Clemency. ✓

27

Shawn Carter,

I embraced Grant and Dria as they lowered Uncle Dennis into the ground. As far as the funeral, we felt we needed to do what was better for us and do the cheaper graveside option even though Beyoncé and Mikall gave us enough to go all out. I feel like he would want it that way.

Surprisingly, a lot of family and friends showed up. I forgot how close Dria was to our family. Too bad they never came around when he was alive or when we needed them.

"Awww, Shawn." My cousin, Brittany, spoke. "Is that your daughter with Lori?"

"Yeah. This is her." I told them. "Can you tell them hello? These are Daddy's cousins. They don't live close to here."

"Hello." She smiled.

"Hi, beautiful." She said. How old are you?"

"Four, I'll be five really soon."

"Really? You talk so well."

"Thank you!" She grinned big.

"She is just a beautiful as her mother, but she is a spitting image of you." She said.

"You think so?" I chuckled.

"I know so." She said as the rest agreed. "I saw where you both got back together. You and Lori?"

"We ain't back together," I told them. "My girlfriend is over there in white top and black pants."

"Oh, okay! I see you." She said. "Got you a billionaire boo."

"Chill." I chuckled. "I love her even if she wasn't. She holding me down and I'm doing the same for her."

"So you and Lori are just co-parenting? Her IG says otherwise."

"It's jealously for her when it comes to Bey. Bey is one of the chill girls that's about her priorities and not what people think of her. That's why I love her."

"Hell, if my father was a billionaire, I wouldn't give a fuck about what these bitches had to say either. Baby mama or not. I don't blame her at all. I'm glad you're doing well as a man and father to them both."

"Thank you!" I smiled.

"Daddy." Shai said. "People are eating inside. Can I please get some food?"

"Yeah. Come on!" I said looking back for Beyoncé who was heading in our direction. "Hey baby. These some of my cousins. They were just talking about you."

"All good things I hope."

"Absolutely! Nice to meet you." Britt said shaking her hand.

Beyoncé shook the rest, "Nice to meet you all as well."

"Shai wanted some food from the repast. You wanna head in and get you some?"

"Sure." She said. "It was nice meeting you all."

"Same to you." They grinned.

Shai grabbed both of our hands to walk us inside the back of the church where we fell in line to fix a plate. I felt Lori's eye is both down. I honestly didn't even know why she was here. I didn't invite her, but she's never liked my family around Shai so that's going to be her excuse if I ask.

"We can stop and get something on the way out, baby." I told her. "If you don't want this."

"No. This looks good." She said going to sit down.

"BB, come sit here." Shai motioned to the empty seat by her.

"Okay!" She said.

"Where Daddy gone sit?" I asked with my arms out.