Page 58 of It's Love I'm After

At this point, I’ll take my chances with Germayne and see how Caleb fares later in life. I ain’t subjecting me or Caleb to the nonsense. Matter of fact, what the hell was I thinking? Ugh.

An emergency labor and delivery for a dog has me walking into my front door after eight o’clock. Thankfully, Germayne worked the morning shift, so I didn’t have to worry about finding someone to take care of Caleb. I’m not sure how I made it home because I’m tired as hell. The poor dog wouldn’t push out the last three puppies, which meant the vet and I had to assist her. Seeing the lights on the main level off with a glow coming from the light under the microwave, I head up to the second floor.

I plan to peek in on Caleb, who I know is sleeping, thanks to the picture mail I received from Germayne, and then shower. Crawling in the bed next to my man after this hellacious day will do my mind and body some good. My limbs protest with every step I climb, but I make it to the second floor and push Caleb’s slightly ajar door open. A wide smile upturns my weary lips, and I quickly pull my phone from my pocket. Snapping a picture, my heart sputters and my chest explodes with warmth at seeing Germayne with Caleb’s arm draped over him. They are snoozing peacefully, and I hate to disturb them, but mama also needs some cuddle time with Papa G.

“Go get your shower. I’ll be waiting for you when you get out.” Germayne’s low and husky voice stops my approach toward the bed.

His eyes are still closed, so I had no clue that he wasn’t sleeping like Caleb, but I nod and give him a few parting words. “Hurry, I need some of that sleep aid you gave Caleb to have him unconscious.”

“Say less, Cha-Cha. I got you.”

With a smile the size of Arizona, I turn and exit the room with a little more pep in my step than when I arrived. Tonight won’t be a night where I prolong my shower, because I need to feel Germayne’s heart thumping against my ear while I lie on his chest. All worries from earlier are gone simply by seeing Germayne and Caleb. My baby already has a capable man in his life. Ain’t no point in rocking the boat.

EPILOGUE

Germayne

Ayear later . . .

Man, a lot has changed in 365 days, but every minute of those days has given me a reason to smile. I owe God everything for the blessings he sent me last year. A man dodging being pursued by his ex could not only find a viable deterrent but a companion in this thing called life.

“Why are you sitting here staring at the building? Unlike me, you got to walk our son to his kindergarten and first-grade class.” Cha-Cha’s snappy tone cuts into my thoughts, causing a smirk to upturn my lips.

Pulling my gaze from the school building, I turn to see Chaniya’s fuller than normal face with a pout present. Chuckling, I lean over and kiss her lips to try and soften the aggression she’s feeling right now.

“Mm,” Chaniya moans.

“Mhm. Chill. You know I love your fake mad ass. You’re lucky I let you ride along because you’re supposed to be resting.”Pulling away from the school, I head home to kill time until it's time for pick up.

“Tuh. This isn’t my first rodeo, Germayne.”

“Yet, it's mine from this stage, so I ain’t trying to hear what you’re talking about.”

Chaniya and I brought a baby into the world two weeks ago, and yes, I’m including myself because I refused to let anyone other than me cut Chaniya open. Thanks to our son’s stubbornness and refusal to come out, Chaniya had to have a cesarean because he didn’t tolerate the Pitocin well.

“Leaving me at home with a screaming baby is sheer nasty work, Germayne Malone. I thought you loved me.” I drop my head when Chaniya’s bottom lip quivers because it’s the precursor to her tears.

Had someone other than myself delivered Geovanni, I would send them the bill for the damage they caused Chaniya’s hormones. Yet, it’s impossible to blame myself unless I start from the beginning, and I’ll never regret a moment of fun that led us to this point.

“Never doubt for a moment that your love has always been my motivation, Chaniya Malone. There will never come a day where your pleasure isn’t my reward. To love you is to always take care of you, even when you don’t like it.”

The moment I found out that Chaniya was pregnant with my baby, I ran to the jewelry store to purchase her engagement ring. Three weeks later, the two of us were married in front of a judge with Caleb, Nana, Grandma Jolene, Ma, and Dad as our witnesses. Wasting money on a lavish wedding for everyone but the two of us to enjoy didn’t seem worth it to me. When I told Chaniya we could have a big reception and begin searching for our forever home, she agreed.

“It’s not fair, though. I missed kindergarten and now first grade. What’s next, his high school graduation?”

“Come on, Cha-Cha. C is only on first grade, day one, and you’re already advancing him. Please calm down. How about I give you a massage when we get home? Then I’ll let you rest all day while I take care of Geovanni. How does that sound?”

“How? He has to eat, and you?—”

“You have milk on reserve for him, so he’ll have to do like his old man and have a forced break from the titty. It’ll give us another reason to bond.”

“You’re crazy.” Chaniya giggles.

“There’s my Cha-Cha. Pretty ass,” I say, causing a blush to fill Chaniya’s cheeks.

“I want to thank you all for coming. Your support is something we’ll never be able to repay,” I swallow to push the lump forming in my throat back into my esophagus.

“It's okay. Take your time,” Chaniya whispers while rubbing my back lovingly.

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