Page 11 of Kaya's King

“It’s not fair!” he exclaims, pouting a little bit. While I find it totally understandable, I learned younger than he is that life’s not fair and he’s no exception to the rule. We all have to face our fair share of trials and tribulations, it’s best if he learns how to handle them the right way instead of losing his temper and taking it out on those surrounding him.

“Sweetie, life isn’t fair, and you know that already. We just have to make the best of it, so as Granny will tell you if you act like thisaround her, suck it up, buttercup. We’re staying at the clubhouse so you’ll be able to get into the heated pool, which will help. Plus, CeeCee said she found someone who can do aquatic therapy with you and they’re willing to come to us. I’m doing what I can to make it as easy as possible for you, Noah, but you’re going to have to do your part too.”

I watch his lip tremble and feel bad for talking so sternly to him, but there’s no way we’ll survive this process if he decides to be a terror. His shoulders drop for a second, then he sighs, straightens up and looks directly at me. “I’ll do my best, Mommy, I promise.”

Leaning down, I kiss the tip of his nose and say, “That’s all any of us can do, sweetie. Now, let’s head on home so we can show Granny your new wheels.”

“Vroom, vroom,” he snickers, twisting his wrist, acting as if he’s turning the throttle on a motorcycle and causing the motor to rev.

With him cackling, I manage to get us out to my car where I fumble my way through transferring him into his booster seat before folding up the wheelchair and stowing it in the trunk of my car. Finally, behind the wheel, I turn to look at him and ask, “Ready, Freddy? I’ve got to stop for some gas before we hit the interstate, then it’s homeward bound for us!”

“Let’s blow this popsicle stand, Mommy!” he yells out, tossing his fisted hands in the air causing me to laugh at his enthusiasm. I think his meds might be kicking in, which is a good thing because it hurts my heart when he’s whimpering in pain.

By the time I fill up the tank and get onto the freeway, he’s lightly dozing, his stuffed bee clutched solidly in his hands andhis casted legs stretched straight out, the colorful casts making me smile. “I’ll get those decorated for you as soon as I get some markers,” I promise my sleeping boy with a contented smile firmly fixed on my face.

The trip back doesn’t take as long as I thought it would, probably because Noah was sound asleep the whole time and not peppering me with countless questions. Still, I can feel the exhaustion in my body as I pull into a parking space that’s clearly designated as mine. Glancing around, I notice that the bikes are to one side, neatly lined up although I’m unsure of the order, then where the cars are parked, each has a sign denoting it as a specific old lady’s spot. I think that’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen, although I feel bad because Poseidon’s old lady should have the first spot since he’s the president of the club .

I briefly notice that It’s started to sprinkle. The small drops splattering on my windshield make me briefly wonder if I should go inside to grab an umbrella when someone startles me by knocking on my driver’s window. Gasping, I clutch my fist to my chest and attempt to calm my nerves.

Looking up, I see Specks, the object of my nighttime fantasies standing there with a huge umbrella opened. For such large, opposing men, they sure do move awfully stealthily. I unlock the door and he steps back and to the side so I can open it without hitting him. “Hey,” he greets, his voice low as he peers into the back seat and sees Noah sleeping. “Saw it was raining so I thought I’d come out and help you get him inside. Your grandmother mentioned at breakfast he has casts on his legs. They probably shouldn’t get wet.”

“They’re not quite that kind of cast, but I appreciate the assistance.”

Moving to the passenger side, Specks keeping the umbrella above my head so I don’t get wet, I lean over and open Noah’s door. Specks motions for me to move aside and take the umbrella when I bend over to start picking Noah up. “I’ve got him.”

Specks

Something happens when I pull the little boy into my arms. The emotions that hit me when I cradle him against my chest chisels another layer away from the protective barrier that helps me keep outsiders at an arm's length. It solidifies deep inside the fact the two of them are going to be mine. Well, once I share my fear with her about my genetic history, that is, because she may not want to become involved with me once she knows. She’s younger than me, not by too many years, but still, she may want more children of her own down the road.

