Page 112 of I Don't Want You Back

“Man, look, I’m not trying to have this conversation right now because it’s only gonna piss me off. I wanna celebrate the birth of my kids without all the added drama,” Landon replied, right as someone knocked on the door.

“Congrats my nigga. I’m a muthafucking uncle!” Roman yelled when he walked into the room with gift bags and balloons.

“Watch your mouth in front of Ms. Ella, nigga,” Chad fussed as he walked in behind him carrying more gifts and bubble gum cigars.

“I’m sorry Ms. Ella,” Roman apologized.

“Y’all are alright baby. Don’t change your language for me,” Ella said, waving him off.

“Y’all wanna hold them?” Faryn asked her brothers.

“Nah man, I’m scared of kids,” Roman replied.

“Shit, me too,” Aiden agreed.

“That’s a damn shame,” Faryn laughed.

“This is as close as I’ll come to having some of my own.” Roman shrugged.

“Don’t worry brother-in-law, we’ll have enough to get you right,” Landon said while winking at Faryn.

“Nigga please,” Faryn replied with a smirk.

She slept off and on all day while her visitors came and went. Akira, Clarence, Harley, and Kyron came with more gifts, and Faryn’s room was getting crowded. It amazed Faryn how she went from being a loner to being surrounded by more love than she could imagine. Meeting Landon was a blessing that she vowed to never take for granted. Makena, her brothers, and the boys stayed until visiting hours were over. Lance and Lennox went home with their auntie, while Landon stayed the night with Faryn and the twins.

“What are you gonna do about your mama and her living arrangements?” Faryn asked Landon as he cuddled up in the hospital bed with her.

“Nothing,” Landon replied.

“Don’t be mean Landon. You don’t have to take care of her, but I know you don’t want her to be homeless.”

“Me and my sister would have been homeless if our grandmother wouldn’t have taken us in.”

“I know, but-” Faryn started before he cut her off.

“If your mama was alive, would you have done it for her? Based on how you were treated as a child, would you have done anything to help her out if you could?” Landon asked.

Faryn was silent as she pondered over his question. She took a moment and traveled down memory lane, reliving every detail of her childhood from as far back as she could remember. The pain had subsided, but the memories would forever remain.

“No,” she mumbled, giving her husband an honest answer.

“Get some rest. We’ll talk some more tomorrow,” Landon said as he closed his eyes.

“Okay, I love you.” Faryn yawned.

I love you too, baby,” Landon replied.

The bed was big enough for them both to sleep in, but he had to be careful since Faryn had just had surgery. Landon waited until she was in a deep sleep before he crept out of the bed and got in the recliner that was next to it. He watched a movie for a little while before he joined his wife in a deep slumber.

***

“I need a break y’all. I’m out of breath,” Malia said as she flopped down on a bench.

Her boys had begged her take them go cart driving, and she happily obliged. She was just happy to be spending time with them, so she didn’t mind. Landon had taken them several times before, so they knew what to do. That was her first time there, but she didn’t know that the adventure park offered so much. They had Malia rock climbing and playing outdoor laser tag. As thin as she was, she was out of shape and it showed. She was breathing hard as hell and drinking water like she was dehydrated.

“It took you forever to make it to the top of the wall,” Lennox laughed.

“I know. That was harder than I thought it would be,” Malia chuckled.

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