In The Morning

xxviii

FMB

I was awaken by the constant buzzing of my phone and it caused me to groan. I sat up slightly, making sure not to wake Taraji as I reached over and grabbed it off the night stand. I had an influx of notifications coming in from all platforms as well as messages and missed calls.

I unlocked my phone and immediately went to Instagram since it had the most notifications and was blown away by a picture of Taraji and I she had posted last night after I fell asleep.

She had confirmed our relationship and everyone was reposting with their love and support. I looked through most of them, liking but not commenting as I was unsure of what to say or do.  It was still early in the morning and I wanted to go back to sleep but I knew I couldn't just do that.

I repositioned myself in Taraji's arms and scrolled through my photos, finding a picture of us and quickly posting it before texting Zion and telling her to call me when she was ready to tour apartments. Mama needed her rest, everything else had to wait until then.

I was woken up hours later by the sound of Taraji's voice as she spoke on the phone lowly.

"Maybe if you would answer the phone then I could tell you what's happening in my world! Oh I forgot, you're too good to check on your own mother." She spat out lowly as her hand slowly rubbed my back.

"How am I supposed to tell you anything when you don't talk to me Marcel? What did I do to make you not want to speak to me? Not even to check up on me or answer my texts?" She questioned, her voice thick with emotion.

"You say nothing but then you go right back to ignoring me! I understand you're busy because so am I but I still make time to call and check on you and make sure you're doing okay but you can't have the same decency or respect to do the same for me. I'm over it, when you're ready for me to be your mother again let me know." She said before hanging up with a sad sigh.

Her hand moved from my back which caused me to finally sit my head up and look up at her. She was wiping her tears from her face before looking at me and giving me a sad smile.

"I'm sorry for waking you up baby." She mumbled as she leaned down and kissed my forehead.

"It's alright. You okay?" I asked as I sat up more and wrapped my arms around her, giving her a tight squeeze as she shook her head.

"No but I'll get over it in due time. Sleep okay? How's your body feeling?" She asked, pushing her emotions to the side to check on me.

"I'm feeling fine but I need you to be okay. What can I do to make you feel better?" I asked making tears well up in her eyes again.

"Just.. hold me. Please?" She said, her voice cracking as her tears started flowing freely. I quickly got up all the way and sat in her lap before pulling her close to me and hugging her tightly.

She placed her head in the crook of my neck as she wrapped her arms around my waist and silently cried. I hummed lowly, running my fingers through her hair as we rocked back and forth.

She soon calmed down but didn't release her grip on me, her hold seemingly getting tighter as the minutes passed by.

"Look at me Mama." I said softly as I pulled her head out of my neck. She sniffled as she looked up at me. A pout prominent on her face as her tears fell again.

"You didn't do anything wrong. You are a great mother, even to Kezzy and Dallas. There's nothing in this world you could have done to make him grow distant okay? When he's ready to start acting and communicating like the man he is, he will. But just because he isn't now doesn't mean you did something wrong." I reassured her softly as I held her face in my hands.

Her eyes closed and more tears escaped her eyes before she nodded slightly and leaned into my hands.

"Now let's talk about you posting me with my mouth wide open while I was sleep." I said making her laugh lightly and open her eyes again.

"I couldn't wait any longer. I'm sorry, I know I should have talked about it with you first but I can't keep holding it in Tai." She said softly.

"You don't have to apologize baby. I'm not mad one bit. Next time just use a better picture. Not one of me passed out after a session." I said with a laugh which made her smile.

"Are you sure you're okay after last night?" She inquired causing me to nod.

"I'm sure baby. I just got overstimulated and couldn't take anymore. But I promise, I am physically, mentally and emotionally okay." I said as I rested my forehead against hers. She closed her eyes again and nodded, letting out a sigh.

"What time are you and Zion going to view apartments?" She asked making me shrug.

"Whenever she calls. Why? You wanna do something in the meantime?" I asked.

"Something like that."

"Oh no! I'm sore!" I said immediately making her laugh.

"Actually I was going to let you be in charge this ONE time." She said, emphasizing one.

"Completely?" I asked excitedly.

"Completely. Anything you want goes, but just this one time. Deal?" She asked making me immediately nod.

"Deal!" I said before moving to get out of the bed and go to her closet.

Baby bout to get this work.