AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Bet.”
Aeir helped me gather Mason’s belongings and get them to the front door where Malachi took over. He walked us out to the car and stood outside until we made it out of the driveway. Mason hadn’t budged. He was still sound asleep, unsure of what was happening around him. His disability had its advantages. I’d admit that. Naps were a breeze for us all.
DVSN played lowly as we cruised through the neighborhood, taking the scenic route to Nature’s place. I couldn’t wait for the day that we all shared the same home and separation wasn’t a factor. Mason wouldn’t have to split his time with the two of us. Each and every night, we’d both come home to him, lay down with him, and wake up to him before the sun rose. Knowing he was waiting for me on weekdays would get me out of the office and to my residence much faster.
Soon. Very fucking soon, homie.
I managed to get Mason out of the car without waking him. I turned the key that Nature was clueless of, gaining access to her home without disturbing her. The morning I came through to grab her belongings so she could empty her breasts gave me the perfect opportunity to copy the keys on her keyring. In my possession was a key to her front door, back door, and a garage fob. Because it was at the back of the house and used as a storage, she didn’t bother parking her vehicle in it. Nevertheless, I had access.
I tiptoed up the stairs after discovering she wasn’t downstairs. Mason’s room was my first stop. I got him squared away in his crib, swaddling him tightly to keep him comfortable throughout his nap.
“Nigga act like he worked a twelve-hour shift in the ER.”
I lowered the light in his room and headed toward Nature’s room. Underneath the covers, she lie like a sleeping beauty. She was still trying to recover from the weekend she’d had. It would be a few days before she was back to normal. As someone who was a homebody, she’d had a pretty busy weekend. It would take a lot of water, electrolytes, and rest to whip her back into shape.
Light snores erupted from her body. She was balled in a knot, oblivious to what was going on around her. She made the bed look so damn cozy, I couldn’t wait to climb in. The blackout curtains blocked the sun’s rays from interfering with her slumber. It was setting, but we still had an hour or two before it was completely dark out.
I twisted the nob on the baby monitor so that we’d be able to hear Mason if he began to fuss. My clothes came off as easily as they’d slid on and within seconds, I was under the covers, pulling Nature toward me. Her body hardened before relaxing at the sound of my voice.
“It’s me.”
“How’d you get in?” She yawned.
“My key,” I confessed.
“Should I even ask?”
“Nah. You shouldn’t. Take ya ass back to sleep, Nay. I’m tired.”
With both arms wrapped around her, I closed my eyes and waited for the moment I transitioned to a faraway place. Nature’s presence made it as simple as releasing the air in my lungs once, twice, and then a final time.
FOURTEEN
“I feellike a teenage girl going on her first date as if I haven’t spent the last week with this man and we don’t have a child together. I need to get over myself, already,” I sighed, turning to make sure that Mason was alright.
While the realtor showed my home, Shayla agreed to accompany me to the stores to find a dress for the night. The mention of selling my home got Milo on his toes. Though he had a motive behind selling my home so fast, I was thankful that he was handling it so that I wouldn’t have to. In his little head, the quicker he got it on the market and off my hands, the faster Mason and I could claim his home as our own.
I wasn’t opposed to the idea and was actually looking forward to it. He hadn’t left my home in a week’s time, giving me a glimpse of what it would be like to share the same space with our son. Putting it lightly, I was onboard. He managed diaper changes, cooking, laundry, and naps while I focused on feeds, cleaning, rest, and my newest addiction, cycling.
“Are you complaining?” Shayla asked. “Because I’m jealous over here.”
“Stop it.”
“I’m serious. But more than anything, I’m just happy you two are figuring this thing out and are both on one accord. Shit, if I’d known it would only take another nigga’s cologne on your skin to get him all the way together, then I would’ve been at the department store grabbing some and spraying you down a long time ago.”
“Shut up!” I sniggered. “But didn’t it get him right together? Men, they’re complex creatures. Women push us away. Men push them forward.”
“They hate another nigga pissing on their territory. Once they mark it, that’s that.”
“But did he mark it, though? I wouldn’t say he did.”
“You see that baby in that backseat?” She pointed. “He definitely marked his territory, friend. If you’re thinking otherwise, you’re a fool. Milo knew exactly what he was doing, getting you pregnant.”
“He’s seemingly on a mission to double up. I’ve been taking more emergency contraceptive in the last week than I think is legal. I’m considering birth control.”
“Not you. Not the woman who wants to be fruitful and wants a family before she’s too old.”
“Well, I did. But with Mason being special needs. I think we should—”
