Page 83 of Juke
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By the time I padded down the hall to get Dominic dressed, She was sitting on the floor with her stuffed rabbit, Bunny. leaned on the doorframe, admiring my baby girl, who looked just like her daddy. We named her after our middle names, Dominic Nicole. She has been the biggest blessing to the both of us, and she doesn’t even know it. “Dommy girl, we gotta get ready for your cousin’s party.”
Her head popped up, with her big brown eyes shining. “Mommy, Daddy do it.”
“Daddy’s in the shower. I can do it.”
“No.” She stomped her little foot and clutched Bunny tighter. “Daddy!”
I exhaled, half-annoyed, half-amused. “So, Mommy doesn’t know how to put clothes on you?” I asked.
“No, I want Daddy to do it!” she pouted.
Right on cue, Rashad stepped into the bedroom dressed in sweats and a tank top. Dominic squealed as soon as she saw him.
“Daddy!” she squealed, arms stretched high.
He smirked at me before crouching down to scoop her up. “What’s wrong with Mommy helping you out?”
“Mommy too slow,” Dominic said seriously, patting his damp shoulder.
“Excuse me?” I raised my brow at the two of them.
“You heard her,” Rashad laughed. “Now go get dressed while I get her straight. We already know you’re the slow one.” He smirked.
I shook my head, smiling as I headed into our room. “Fine, I’ll take my shower then. Y’all got it.”
By the time I came out dressed, Dominic was prancing around the living dressed like her daddy’s twin. He loved dressing her like a little boy, and I had no problem with it.
“Look who’s finally ready,” Rashad spoke as I entered the living room.
“Whatever. I see y’all twinning today.”
“I look like Daddy, Mommy!” Dominic expressed.
“I see, baby. You ready to go?”
She nodded her head and lifted her arms so her daddy could carry her. Rashad strapped Dominic into her car seat while I slid into the passenger side. She babbled the entire ride, singing some made-up song about cake and balloons. I caught Rashad’s eye at a red light, and I knew we were thinking the same thing. Life had changed. Slowed in some ways, sped up in others. But it felt right.
Mel and Kilo’s house wasn’t far, and as we pulled up, I could already hear voices and laughter spilling out onto the porch. It was Liberty’s big day. She was officially a teenager, and that was a big deal.
“Party!” Dominic clapped her hands.
Rashad killed the engine, chuckling. “Yeah, baby girl. It’s party time.”
When we walked inside, the living room was buzzing. Mel really went all out for Liberty’s thirteenth birthday. Their home was decorated in different shades of pink, and one of the walls were decorated with a picture of Liberty as a backdrop. We walked closer inside and noticed the men were lined up at the sliding glass door like they were on a mission, eyes locked on the backyard.
“Why y’all look like the Secret Service?” I asked as I approached them.
Buck didn’t take his eyes off the yard. He jabbed Rashad in the shoulder with two fingers. “Didn’t I tell that lil’ boy not to bring his ass back over here? Juke, snatch his ass up.”
“Snatch who?”
“That lil’ muthafucka all in Liberty’s face,” Buck growled.
Before Rashad could even react, Nic’s voice cut sharp from around the corner. “Lincoln, don’t you start no shit. You step foot out that door and embarrass my niece on her birthday, I promise you won’t sleep in our bed tonight.”
“And if you hype Rashad up to do something stupid, I’ll drag both of y’all myself. Leave my damn daughter alone,” Mel fussed.
