Page 80 of Brother to Brother

“Hey, look at me,” Archer ordered from behind me and I turned away from the full length mirror that had been part of the bedroom set that Rush had built.

Archer leveled me with his calm, gold green gaze and said, “It’s going to be fine. Noah’s not going anywhere.”

“I know, I guess I’m just worried about seeing them, you know?”

“You ain’t gotta worry about that either, Babe. I’m gonna be right there with you.”

“I don’t like that they’re making me bring Noah with us, he shouldn’t be there.”

“He won’t be,” Archer soothed, standing up from where he’d tied his shoe. He was in an honest to god suit. A dark blue one, with a light blue shirt, and tie. It looked wrong on him, even if he did look good. I’d braided his hair tightly at the back, so from the front, it gave the illusion that he had short hair.

My hair I’d put up into a French Twist, a light fringe of bangs over my eyes. My makeup was understated, but there, and all I wanted to do was throw up – but that would make my mascara run. Additionally, I didn’t think this nausea had anything to do with morning sickness. None at all. I sighed and let Archer pull me into his arms.

“Everything is going to be okay, Baby. Your parents are crazier than a shit house mouse and everyone knows it. Just give ‘em the rope to hang themselves.”

“I know, I mean, you’re right, but I’m still afraid.”

“I know, now come on; let’s get this done.”

I followed him downstairs to where Revelator bounced Noah, holding him up high above his head. My sharp dressed little man, with his blue slacks, white shirt, and little red and blue striped clip-on tie. He was dressed just like his daddy, and it was adorable.

“Thank you for helping us out,” I murmured to Rev, taking Noah from him. He was likewise dressed for court in black slacks and a white button down. He’d forgone a tie though, and the shirt material strained across his shoulders, and around his arms. Mandy had even tamed his hair, however the gauges in his ears, even tasteful and not stupid huge as they were, still stood out.

Mandy, held Eden on her hip, her belly swollen with Dante, their boy, who was due very soon in November.

“It’s no trouble, you guys are family,” she smiled and said, “Even my daddy is coming. Imagine the look on their faces when they realize you have a preacher of your own on your side!”

I sighed, and nodded. I felt a keen sense of dread the entire drive to the courthouse, grateful that Archer was the one behind the wheel. Rev and Mandy followed us in her economical car, and I closed my eyes and just tried to remember to breathe.

“Feeling sick?” Archer asked.

“Yes.”

“Think it’s the baby?”

“I don’t know, it could be either or,” I said bleakly.

His response was perfect. He reached over the center console and gathered my hand resting atop my thigh in his and gave it a squeeze, and he held it the whole rest of the way there, even when he parked.

We got Noah out of the car and met Carina Washington on the front steps, she smiled warmly at us and waved at Noah who smiled broadly and waved back. A lot of the club and their ol’ ladies were here, too. All dressed professionally and respectfully for court.

“Hey, Little Guy!” Rush held up his hand for a high five and Noah hit it. He flung himself at Rush and Rush grabbed him. I relinquished my son to the track of laughter around us. That was Noah, when he liked something, he was all in; often times leaping before looking, and whether or not mom or dad were prepared for it.

“How are you doing?” Carina asked.

“Ready to fall apart at any second,” I said honestly.

“Don’t be, we’re on your side and good news, we pulled Judge Mathers.”

“Why is that good?” Archer asked.

“Judge Mathers is a straight shooter and has averylow tolerance for bull pucky. I think that will definitely work in your favor.”

Archer looked down at Carina with a faint, amused, smile on his lips, “Bull pucky?” he asked.

“Ohhh! You know what I mean,” she swatted him lightly in the arm and they both laughed and I just wanted toscreamat them.This is not funny! How can you both be so blasé about this!? They’re trying to take oursonaway from us!

I didn’t though, I simply held myself rigid and as stoic as I could imagine, because if I opened my mouth, I really was going to start screaming and I wasn’t going to be able tostop.

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