Just Be A Man About It

24.

Malik

I'm at home with the kids today while Naomi, Layla, and Mel went shopping for the girls. Malia, Jamie, and Amar are sitting in the movie room watching Finding Nemo, while Ty and I are making them something to eat. Hungry little monsters.

"So what happened man?" Ty asks.

"All I know is that I was at the club with some old friends. My ex-girlfriend was there. We talked, she drugged me, and I remember waking up in her bed butt ass naked. Then I don't know how but she recorded everything we did and sent that shit to Naomi."

"Damn man. That's some fucked up shit." He says.

"Hell yea. It's like people just don't want us to be happy. Somebody always gotta come and ruin shit."

"Y'all will get through it. You got two little shorties on the way. You getting married soon. If people didn't want y'all to be together, none of this would be happening right now."

"True," I say.

"Daddy! I'm hungry! I need food in my tummy!" Malia yells.

"Okay Malia, it's almost ready!"

"Hurry up Mister!"

Ty laughs and shakes his head.

"I'ma whoop her lil ass!" I say.

"Hey man, that's your lil' girl. She's starting to act like Naomi more and more everyday. You sure that's not Naomi's baby girl in disguise?" Ty says, laughing.

"She might as well be. She's been opening up to Naomi really well. She didn't hesitate to call her Mommy when she first got here those first few weeks. Their bond is amazing. You would think Malia was really hers. I didn't think Malia would actually open up to Naomi but I'm glad she did."

"Yea. Again, sorry about that bro."

"It's all good. At least she's not suffering anymore. I'm just glad she came to me about Malia and that she didn't send her to a foster home."

"How does Amar like having a sister."

"Amar treats her like she's his best friend on top of being his little sister by a few days. Naomi and I took the kids to Chuck.E.Cheese last weekend, and some little boy pushed Malia down. Amar was damn near about to rip that boy's throat out when he saw Malia crying." I say, laughing

"Damn. At least they are getting used to each other. I know that won't be the last time Amar tries to fuck someone up over his sister."

"Hell nah. If anything, he might as well get ready for it."

"Right. These lil niggas out here ain't shit nowadays. Putting yo hands on a women should never be an answer as to how you deal with her. I wish I would put my hands on a women. My mama would whoop my ass."

"Hell yea. My mama and I don't have the best relationship, but I always listened to what she said. She told me that if I ever put my hands on a women, that's my ass in a body bag. Nah I'm good on that."

"Daddy! My stomach is evaspotrating!" Malia yells.

"You mean evaporating?" I yell.

"Yea, that's what I said."

"Malia Renee', the food is almost ready!

"Can't you cook it faster?" She asks, walking in the kitchen with her crew.

Malia, Jamie, and Amar sit down at the island.

"Not unless you want burnt food baby girl," I say kissing her forehead.

"Okay, I'll be patient," she says, pouting.

The front door opens and closes.

"Malik! I need some food in my system!" Naomi yells coming into the kitchen.

She and Mel were carrying bags on bags.

"Baby you know you don't need to be carrying all that stuff. It's not good for you"

"What? You don't think I'm strong enough to carry this stuff? You think I'm weak don't you? You don't think I can have these kids. You don't want them do you?" She asks, tearing up.

"Of course I want you to have the babies Mi-Mi. I just don't want you to hurt yourself or the babies by carrying all that stuff," I say taking the bags from her and Mel.

"Oh. Okay," she says, going to the refrigerator and pulling out some pickles. I look at Mel, and she shakes her head.

"Mood swings," she mouths.

I nod my head and take the bags to the girls' soon to be room. I hear footsteps coming down the hallway and I feel arms wrap around my waist. I bring Naomi in front of me and wrap my arms around her stomach. She leans into me and looks around the room.

"Can you believe that in three more months we'll be bringing two baby girls into the world?"

I smile and kiss her forehead while rubbing her stomach.

"Wait. Then it'll be four girls. Oh my god. Amar and I will be outnumbered. That's so not fair."

"Life isn't fair baby," she says kissing my cheek.

"Yea yea yea."

I hear the stove timer go off.

"Daddy! The food is done! I think!" Malia yells.

"Getcho hungry child before I hurt her," I say to Naomi.

"She's just like you. Always hungry and never satisfied. I don't understand how her little stomach can handle that much food," Naomi says.

"That lil girl is like a garbage disposal."

"Daddy!" Malia yells.

"Malia Renee Henderson! Don't rush me. I'm talking to Mommy!"

"Mommy and my sisters are hungry too!"

I sigh and shake my head. I hear Naomi's stomach growl.

"She ain't lying. I am starving."

I laugh and walk us downstairs. As soon as we reach the bottom step, I see Malia leaning over in the pot of chicken alfredo, and she starts fixing plates

"You just couldn't wait could you?" I ask Malia.

"No," she says.

She hands a plate to Amar to pass down from him to Jamie to Ty then to Mel. After she gives them their plates, she hands Naomi and I one. Then she fixes herself a plate.

"Thanks Malia," everyone says.

"You're welcome," she says with a mouth full of food.

Yea that's my baby.