Lauren Monique
The sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across the cluttered office, where Elijah was trying to prepare for an important meeting. I leaned against him, kissing his neck playfully, trying to coax him into a moment of distraction.
"Babe, stop" he murmured, a mix of annoyance and amusement in his voice.
"Fuck me real quick and I'll leave you alone" I teased, knowing full well how to push his buttons.
"If you weren't being so uptight earlier, I would have. Go away so I can get on this call" he replied, his tone half-heartedly stern.
"You hit the back of my head with the remote! What makes you think I would be ready to pop pussy after that?" I shot back, feigning indignation.
"I was stretching; it was an accident. Maybe you should stop trying to sleep so close, and it wouldn't have happened" he retorted, his eyes rolling in mock exasperation.
"Maybe you should go to hell," I mumbled, flicking him off as I pushed his papers off the desk, relishing in the chaos. "Little pencil dick motherfucker."
"So now it's little?" he scoffed, gathering his papers with a smirk.
"It's always been little. I deserve an Oscar for pretending all these years!" I declared, half-joking, half-serious. The truth was, every time we were together, it felt like he was tearing me apart.
I stormed out of the office, bumping into Remo in the hallway. "Sorry" I muttered, sidestepping him as I made my way to the living room. I couldn't understand why Elijah couldn't just bend me over and take the call at the same time.
"Mama, can you sing the song?" Squirt asked, his big puppy eyes shining up at me.
"I don't know it yet. Ask me again during music night" I replied, trying to keep my patience intact.
Milan and Delilah followed closely behind, each with their own demands.
"ABC song! Peas, Mommy!" Milan chimed in, adjusting her purple fairy wings.
"Mama, can I ride my four-wheeler? Daddy got me a new princess helmet!" Delilah squealed, her excitement radiating from her tiny frame.
"Mama's about to kill herself in a minute" I muttered under my breath, wishing for just a moment of peace. "Yeah, Dee, I'll sing it later, Taz. Y'all can either go play outside with your sister or find something to clean."
Delilah dashed out the back door, Milan close behind, while Squirt hesitated, glancing back at me with uncertainty.
"I don't know what to do, Mama" he confessed.
"You can stay with me" I offered, and he eagerly took my hand, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.
•••
Tomorrow marked a significant day; not only would Remo and I begin our hunt for Matt, but Delilah would also start school. The entire family gathered for dinner—Pops, the boys, and everyone else—to celebrate this milestone.
"Pop Pop, where's the pudding?" Delilah asked, her little face scrunching up in disappointment.
"Quincy has it" Pops replied, and Delilah huffed off to find her uncle.
"My baby is going to kindergarten!" Alex exclaimed, clinging to Elijah as if he were about to burst into tears. "You're getting so old!"
Hearing him refer to Delilah as his baby, Milan sprang from her chair, spoon in hand.
"Dee Dee your baby?" she shouted, tossing her spoon across the table, hitting Alex squarely in the forehead. "Hmph!"
"Milan! I was joking! You're my baby! My amazing, funny devil of a goddaughter!" Alex gasped, rushing over to her, showering her with exaggerated affection.
"That's the killer" Messiah chimed in, glancing at my kids. "Mimi's taking over for Eli when he retires. Dee's probably gonna take over his tattoo shop, and Hassan's most likely following whatever you do last."
"It'd be so cute if he becomes an assassin—Mommy and son duo" I mused, shaking my head at the absurdity. "I can see him being a jewelry collector; that was one of the most fun jobs I ever had. And I don't think my baby will be able to handle killing anyone."
"Talk about something else; I don't want to think about them growing up" Elijah interjected, his tone a mix of annoyance and concern.
"Pussy" Pops chuckled, shaking his head at Elijah's discomfort.
"I know I asked you to stop calling my husband that" I shot back, trying to suppress a laugh.
"Aye" Pops replied, unfazed, raising an eyebrow.
"You know what? Bye" I said, turning away, only to bump chest-first into Remo.
His face flushed, and he took a small step back, pulling Tiana into view. "Oh, good morning, Lauren. Can I have my baby after dinner? My nugget needs to spend time with his favorite Titi" Tiana beamed, holding Amir close.
"Ask his bodyguard" I shrugged, pointing to Milan, who was busy shoving food into her mouth while protecting Amir's plate from Tatum.
"I'm taking her; I have to make up for my actions" Alex interjected, playing with Milan's hair from behind her. "Right, devil? Then we can go back to pranking your dad?"
"Mhm" Milan replied, raising her thumb, her mouth too full to say much else.
As I watched the chaotic beauty of our family dinner unfold, I couldn't help but smile. Who needs a mom when you have two sisters who swear they're raising you?
"Mama, can Candy Mama come to school with me?" Delilah asked eagerly.
"Yes!" Sienna shouted, clapping her hands. "I brought your lunch, hair bows, and purple water bottle."
"She can come with us to drop you off, but she can't stay all day with you" I clarified.
"Yes, I can! My candy baby wants me; I can go!" Sienna insisted, her excitement palpable.
As Geovani tugged Sienna into the hallway, Elijah turned to me, smoothing out the back of his head.
"Babe, are they together or not?" he asked
"Yes, they have been for the past few years. They've been in love since they were teenagers; leave them be"
•
