Picture Perfect

chapter twenty one

Christopher M. Brown

Just like I promised, I was taking Kai'lani out to dinner. It wasn't technically out but more like a fort date. I remembered that Kai and I are both childlike meaning that a blanket fort with chinese and a disney movie marathon would be perfect for tonight. I was stupid for letting her go the first time and I'll be damned if it happens again. There was a knock on the door. I walked over to the door and opened it. Kai stood there in a gray Victoria's Secret Pink jumpsuit with calf length socks and Nike slides.

"Chris why am I dressed in my pajamas if it's our date night?" She inquired.

"Can I get a 'hey babe' first before you start asking questions?" I inquired jokingly.

"Hey babe." She jokingly greeted. She pecked my lips and walked inside. I closed the door behind her. I took her hand and let her into the living room. I looked back at her to see her all smiles.

"Oh no you didn't! Baby I haven't been in a blanket fort since I was like seven years old. This is the perfect date."

I smiled and opened the 'door' to the fort. She crawled inside and I crawled in after her. She gasped in awe and turned back to look at me. She pounced on me, attacking my face with kisses.

"You got the TV, chinese, all my favorite candy and chips. This is so amazing Chris." She told me as she hugged onto me. I smiled and kissed her forehead.

"It only gets better, we're having a Disney movie marathon." I announced.

"Really? That's so amazing." She smiled. I hit play and the movie 'Beauty and the Beast'. She cuddled into my chest and grabbed the tray that contained sweet and sour chicken with pork fried rice and two egg rolls. I grabbed my tray which was a simple ten chicken wings, fries, and two egg rolls. I grabbed the comforter and threw it over us. We ate and watched the movie in silence. After we were done, she took our empty containers and took them to the kitchen. I laid back and watched the movie. She crawled back inside and sat in between my legs. Her head laid on my chest and she intertwined our fingers.

"Babe?" She inquired.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for this, I can tell the thought came from your heart." She thanked. I kissed the top of her head.

"You're welcome."

───

the next morning

I awoke to see Kai laying on my chest. The last thing I remember is us cracking jokes while watching Aladdin. She stirred around before cuddling a little more into my chest. I rubbed her back and kissed her forehead. My phone vibrated on the couch. I grabbed it and seen it was Karrueche. I unlocked my phone and read her message.

I'm coming over, we need to talk. I'll do whatever I can to get you back.

Shit. I gently moved Kai to the side and crawled out of the fort. I dialed Aliana's number and walked down to my in home studio.

"Wassup cuz?" She inquired.

"Karrueche's on the way over here, she wants me back but Kai is here, we had our date last night." I told her.

"That's going to be a problem, they're friends. I'll be over in less than five minutes." She told me before hanging up. I walked upstairs to see Kai stretching. I smiled and walked over to her.

"Good morning babe." She greeted.

"Good morning."

"I'm going to go freshen up and then we can make some breakfast." She told me. She pecked my lip before grabbing a small bag and walking upstairs. There was a knock on the door before it opened. Aliana walked inside and looked around.

"Is she here?" She inquired.

"No but Kai's upstairs. What the hell am I going to do?"

"Go with the flow and tell her that you just want to be co parents." Aliana told. I just nodded. Kai came downstairs and smiled.

"Hey Aliana." She greeted. She gave her a hug before hugging onto my side. There was a knock on the door before it opened. Karrueche walked in and stopped in her tracks when her eyes landed on Kai and I.

She chuckled, "I see it now. You broke up with me to get back with her."

"No I broke up with you because I didn't see myself having a future with you Kae, you might be having our child but that doesn't mean, I was going to marry you."

"Bullshit, we were doing fine till' you seen her." She snapped. I felt Kai's arms leave my side.

"Look Karrueche, you were a great girlfriend but I don't see a future with you as I've said before. If I don't see a future with you then why waste my time? I would love to be co parents but other than that we can be friends." I told her.

"What could you possibly see in her?! She jumped to your best friend even you said she was a homie hopper."

Kai looked me and down, "Excuse me? So I'm a homie hopper now? It wasn't like I planned to be in a relationship with August." She inquired. I could tell she was angry. Aliana looked at me and shook her head.

"Baby that was a one time thing, I was drunk." I told her.

"My aunt told me that a drunk mind speaks a sober heart Chris. You love me oh so much by you see me as a homie hopper. That's cool, now I know how you really feel." She spoke. She grabbed her bag and she began to walk toward the door. I wrapped my arms around her waist to prevent her from leaving.

"Kai please don't leave." I pleaded. She continued to try to get out of my hold.

"Nah b, let me go homie hop some more. I think I'll go hop to Trey next." She said. I lead her over to the couch and sat her down. She tried to get up but I held her down.

"Kai stop it. I might have said it but it was out of pain. Pain that I had experienced because I lost you." I admitted.

"You lost me because I wasn't important to you Chris, everyone but me was important. That's the past but remember I want your time just like everyone else." She told me. I nodded and peck her lips. Someone cleared their throat and I remember Karrueche was still here.

"Karrueche, I'll continue to be there for you in a friendly way. I'll still come to the classes and participate with everything else but us as a couple is done."

"I don't think us as a couple will ever be done Chris." She smirked before walking out of my house. Kai got up and started to make her way over to the front door but Aliana stopped her.

"I swear if she tries anything, I'm going to punch her in her face." Kai spat. I grabbed her waist and kissed her cheek.

"Babe I assure that she isn't going to break us up." I assured. She rolled her eyes and pushed me away.

"Don't think you're forgiven for this 'homie hopper' thing yet."