Page 43 of Until the Ink Dries

I giggled. “You heard my girl. Show me the fun stuff.”

Benjamin kissed his teeth. “Come on here, man.”

He started walking and I fell in step beside him. Since Shirah ditched me yet again, I guess I had to make do with the company I had. Somehow, that didn’t seem like such a bad thing.

Icouldn’t keep my eyes off Willow in that damn skirt.. It hugged her hips and ass perfectly. Not to mention, it felt right to have her with us. It was like she was meant to be here.

“Daddy! Let’s go over there.” Charlie said, pointing towards the DIY bracelet stations.

We approached the many tables lined up with chairs. They had different beads, charms, and colored elastic string to make bracelets or necklaces. I lifted Charlie from my shoulders to place her on her feet. She couldn’t contain her excitement as she rushed over to take a seat. Faith was running the station. Her husband used to be part of the Black Thorns, but he died suddenly. She still came out to help anyway she could when we hosted things.

“Hey, Benny! I see Charlie has finally made her way over here,” she said as she approached Willow and I.

“Absolutely. I knew she would. We’re supposed to be showing Willow the fun stuff, as she calls it.”

Faith smiled and held her hand out to introduce herself to Willow.

“Well, you three have a great time. If you need any help, let me know.” She said, then walked over to help a little girl who was sitting with her mom.

We made our way over to Charlie, taking a seat on both sides of her. Charlie had taken it upon herself to pick out our charms and beads for us. She placed a white string for me with a few different colored beads, a motorcycle charm, and three charms with the letters C, B, and W. I didn’t need to ask her what they represented.

She had done the same for Willow but for her; she placed beads that were yellow and white with sunflower charms. While her charm bracelet was green with a dragon and a tiara. I tapped her charms to get her attention.

“Hey baby, why do you have two charms and we only have one?” I asked, teasing her.

She cheesed, showing all of her teeth, and tilted her head to the side.

“Because — I’m a princess and I love dragons.”

Willow cracked up as she placed the beads Charlie had given her on the string.

“I know that’s right!” Willow commented.

I leaned forward so she could see me and lifted a brow with a smirk.

“Y’all gone stop hyping this little girl up,” I told her with a laugh.

“Yet, I see you over there making that bracelet.” Willow pointed out.

I waved her off, but I couldn’t help but laugh at that one because I would do anything for my baby. Even if it meant I was going to wear this damn bracelet for a minute. Once all the beads were in place, Charlie checked them over and nodded her approval before we closed them. The moment we finished, Faith walked over to check them out.

“Benny, let me take your pictures.”

I glanced over at Willow because I wasn’t sure how she would feel. I knew she had her own situation going on, but I wasn’t clear about the extent of it. Charlie didn’t give us a chance to think a moment longer about the situation. She pulled at my leather biker jacket for me to get close and did the same to Willow by tugging on the side of her shirt.

“Okay now! Let’s see those bracelets.” Faith said.

Charlie was smiling big as hell with her little wrist on display. I knew my baby was excited and her happiness was contagious. I couldn’t help it but to be smiling just as big as she was. I glanced over at Willow, and she was looking at me with a soft smile. Before I could look back at Faith, the flash of her camera went off.

“This picture is so cute! Thank y’all again, Benny,” she said before walking over to greet newcomers.

We stood and made our way out of the section and Charlie turned to face Willow and me.

“Daddy! I want to go to the bounce house now. And oh! You and Ms. Willow have to wear your bracelets forever!” Charlie instructed.

“Forever? Who said I was trying to wear this bracelet with everything? It’s special so I can only wear it on special occasions.”

Charlie giggled, then walked over to Willow to hold her hand.

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