“How are you feeling today?” Luca’s mom stepped up to ask.
She parked it right on the edge of the bed, resting her legs but still giving me plenty of space. She was such a selfless woman. I just hoped that I had been labeled the same. I tried to add some good to everyone’s lives I entered, and I hoped it didn’t go unnoticed.
“I’m feeling so much better. It feels so good to be out of that hospital. I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things.”
“Let’s not rush it. You have all the time in the world and help as long as you need it. Focus on healing. Everything else can wait.”
“Everything,” Luca cosigned.
“I heard her, Luca.”
With a smile, he warned me with a finger. I’d missed being in his arms at night and couldn’t wait until the sun fell so that I could fall asleep in them.
“You’re carrying the first Einsenberg grand. Your health is top priority for us all. If there’s anything I can help with or do for you, I’m a call away.”
“OK.”
“I’m going to get out of your hair. I have a date with this fine man tonight, and I wouldn’t miss it for nothing in the world.”
Her haughtiness was exactly why Lyric was the way that she was. Lyric was an exact replica of her mother, down to thedimples in her cheeks. It was funny seeing just how Lyric would be when she got older.
“Man, that nigga old and almost out of commission.”
“Son, you shouldn’t be such a hater. After all, without the juice from his nut sack, you wouldn’t be here. Show some appreciation.”
“Please leave, woman. Like, now!” Luca pointed toward the door.
“I’m just being honest.”
“No one asked for your honesty.”
The two bickered as I listened, utterly amused. I imagined it was what my son and I would look like when he was Luca’s age. That’s if I was having a boy. Luca was convinced, and I was starting to believe him. His faith had rubbed off on me something tough.
“You hear that shit?” he asked when she finally made it out of the room.
“Your family is hilarious.”
“And you’re guilty by association. Our family… our family is hilarious.”
“Our family,” I agreed.
My girls had been so silent that I forgot they were still in the room. When I looked down, I realized why. They’d both fallen asleep in my arms.
“Awwwww. They’re sleeping.”
“They’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed them, too. And, I’m sleepy, too.” I chuckled.
“I’m going to go lay them in their beds so that you can get comfortable.”
“Get the little one first. I want to hold on to my big baby a little longer.”
Luca took Emorey to their room first and followed up with Essence. When he made it back to the bedroom, I’d already sliddown and propped pillows underneath me so that I wouldn’t wake up in pain.
“You good?” he sat at the edge of the bed next to me and asked.
“I’m great, baby.”
