Page 111 of Lyric Squared

“No. It’ll ruin my first encounter. Your dad and I will get over there in the morning. I’ll let them have the day for themselves. I know Ever is tired.” Sighing, she kissed Elle on her cheek.

Elle was reluctant to climb from her arms when she kneeled. With outstretched arms, she welcomed the girls inside for a hug.

“I’m going to get out of here. You and I should plan dinner next week or maybe a staycation next weekend,” she suggested.

“Dinner sounds doable,” I agreed.

“Good. We’ll chat about it later. Girls, be good and give your brother plenty of kisses for me.”

My mother was out of the door less than a minute later. I rounded the girls up as I considered what I’d be wearing for the evening. With the way that I was feeling, I knew that it would be something simple.

As I walked inside of my closet, the light automatically illuminated the space. I grabbed a pair of matching basics. It was March and the weather was nice out, but there was still a chill that required an insulated top, jacket, or coat.

I pulled the ivory top over my head, barely able to get the fabric over my boobs before the bottom of it rested at my waistline. The pants were the same color and material making it hard to get them over my curves, but I managed. I topped it off with a cropped jacket of a slightly darker shade, Yeezy boots, and a ball cap because my hair wasn’t exactly presentable. It had been through hell right along with me this morning.

The girls and I loaded up in my truck and headed for their house. It wasn’t until I pulled into Luca’s driveway that I realized I hadn’t stopped for food. My stomach protested as I shut off my engine. Laike’s car was also inside of Luca’s gate, letting me know that he was inside sharing precious moments with our nephew. Jealousy budded inside me at the thought of him lovingon Lucas before I had the chance, prompting me to add speed to the equation.

I removed the girls safely from my vehicle and got them to their door in record time. Upon arriving on their doorstep, I was scanned in and given access. With Elle in my hand and the girls at my side, we marched in like a solid unit. That’s exactly how it felt, too. The girls were so well-behaved and only moved when I moved although we were in their home.

It was eerily quiet downstairs. Not even Luca was there to greet us. With the girls in tow, we took the right staircase up to the second floor. Suddenly, there was movement and low chatter. We followed the baby’s sudden cries into the nursery that had been redesigned for Lucas’ arrival.

Elle’s time in the beautiful extension of Luca and Ever’s room had come and gone. Her decorations were moved into the big girl’s room, which had also been expanded. They’d knocked out the wall to combine the room beside it to make space for three growing girls who preferred sleeping together rather than sleeping alone. Elle’s nursery was transferred into the new space along with a new crib that would eventually be converted into a toddler’s bed.

“Poor thing. TT is here to save you!” I yelled from the hallway before turning the corner of the nursery.

As I rounded the corner, the smile that I’d worn the entire way up the stairs quickly faded. My heart began pumping dramatically, spiking my blood pressure and sending my body into premature shock. Because nothing could’ve prepared me for the sight before my eyes.

“He’ll be fine, nigga. Close the diaper up before he pisses on your black ass,” Luca advised.

“What’s up, baby?” Laike greeted me, causing me to tear my eyes from the changing table where Lucas was.

“Uh. Hey.”

“Fuck wrong with you? You aight?”

“Yes. I’m fine, Laike,” I assured him, catching Luca’s eyes on me as I turned my body in Laike’s direction and then back in Lucas’.

“Then, why are your eyes and shit swollen?”

Keanu’s head popped up, neck snapped, and eyes zeroed in on me before I was able to respond. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, gnawing the inside of my jaw and trying my hardest to be mindful of the next words to leave my mouth because they mattered.

“My best friend just had a baby. A boy, after losing her first child, who happened to be a boy. Forgive me if her redemption has me in my feelings. This birth hit a bit different from the others,” I explained.

There was nothing left to be said. Silence coated the space we all occupied. Until his voice penetrated the air.

“Fuck. This little nigga done got my fucking shirt wet.” Keanu gasped.

“I told you to finish putting the diaper on.” Luca chuckled. “Scoot out of the way and let his auntie handle him. Nigga, you still got some learning to do.”

“Exactly why I stayed my black ass over here,” Laike added.

“Black where?” Keanu interjected.

“This dick black. If you can’t determine that by the color, then I guarantee you can determine it by the size.” Grabbing his crotch, my brother thrust in Keanu’s direction.

“I’m really happy the girls went to their room.” I huffed, almost disgusted with the amount of bickering the three participated in when together.

“Me, too, ‘cause this motherfucker has no couth.” Luca sighed.