Page 34 of Steel
“All that fucking y’all been doing, it was bound to happen,” Renay said, hugging them both. “Congratulations!”
“We knew that shit was coming.” Smoke stood to his feet and embraced them. “We’ll see which one of y’all catch up to us first.”
Jakobi snorted as he stood to hug the happy couple. “Yo’ fertile ass will always be ahead. I’m surprised Romi ain’t pregnant already.”
Romi shoved his shoulder. “Don’t speak over my womb! I gave this man a two-for-one special the last time.”
Deuce laughed. “He gon’ be his daddy.”
I put on a smile as I stood to congratulate my brother and sister-in- law.
“I’m happy for y’all,” I said, dapping Maceo.
“’Preciate it, bruh.”
When I got to Shar, she eyed me curiously. Her hands came to my face.
“You okay?” she asked softly.
“I’m good. I promise. Congratulations, sis. You couldn’t keep this nigga off you.”
She giggled as I embraced her. “Clearly, I didn’t stand on business.”
As I went to reclaim my seat, I noticed Jaeda and Quaid talking softly. She cleared her throat.
“Since we’re making announcements . . .” She lifted her shirt, showing off a small bump. “Quaid and I are expecting too.”
Once again, the ladies screamed in excitement.
“Bump buddy!” Shar yelled, rubbing her belly against Jaeda’s. “I knew you were over there getting put through the mattress.”
“Aw, hell naw!” Deuce and Smoke said, jumping to their feet.
“You got my sister pregnant?” Smoke said.
“I got my wife pregnant, nigga,” Quaid answered. “This is only the first of many to come. Ain’t that right, baby?”
Jaeda blushed as he kissed her lips. Smoke walked over and grabbed him up in a playful headlock. He was shocked as hell when Quaid lifted his big ass over his shoulder.
“Put me down, muthafucka!”
Quaid laughed. “I thought we were playing around, man.”
He placed Smoke back down with ease and slapped hands with him.
“Congratulations, nerd,” Smoke said.
My brothers and cousin slapped hands with him next.
“You know this means I’m back on yo’ ass, right?” Deuce asked. “My sister better not lift a finger this entire pregnancy. You better be waiting on her hand and foot.”
Quaid rolled his eyes as they shared an embrace. “I hear your overbearing ass.”
I was the last to approach them, offering Quaid a dap. When I turned to my sister, she was staring at me with an uneasy smile. My little baby was having a baby. I knew she would be a great mother because she was the best auntie to KJ. Fat Man loved her something serious.
I cupped her face and kissed her forehead.
“Congratulations, baby,” I said, pulling her in for a hug.
