Page 15 of No Right To Love You
She doesn’t hesitate as she does just that. I scoop her up in my arms not caring about her having to take off her jacket or winter boots. Zoe hugs me just as tight.
Zoe plants kisses all over my face and it makes me break out into tears. My children are so forgiving, and I know it’s because their father was there to explain to them what I was doing.
“I love you, Zoe.”
“Don’t cry, mama.” She says in a small voice because she’s on the verge of tears. “Zoe missed you too but she’s not mad.”
I laugh because both Ocean and I have told her to stop talking about herself in third person but it’s too cute sometimes.
“I’m glad you’re not mad at mama, I’m sorry about your trip.”
“S’okay. Daddy bear said you were kicking ass.” My eyes widen and so do Zoe’s. “Oh no! That’s a bad word, mommy.”
“It’s not just a bad word, Zo Zo, what is it?”
“An adult word.”
“Good and when daddy uses it, it’s because of what?”
“Cause he’s big and I’m little.” She answers with a toothy grin.
“Close enough.” I drop kisses all over her face until she’s giggling.
“Mama!”
I missed this. Just being able to simply get a moment to be around them.
“Okay, okay. Now,” I set her down. “Go with Marjorie and she’ll get you all set for us to put the cupcakes in the oven and decorate them.”
Zoe gasps, placing her hands over her mouth. Her eyes widen as she practically leaps off the floor like a bunny rabbit.
“We’re…making… cupcakes!” She screams like I told her I was giving her unlimited sugar for life. Zoe cries as if I told her I was going to snatch that gorilla backpack from her.
“What? What happened!” Jeremy runs out of the kitchen as if there’s an emergency. He looks stressed as hell but then he notices it’s just Zoe being excited.
Sometimes, she’s so overwhelmed that she cries. Ocean says she gets being dramatic from me, but I don’t see it.
“Oh my God, Zo!” Jeremy lifts his hands and lets them go back to his sides. “Are you serious? I thought something happened to you. You’re so dramatic.”
He huffs but doesn’t leave instead he gets to his knees and wipes her tears.
“Jermy,” she calls him that because never really got the hang of saying his name. “Mommy said,” she hiccups. “Mommy said we’re making cupcakes.” Her eyes widen. “Cupcakes…” she whispers.
I try not to laugh because this is a serious moment for them. She’s just so damned adorable and so is he.
“I know, Zo.” He wipes her tears away. “But remember, you don’t have to cry when you’re this excited. We said screamingwith joy is okay but crying makes it what?” He soothes her as he says it.
“Means I’m hurt.” She sniffles and he nods.
“Come, I’ll get you ready.” He pulls her into his arms, and she wraps her arms and legs around his taller frame. “I got this, mama. You go call pop pop back. I know you don’t like me in grown folks’ business, but I know you feel like you’re being pulled in a bunch a directions. It’s okay. You’ll figure it out, you always do. I’ll go get Zoe ready and I’ll make sure Jas comes downstairs too.”
“Thank you, Jer.” I kiss him in his curly hair, and he smiles wide.
He doesn’t even know it but he’s more like his father and it makes me proud. Marjorie smiles and follows Jeremy as he takes his sister upstairs while I go do exactly what needs to be done.
Figuring out how to make tonight all about my kids and nothing else. I’ll talk to my father face to face since I know he’ll respect that more out of me.
“What is going on in here?” Ocean walks in as we are decorating the cupcakes.
