chapter THIRTY
Nix
A Month Later
“I can’t pee in front of you, Nix.”
“But I’ve seen and licked every inch of your skin,” I say, planting my hands on my hips.
“But this is different. Just leave, please.”
When my wife’s sparkling greens turn into pleading gems of emerald, I fold every single time.
“Fine.” I stride toward the door and then face her before turning the knob. “But call me once you’re done, all right?”
She nods excitedly, holding five sticks. I turn the knob, wearing a silly grin.
“What the hell?” I scream, stepping out of the guest bathroom. “What are you two doing here?” I glare at Mama Ada, who returns it with a smile, while Nate takes two steps back.
My brother is smart. He knows how to sense danger. Mama, on the other hand, cannot since she is the danger in every sense of the word.
“Again, what are you two doing here?” I glare at the annoying duo.
“I’m here for a visit,” Mama answers innocently. Her delicate light blues shine in elation. She hooks her thumb over her shoulder. “I don’t know why Nate’s here.”
“What a sellout!” my brother dramatically bellows. “You told me to spy on them! So, you could find out what they were whispering about all day yesterday. And, now, you’re throwing me under the damn bus! I can’t believe you, Ma. I thought we were tight!”
Mama makes a waddling dash toward Nate and covers his mouth.
Too late for that.
“Pardon your brother, Nix. He’s, uh…having mouth diarrhea…er…” She frowns. “Talking all this gibberish nonsense or”—Mama snaps her fingers, and her eyes widen in delight—“he could be speaking in tongues. Yeah, that’s right! He has completely lost his marbles.”
Nate jumps away from her. “Woman, stop framing me! She’s the culprit, Nix.” He points at her. “She voodooed her way into my brain! You know, like that mind-ninja thing women do best. She made me do things. Unspeakable things, like spying and shit. I’m telling you, she’s lethal! Lock her up in the dungeon, I say!”
I rub my forehead as chuckles and giggles come from the kitchen. I am sure Pops, Drake, and Rachel are drinking coffee in a completely relaxed state while I’m close to losing my mind with these two.
“You were spying on me, Ma!”
“Well…” She looks away and takes a step back. She swallows hard and continues, “I was kind of curious. Some things were finagling in my noggin…so I asked Nate to do me a solid. Anywho, Grace has been feeling all jacked up lately, and I began to wonder what was up. I’ve been dying to get the four-one-one, but you guys have been keeping it on the down-low. So, I had to invade your crib, but”—she points at me with beady eyes—“you’d better not be all snowflaky on me and demand your safe space. Because I’ma…” She stutters to a stop. Her brows furrow in deep concentration. The moment she remembers, her eyes shine in triumph. “I’ma drop it like it’s hot!”
“Wow, Mama! You amaze me! You’re the real OG. You just need some of them gold chains!” Nate exclaims.
“Nix,” Grace calls out.
I am at the door within seconds with Mama trying to elbow her way next to me.
“Is everything okay?”
“Oh, darling, everything is peachy out here. Have you peed yet?” Mama coos while I gawk at her.
“Mama? How did you know?” Grace asks.
“Oh, I know everything, dear. I have a direct connection with the Lord Almighty. He tells me these things.”
Nate jabs at my shoulder. “Is Mama hearing voices again, or is this one of her personalities making an appearance? Earlier, she was hip-hop gangster, and now, she’s God’s right-hand gal. How many voices is this woman hearing?”
“Babe, can I come in already?” I ask with my eyes closed. Begging the Lord to save me.
“Oh, that’s a good idea, Nix. May we come in, Gracie?”
“Mama, please. This is our moment. I want to enjoy it with my wife,” I say through clenched teeth.
“You had your moment with her, fool,” Nate bellows.
I return it with a death glare.
“Nate!” Pops’s and Drake’s voices boom in the distance.
“What? I’m deathly serious. I’m gonna thunder-kick anyone who objects!” Nate playfully glowers at me like a damn psychopath. “She wouldn’t be preggers if they hadn’t had their moment! Duh!”
“Pops, you need to take this circus out of here before my wife comes out of the bathroom.”
“I am not moving! This is my Normandy! I will make my stand here.” Mama stomps her foot. My sixty-five-year-old angel on earth stomps her foot like a ten-year-old.
“You go, Mama! That’s determination right there! She represents mighty fine!”
“Nate,” I say in warning.
“What? I’m here to rein her in, bro. Remember, multiple personalities,” he quips.
“Nix…” Grace’s sweet voice kills my urge to tie Mama on a chair and plaster Nate to the wall.
“Yes, baby. I’m right here.”
The door swings open, and instantly, our eyes lock. Grace breaks our eye contact and I follow her gaze. My eyes land on the five sticks neatly placed on the marble countertop. She takes a tiny step and I mimic her move. Taking another step, we stop right in front of the things that hold our future.
I reach for her hand, marrying our fingers together. “On three, okay?”
She nods. Her expectant greens shining brightly.
“One, two, three.”
Together, we look down at the plastic stripes holding the good news we’ve been waiting for.
I cup her cheeks. My thumb caressing the smooth expanse of her skin. “My beautiful wife is pregnant.”
“We have our tiny blessing inside me,” she whispers softly.
I grin widely. “We’re having a baby.” I splay my hand on her still-flat belly.
“Yes, we are!” Mama cheers. “Ouch.” She yelps seconds later, holding her right hip.
Nate jumps next to her.
“Wow, that came out of nowhere. I think I’m experiencing sympathy pains.”
“No, it’s called old age,” Nate answers with a snicker. “Come on, Mama, you need some Bengay.”
Once the crazy duo makes their exit, I plant my hands on my wife’s hips, pulling her closer to me. Tipping her chin up, I kiss her forehead and then her nose, and finally, I drop a tender peck on her luscious lips.
An innocent kiss quickly turns into a heated one until all I can think about is…
Her lips.
Her hands.
Her breath.
Her whimpers.
Her moans.
Her body.
Her eyes.
Her heart.
Our baby.
Everything that makes her my saving grace.