Remy let out a relieved sigh. "I'm not doing too much am I?" he asked carefully.
"No. Matter fact…you can do more."
He smiled slowly. "Then I will."
"You better," I teased, kissing him one final time before I stood. "Now—let me go helpourbaby." Blowing him a kiss, I waited for him to catch it before I headed into Melo's room with a spring in my step.
Melo was staring at his closet when I walked in. Remy had his closet organized perfectly. Everything neatly placed on hangers by season, and his shoes arranged in custom cubbies. That was one of the many things I loved about Remy—his organization ad attention to detail.
"Having some trouble there, little handsome?" I placed my hand on his shoulder.
He looked up at me, but the smile was gone from his face. I kneeled to his eye-level. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" I asked my brow furrowed in concern.
His eyes filled with tears, and he fiddled with his hands. "Are you gonna leave me too like my mommy did?" he whispered.
The question was so unexpected, I was momentarily stunned silent. It felt like my heart broke into a million pieces. This sweet baby. Carrying all these big feelings and not sure where to put them. I took his hands in mine staring into his eyes as I fought back my own tears.
"I'm never going to leave you, Melo. You're already stamped all over my heart and I can't live without you now." I gave him a watery smile. "For such a little person, you leave quite a footprint."
He smiled then, those dimples sinking in deep. "I have big feet," he replied making me laugh.
"Big feet and an evenbiggerheart," I smiled. "I'll be here as long as you need me, okay?"
He nodded sniffling. I gently brushed the tears from under his eyes.
"GG?"
"Yes, baby?"
He leaned in closer. "I wanted to tell you something about my mommy, but sometimes Daddy gets sad when I talk about her."
"Okay," I nodded slowly brushing my thumbs over the tops of his hands. "You can tell me if you want too."
He nodded. "My mommy came in my dreams, and she said you would take care of me and love me real big."
"Oh—" my breath stuttered out of me. The tears I tried to hold in fell. "She really said that?" I whispered shakily.
Melo nodded. "Don't cry. She was happy." He studied my face.
I sniffled loudly and quickly wiped my face with one hand. "I'm not crying because I'm sad, baby. I'm just crying because I'm grateful your mommy trusts me with you."
"Are you gonna be my new mommy?" he asked innocently.
I paused trying to gather myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Remy peeking his head in but quickly moved away. He was listening. I didn't want to ruin this and say the wrong thing in this moment.
"Your mommy will always be your mommy, Melo," I said slowly. "I can't take her place in your life or your heart. But what I can do is be someone who you trust, who loves you just as hard, and takes care of you just like she would. And one day…if you want to call me mommy or whatever other name you wanna call me…I'll be that for you, okay?"
His bright smile returned and he nodded happily. "Okay."
I opened my arms and he fell into them; his little arms wrapped around my neck. Rubbing his back slowly, I pressed my cheek to his and held him until he felt ready to let go. I said a small prayer to God asking for support to make sure that I made every decision right to ensure I never hurt this baby or his dad.
When Melo pulled back, I helped him pick out something to wear. He was a big boy though, able to button his own clothes and tie his own shoes. I watched him with a smile on my face as his little fingers carefully tied his Chuck Taylors. After washing his face and sponging his curls, we headed into the kitchen where I could already smell Remy cooking.
Remy didn't believe in cereal for breakfast. Every morning, seven days a week, he got up to prepare his son breakfast. It was beautiful to see the care he took in every step of making sure his son was taken care of. I had never seen a better father in my life, and I was including mine as well.
Melo ran to his favorite spot at the table. I walked behind Remy where he was at the stove preparing omelets. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I rested my cheek on his back. He turned to face me, wrapping his arms around me, looking down at me.
"I saw your little head poking in," I murmured with a small smile.
