All of Me

XL

"You alright, mamas?" Amaru asked as he and Heather ate at their favorite barbecue restaurant. They just left the court to get an order of protection for everyone for when Chance gets out of prison.

"Yes, I'm okay." Heather said as she smothered her pulled chicken in barbecue sauce. "This baby got me fucking this barbecue sauce up."

Amaru laughed. "I see. Craving sweet things, huh? You know what the old folks say about that."

Heather smiled. "Yes, and I am praying it works in my favor. I'm not trying to be having hella kids just to get our princess."

"I know it, mamas." Amaru replied. "But I love seeing you carry our babies. You're so cute pregnant."

"Thank you." Heather said as she giggled.

The two of them finished their lunch then went to Arman's condo to pick up the boys. Arman invited them in once they arrived due to the boys taking naps.

"Where's Nova?" Amaru asked as they sat in the living room.

"She went to go see her sister. She had a seizure this morning right after y'all dropped the boys off." Arman replied.

Heather gasped. "Oh no. Is she okay?"

"Yeah, I called not too long ago to check in. Everything is fine but they're gonna keep her sister for further evaluation." Arman said.

"I'm glad she's alright." Heather said.

Arman nodded. "Yeah, but did everything go good with the protection order?"

"Yeah, everything's cool. The judge knew what was up and didn't bullshit us." Amaru told him.

"That's good. I'll set up an appointment to get mine done soon. I don't want my girl H to be worrying." Arman assured them.

"You already know I'm gonna be on your ass." Heather said.

"Shit, you on my ass now." Arman joked.

"As I should be. Don't make me get Big Mama." Heather threatened.

"Aight, chill." Arman said, making Amaru and Heather laugh.

-

Mya, Kennedi, and Shakur smiled with cake all over their faces as Heather took their picture. Shakur was responsible for putting cake on Kennedi and Mya's face and Mya was responsible for getting him back. It was Kennedi's first birthday and Mya and Shakur threw a big party for her in their backyard. They wanted her to be a little older before they took her on birthday trips. After they got their faces cleaned up, Killian took Kennedi so she could play with the other kids and Mya joined the ladies under a tent while Shakur went with the men.

Mya sighed. "Wedding, honeymoon, and our baby's first birthday within two weeks? And school is about to start? Y'all, I am exhausted." She said.

"Girl, I can tell." Nova said as she held Jaxon on her hip. "You and Heather need to slow down."

Heather laughed. "I know you ain't talking."

"And is!" Nova laughed back. "But I have a secret to tell y'all because I need advise. Heather, don't tell anybody."

"Okay, I won't." Heather whispered.

"Arman wants to cohabitate." Nova said.

Both Heather and Mya shrugged. "And? Hell, y'all are always at each other's places." Mya said.

"But it's different." Nova whined.

"Not really, Nova." Heather told her. "You already see how he lives and operates. Only difference is he may get all the way comfortable and he may have a few bad habits, but you most likely already peeped it."

Nova chuckled. "Yeah, he tends to freestyle in the shower and he hates wearing clothes around the house, but I can live with that. He cleans and keeps himself up."

"Exactly!" Mya exclaimed. "Big Mama raised those boys correctly—they know what to do."

"Period, that's why we married two of em." Heather chimed. "And I got pregnant back to back by one."

Mya laughed loudly. "Yes, bitch!"

"What I tell y'all about calling each other bitches?" Amaru said, sneaking up behind them. "And then y'all are doing this around my youngest? I'm about to kick ass."

"Now you're cursing around him." Nova said.

"This ain't about me." Amaru said as he took Jaxon from her. "C'mon, son. Let's go have a beer."

Heather laughed as she watched Amaru walk away with Jaxon who was cheesing. "He gets on my nerves."

"Real bad." Mya added.

-

"I like you being pregnant this time, mommy." Killian said as he, Heather, and Micah ate ice cream at the kitchen table. They had just finished eating dinner and Heather decided they needed dessert. Jaxon was currently asleep in his playpen after eating and nursing.

"Why? Because I'm giving y'all sweets?" Heather asked.

Killian nodded. "Yes!"

Heather chuckled. "Well, what about the last time?"

"I liked the last time too because we got to eat lots of potato chips." Killian replied. "But daddy didn't like that."

"Mhmm, he wouldn't like us eating this ice cream either." Heather said.

Right on cue, Amaru walked into the kitchen after entering the house. The three of them looked at him in shock as he gave them a blank stare.

"Daddy, we didn't hear you come in." Killian said with a nervous grin.

"How was your day?" Micah asked in his sweet voice.

"It was good." Amaru replied as he took the bowls of ice cream from Micah and Killian, making them whine. "Go brush your teeth and get prepared for bed. Wash your faces too."

The boys pouted as they got up from the table and went to do as told. Amaru slowly looked at Heather who hurriedly ate the rest of her ice cream. "Really?" Amaru asked with a laugh.

"You weren't about to take mine too." Heather told him. "It was just two scoops of ice cream. You could've allowed them to have it."

"Heather, y'all have been eating junk food since I stopped by during my break in between clients. You know I don't like that shit." Amaru said.

Heather sucked her teeth. "Don't scold me like I'm your child."

"I'm not scolding you, Heather. I'm just saying that they don't need all of this junk food." Amaru replied. "I understand your cravings and the boys would want some too, but we need to think about some alternatives to lessen the junk food intake."

Heather rolled her eyes as she got up from the table. "Your plate is in the microwave. Good night."

"Nah, you're not going to bed with an attitude. Tell me what did I do to upset you." Amaru told her.

"I'm not upset—I'm just annoyed." Heather said. "I understand you want what's best, but seems like you're constantly nagging me when it comes to the boys. It seems like you're always trying to overrule me."

"Listen, I'm not trying to nag or overrule you. I love you as their mother—you're a great mother. It's clear that we have different parenting skills. You're more easygoing and giving. I'm very protective and a bit strict. We have to learn how to balance them. I'm sorry for making you feel that way, baby." Amaru said.

Heather hugged him and kissed her lips. "I feel bad because you're always apologizing to me."

"Your feelings are always valid with me, and if I make you feel a certain way then I'm gonna take accountability and apologize. I expect the same from you." Amaru explained and Heather nodded. "Aight then. Now give me some more kisses. Lips taste sweet as hell."

Heather laughed and granted his wish. She loved that Amaru was very understanding and compromising. "I love you, husband."

Amaru smirked. "I love you too, wife."

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