Million Dollar Dreams

Chapter 18

( one month later )

Court date after court date after court date. All of this was getting old already. Thankfully, after Christmas break we'd only three dates left. It was a great, relieving feeling inside. Four days from now it was going to be Christmas, and we were going to host the dinner. I was sure as hell not going to cook, so I hired a caterer to make some of the main entry's. The ham, steak, chicken, things like that. I could make a few cakes and pies, but now being almost eight months pregnant my lower back kills, the weight of my stomach really weighed me down. I can't stand more than twenty minutes. It sucks.

I stood at the threshold of Josephine's room. Jalen and Kirk were in there re-painting the blue walls to a light pink. Tomorrow we were hoping to move the crib and dressers back in, then fold up the baby clothes and put them away. I had bought pictures to hang up on the wall, and a bunch of toys for her toy box. I smiled as Kirk as he rolled the roller up and down the wall, covering the dreams of him wanting son.

"I bet you're enjoying this." Kirk chuckled, looking over at me.

"Yeah, cause I don't have to paint." I winked back. "My back hurts though, I'm about to go lay down for a few minutes. And by the way, your mom called, so you might wanna call her back."

"Alright." He responded.

"Hey Lexus.." Jalen said, rushing up to me. He put the paintbrush down for a moment, following me out of the room. "Can I ask you something? I um, didn't wanna ask Kirk yet."

"What is it?"

"Are you guys gonna let me stay here after JoJo is born?" I smiled as he asked me. Liking how they already had a nickname for Josephine.

"Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't we let you stay? I like you staying here, and I know deep down Kirk does too."

"Okay.. Good." He smiled. "I was worried."

"Nahh, don't be. Mi casa, su casa." I laughed.

"Thanks." He smiled, walking away. He turned back around quickly. "Hey, um, I'm kinda excited about the baby. It's only two months away you know."

"I'm excited too, and I know. It's a little scary, but I'm looking forward to it."

"I think Kirk's scared too."

"I know he is, but he'll never admit it."

I laid down on the bed, trying to get into a comfortable position, but Josephine was restless, moving around like crazy. It was almost impossible to get comfortable. Sleeping at night, it was all the same. All she did was kick, stretch out, and toss all over. I barely get sleep, but I thought of it as practice to when she finally arrives.

I closed my eyes, imagining what she might look like. Kirk's brown eyes, curly light brown hair like mine, his nose maybe, but my lips. No matter the combination, all I seen was a beautiful little girl. All I really wanted was for her to be healthy.

I knew in my heart that my aunt was looking down upon me and smiling. Maybe, just maybe, all of this was happening because of her. My mom always told me she had a weird sense of humor. All these bad events that happened will never override the joy of being pregnant, and the feeling of being in love, and being loved.

"Hey aunt Josie." I smiled, looking up as if my ceiling was heaven. "Thank you. I don't know if you know how much this means to me.. Having a daughter, being with the guy I've always wanted. Even though I've been through a lot, some of the things I wish I could forget that still haunt me at night, I survived. Look at me aunt Josie. Look at this big house, my huge yard. On top of all that, money is no issue. I don't have to worry about paying the rent on time anymore, or having to work extra hours to just put food on the table." I paused, feeling the rhythmic kicks of my little girl, which made me smile brightly. "Mom always said I was a little you. Everything I did, the way I talk, she can see you in my face. She misses you, I can tell by the way she looks at me, and by the way she talks about her grand daughter. Naming my daughter after you means so much to her, and its an honor to you. I honestly feel like we're finally connected. I know there's a little part of your soul in my daughters... Your great niece. Just look out for her as she gets older, you promise me?"