“I did say that, but I didn’t let him come see you because I wanted all the cuddles to myself.” Faith explained.
“You have to share, Mama. That’s what you told me. My daddy will have to share me too. Right, Daddy? Everybody has to share.”
“That’s right, baby girl.” My voice cracked, but thankfully, I didn’t break down crying like a baby in front of my princess. My little girl called me daddy.
Jada looked over at the bags I’d placed on the floor before looking up at me wide-eyed. “What’s in all those bags?”
“I didn’t know what you liked, so I got a little of everything.”
“Ooo, is that big teddy for me?”
“Oh yeah.” I grinned, carefully stepping closer to her. I was holding on to the thing so tightly, I forgot all about it.
Apparently, Jada didn’t sense my apprehension because she sprang from the couch and bounced over to stand in front of me. I passed the gigantic bear to her and fell in love with her all over again when she hugged it to her little body. The bear was almost as big as her, but she seemed to be able to handle him.
“I’m going to name him Fluffy. Let me put him in my room. You ready to meet your friends, Fluffy? Mama, can my daddy see my room? Please?”
“Sure,” Faith replied, reminding me that she was in the room.
I was so enamored with my sweet little girl that I forgot the woman I loved was standing two feet away, watching like a mama bear. It felt good to know she was so diligent about making sure our daughter was good, but it was on me now.
“Let me show you my room, Daddy!”
“Go ahead, baby. Let me talk to Reed for a second. We’ll be right behind you.”
They were both my responsibilities, and there was nothing Faith could say to change my mind. Once Jada was out of earshot, Faith turned to me with a somber expression.
“Whatever you’re about to say, save it.”
“I just wanted to ask if you were good with her calling you daddy so soon. We never really discussed it.”
“Of course, I am. Iamher dad.”
“It just feels like everything is moving so fast. We haven’t even gotten the DNA test yet, Reed. Now, you’re buying all this stuff, and she’s calling you daddy. This is too much.”
“Come here, baby,” I said, pulling her into my arms.
She didn’t resist or pull away as I kissed her cheek. “You know good and damn well that’s my baby, Faith. Why are you doing this?”
“I can’t have you walking around wondering if she’s yours, Reed. It’s been seven years.”
“You got something to tell me? You gave someone my pussy?” I questioned.
“I’m not playing with you, Faith. You think it’s too late for a nigga to get fucked up, but ain’t no expiration date on someone disrespecting me.”
“Does that go for me too?” she asked.
“Do you have something to tell me, Faith?”
“You were engaged! Don’t act like we were so committed to each other.”
Why was my chest tight? Was I having a heart attack? Someone had violated my sweet baby. That was the only explanation. I knew Faith would never have cheated on me. There was no way she could do that. I needed to sit down before I passed out.
Why the hell was I so weak for this fucking girl? She was trying to make me lose my business, and I was planning on going ring shopping once I pried myself away from her and our angel.
“Who was it?” I finally asked.
“Calm down. There was no one. I’m just saying, you don’t know that.”
