Didn't We Almost Have It All? | method man

Chapter 12

Next morning

Mef jogged up the stairs, the sound of his kids' laughter filling the air as they awaited his arrival. The door swung open, and he was immediately engulfed in hugs from his three children, ages 11 and 10. "Hey daddy!" Rae the youngest twin exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Mef's waist.

He chuckled at their excitement, realizing they couldn't even wait for him to step inside. With a grin, he finally made his way into the house, returning the affectionate embraces of his other two kids.

"Daddy, you leaving? When you coming back?" Cheyenne, his daughter, asked with a hint of sadness in her voice.

Mef knelt down to her eye level, gently caressing her cheek. "I'll be back in three weeks, baby. Take care of each other and listen to your mother, okay?" He then turned to his oldest son, Sha, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Sha, while I'm gone, you the man of the house. You know how things go," he said, giving him a dap. Sha nodded and dapped him up, understanding the responsibility that came with his father's absence.

As the kids scattered off to play, Tamika appeared in the doorway. "What time is your flight," she asked.

Just as Mef was about to respond, his phone buzzed with a text notification. A smile tugged at his lips as he saw Jaida's name appear on the screen. He enjoyed the simplistic time they spent last night.

Tamika noticed his reaction and smirked, her voice filled with amusement, "Who is she?"

"Huh," He said startled as he looked up from his phone.

"Yo ass cheesin' reading that message. So again, who is she?" Mef wanted to kick himself, he didn't know he was smiling while texting Jaida but he was happy to hear from her.

"I-she's just a friend, Tammy," he managed to say.

Tamika chuckled knowingly, seeing through his attempt to downplay their connection. "Cliff, you don't have to lie to me. If you like her, tell her. Whoever you decide to move on with, treat them right and do better than you did with me." Mef listened as weight lifted a little bit off his shoulders. He was hesitant about moving on with anyone solely because of Tamika and him wondering how she felt.

Now that she's basically given him her blessing, he felt a little relieved. "I love you Tamika."

She nodded, "I know you do. You're my family, my best friend. I want you to to be happy even if it's not with me."

Mef got teary-eyed grateful for the love and understanding they still shared. He's had his affairs with other women but there's no one that he thought of taking seriously except....Jaida.

Mef and Tamika embraced one last time, their hearts heavy yet hopeful for the future. As they said their goodbyes, Mef couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. This was a new chapter in his life, one filled with uncertainty and the potential for something special. Thoughts of Jaida lingered in his mind. Even the thought of him wanting to pursue Jaida was uncertain because he didn't know how Jaida felt, they were just friends but he felt something deeper than friendship. As he embarked on his journey, he carried with him the memory of Tamika's support, knowing that whatever lay ahead, he would strive to do better.

***
HIP-HOP RAPPER METHOD MAN RUMORED TO BE SINGLE READY TO MINGLE?

There's a new photo making the rounds, purportedly showing Method Man hugging a mystery woman outside of his car. While no one can confirm this mystery women and who she is to Method Man, they are kind of close aren't they? Thoughts?  -Rhyme & Reason

"Mef you see this shit?! Tia laughed at the audacity as she spoke on the phone with Mef.

"Yeah I seen that stupid shit."

Tia sighed in relief, "I'm just glad they didn't get a glimpse of Jaida. She got in the car before you stepped out."

"Word. I'm tryna keep her away from all this shit. You know how the media like to spin shit, she wouldn't be able to handle it," he said on the other end of the phone.

Tia paused before she came into realization, "What's up with you and Jaida by the way?"

"Igh Tia you asking too much. I gotta go," he said rushing to get off the phone, annoyed by her nosiness.

"Just don't let Shayla find out! You know how she feels about you," she said in a rush.

"Bye Tia!" He said as he hung up the phone. She texted Jaida, sending her the article.

Tia: bitch you lucky they didn't catch yo ass LMAO
Jaida: hell yeah. I don't got time for blogs, drama and rumors.
Tia: you know ya man gotchu
Jaida: he's not my man!
Jaida: he did say he had to speak to me when he gets back though.
Tia: Lmaooo ooh I can't wait to hear this.
Jaida: Bye Tia!

***
*Days later*

"Babe come to bed," Elijah pleaded, patting the empty space beside him.. Tia ignored his comment as she typed ferociously on her laptop. "Rapper Bow Wow and Singer Ciara End Their Relationship After 2 Years Together," Tia mumbled as she typed. Tia sat there for fifteen more minutes. "Done!" she shouted, slamming her laptop close. "I had to be the one to break that article."

Crawling into bed, Tia kept her phone in hand, engrossed in a flurry of text messages. Meanwhile, Elijah discreetly reached for his own phone on the nightstand, scrolling through. Just as he was about to put his phone away, a message from an unknown number appeared, meant solely for Elijah. It read, "Time tickin' nigga!

"What you doing?" Tia asked interrupting his attention.

He hurriedly replied and put his phone away, "Oh. That was my moms, she wanted me to go to the grocery store with her tomorrow," he lied.

"Hmm when am I going to meet your family," Tia asked.

Elijah sat up uncomfortable "Speaking of parents...when am I going to meet yours? Thanksgiving is coming up you know," Tia inquired with her arms folded.

Elijah sat up, not ready for this uncomfortable conversation, "Babe I told you will meet them soon. I talk about you all the time."

Tia rolled her eyes at him. "I seen you on the Rhyme and Reason blog," he said changing the subject.

Tia laughed a little, "I was just talkin' to Mef and Jaida about that. Tryna paint me as his girl or somethin. Tuh little do they know. That's goin be Jaida soon."

Confused, Elijah probed for more information. "Jaida soon? They dating?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"They might as well be," Tia replied, amused and excited. "They hang out at her place all the time, and they're always talking on the phone and texting. They clearly like each other, they just haven't told me yet."

"Cause you so nosey," he laughed.

Tia cut her eyes at him, and laughed, "Look I'm just happy for my friend. She's finally putting herself out there. Opening up."

"From what you've told me about Jaida, whoever she ends up with will be lucky," Elijah said.

Sharing a smile, they prepared for bed, bringing an end to the night's events.

***
This chapter was kinda mid sorry about that!