Sweet Baby

Eight

Eight

"Happy New Year, Prince. 1992 is gonna be a good year." Andre said as we were on the phone. Lettie was on my lap asleep as we were in her bedroom and Shevonne was having a shower. "Yeah, it will be. I don't think it could compare to last year." I said to him. "Nah, bruh. Your tour's coming up. Your contract is ending. It's gonna a really good year." I smiled as Shevonne walked in wearing a robe and she lifted Lettie off my chest. "Goodnight Andre!" She whisper yelled. "Shevonne says goodnight. That's my cue to go, Andre." He laughed. "Give Lettie a kiss for me and tell her I love her." He said. "I will. Don't worry. See you soon, Andre. Bye." I hung up as Shevonne was walking in and she dropped the robe. Her Afro was shorter now, and lately we've been working out together so she was slim. She was always slim and in shape, but she was...just so beautiful now.

Shevonne joined me in bed and kissed me. "Happy New Year, baby." She said as she slid over to hold me. I kissed her forehead. "Happy New Year." I stroked her arm as she was holding me and I lied awake for a long while just thinking about last year and how many blessings I've had. My beautiful daughter, and now a woman that loves me. Going on tour, a well selling album. I looked down at Shevonne as she was sleeping and her naked body hugging me was starting to get harder not to make love to, but it could wait for a few days.

I woke up around the middle of the morning to see Shevonne's bare back in the sunlight through the window. Somehow, my hand managed to find her in my sleep as I had my fingers limply against her shoulder blade. Today was Lettie's first birthday and I was happy, but also sad at how fast she was growing. I slid out of bed to get dressed and step into Lettie's room. She was standing in her crib with her hands on the top bar and bouncing when she was me. "Hey, Princess. Good morning." I said to her as I left her out of her crib and rubbed her eyes as I had her on my hip.

"You're not awake are you?" She shook her head and rested it on my shoulder as I packed her to the kitchen for her morning juice. After I made her sippy cup, I got her changed and we sat on the couch. She held one of her feet while her head rested against my ribs so she could drink her juice and watch her cartoons. It was like an older man with his coffee and westerns. "Happy birthday, Leticia." I said as I stroked her curls back. Her eyes looked up at me before she pulled her juice away and stood up on the couch to kiss my cheek. I hugged her and laid on the couch with her and stroked her hair until I heard my bedroom door open. Shevonne stepped in with her hair wet and in silk pajamas. Mine specifically.

"Good morning, my love." I said. Shevonne came over and leaned down to give me and Lettie our kisses. "Good morning my angels." She said. Lettie climbed off of my stomach to Waddle around and follow Shevonne to the kitchen. I smiled and sat up to follow them and I stroked the top of Lettie head as she was standing there looking at Shevonne while she was making coffee. "Oh! Happy birthday, Lettie Bug." Lettie bounced as she was drinking before running back into the kitchen and climbing onto the couch.

I hugged Shevonne from behind and kissed on her neck. "What do you want to do for Lettie's birthday?" Shevonne asked. "I don't know. She won't remember it." Shevonne turned around and leaned against the counter. "We could get her a cake. Take her to the park and let her play outside." I smiled and kissed Shevonne. "Yeah, maybe I'll get her that doll she's been wanting." Shevonne kissed on my neck and I heard little feet coming and quickly pulled away. "Dad-dy." Now she's was awake. She was standing there with my heels in her hands and I smiled. "No Lettie. No heels. You'll hurt yourself." I said as I took them. Shevonne's coffee was strong and I was trying my best to keep awake without caffeine.

"You wanna see Uncle Andre today?" I asked as she was holding my fingers to sit with me on the couch. Lettie nodded. "Can you say Andre?" I asked her. She was getting better with her words, but she only knew the basics like Daddy, sleepy, mama, and hungry. I slipped my heels on over my socks and Shevonne took her coffee to get ready. I decided to call up Andre to have him meet us at the Park and get Lettie changed into her day clothes. Shevonne packed her diaper bag just in case we were gone for more than a few hours, and we got into my car. Shevonne placed Lettie in her car seat and we were heading to the park.