by Love Belvin
“What’s next?” I asked.
“Nothing. Just get plenty of rest and eat balanced meals,” he warned. “Little time in between pregnancies can diminish the body’s essential nutrients, putting mom at a higher risk for anemia and other complications. A year back, one client’s uterine wall ruptured. Not taking care of yourself during this pregnancy because of how recent your last was can also put the baby at risk of low birth weight or premature birth. Not to mention, you’re a whole year older than the last, and that small distance can make a world of a difference at your age. It’s imperative that you take care of yourself.”
“So, when do you think we conceived?” Bilan asked the million-dollar question.
“Based on the date you gave birth, your exams after, and the one I did today, you could very well have conceived seven weeks after birth,” he explained.
Bilan’s eyes flashed on me. “Seven weeks,” she murmured, lost in calculations.
I’d already added the time up. It was when we left Elliswoods Palace to return to the high-rise. Bilan had been less patient than I was to resume sex, and I was grateful for it.
“After Easter.” She bit her bottom lip when she’d finally come to her conclusion. Then she turned to Dr. Clifford. “That fast? I’d just been cleared of my six weeks.”
He nodded, grinning bashfully. “It’s all about timing, and with each woman, it’s unique. For some, ovulation after giving birth happens before a period, making pregnancy possible for a woman before having the first postpartum period. And remember, you didn’t breastfeed, which often prevents ovulation.” He quipped, “You were out there with no defenses, young lady.” He winked.
Bilan’s gaze returned to me and she broke out in a fit of giggles. Had I been in a better mood, I would’ve explained to the doctor, it was me who needed defenses against her feminine wiles, and not the other way around.
Dr. Clifford stood and his face folded in concern as he glanced over to the machine his nurses were busy with trying to examine. “I’m sorry about my lack of technology today. I’ve never been so ill-equipped here. I assure you, we’ll be prepared for your next visit.”
Bilan nodded, unable to hide her happiness. She squeezed my hand. “We have to tell your family.”
I didn’t want that. At least not so soon. “And yours.”
She rolled her eyes. “They care more about the news than the well-being of the baby and me. We need to tell yours. Tonight.” When I didn’t reply right away, Bilan pushed. “They can use the good news right about now. Shoot! We all can. I’m sure Earl will be thrilled.” When the table inclined so she could sit up, I helped her upright. “Even if it’s temporarily, let’s use this to lighten the mood around the compound.”
I considered it for a few seconds. The only person coming to mind was my mother. I’d like very much to lift her spirits. While I believed she was wrong with her position on the incident with Marco, I couldn’t deny the sullen mood dive she’d done since my father’s heart attack. Iban’s accident increased the speed of it.
I mustered a smile to soothe an impatient Bilan. Then I kissed her gently on the forehead and murmured, “If that’s what you want to do, we’ll do it, Nalib.”
“Yeah.” Her smile broadened. “Let’s do it, sire.”
Rolling my eyes, I chuckled at the term she’d picked up from Rory.
As we trekked toward Earl’s study, I grew nervous.
“We’re so late. You think they’re still gathered?”
Sadik’s attention was to both his phones when he murmured with confidence. “Of course, they are, Nalib.”
I didn’t exactly believe him. On the way from the doctor, I sent a text to everyone in the family to tell them we wanted to meet this evening, where, and what time. That was before I suddenly wanted B-Way Burger, and once that desire was satisfied, Sadik needed to run to his office.
We were now entering Earl’s study thirty-five minutes after I’d asked them to be here. Irene was present, rubbing down Earl’s feet with oil as he sat in a wheelchair in house pants and a hospital gown. Stacy was present in her uniform, sitting in a chair, tapping on her device. She looked adorable in her lime green framed reading glasses.
“Hey,” I greeted the room nervously—more embarrassed—as Sadik waltz into the foyer of the study stiff and impatiently. I felt his mode switch instantaneously, even as he helped his mother from her squatting position to stand, and greeted her with a kiss. I hugged her as well as Earl. “I’m glad you all were able to wait. Sorry we’re late.” I sputtered a nervous giggle. “I guess I got so excited about the prospect of meeting you guys that I didn’t consult with Sadik about his schedule this evening.”
