Walk With Me 1

21

Nicki

Robyn stands at my doorway with a freshly bathed 6 month old Jazmine. (Recently turned 6 months yesterday). Robyn herself is dressed business causally.

"You. Are. So. Dumb." Robyn pokes my shoulder after each word.

"What?" It's Monday evening and I haven't seen her since Saturday night.

"I expected more from you at the dinner. I heard no getting to know the other language during the conversation. She kept biting her lip and you just stood there smiling and bitin' ya fuckin' lip, Onika! I invited her, you do the rest of the work!"

Jazmine yells as if she were backing Robyn up.

"I'm not seeing effort from you at all and it's piss poor."

I just sit there at my desk grading class work, like a deer in headlights.

"You on yo' own now, Nick."

Ariana passes by my door and gives me hard eye contact, "She's not wrong."

"Walk. away. from. my. door."

"Anyways, Nick, I gotta catch my flight. Take care of our Babygirl. I left some pumped milk in the freezer, you just need to hold her or just go ahead and put her to bed."

"I love you, Nick. Think about what you didn't do."

She comes over to kiss the baby's head, and she kisses my cheek, then goes over to loudly smooch Ariana's cheek.

"Y'all take care of each other see y'all on Friday. Love you Babygirl, love you Ari."

"Ight." We both say in unison.

"Night, niece-y." Ariana pinches Jazz's cheek. "Night, sis. Let me know if you need help with her. I'm going to bed."

"Alright. Good night, I love you."

I'm left alone with my daughter in arms. I pick her up and hold her in front of me.

"I love you so much." I bring her in for a hug as if she were a doll.

I giggle a bit because I hear her slightly muffled laughing into my hair.

I sit her on my lap and lay her blanket over her.

"Mama has to do some work, then we can go to sleep okay?"

It's like 9:30pm and I have like two more papers to grade.

______________

Since we co-sleep I put Jazz in her bassinet right next to the left side of my bed.

She's tired and doesn't cause a fuss at all.

"Good night, my love. Sweet dreams. Mommy and mama love you."

She yawns. Then closes her eyes.

I cover her a bit more with her blanket and just like that, in under 10 minutes, she's asleep.

"I love you so much."

I get my phone out and text Robyn.

Me:

Jazmine is sleeping now. Good night to you. I love you baby mama < 3
Have a safe flight and come back home to us

Robyn 🧝🏾‍♀️:

Awww my baby
Good night to you too
The flight boards in a couple
I love you guys sooo muchhhh

I smile at my phone, then turn it off. I lay on my side and stare into space outside my window. I miss Beyoncé. I wish we were talking right now.

Robyn 🧝🏾‍♀️:

AND THINK ABT WHT I TOLD YOU!

I chuckle to my self and lay my phone on my chest. For a second, Jazz almost wakes up.

I immediately get on edge just in case she cries, but she just kicks the blanket a bit. My phone dings and I see the banner.

Beyoncé 🐝🍯

You up?

Me:

Yeah

Beyoncé 🐝🍯:

Wanna go out tomorrow before I go to my audition?

Me:

Defo
Where to?

Beyoncé 🐝🍯:

Coffee shop
10 or 11am good?

Me:

Either is fine

Beyoncé 🐝🍯:

Nick I won't lie I'm gonna miss you when I officially leave the school

Me:

Awww
Bey don't even make me think abt it

Beyoncé 🐝🍯:

Ikkkk
I'll get you autographs tho

Me:

I'll take em

The baby snuggles further into my chest.

Beyoncé 🐝🍯:

Nicki, consider tomorrow a date

I raise my brow and sit up a bit. I almost drop my daughter. Jazmine opens her eye and looks at me confused.

"I'm so sorry, my love." I pick her up and lay her on my chest so her head is in the crook of my neck. "Mama's goin' on a date tomorrow."

Jazmine raises her head and smiles.

I swear, she's an old soul.