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Tears rolled down Everly's cheeks as we walked out of Loyal's new school. I wrapped my arm around her and kissed her temple. She's been on the verge of tears all morning and I could tell that she wanted to burst into tears in Loyal's classroom but she was holding it together for his sake. She already had a little cry last night about him starting school. She couldn't stop saying how she couldn't believe that he's a big boy now and how he's grown up entirely too fast. She cried herself to sleep in my arms.
We made it back to the car where Terrence had waited with Armani. Neither of us wanted to take him into the school just in case, so we had Loyal say goodbye to him before we took him into his new classroom. Everly got into the backseat, Terrence moved to the driver's seat and I got into the passenger's seat. Then we were off.
"You hungry baby?" I asked, turning in my seat.
Everly wiped her eyes and shook her head. "I'm fine. Can we stop at Starbucks though? An iced coffee sounds great right about now."
"Iced coffee?" Terrence retorted, his face screwed up. "Do you not feel how cold it is?"
"Cold drinks on cold days hit different. Educate yourself Big T."
"I'm good. I'll leave all that to you."
I laughed as Terrence made the turn to get to the closest Starbucks. Of course it was packed with people, so he ran in and got what my girl wanted before returning to the car about fifteen minutes later. We didn't stick around since people had recognised him and kept getting closer and closer to my Range Rover. Lucky all my windows are completely blacked out.
We dropped Everly and baby Armani to Chandra's house before Terrence and I headed to the studio. My album is almost done. I have a few tracks to finish off, either they just need to be mixed or I need to lay down vocals, but they're all basically done. Then the album will be released and in the new year my tour will begin. Usually I'd be hyped up and more than ready to go on tour and deliver amazing performances to the nation, but this time around it feels a little different. I really do want to provide them with wonderful performances but I also don't want to be away from my sons and my girl.
Terrence sat around in the studio with the sound people whilst I finished laying verses and other vocals. This went on for a good hour or two. When I record my music, I'll re-record until I'm completely happy with it. The nation isn't going to get some half ass shit. They deserve the best cause they are the best.
I took off my headphones and exited the booth. "That's it for the music, right? I just got my speech at the end of The Encore now?"
"Once you do that everything will be done. We'll mix it and then it'll be released."
"Cool. Lemme take a quick break, then I'll go in there and finish it off."
I stepped put of the studio room and checked my phone. Everly had sent me a picture twenty minutes ago of Chaylin totally crashed out on the sofa with Armani snuggled into her side also sleeping soundly. She has a teacher only day today so she's at home loving on her little cousin. I sent my girl back a quick message and let her know that I would be done soon before heading back into the booth.
"So yeah I mean that's..that's what it's all about. The ups, the downs, the highs, the lows, wherever you go, that's life man. The pace you grow, enjoy that shit, love that shit, that's what it's all about. It's moulding and shaping you my n***a, into something so beautiful. Love yourself. And learn to love, This Thing Called Life."
"And that's a wrap Aug!"
I smiled and exited the booth, dapping everyone up. "We fuckin' did that shit. Y'all gonna be able to mix it and shit in time?"
"Yessir. We got you man, go ahead and get home to your family."
"Thanks bro. Come on Big T, gotta stop at Popeyes or sumn to celebrate later."
We walked out to the car and of course there were fans waiting outside. I stopped and signed different things and took a picture with every single person that was waiting for me before actually getting into the car and heading to Chandra's house. They were all in the kitchen baking when I got there with Terrence.
I walked up behind Everly and wrapped my arms around her. She giggled and leaned her head back, allowing my lips to connect with hers.
"Mmmm, you missed me?"
"I don't know..." she replied with a little smirk "did you miss me?"
"Hell yeah I missed you. Where's my boy?"
"Hi unkie!"
I turned to see Chaylin walking into the kitchen with Armani who was wide awake.
"Hey Chay baby. And hello my boy, I missed you little man." I smiled and carefully took him from her arms and showered his little face with kisses. "You been a good boy, hmm? You had fun with your cousin and aunty ChaCha?"
"Oh he's been our entertainment. Haven't you stink?" Chandra cooed.
She's pretty much come to terms with everything completely now - there's nothing she can do to change the current situation, so she just has to live with it and hope for the best. She's at peace with whatever will happen and that's really all that matters. I hate seeing her in pain though and I know she forces herself to put that to the side because she doesn't want the girls to see her suffering nor does she want to miss out on spending any time with them. Doctors may have given her six months but I have faith that she'll live for many, many years to come.
"He's been babbling to us all day long. You might have an early talker on your hands."
"You think so?" Everly asked as she put some cut out cookies on a tray.
"Mmhmm. Amaiya said her first word when she was three months."
"Yeah and Melly was so mad cause it wasn't dada like Chay, it was mama." I snickered. "Probably cause she's his twin hands down that he got salty."
"Just like Armani is yours."
"He better say mama first."
"Sorry baby, it'll be dada first for sure. Ain't that right Armani? Hmm? Say dada. Da-da."
Everly shook her head. "Nice try but it'll be mama for sure. How was the studio session though? It's all done now?"
"Yeah, it's done. Just gotta wait for everything to be mixed and that but the release date is December 11. We cut it close for this one but the label has a whole team of people working to get everything done on time and they're setting up a live stream as like a little listening party thing. I'll be on with fans, whoever joins, and go through the album and all that. Stories behind the songs and whatever else."
"And then you'll be on tour?"
"I will." I glanced at Everly who's faced dropped. "It's going to be fine baby, everything will work out."
"I know it will. I just still hate the fact that I have to be away from you..that we have to be away from you." She replied and pecked my cheek. "Anyway, should we go? We need to get some more nappies and things from the store before we get Loyal."
"Yeah we should. We don't wanna be late to pick him up." I replied and moved to hug Chandra, then Chaylin. "We'll see y'all in the next couple days I'm sure."
"Oh I definitely will see you, I need an exclusive of some of this new music."
"I don't think there's a chance of that." Everly giggled as she got Armani into his car seat. "He won't even let me hear a little snippet or a verse. He says that he wants it to be a surprise at the listening party."