Sadik rounded me, placing his hands on my shoulders, applying light clenches for needed comfort.
“It’s okay, baby,” Irene offered, sadness etched in her flawless chocolate skin that couldn’t be hidden by the smile she attempted.
The sight of her almost jarred me. Irene appeared aged and weighed down, so unlike the spirited, confident grace she exuded since knowing her. She was thinner, too. That change reminded me of Taaliba.
I glanced around. “Did we miss Taaliba?”
Just as I asked, Taaliba whirred inside the opening of the study.
“My bad!” she apologized, heading our way. “I had a call with a new art class I’m in. When I saw you guys were delayed, I finished it in mommy’s office.” She hugged and kissed me, then her brother. “Did I miss anything?” She grabbed a chair and plopped down.
“No!” I answered too eagerly as I pulled in a deep breath. My regard slid over to her brother, who was devilishly handsome even when brooding. “We just got here, and I guess shouldn’t take up much more of your time than we have.” I was struck with another realization. “Where’s Monica?”
Stacy frowned in thought. “She was supposed to be here?”
I nodded. “She said she would try when I texted her.”
“I served the girls a snack about an hour ago,” Stacy added. “I haven’t seen her since this morning, though.”
“She’s on the compound,” Earl remarked. “So she can’t be far.”
My smile faded when the memory of the text on her phone from yesterday came to mind. “Oh, well. No need to be more dramatic than I’ve already been about this. I’ll just have to share it with her and the girls later.” I glanced over to Sadik for fortitude before announcing, “We’re expecting…again!” I sang, swinging my arms out to expose a belly that had yet to arrive.
There was a delay before Irene cried, “Oh, my lord!” She cupped her mouth.
“Is that what this is about?” Taaliba demanded, shooting from her seat and reaching for me. She crushed me in her arms. “Girl, I thought it was more bad news!” I could feel her heart racing against my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I tried explaining over her shoulder. “It’s just that with baby Sadik, we waited months to tell you, and I didn’t want that to happen again.”
“Damn, big bro,” Taaliba croaked teasingly and clearly shocked. “She just gave us a baby. You couldn’t let her relax first?”
Embarrassed, I hid behind Sadik’s shoulder.
“Shut up, Leeb,” he growled, annoyed.
“Just saying.” She rolled her eyes.
“When did this happen?” Irene’s expectant gaze targeted her son, then rolled over to me.
I pivoted to his side again, feeling the need to explain. “According to the doctor, we conceived just after Easter.”
“When you left the compound?” Stacy asked.
I nodded, unable to contain my joy. “Apparently, when we left, we procreated.”
“Hmmmmm,” Taaliba hummed suspiciously. “There’s something about being out on your own that increases independence and growth.” Her eyes rolled from her big brother to her father. “When’s the baby due?”
“In January,” I answered. “The sixteenth.”
“That’s pretty early,” Stacy commented, still surprised.
/> “Yeah. With so much happening in the family, I forgot to get a script for birth control,” I explained. “When we were away, the weight of forgetting got the best of me and I bought a test while we were in St. Justin.”
Taaliba went over to congratulate her brother, making room for Stacy to hug me next. “I’m so happy for you and Deek, baby.”
“Thanks, Stacy! I promise not to be any more of a headache than we are now.”
“Oh, I enjoy it all.” She pulled back. “I’ll have to tell the cooks to keep more folic acid-rich foods available for you. I know you’re not a big eater, but we’ll do our best to make things more appealing to you for the sake of the baby.” She rubbed my belly. “You’re so tiny!”
“The doctor said not for long.” I laughed.
“Well, hopefully we’ll see to that!” She promised before going over to Sadik.
When my eyes traveled over to a quieted Earl, he motioned me his way with his fingers. I didn’t hesitate obeying.
