Redemption

Chapter 6

"They're all in Dion's room passed out," Layla smiled at the couple. You guys are welcome to join the adults for breakfast." She offered, ushering them in. "We already ate," Zari started.

"Nonsense, it's just cinnamon rolls and coffee. You two can stay for a minute." Layla insisted. Zari glances at T'Challa who just shrugged. "No I'm sure T'Challa has a meeting or something," Zari tried to decline.

"Nope, I cleared my schedule for you two today." The king grinned. "Perfect!"Layla exclaimed pushing them into the kitchen, "I'll go get Aiden ready."

Zari elbowed T'Challa in the ribs, "You're enjoying this aren't you," she grinned. "Maybe," he replied nonchalantly as they walked into the room.

"Well, well, well." A petite woman with a gorgeous twist out spoke from the end of the table. "None of y'all low down people told me Zari got a man!" Maria Johnson strolled around the table to pull Zari into a hug. "Mari we aren't dating," Zari corrected.

The woman peeked around to glance at T'Challa, "Um-hm. Then who is this?" She stood back. "This is Aiden's father T'Challa." The designer introduced him. "Besides, I don't get a hello, before y'all start questioning my love life."

Zari gripped T'Challa's hand and led him to a seat next to her. He pulled out her chair before pushing it in. She smiled a silent thank you once he settled down beside her.

"So, T'Challa, What do you do for a living?"Maria asked leisurely stirring her coffee. Zari froze. "I run a very successful company back home." The king quickly filled in squeezing Zari's hand slightly.

"Oh, and where's home?" A lighter-skinned woman asked, she wore a light cover-up with a white shirt and jeans. The tall man next to her held her hand over the table. "I'm from Wakanda," T'Challa replied sipping his water.

"Ah, I'm sorry for the passing of your king," James replied. "Thank you," T'Challa smiled as his face fell."That means more than you'll know."

"Where you close?"Maria inquired. "Um," T'Challa glanced at Zari. "I'm sorry was that too personal?" Maria glanced apologetically. "No, he was like a father to me," T'Challa replied.

"So why'd this wonderful women have to raise that little boy by herself for six years?" The tall man directed the question to T'Challa. "David!" The light-skinned woman slapped his shoulder, "I'm so sorry," she apologized.

"It is fine-"the king trailed off. "Justine," the woman offered. "And this is my husband David."

"Well, T'Challa didn't actually know Aiden existed," Zari admitted. "But I thought you were receiving child support?" Maria questioned. "I was, T'Challa's father was paying it."

"Zar, why did T'Challa's father know and not T'Challa?" Justine questioned. "Hey, Hey! Watch yourselves. It's none of our business ok?" James reminded the other couples.

"Thank you, James, one day I'll tell you all. But not today," Zari apologized glancing towards the door as Layla brought Aiden in.

"It took a lot of fight, but he's all dressed!" She smiled as Aiden ran to his father. "No kisses for mommy?" Zari pouted as her son bounced into her arms.

"Sorry mommy, I still love you too." The six-year-old beamed. "It's ok baby," Zari set him down and let him run back to T'Challa. "Well, I've got to get to work. I'll see you all later," Zari waved. The small family walked out to a chorus of byes from their friends.

T'Challa shifted Aiden's bag from his left hand, intertwining his fingers with Zari's as they walked down the street. She blushed but left her hand wrapped in his. The street was coming alive as the street traffic began to pick up. The mother quickly led her boys to the subway and ushered them into the station. Twenty minutes they walked out into the mid-morning sun beside Zari's newest job.