Page 71 of Arris, Jayme & Dyani
“Okay.”
Blake rushed out of the room. Arris crossed the kitchen and closed me in with his hands on either side of me on the counter. I turned around to face him and threw my arms around his neck.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” He leaned in and kissed me. “How was your day?”
“It was good. How was yours?”
“Good.” He nodded. “Pops just dropped in for fun?”
“He changed the locks.”
“Maintenance didn’t do that shit?”
“Nope.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“For what? To tell you Reena popped up and me and Dyani had to…?” I reached up and chucked his chin with my fist.
He laughed.
“Nah. I know you got hands. I mean to change your lock.”
“Well, you were working and my dear old dad was not. There was no need for me to bother you.”
“You don’t bother me, Jay. You never have and you never will. Shit, even if I wasn’t your man again, I’m the father of our child. I want y’all to be and feel secure in here. Don’t ever think you can’t ask me to do some shit.”
“Yes, dear.” I blinked up at him.
He scoffed. “You trying to be funny and I’m serious.”
“I know you’re serious and I appreciate it and you, baby.”
“Yeah, alright, Jay.”
“Daddy!” Blake yelled. “I’m ready!”
“Bye,” I sang. “I’ll be done in here soon.”
“Yeah, alright.” He kissed me again and smacked me on my ass.
“Can you reach out and see what time Dyani is going to come through though?”
“Yeah. I’ve got you.” Arris pulled his phone out and tapped on the screen while he walked toward the living room and Blake.
I went back to focusing on my food.
Dyani arrived not even thirty minutes later and jumped in on the puzzle Blake and Arris were working on while I finished and plated the food.
The four of us ate in the kitchen. Blake told us all about what he’d done with his day then hung onto every word Arris uttered about the tattoos he’d done. Blake had a love for tattoos and loved drawing on people.
When we finished, I took bath duty while Arris and Dyani took care of cleaning the kitchen. Then we swapped out and Arris and I tucked Blake in for the night, telling him a quick story and each kissing one side of his head. I made sure his nightlight was secure and we locked him in tightly.
The three of us sat together in the living room to watch some movie Arris had picked out this time. He had a beer while Dyani and I each had a glass of wine. By the time the credits were rolling, I was exhausted and ready to collapse into bed.
I yawned and stretched.
