over the weekend, but I cherished those moments.

Still, I made sure to go see my parents throughout the week as much as I could, and they were just as crazy about Denver as I was. At least twice a month I hung with my guys and my brother. I never wanted to feel completely disconnected from my circle because of my relationship, but I also couldn’t deny I felt most at peace when I was home with Demi and Denver.

Home.

This was the first time a clients’ home felt comfortable enough to be mine.

I’d pretty much moved from the guest house to the main house. Since Demi purchased her home, I insisted on taking care of the rest of the bills. There was more to being a provider than giving money, but that was something we’d never have to worry about.

As I answered Ma’s call, I sat back in my seat. “Hey, Ma. Wassup?”

“Hey, baby. I was just calling to check on you and the little guy and see if you were coming over this weekend. I think it’ll be the last barbecue we do before the fall.”

That was a lie, but I didn’t say that. Even when fall and winter came, my pops would still be out on his enclosed backyard grilling.

“We’re good, and I will be there. I’ll have to check and see if Demi has plans.”

“How are things going between the two of you?”

I smiled and squeezed the back of my neck. “Things are going well.”

“And you don’t have a problem with her making more money than you?”

Chuckling, I shook my head as if she could see me. “Not at all. She makes more money than me but she’s not the breadwinner; I am. I pay her bills and she does whatever she wants with her money.”

“Oh. I didn’t know you all were that serious.”

“We are, and Demi honors my place as the man in her and Denver’s life. She values my leadership, guidance, provision, and strength. That’s why I’m going to marry her.”

“I guess I have nothing to say to that other than I’m happy for you and I can’t wait for you to give me more grandbabies. Denver’s the first, but I want some that’ll have our last name too.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I agreed, remembering that I’d technically never asked to make things official with Demi. I told her she was mine but that was all.

We continued to talk for a while longer before it dropped in my spirit that I hadn’t heard Denver on the monitor yet. I got offthe phone and headed upstairs to his room. He was awake and laying there with a grimace and look of discomfort.

“What’s wrong, little man?” I asked, lowering my hand to his forehead. It was slightly warm. Picking him up, I held him close as he whined and clung to me. I went to the first aid kit and grabbed a thermometer to check his temperature. It was up slightly but he didn’t have a fever just yet.

If he didn’t look so uncomfortable, I would assume he’d just gotten a little warm while sleeping, but it was definitely more than that. Since he didn’t have any other symptoms, I decided to monitor him for a while before giving him anything or taking him to the ER.

When four hours passed and he grew even fussier, I decided to call Demi. I didn’t want to alarm her, but I also wanted her to be aware of what was going on.

“Hey, my baby,” she answered, and the smile in her voice made me feel horrible.

“Don’t worry… Denver has a slight fever.”

“Oh no! Let me look up flights—”

“Don’t rush. Handle your business. I’m about to give him some infant Tylenol and fluids. He has no other symptoms, so that’s good. If his temp doesn’t lower over the next couple of hours, I’ll take him to Le Bonheur.”

“Okay, but I’ll still be home as soon as I can. The meeting is over. I’m actually leaving now, and I’m completely over Luis’s shit. I gave him an ultimatum to transfer the money by the time my flight lands, so I was going to have Jessie book me a flight anyway.”

That made me chuckle as I nodded. “Alright, love. I guess I’ll see you soon then, and I promise I’ll keep you posted about our son.” My eyes snapped shut immediately. “Your son. Bye.”

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