Page 65 of A Toxic Redemption

Turning slightly, I rolled my eyes and frowned slightly at Allison. She was dressed in some type of uniform, and I assumed she was headed to work since it was early in the afternoon.

"So, the little boy really is your son?"

"And I'm going to have a daughter too because I can't stop nuttin' in her pu—"

"Okay, Khalil." I hit him in the back of the head to cut him off. Kids were around, and I hated it when he talked like that around KJ. "Allison, you need to leave. We're having family time, and this isn't the place."

"Family time?" Her eyes roamed my body. She was probably thinking about what Khalil had just said. "Isn't the place? Whenwould be a good time? His apparent child takes up all of his time, and it seems you have too. I can't get him to answer the phone anymore." Her tears and babbling were starting to piss me off because bitch why are you crying over my man? "Have you heard from my sister and Persia? I haven't seen them in weeks."

Ignoring her, he grabbed KJ and told him it was time to go. I had to promise him a movie night with his favorite snacks to keep him from throwing a fit. Grabbing hold of my hand, we let KJ cash in his winning ticket and get a few toys with Allison on our heels. I mugged Khalil all the way out of the arcade because I wanted him to tell that bitch to beat it.

"Loon, baby, did you hear me? I asked you—"

"Look bitch," I turned abruptly, causing her to stumble. We were now in the middle of the mall, and I could care less about who was looking. "You're about to piss me the fuck off. Khalil is mine. Always has been, and always will be. Even if he wasn't, it was never going to be any of you delusional ass bitches that can't seem to let go. I'm going to tell you this one last time." I narrowed my eyes and pressed my chest to hers so she could hear me well. Khalil was calling my name and trying to pull me back, but I snatched away from him. "Stay the fuck away from my nigga, bitch, or I swear to you I will show you who the real looney bitch is around this muhfucka. Now get the fuck out of my face and don't ever approach Khalil or reach out to my nigga again."

With tears rolling down her cheeks, Allison eyed me for a few moments before taking one last look at Khalil. With her head bowed, she left us standing there with a few people watching to see what would happen next.

"Man, I love this crazy ass girl," he mumbled as he led us through the mall. "We got lucky with her. Huh, KJ?"

"Yep!" He reached across his dad while still in his arms and hugged me. "I love you, Debin!"

It was KJ's first time telling me that, and I swear my heart melted. I tried to keep my own tears at bay, but it was no use. This little one made me so happy — him and his father.

"I love you too, baby." I stopped walking and pulled him into my arms. Khalil smiled at us both as he thumbed my tears. "I love you both. Forever!"

"Yayy!" he shouted and kissed my cheek. "Let's go get cheesy noodles."

I placed KJ on his feet, and we all laughed as we continued to walk around the mall hand in hand. We ended up shopping on Khalil's dime, just like I knew we would, and he was pissed. After promising to model one of my new lingerie sets, all was well again. Never did I ever think this would become my reality, but it is. I just hoped it could stay this way, but deep down, I felt as if things were about to change between us. I just hope we make it through whatever it may be.

Tonight, I wanted to do something special for Khalil to let him know he was loved and appreciated. He'd been through so much these past few months. Hell, these past few years hadn't been easy for him, so tonight, I wanted him to decompress, even if just for a minute.

I've never been the one to take the initiative when it came to catering to a man simply because I never wanted to. It was always sex and see ya later, but with my man, I wanted it to be so much more. When we first met, I would have never thought it would have been this way with us. Here we were, almost six months later, and I was head-over-heels in love with Khalil Simmons. What made me the happiest was the fact that I know he feels the same way.

"I'm so happy for you," Lori stated as she pinned my hair. I wanted tonight to be nothing less than perfect, so I got my girls to come through and help me get ready. "It's about time you experience true love and happiness."

Looking at her through the mirror, I smiled as she became teary-eyed. I decided to book the penthouse suite at the Riverfront Hotel and spend some quality time with my man. We were going to have a rooftop dinner while we overlooked the water, and I knew the highlight of the evening would be him buried deep inside of me.

"Thank you, friend." I smiled. "It's been a long time coming, but I'm glad Khalil is the one I decided to give my heart to."

"Out of all the niggas," Kira spoke as she wobbled slowly into the bathroom where we were, "I can't believe that you two crazy ass people have gotten together and formed the purest love. I would have never thought."

"Me either." Lori stepped to the side and allowed Kira to come in with my dress.

At five months pregnant with a little boy, she was pretty big. I tried not to speak on it much because she was a little self-conscious with herself, but my cousin might want to make sure she isn't carrying more than one.

"How are you feeling?" She had just finished my makeup, and I was gorgeous, if I must say so myself. "Have you been able to hold anything down?"

"Yes, can't you tell?" She palmed her belly, and we all shared a laugh. "I've been doing a lot better. This little boy is finally giving mama a break, and I have been eating everything in sight."

As I got dressed, we made idle chat and caught up with what was going on in each other's life. Everyone was so busy and out of touch these days. I thanked them repeatedly for helping me and let Kira know she and Jake could stay in the room thatKhalil was getting ready in if they'd like because they would be decorating this one for me when I left. When Kira and I began to talk about a cabin trip we were planning with the fellas, we noticed Lori was quiet.

"What's the matter with you?" I looked over and asked as I dropped out of my robe. "Why are you looking like you lost your best friend?"

"Bino and I aren't together right now," she mumbled as she helped clean the room. "I fucked up."

"Yeah, you did, bitch." Kira shook her head as she fastened the back of my dress. "I knew for sure it would have been him and not you."

"What happened?" I turned and eyed them as I adjusted the straps on my dress. "Hello? Is anybody going to answer me?"

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