All of Me

XXIII

"What's up, little man? Talk to us." Shakur said as he sat Killian down in his lap.

"Why do y'all have to have a baby? Why can't y'all just be happy with me and Micah?" Killian asked.

"Baby, we are happy with y'all. We love y'all to life." Mya chimed in. "Just because we're having a baby is not going to change that. It's just more love we're gonna pass around and I know you'll be there to help out too."

"But I'm your first baby." Killian said as he began to cry.

"You are our first baby and nothing is going to change that, man." Shakur told him. "You taught us so much and it's going to prepare us for this baby. We learned how to change diapers, make bottles, swaddle, dress a baby, and everything—and it's all because of you. Plus, I know for a fact you're gonna be a great big cousin. You're the oldest of this generation and you're gonna be the one to take charge."

Killian nodded. "I'm sorry for being upset."

"Don't apologize, baby. Your feelings are valid." Mya said as she kissed his nose. "Do you want to spend the night with us tonight?"

"Yes." Killian said with a smile.

"Go tell your daddy." Shakur told him. Killian got up and went to the kitchen where Amaru was helping Big Mama.

Mya looked at Shakur and pouted. "My poor baby."

Shakur chuckled. "He'll be aight. He just had a little setback."

-

"You think I should give her a chance?" Arman asked Amaru.

"It's up to you, man. I can't tell you what to do." Amaru told him as he turned into Mya and Shakur's new neighborhood. "My situation with my dad is different, but if I ever got the chance I would have asked questions. Like Nova said, you don't have to build a relationship with her."

"What am I supposed to say to her though? Or ask from her?" Arman said as Amaru parked the car in front of the new house. "I'm grown as fuck. I don't need shit from her."

"That's something you gotta figure out. Sleep on it." Amaru replied.

The two of them got out of the car and entered the open garage. They walked into the house and were greeted with laughter coming from the living room area.

Shakur has been getting a house built for him and Mya for the past year and it was finally completed. He was doing all of this behind everyone's back so it was a surprise to all of them—especially Mya who was in disbelief.

The house had six bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms. There was a finished basement that he made one room a man cave, another room as a kids room, and another room as Mya's office. The house was very spacious and Killian—who was already there—was planning his sleepovers.

Shakur was very slick when it came to the decor. He logged into Mya's Pinterest because she always looked at furnishing and decorating ideas on there. She liked mostly red, black, and gray themes for the whole house and that's exactly what he did. Mya was in love with the new house and couldn't wait to get settled.

"Damn, lil bro." Amaru said once he and Arman entered the living room. "You did this shit."

"Yeah, it looks good in here. Got a little chandelier and shit." Arman said as he looked around the living room.

"Can I give daddy and cousin a tour?" Killian asked Shakur.

Shakur chuckled and nodded. "Go ahead, man."

"This way, gentlemen." Killian said as he led the way. "We're gonna start with the kitchen."

Amaru laughed. "Whose kid is this?"

"Yours, fool." Arman laughed back. "He acts just like you."

-

"Daddy." Killian said as Amaru tucked him in bed after they said their prayers.

"What's up?" Amaru replied.

"Are we gonna get a house like auntie and uncle?"

Amaru nodded. "I'm working on it."

"Is Ms. McDaniel and Micah gonna be there?" Killian asked.

"Yeah, they are." Amaru told him. "What's up with the questions?"

"I—umm—I don't know." Killian said with a sigh.

"Tell me how you feel, little man. I'm all ears." Amaru assured him.

"C—can Ms. McDaniel be my new mommy?" Killian asked shyly. "She's been very nice to me and she treats me like I'm her son when I'm with her."

"Well, Killian. That would be a question you would have to ask her."

"How?"

Amaru shrugged. "Just tell her how you feel and ask her if she's okay with being your new mommy. How does that sound?"

Killian smiled and nodded. "That's a plan!"

Amaru chuckled. "Aight, my guy. It's time to go to sleep. We have to take Big Mama to the grocery store tomorrow morning."

On every third Saturday of the month, the men take turns driving Big Mama to the grocery store and pay for her groceries. Big Mama was more than capable of doing it herself, however, they insisted and she did not stop them.

"Okay, good night. I love you, daddy."

Amaru kissed Killian's forehead. "I love you too, son. Sweet dreams, kid."

-

"Congratulations!" Zachariah said as he smiled at Mya through FaceTime. "Are you hoping for a little boy or a little girl?"

"We're keeping our fingers crossed for a girl." Mya said.

"I'll keep my fingers crossed for a girl too then. Zachariah replied. "Now that you've told me your good news, I have some news for you too."

"Okay, what is it?" Mya asked.

"Dad is in town and he wants to meet you." Zachariah told her.

Mya's eyes bucked. "Really?"

Zachariah nodded. "He'll be here for a few weeks so whenever you're ready, just let me know. We can set some things up."

"C—can my fiancé come for emotional support?" Mya questioned. "I know he would want to come anyway—especially when we met."

"You don't need to ask. This is all for you. You call the shots and I'll do all the work." Zachariah assured her.

"Okay." Mya said with a slight chuckle. "So much is happening at once. I got engaged, I'm having a baby, I have a new house, I met my long lost brother, and I'm about to meet my father—wow—that was a mouthful."

Zachariah laughed. "Looks like this is your winning season. Might end up getting a pay raise next. Better be on the look out."

Mya laughed back. "If one more good thing happens to me I might end up passing out."

"Just make sure you land on your back." Zachariah teased, making Mya laugh again.

"Most definitely." Mya joked back.

"Daddy!" One of Zachariah's daughters yelled. "Daddy!"

"That's my cue to hide. I'll talk to you later, lil sis." Zachariah said.

"Talk to you later." Mya replied with a chuckle.

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