“No, I’m going to order one and maybe a pair of trunks for Jo-Jo just in case he wants to get in when y’all get here.”
“Damn, I should’ve given you my card. Hold on.”
“No, it’s fine, this wasn’t part of the date. I can handle?—
The vibration on my phone had me pulling it away from my face to see that he’d sent money.
“Whether it was or not, I got y’all covered. Enjoy girl time, Olive.” Highland dragged my name out again, knowing what it did to me. I playfully rolled my eyes.
There he goes again.
“Have fun and take care of my baby, Highland.”
“Ain’t no babies here, woman.” I chuckled as I heard Jo-Jo cosigning in the background. Once I got the girls and myself inside, they seemed to run right to their playroom, leaving me to explore the house while I caught up to them. The sun casting through the blinds had me turning to see the massive open space of the living room with the most ridiculous view of the beach.
“Shit, if this is the side view, what is the back like?” I moved through the house slowly, taking in all the décor. It was simple, yet screamed the girls at every turn. I loved the openness of the whole thing. The ceilings were high and the windows were wide. I made it to the kitchen and did a quick check for snacks when I heard tiny little feet coming in fast behind me.
“Ms. Liv, I’m thirsty. Can I have a popsicle, please?” Neela hugged my leg from the back. Out of all the kids, Jo-Jo included, she was the most affectionate.
“I thought we were getting ice cream, Neela? You can’t have both before dinner. Your daddy won’t be happy about that.” I looked down and she poked her lip out, but I wasn’t moved.
“Daddy won’t mind. Pretty please, with a strawberry on top.” I smirked at her now batting her eyelashes as if I would change my mind.
“How about I make you something better than a popsicle? Then get you changed into your bathing suit.” Neela tilted her head to the side as she tapped her chin.
Cece is rubbing off.
“Okay.” And like that she was off while I finished my quick search, then proceeded to pull up the Munchies app for all the supplies I would need. After that I made my way upstairs, letting the girls’ giggles lead me to them. I stopped right outside the door, listening to Cece and Neela talk about me.
“Cece, I really like Ms. Liv, do you think she’ll stay for a long time?”
“Me too, I hope so. We just have to pray and ask God for Ms. Liv and Daddy to love each other, and get married, then we’ll have a brother and a mommy forever.”
It was quiet for a minute, so I dared to look around the doorframe to see them now on their knees with their little hands in the prayer stance as Neela began to pray.
I took out my phone and snapped a quick picture for Highland. He had to see how hard his girls were working for our relationship right now.
I then waited until I heard theamenbefore I made my entrance.
“Okay, are my girls ready to relax?” I held out my hand, calling out to them so I could get them changed. I was workingout of order since I was officially waiting for the pineapple to make my homemade pineapple cream slushies.
“Look at me, Ms. Liv!”Cece called out as she pinched her nose then dunked herself under the water.” I yelled a cheer while Neela lay between my legs, playing on her tablet with her glasses on while I painted her toes a soft pink color. I had done Ceona’s first since she was older. I didn’t need a distraction for her to sit still unlike Neela.
After my homemade pineapple cream slushies with vanilla ice cream, we found ourselves laid out by the infinity pool with the special kiddie section just for them. This was different for me. I wasn’t used to having girls, but it was something I could get used to.
“Baby, we’re home.” Highland’s voice came in strong from behind me. I turned slightly, holding both the nail polish and Neela close to be sure I didn’t drop either.
My smile was wide as he moved in inches from my face, placing a tender yet quick kiss on my lips.
The act of stifling my moan was starting to become a new skill at this point.
The brief moment between us was done the moment the girls noticed him. Their sweet calls of “Daddy” rang out while I looked around for mine. Cece made her way out of the pool while Neela left my lap, both talking in unison about the slushies I made and showing him their little toes. I looked on for a minute until I realized Jo-Jo was nowhere in sight.
“Um… you said we’re but I don’t see my baby.” I was up and looking around, with Highland hooking my waist, holding me back. The girls had both left and headed to the pool, leaving us standing there, Highland now engulfing me into both of his arms.
“He’s not a baby, Olive, and he’s changing so he can join Ceona and Neela by the pool. Now tell me what you and these two got into while we were gone?”
“He will always be my baby, Highland, and didn’t you just get a play-by-play?” I asked as I rolled my eyes. This was his second time stating that and I didn’t like how it sounded.