“I need to grab his wheelchair,” she informs me.

The thought of her having to strain herself in this weather has my chest constricting. I refuse to let her stress over menial things that I can take care of. If I can help ease her burdens, even if it’s the small things, I’m gonna step up. “I’ll come back out and get it. Your grandmother and the other women have dinner ready, so I was just going to take him into the dining area.”

“Thank you, Specks.” I take a moment to appreciate the way my name sounds rolling off of her tongue. She makes me feel things I thought I’d long ago buried. She makes my body come to life and my emotions soar like out-of-control asteroids flying through the earth’s atmosphere. She’s slowly climbing her way into my soul; I just hope that for both of our sakes that neither one of us gets burned along the journey.

I quickly dismiss my contemplations and get us inside then over to the table where her grandma is already seated. “Go ahead and sit down, Kaya, I’ll be right back with his chair and y’all’s bags.”

The beaming smile she turns on me causes my heart to stutter in my chest. I can tell she’s beyond tired, yet in this moment, with no makeup on her face and her hair slightly mussed from the wind outside, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever come across. Sensing someone else’s eyes glued on me, I glance down to see Noah staring at me, his eyes still heavy with sleep. In a tone that indicates he’s still slowly waking from his dream state, Noah remarks, “Hi, Mr. Specks. I’m glad you’re carrying me because I know I’m too heavy for Mommy right now.”

“As long as I’m around, buddy, I’m happy to carry you whenever you or your mommy needs me to. Now, let’s get you settled into a chair and prop your legs up so I can get y’all’s stuff brought in from your car, okay? The ladies have been cooking up a storm, so I hope you’re hungry.”

“I’m starving!” he exclaims, patting his growling belly, causing the others in the room to start laughing.

“It’s to be expected since you’re a growing boy,” I advise, hiding my smirk. “I’ll be right back.”

Earlier today, after taking care of some of my duties for the club, I crashed for a few hours thanks to little to no sleep the previous night. During my nap, I dreamed of Tommy. Not as the young boy he was just before he died, but the age he would be if he was still alive today. Only in my dream, he was healthy and whole. His smile was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, and he radiated with an almost blinding light which surrounded him. While I can’t remember all the particulars, I woke up with theknowledge that the fears I had regarding Kaya were unfounded. In fact, he approved of my choice.

Now to get her onboard with where my thoughts are at with regard to there being an us.

Dinner turned into an interesting affair and not just because of Noah. When the little ones started toddling around, Colette, who is Trident’s youngest right now, couldn’t keep up with the masses and she began crying. Noah, who was in his wheelchair at this point, leaned down and waved to her. She crawled over to him, happy to have herself a willing playmate, then pulled herself upright, using his chair to help keep her balance. Then she started to bounce, which Gia claims meant she wanted to be picked up. Once she was placed on Noah’s lap, she calmed down, while Noah became super protective, putting the little seatbelt that’s part of his chair around them both so she wouldn’t fall out and hurt herself. She curled into a ball, leaned into him and promptly fell asleep.

“I’m not seeing this shit,” Trident grumbles, looking at his daughter. “No, this isn’t happening.” Internally, I roll my eyes at his ridiculousness. They’re children, what exactly does he think they’re gonna do in a room full of people?

“Seeing what?” Gia asks, unaware that her man is steaming, mentally going through his gun selection. But I can tell exactly what he’s thinking. She doesn’t look his way as she continues snapping pictures at different angles of the scene which even I have to admit is cute as fuck.

“This,” Trident snarks, pointing at Collette who is quite content sleeping on Noah’s lap. “She’s too young.”

“Shush, Trident, you’re acting as though they’re about to walk down the aisle,” Gia hisses. “They’re little kids. Put your overprotective Neanderthal thoughts away. This is innocent, he’s not contemplating putting a ring on it.”

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