“You’re making me happy,” he whispered, green eyes gleaming.
“One baby at a time, huhn?” I teased.
Earl chuckled, possibly embarrassed, but not likely. “You’re happy to expand my lineage. That’s different from the cute little Halle Berry hair cut girl with freckles that was here last year. You’re proud to be among us, and that makes me happy.”
The smile on my face couldn’t be broader than the one in my heart. “I’m trying,” I shared, eyes glistening with tears I refused to drop.
When I stood from his chair, I noticed Irene breaking away from Sadik. She was wiping her eyes. “I thought y’all was gonna say you finally had a wedding date.”
My regard went to Earl, who glanced away smoothly, swiping his nose. Stacy scratched the back of her head, announcing she had to get back to work.
“Uh,” Taaliba stammered, eyes suspiciously wide. “I need to get out of here my damn self. I’ve got so much to do. I’m reorganizing my room.”
Sadik’s expression was as hard and steady as it was since he’d entered the room. That told me Irene didn’t know Sadik and I had married. How could that be? Because of my episode the other night, many of the Ellis personnel knew. Irene had to be that disconnected as of late if she hadn’t heard from her staff. What was more surprising is how neither Earl nor Sadik had told her. That left me feeling troubled.
Sadik laid a possessive hand on my shoulder. “Bilan and I have to go. We have to be in Paterson in a few hours.”
“Yes,” Irene chirped. “Today’s election day. Julius has been on my mind all day. Please give him my best. I meant to send them something over, but…” She touched her fingertips to her forehead. “I guess the time got ahead of me. I’ll have Kema do it tomorrow. Win or lose, I want to support him.”
“We’re hopeful for the win, queen.” Sadik closed the visit. “You two enjoy the evening.”
I waved my goodbye, eager to get to my baby. He’d sat through the meeting with the builders with us this morning, but at this hour the morning felt a day ago. I’d missed him.
As we headed to the door, Irene called out to me.
“Have you told your family, dear?”
My smile dried when I shook my head. “Not yet.”
Irene’s expression matched mine, revealing just how dim her spirit was. When usually she’d offer to contact them for me, she murmured, “Okay, honey.”
My heart was heavy the whole way to the wing of our suite.
∞14∞
The place was so eruptive, I couldn’t feel my phone vibrate in my hand. If it hadn’t lit up, I’d have no idea I had two text alerts. The first was from Jamil.
E2: Playdate confirmed for 2mor on the merry go round
That was good news. It meant he’d recruited his final four men to train for the battle I planned on pursuing with Popov. My father had his means of pulling in men with failed interests in law enforcement to his team for assignments just like this. It was a practice I borrowed from him, but this time in greater number as typically, I had no need for large armies like he did. For Popov, we both needed it. He had more weapons, we had to invest our time and resources into training men for battle to conquer him.
The other text was from Rory saying Isaiah Green, the warehouse receiver from my 3PL, had been handled. That was even more good news, but what happened tonight reached my heart.
“And for the first time,” the deejay shouted into the microphone. “Paterson’s very own mayor, Julius Richards!”
Red, white, and blue confetti fell from the air, marking the moment as festive. The air cut with whistles, screams, and cries of joy. There were at least three hundred people in the ballroom of Wilson’s banquet hall in South Paterson. I was insistent his victory party was at a Black-owned facility. The Wilson’s had hosted many of my family’s events over the years. They prided themselves on presenting an exquisite culinary experience, and an environment conducive to fine dining and escapism. I knew this from Mr. Wilson’s constant claims of such.
When Julius stepped onto the stage with Keisha at his side, the pride on his face was downright giddy. We shouted him on, calling his name in the same cadence. Suddenly, Julius turned emotional. That made me laugh. Next to me, Bilan rubbed my thigh. We were seated on the second level of the room. Very few were up here, only my security, and occasionally staff from the venue to deliver food and such. I requested the space up here to be an eagle privately.
