“Ma’am?”
“Are you trying to say what I think you’re trying to say?”
“You know that’s exactly what it is, love.” Mason snorted and studied Mahari. “I thought you said there wasn’t anything going on between you and Aspen prior to now.”
“And it wasn’t.”
“So how in the world could she be pregnant by you if it wasn’t?”
While he ate, Mahari explained everything to his family. The more he revealed, the better he felt. Telling the people he trusted the most outside of Justin helped Mahari feel like he was living in his truth. He’d been hiding from it for so long, internally trying to navigate it alone and not realizing he needed their guidance and support.
The person he worried about it affecting the most was his mother. She and Lance’s mother were sisters, so if anything, it would affect their relationship as well. Mahari didn’t doubt that his mother would chastise him and back him up in the same breath. That was one thing he loved about her. Jaxen had no problem letting her children know when they were wrong.
No one spoke until everyone’s plates were clean. Mason wiped his mouth and looked over at his wife. “What’s on your mind, beautiful?”
“How am I supposed to deal with this? I mean, this is the definition of a family affair.” Jaxen’s eyes fell on Mahari. “I can’t sit here and act like I’m not disappointed, Son, because I am. Even then, I understand it probably has been hard for you watching the woman you love be with someone else. This is a sticky situation, one you could’ve navigated much better in my opinion. But now, the damage is done. There’s nothing any of us can say or do to change the situation. We just gotta figure out a way to attack it head on.”
Mahari shook his head. “Nah, Mama.Igotta figure out a way to attack it. I’m the one who caused it.”
“Just because you caused it doesn’t mean we’re not going to help you through it,” Mahaley spoke up, reaching across the table and resting her hand on top of Mahari’s. “You know regardless of the situation, we always have your back.”
“And I appreciate y’all for that.”
“Also . . .” Mahaley sat back, smirking. “I think you just gave me what I needed for my next bestseller.”
Everyone at the table laughed. Leave it to Mahaley to lighten the mood.
It was tradition for the men to clean up after Jaxen cooked, so Mahari and Mason got right to it while the women went to go talk. In the middle of putting the food away, Mahari was stopped by Mason pulling him in for a hug. The love from his father was exactly what Mahari needed.
“Thanks, Dad,” Mahari whispered.
“I got you, Son. Whatever you decide to do, let me know so I can back you up. Like your mother said, the situation is disappointing, but I’ve always felt you and Aspen would end up together.”
“For real?”
Mason released Mahari and bobbed his head. “Yes. The signs of true love have been evident with y’all for the longest, much like you and Heaven. Despite the situation being messy, thank God you’ve been rich enough to experience that type of love twice in your life.”
“If I’m being real, I’m scared.”
“Of losing Aspen how you lost Heaven?”
All Mahari could do was swallow and sigh. As much as he hated thinking about it, he couldn’t help it. His life almost felt like déjà vu. The only thing that seemed to keep his mind at ease was praying. Whenever the possibility of losing Aspen crossedhis mind, Mahari would ask God to replace it with something positive, or he would be in his head for days.
“While we have no control over life, speak life over Aspen and the girls as well as yourself. Don’t send that energy out into the world,” Mason advised.
“I won’t, Dad. Thank you.”
“Always, Son.”
Quietly, Mahari entered Aspen’s apartment. She didn’t answer or text him back earlier, so he assumed she was asleep. His assumption was confirmed after he put her plate in the microwave and made his way back to her room. Biting back his laugh, Mahari leaned against the doorframe and admired Aspen.
The covers were hanging halfway off the bed as Aspen was snuggled up with her body pillow. Her mouth was wide open, and her bonnet was hanging on by a thread. Only a sports bra and boy shorts covered her body, giving Mahari a perfect view of her round belly. From what he could see, it looked as if she had dropped some. With her due date swiftly approaching, Mahari wondered if the time would come soon.
Mahari kicked off his shoes and gently eased onto the bed. He placed a soft kiss to Aspen’s forehead, then lay on the part of the pillow in front of her stomach. Talking to Heaven’s stomach while she was asleep used to be his favorite thing to do. The thought brought a smile to his face and tears to his eyes. He couldn’t believe life was repeating itself once again, but he prayed the outcome was different.
“Hey, girls,” Mahari started, resting his palm on Aspen’s belly. “I can’t wait to meet the two of you. Y’all aren’t here yet, but I already love y’all so much. I don’t know what the future holds, but regardless of the outcome, in my heart, y’all are mine. I’m going to love and cherish the three of you. Not only do y’all deserve the world, but so does your mommy. I know it’s getting close to time for us to meet y’all, so I need y’all to take it easy on her. She’s exhausted trying to create a great life for y’all. Don’t be too hard on her.”
The feeling of Aspen’s hand running through Mahari’s locs comforted him. No words were spoken as they lay there, taking in one another’s energy. Mahari’s love for Aspen swelled in his heart, and he could feel hers for him radiating off her body. Nothing or no one could change his mind.
