Page 53 of It's Love I'm After

“I’m sorry. I’ll do better about coming over.” Kissing her cheek, I sit in the empty chair across from her.

“Mhm. I understand you’re over there, under that man, and believe me, I can see why, but don’t be neglecting me. I’m not opposed to popping up and messing up y’all little happy bubble and shit.”

Smirking, I drop my head when Nana’s eyes lift to mine so I don’t get her started any more than she already is. Once I’m able to control my actions, I lift my head to see Nana staring intently, instantly removing my humor.

“What?” I ask over the lump in the back of my throat as heat fills my neck.

“No matter who your parents are or aren’t, God has never seen you as a mistake. I love my daughter, but she’s wrong for making you believe your life hasn’t been worth the hours it took her to bring you into this world.” The sincerity in Nana’svoice has tears slipping from the corners of my eyes without permission.

“I uh?—”

“Don’t have to say anything. I said what I said, and that settles it. Now tell me how my baby is adjusting to his father.” Nana’s brows hike, and a sinister grin slides into place.

“His father is wild, Nana.” Laughing, I shake my head while ignoring the butterflies swarming in my stomach at the thought.

“Oh, he ain’t Caleb’s father, but taking him to school while you were sick? Girl, bye. I’ve been Caleb’s backup for everything for five years. Now your new man on the scene, and suddenly, I’m not needed anymore,” Nana taunts.

“Ooh, Nana. I didn’t know you would ride the petty bus when I came here today.”

“Chile, please. I’m driving the mothafucka today, so buckle up and stop stalling. You know I’m nosy.”

Laughing again, I shake my head before preparing to bring Nana up to speed on Caleb's adjustment to Germayne being in our life.

“In all my years of dating, I have never felt how I feel about this man. I couldn’t tag you in with Caleb’s first week of school because Germayne stepped in without any preempting from me. Since that day, Caleb has been stuck to him like glue, and it's been the cutest thing to witness. It was Caleb’s idea for him and Germayne to have a boy’s outing today. I think I’m slowly being replaced, and I can’t even be mad, because Germayne is wowing me too.” I stop talking when my phone vibrates, causing me to remove it from my purse. My eyes mist upon reading the text from Germayne.

Germayne:We wanted to check in to let you know that we’re good. *image attached*

“See, this is what I’m talking about.” I show Nana my phone so she can see the picture of Germayne and Caleb. Caleb’s eyesare beaming with happiness, his cheeks are full of delight, and Germayne looks like he’s in the highlight of his life, simply next to Caleb.

“Mhm. I’m going out tomorrow to buy my dress for the adoption ceremony,” Nana states, and a bubble of laughter escapes my mouth at the serious expression on her face.

Me too, Nana. Me too.

23

GERMAYNE

Caleb and I have been enjoying our bonding day, making me the happiest man in the world. Today confirms that locking Chaniya down for life means I will inherit two of the best things this side of Heaven.

“Good job, C. Shoot again, big man,” I encourage.

“My arms are getting tired, Papa G. Can you please help me?”

My heart stops and air rushes in my ears while my eyes blink continuously at the new name Caleb has attached to me. Jesus! This little boy is about to have me out here in this public place, shedding buckets of tears. What is Cha-Cha gonna say when she hears him call me this? Lord, please don’t let me fuck up with this woman. I promise I didn’t coerce him into this. How will I get Cha-Cha not to send me packing over this one?

“Papa G, are you okay?” Caleb questions, looking at me.

“Uh-um, yeah, I’m good. Why did you call me that, C?”

“Because you are. Now, can you help me?” Caleb gives me a duh expression while waiting for me to assist him with throwing the ball into the basket.

Shaking off my swirling thoughts and shock, I move to lift Caleb off his feet while running at full speed before giving him instructions again.

“Shoot it, C. We got this!”

Lord, please don’t let his mama kill or leave me over this.

“Ooh, you got a grandma too, Papa G. I knew you were cool. I got two grandmothers,” Caleb says excitedly when I pull into Grandma Jolene’s driveway.

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