Sixteen
Cyrus
"Ugh, daddy that's gross." I laughed as my dad dipped his peeled crawfish into his mixture of mayo, ketchup, mustard, and lemon juice.
He called me to come over for a boiled crawfish date and I couldn't resist. I was definitely angry at his absence but we caught up just like old times. I missed my father and now that Noble was back home and safe I could focus on my father and I's relationship while begging Noble to do the same with his own father.
"Try it."
"I'll pass." I laughed. "It's not good for the baby."
"I'm happy for you Cy. I'm gonna be a grandfather again." He smiled.
"I'm going to be a mother." I sighed.
"You sound scared."
"I am." I admit. "I don't want to be a bad parent. I don't want to do it wrong. I want to be the best mother possible but I don't know if I have that in me."
"Your mother was the same way." He laughed as he looked into the distance remembering that time before I was born, when Mega was alive. "She pricked and pried about everything when it came to you. She loved you so hard and strong, Cyrus. You never paid me any mind and when I did try to be around you, you cried for her and then I knew that you didn't need me and I couldn't do anything for you. Sicily was everything to you that I couldn't be and I learned to deal with that."
"Daddy, you're wrong." I sniffled. "I need you too. It hurts me when you were always there for Mega and Mars. I'm your child too, ya know?"
"Come here." He held me rubbing my back as I cried. I had allowed my father to be nonexistent in my life for a long time and I had always told myself that it didn't bother me. The tears on my cheek proved otherwise. "I never did that to hurt you, Cyrus. I just always thought that your mother could do a better job in raising you then I could. Mega and Mars were boys, they needed me to teach them to be men. I thought I had nothing to give you but money and I was wrong. You need me as much as I need you. I'm sorry."
"I do need you daddy."
"I'm here Baby Girl. I'm here to stay." He kissed my forehead as I smiled.
"Daddy, I miss Mega."
"Me too." He sighed as I felt his breathing speed up.
"Have you spoken to Leslie?" I asked looking up at my father as he avoided eye contact with me.
"Yes, Cyrus. I had her admitted to a rehabilitation center two weeks ago. She came to my doorstep high on drugs. It's for the best." He spoke as I nodded.
"At least she's getting help." I smiled happy that I have my dad back.
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"Not again." I frowned placing the groceries in the foyer as I heard Cruz's crying and MJ and Trinity arguing.
"Hey baby." Noble said trying to kiss me as I curved him.
"Why are they here?" I asked punching his stomach as he groaned. "I'm sorry, baby." His wound was only a week old but it was still fresh. Every time it bothered him I put a bigger price on Dom's head. Their beef is far from over.
"You good. Their parents just dropped them off." He shrugged grabbing the bags and walking into the kitchen as I followed him.
"Why did you open the door?" I whined sitting on a stool as I watched him save the groceries. He looked so regular in a plain white tee and basketball shorts. I love my brother, niece, and nephew but all three of them together isn't anything good.
