BFF

Sweet Home California

Dave – POV

"Baby, we here."

The second we stepped through the door, a wave of comfort hit me. Back from New York, finally. I enjoyed that trip—spending time with the kids, just being present. But what caught me off guard was Corey calling me Pops from the very first day. I didn't expect that.

At first, I didn't know how to respond. But he said it felt natural. He never knew his real father, and I've been there for him since he was a youngin. That meant more to me than he'll ever know. I don't even see him as anything other than my son. I'm just honored to be that father figure he needed.

"Mama T, where you at?" Corey called out, already dropping bags and walking in like he owned the place.

Tia's voice rang out from down the hall. "Coming! Omgggg, my babies!"

She rushed in, trying to pick up Kairi with all the energy in the world.

"Tia, don't get fucked up," I warned, stepping in quick before she strained something. She be forgetting her limits sometimes.

"Ooo, alright, hi baby, I missed you," she said, kissing Kairi all over.

"Missed you, Mommy," Kairi giggled, wrapping her little arms around her neck.

Corey leaned in and kissed her cheek, smiling.

"Why you look like you got taller in just three days?" she asked, pulling back and looking him up and down.

"Mama T, don't gas me," Corey said, rolling his eyes.

"Exactly," I added. "Boy still short as shit."

"Pops, don't front now."

Tia laughed, shaking her head. "Omg, I missed me some y'all."

"Come give me some love, mamas," I said, pulling her into me.

I picked her up, deepened the kiss, and slid my hands down to rub her ass. Yeah, I missed her for real.

"Alright, Kairi, let's roll," Corey said quickly, grabbing her hand. "It's getting rated-R in here, little mama."

They headed off, leaving the house quiet. Just me and Tia.

"Man, I missed you," I told her, still holding her close.

"No, I missed you," she replied, nuzzling into my neck.

I led her upstairs to our bedroom. It felt good to be back in our space.

"When did the whole Pops and Mama T thing start?" she asked once we settled in, her voice curious but soft.

"In New York," I said, sitting down beside her. "I was shocked too. We talked about it... he said it just feels right. Natural. Said I've raised him most of his life, always supported and loved him, and to him, that's what a father is. And you? You've been that mother figure to him since he moved out here. You treat him like your own. That boy loves you."

She smiled, and I could see it hit her a little different. 

"I'm dead ass about to cry," Tia said, her voice cracking just a little.

I laughed, but not in a mean way. "Nah, mamas, don't cry."

"I'm ready to have this baby," she muttered, rubbing her belly. "I'm soft as fuck."

I sat down beside her, kissed her cheek. "I gotta meet up with Izzy, Bull, and Chris later on. You okay with that?"

Soon as I said Izzy's name, Tia rolled her eyes so hard I thought she might hurt herself. I couldn't even blame her.