Page 29 of Bully

“Good luck with that.”

We cackled as I lifted Innah and set her on top of the table. Her chubby, tiny hands patted my cheeks as she gave me a slobbery smile. Her little nubs of teeth were slightly taller but they weren’t all the way in yet. She was honestly the cutest little thing ever.

“Mama loves you, baby girl.”

Her babbled response was exclaimed by her flailing arms and wiggling body.

With a wide smile, I pulled Innah into my chest and kissed her head. We were actively working on her words but also not expecting a lot since she was only six months old. Well, she’d be seven months next week. More than anything, Innah seemed to pick up on things through conversation and not intentional teaching. She was a little joker and got more enjoyment out of making us laugh when we were trying to teach her something. So a lot of the words she picked up on, she picked up on when we were speaking to her normally or someone else. I loved how curious she was and how she could focus long enough to say what she wanted.

“She’s so precious, sis. Seriously. My brother is so lucky to have the both of you. And I’m so sorry my past almost ruined that.”

“Girl, you have nothing to apologize for. I know your brother don’t play about you. I’m just glad you talked him out of taking care of it himself though. Between what he’s done for Rocco and the shit I saw him do to Moore… it’s giving he really don’t give a fuck and is about that life even to this day.”

We shared a soft laugh though there was nothing funny about the situation. I took pride in being with a man who had no problem setting it off about the people he loved, but I still prayed he could settle into calmness and never risk losing his freedom or life because of violence.

“Did he… now that he’s back… do you know if he’s going to be working with Karrington?”

My brows wrinkled as I considered her question. “Why haven’t you asked him that?”

Sadness covered her expression briefly. “We haven’t really been talking a lot lately. Guilt, you know? But after being with you today and knowing you two are in a much better place, I feel more comfortable squeezing my way back into his life.”

“Gabriella…”

“I know, I know, but still. I took a lot from him. His position with Karrington. Time with you. The birth of his baby. I know he doesn’t mind but there was still guilt over how everything played out.”

I knew there was no point in me telling her to release it. Gabriella was the most peaceful and least problematic person I knew, so I couldn’t imagine how this had been affecting her. I pulled her close by her neck and gave her a kiss. Innah followed suit, holding her face in place and saying, “Mm muah!” as she pressed her lips against her temple.

We laughed and cooed before loving on baby girl, then we finished our lunch so I could get back to work. I wasn’t sure what led me to ask her to have lunch with me at first, but I was glad I listened and did so. Hopefully now things would return to normal between her and her brother.

15

Bully

I wouldn’t sayI was nervous to have this conversation, but I was on edge. With how peaceful things had been between Innvy and I, I didn’t want involving our parents in our relationship to create anxiety. Normally I wouldn’t give a damn how anyone felt about what we were doing, but since I was aware of her mother’s lack of faith in our relationship, I decided to take accountability for that and see if there was anything I could do to ease her mind.

So, I decided to take our parents out to lunch. For the entire lunch, things were smooth. Bianca was cordial and warm like she was before I left. Aside from her calling me Houdini, she treated me like she did before what she called my disappearing act. I noticed the shift in her mood after I took a sip of my whiskey and told them, “Though I’ve enjoyed this time with y’all, there was an intention behind it. I want to talk to you about my girls.”

Bianca’s eyes rolled and she shifted in her seat before taking a sip of her wine.

“Go ahead, Son,” Pops urged, gripping my shoulder with a grin. He’d taken to Innvy just as quickly as I did and didn’t play about her or Princess.

“I know me leaving was unexpected, but I’m back now. Innvy and I are making very good progress and we will get married in the future. If any of you had any questions about my intentions or concerns, now is the time and space for them. And after, I don’t want to have to prove myself or my love again.”

“Your love is not my concern,” Mama B admitted. “It’s your stability I’m concerned about.”

“I can respect that,” I replied with one bob of my head. “To make it clear: My leaving had nothing to do with Innvy or the baby. I wasn’t running from marriage or my responsibilities. Even though it may have seemed like I was gone for a while, I did what I had to do to get back to my girls as quickly as I possibly could.”

Knowing the reason for my departure, Mama’s head hung.

“Can you share with us why you left?” Hamilton asked, causing me to shake my head.

“I can’t, but it was family related. It was life or death, and I really had no way out.”

“Are my daughter and granddaughter safe with you?” he continued.

“They are.”

“Not just physically,” Bianca said, sitting up in her seat. “Are their hearts safe with you? Innvy… She grew up around true love, healthy relationships, people who thrived. If you can’t continue that with her and my granddaughter…” Her mouth snapped shut and eyes watered.

---