Keisha asked the place to quiet so her man could speak. The deejay lowered the music to give him room to prepare him. It took a minute, but Julius finally spoke.
“Just a kid from Brooks-Sloate Projects.” The room exploded again. He waited before continuing. “Growing up in the eighties was terrifying for me. Drugs had come around and hit us bad. Maybe not as bad as CCP or Alabama Projects, but we were not left unscathed. My friends weren’t as lucky. Some of them suffered at the hands of bad policing and slum lords. I can recall visiting my cousins and kicking crack vials around—remember they had vials before they had baggies?”
He was answered by a collective yes.
“Yup. Young kids on the block because no one shared the opportunities that were shared up the street in Wayne and North Haledon. I remember cops knocking me and my friends around for fun simply walking from downtown. Those same officers turning a blind eye to tricked out Beamers pulling into CCP by that side street off of West Broadway.”
He nodded as everyone responded, affirming his point. “I didn’t see a lot of the world coming up. I was raised by a two-shift-working single mother and retired grandmother living on a fixed income. The most travel we did was down to Jackson for Great Adventure in the fall when the price of admission dropped.” He laughed.
“But they instilled in me hard work in school, of which I honored. I was rewarded with scholarships galore when I graduated high school. I began a new statistic in the city of Paterson. I took my academic talents to Blakewood University—” Julius was interrupted by the explosion in the room. Blakewood, a division one ivy league, was a big deal because it was the only HBCU of its kind. “Yeah!” He nodded, affirming their enthusiasm. “That’s right. And in going away to school, the world opened up for me. I met people from all walks of life—on campus and off.
“I was exposed to so many cultures, experiences to counter my own. One energy I met, ironically, wasn’t from afar. He was a Jersey-native himself. He came from greater means than I had but was a visionary, similar to me. He was the one to inspire me to dream big and to express them without apology. In spite of our polar lifestyles, he absorbed me into his world. He allowed me to travel with him, exposed me to creative minds—more dreamers. He taught me what my mother and grandmother couldn’t. This peer of mine taught me dreams weren’t limited to your pillow. Dreams were God’s way of informing you of your purpose.”
There was another round of applause. “And once God speaks, only fools don’t answer the call. So, I shared with him my desire to make the world more welcoming and an open fie
ld ready for cropping. We’d stay up night after night cultivating realistic and attainable goals to get me there. We’d extrapolate honest, plausible, and hard-hitting policies. It’s the Blakewood political science way, but with this friend, it was sport. It was my additional classroom.” He cleared his throat. “It’s a significant reason why we’re here today. So salute to my dear friend and number two supporter, right behind my wife!”
Julius saluted me, timing it away from his words as to not draw much attention to the second tier. We were away from the balcony, making it difficult to see us unless you knew we were here. I returned his gesture. Then I felt a small hand on my thigh.
Bilan was on me, so close so fast. “He respects you,” her voice was dreamy and filled with pleasant surprise.
I kissed her forehead. “The feeling’s mutual.” Then I turned my body to face hers. “But you know what’s not mutual?”
“What?” She beamed just as she had been since leaving Dr. Clifford’s office. “My love for you. I love you more than anything in this world.” I lifted her soft hands to my mouth for a chaste kiss.
“Don’t say that, Sadik,” she purred.
“Why? I mean it.” I reached over and kissed her nose. “No one makes me feel as complete and fulfilled as you do.”
“Not even Sadik?”
I chuckled. “Would you stop with that?” I stood, holding her hands to mine as I did so. “Let’s dance.”
Julius was still on the stage performing his victory speech. But in my head was beautiful music to match a wonderful moment. I had my gorgeous wife in my arms, carrying our second child. And still, I couldn’t believe I was a father in the first place. My dear friend had conquered his first political seat, winning by defeating five opponents in a landslide.
As we swayed to the rhythm playing in my mind, only with all the chaos alone, Bilan’s head lifted.
“I just read on my phone they’re still counting votes. The Spanish guy wants them all accounted for.”
