Page 33 of You Make Me Feel

He scooped me up from the examining table and kissed me deeply before setting me on my feet. My heart felt light. I could only pray that I felt this way after leaving my parents’ house. While what they thought shouldn’t make me feel any different, I knew it could dampen my spirits for a bit. I would still do what I had to for my baby and Oliver, but their acceptance would mean a lot to me. I didn’t want to go through what Kiana went through with them.

I wanted to believe they’d learned from that situation, though. They didn’t have nearly as much control over me as they did back then. So, prayerfully, everything would be okay because regardless of whether they liked it or not, my baby would be here in a little over seven months, showing me what true joy felt like.

Chapter 12

Oliver

We’d eaten lunch at the Olive Garden, and Kinisha was able to hold that down. I knew we would be frequenting it a lot more because of that. Hearing the baby’s heartbeat was like music to my soul. No one could tell me at that moment that the baby wasn’t mine. It sure in the hell felt like it was. My chest had puffed out like a proud father’s would.

We went to Target and racked up on white, green, and yellow onesies, Pampers, and baby wipes. I had to ask her what she would do if someone we knew saw us, and she looked me in the eyes and said, “So what? They’ll just see us.”

I swore that moment made me want to lower her on my dick right there in the store. When I slid her panties over my face at the doctor’s office, I knew I would be applying pressure sometime today. Her scent was enticing, and I wanted that shit on my tongue so bad. After shopping, we went to her place to put down all the bags. Then I held her while we took a nap. She was exhausted.

Once we awakened, we got in my car and headed to her parents’ house. The ride was pretty quiet, as I knew it would be. I didn’t know her parents, but surely this couldn’t be as bad as she thought it would be. She was a grown woman, living independently and paying her bills. I could see them cutting up a li’l bit if they would have to take care of the baby. But that would be my responsibility. I would be signing the birth certificate.

I knew that shit was risky, but I promised myself that Kinisha would be mine. I’d do whatever she needed me to do within reason. For me, this was within reason, especially since Jarod was a jackass to her. Under her direction, we reached the Jordans’ house within fifteen minutes. They had a nice brick home in Beaumont’s Pear Orchard area.

I grabbed Kinisha’s hand, and I could feel it trembling. “Baby, look at me.” When she did, I continued. “No matter what happens in there, you aren’t alone. I got’chu. Before we go inside, there are some things I need to say to you, so it won’t be a surprise if I have to say it in there.”

That statement only heightened her nerves, so I got right to the point. “I’m going to marry you one day, and I plan to move you into my home . . . our home. We’re going to be a family. Okay?”

She swallowed hard, looking to be trying to restrain her tears. “Kinisha, I’m falling for you, baby. Hard as shit. You complete me, and I knew you would that day you fell into my arms. So you have nothing to worry about. I will be there to sign the birth certificate.” I put my hand on her stomach. “This ismybaby, regardless of blood. Baby Andrews is in my heart already. The questions they could possibly ask I have answers for. So don’t be nervous.”

She leaned over and kissed my lips as her tears made their way to our shared affection. Once she pulled away, I wiped her tears, got out of the car, and walked around to help her. As I opened her door, I saw her mother smiling on the porch. When Kinisha saw her, she trembled. “Remember what I said, baby. I got’chu. Okay?”

She nodded and kissed my lips as her dad joined her mother on the porch. I grabbed her hand and allowed her to lead me to them. The closer we got, the bigger her mom’s smile became. She already knew we were dating and was all for it, so, hopefully, things would be cool.

“Hey, Nisha!” her mom said, pulling her in her arms.

Her dad hugged her next as her mother stood smiling at me, waiting for an introduction. “Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend, Oliver Andrews.”

Mrs. Jordan stuck her hand out first. “It’s nice to meet you officially, Oliver. I’ve seen you around church.”

I nodded. “Nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Jordan.”

Mr. Jordan shook my hand but didn’t offer any words. I could understand. Kinisha was his baby girl, and he needed to size me up. “Y’all come on in. Kinisha, what are you doing off so early?”

Kinisha walked in without a word, and I followed her as she led me to their front room. She sat on the couch, but I remained standing until her mom sat. Once her dad sat, she didn’t beat around the bush. I grabbed her hand as she said, “I have something to tell you. I didn’t work today because of a doctor’s appointment. I’m pregnant.”

Her parents were quiet for a moment. Her mother smiled slightly. “Okay. Congratulations, baby.”

She didn’t sound too enthused, but at least she was somewhat accepting. Her dad, not so much. He glanced at me, then asked Kinisha, “How will you take care of a baby on your salary?”

“Daddy, Oliver works. He owns his own IT company.”

He turned his attention to me. “What are your plans? You couldn’t wait and marry her first? Or is she not good enough for you?”

“She’s too good for me, but I plan to marry Kinisha without a doubt. I would never leave her and our baby without. That’s not the type of man I am.”

“That has yet to be seen, Mr. Andrews. How old are you?”

“Daddy, come on. Don’t go there. You didn’t learn anything from the last time?” Kinisha asked.

His face was like stone, so I answered. “I’m thirty.”

He nodded as Kinisha frowned. “His age shouldn’t matter. He came here with me like the good man he is to let you know that you would be having a second grandbaby.”

Mrs. Jordan nudged her husband.

---