"Babe, you need help with anything?"Michael asked as I frantically cooked and cleaned. "Im good I just have to get these ribs on the grill and the sides done then finish cleaning set the tables outside and something else I'm forgetting something, what am i forgetting?" I thought to myself.
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"To breath. Go relax for a minute let me take over."he kicked me out of my kitchen. Its been a week since I got the kids back and I took them to my condo on the beach in Santa Barbra. They love it here they wake up and we do breakfast on the beach. Sometimes we see dolphins and all sorts of animals. Right now they're with my brother but today is the day the kids and jalen will meet Michael. My anxiety is going crazy I've been all over the place. I went out on the balcony and looked at the beach trying to calm my nerves. "Here. You ok?"he handed me a glass of wine. "Yea I just know jalen is going to have a attitude and we'll probably argue and I just want everyone to get along."I sighed. "Whether he likes me or not I'm not going anywhere, just focus on the kids this isn't about him."he grounded me. He knows just what to say I swear. "You're right. My brother is going to stay too. I asked him not to but he insisted." I rolled my eyes. "The more the merrier."he hugged me tight. I buried my face into his chest and did a sigh of relief.
I got the kids beach stuff ready for them because my brother was on the way with them and so is jalen. I was focused on them so much I forgot to get myself ready. "Watch the grill for me I have to shower and get dressed."I ran upstairs. I'm in the shower going over every scenario in my head preparing for the worst. I hear the doorbell ring and snap out of my thoughts. I was hoping it was Jalen so we can just rip the band aid off and get it over with. I threw on a comfy outfit and ran downstairs .
"Hey. Thank you for coming."I opened the door. "Yea. I brought something to drink on."he handed me the box. "Thanks. Um the kids aren't here yet so y'all can go ahead and meet each other."I welcomed him inside. We walked to the balcony where Michael was flipping burgers and hot dogs. My heart was racing and I had a lump in my throat. "Babe this is Jalen the father of my babies. Jalen this is Michael."I introduced. I was a stuttering mess I couldn't stop fidgeting, Michael took my hand in his and smiled at me relaxing my whole spirit. "It's nice to finally meet you."he shook jalens hand. "Yea. You too, my kids are my whole world and I'm here for them."Jalen said. There was a long awkward silence between us three. "Um. Drinks y'all want drinks?"i asked. "Yea that would be perfect."Michael said. "Im going to leave y'all to talk."I made my escape. I came back out hand gave everyone their drinks "they're strong. Lord knows I need it." I said under my breath. "You catch the game last night?"jalen made conversation. "Yea we were there actually. Liv likes sports more than anyone I know."he laughed. "Yea she's something. As soon as nyx could walk she had a football in his hands. Cyx likes baseball and basketball and my little girl takes after liv so much down to the facial expressions and personality everything."Jalen said. "The kids just got here.are you staying for dinner or?"i asked. "Um I'm good y'all enjoy your day."he declined. "Please stay we made all this food."Michael insisted. I shot him a look and he nudged me. "Stay. Have a couple of beers."he said. "Daddy!"the kids came running out. "Are you staying for the beach day too?"nyx asked. "I guess I don't have a choice."he chugged his drink. "Yo liv I brought buns and shit. Amber is on the way with your nieces before you ask. Wassup mike."he dapped him up ignoring jalen existence. "Nyx I want you to meet Michael."I smiled. "Hey you were in black panther."nyx lit up. "Yes I was man. It's nice to meet you."Michael laughed. "He loves super hero movies."i smiled at them getting along. "This is Cyx. He's shy. Say hi baby."I picked him up. Syvn grabbed Michaels hand and guided him down to the beach. "That's syvn she's not shy at all. Princess you gotta get dressed for the beach girl."I scooped her up. "They like you."jalen laughed. "So Imma head out I have an event tonight."jalen made excuses. "Just go then bye."trey said. "It's not up to you whether I stay or go. So shut up talking to me."jalen snapped. I looked at Michael I know he could see the panic all over my face. "Come on y'all lets get y'all dressed. Nyx can you put your brothers swim trunks on him for me. And his swim diaper?"I shooed them off. "Listen just for today for the kids sake set all this shit aside. I'm not having it if y'all can't behave get the fuck out."I was irritated this is why I asked Trey not to come. "Amber's here."trey went back in the house. I let out a sigh and went into the kitchen to start the greens.
