Divine's Time

41. soap opera

Time

It was beautiful.

 The perfect combination of brown, beige, and burnt orange epitomizes the perfect fall-themed baby shower. Welcome to Divine and Time's baby shower.

The sign on the front lawn of the three-story Air BNB home made me smile. I looked over at Divine, who was pulling up into the driveway, where several cars were already parked. 

I placed my hand on my belly, really taking in the fact that this was my baby shower. It was all going so fast. I'm officially in my second trimester, 22 weeks. Although I am experiencing some discomfort most days, the feeling of my babies growing inside of me makes everything worth it.

Being a mother, quickly became my favorite thing about myself and it was amazing how I fell in love with my life in a matter of months. Divine grabbed my bags in put them in the house before he helped me out of the car. As I was getting out,  Charlie, Goldie, and Presley started to walk towards me making me smile even wider.

Seeing them here supporting me the way that they are was so heartwarming. Charlie had Presley on her hip and Aunt Goldie came rushing over to me hugging me and rubbing my belly.

"Oh my god, Time. I'm so happy to see you." She exclaimed. "And look at how fast the babies have grown!"

"Lord, what a blessing this is," Charlie said with wet eyes as she held on to Presley. Presley was dressed in a cute brown and burnt orange overall outfit with matching bows in her curly pigtails. Her caramel skin was shiny with the help of the sun and the old-school Grandma's Vaseline regiment. "All my grandchildren in one place." She cooed touching my belly.

"I'm so sorry I'm just now visiting you guys. I've just been through a lot recently, had to get myself together." I told them as we walked into the house.

"Honey, you are okay. I'm just glad you're better." Charlie spoke, "And I want you to know no matter what you will always be family to me. No matter what." Charlie grabbed my hand tight and affirming. And for the first time in a long time, I felt the energy of a mother's love.

I examined how beautifully decorated everything was from the inside of the Airbnb to the outside. From the gorgeous and very large brown and burnt orange balloon arch outside, the touch of fall with decorated pumpkins, the letters BABY in wooden blocks, the DJ station, the picnic tables in the backyard, the inflatable jump house, cute little fall photo booth.

It was all so perfect.

"Nah, Mama. This is dope, thank you so much." Divine said to Charlie hugging her as he continued to look around.

"Oh, baby. Anything for ya'll." She responds, "I'm going to go get ready, your cousins, aunties, and everybody is on the way here."

"Is Fran coming?" I asked as I looked at a playful Presley who letting out high-pitched laughs and bouncing around all over the backyard. I smiled at her chubby legs taking off as she played with a Goldendoodle puppy. 

Charlie rolled her eyes, "Yeah she's coming. She's supposed to be picking up Presley today after the party. But If she comes in here drunk like she did last time she ain't taking that child nowhere and I mean that." She spat firmly waving her finger before she walked back inside the house.

I sighed, "I have to talk to her." I told Divine as I watched Presley play with the dog. 

"You need to focus on enjoying yourself, baby. Today is about you and the babies I don't want you worried about Fran." He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips as he planted a kiss.