by D. Camille
When Danielle reached him, he took her hand and kissed her softly. “Hello my Queen.”
Danielle squeezed his hand and smiled up at him. “Hello my love.”
From there, everything was a blur for Danielle. She said her vows through tears seeing a blurry vision of the man she loved. His deep voice was strong as he professed his undying love for her. Soon, she was in his arms and kissed until she had no thoughts. Behind her closed eyelids, she heard clapping and sighs as she felt safe and protected in a place where she could dwell for the rest of her life.
“Hello, Mrs. Lewis,” Khalil whispered down into her face.
Lifting her lids, she smiled. “Hello Mr. Lewis.”
At their reception, the food and beverage flowed smoothly as the guests enjoyed themselves. When it was time for the first dance, Khalil led Danielle out in front of the crowd. Everyone quieted down and turned their attention to where the couple stood. They began to dance slowly as the band played. After a few minutes, Danielle whispered in Khalil’s ear and he looked down at her intently. He nodded with a soft smile and kissed her softly, before stopping the band with a hand. Walking away, he then returned with a microphone. Handing it to Danielle, he stepped aside quietly.
“So I asked Khalil if we could do something different,” she announced softly. “Because when I fell in love with Khalil,” she glanced at him. “I also fell in love with another Mr. Lewis.”
She searched the crowd for a moment. “I’m going to ask Mr. Kyros Lewis to do me the honor of the second part of this dance, because he is the other part of my heart.”
The guests watched as the little boy slowly made his way to the dance floor with a blush on his face as Danielle handed the mic back to Khalil. Kyros was dressed identical to his father and looked just as handsome. She held out her arms to him and he embraced her gently, careful not to hurt their baby.
Danielle kissed his cheek before he took her hand in his and the band started again. Slowly, she allowed him to lead her around the empty dance floor. Danielle caught Khalil’s gaze and watched the satisfied smile cross his face.
At the end of the night, Kyros was whisked off by his grandparents and Khalil settled his wife into the waiting car. Climbing in beside her, he kissed her passionately as they began to move.
Danielle stared into his face. “Thank you for a beautiful wedding day that I’ll never forget.”
“You are so welcome.” He touched her soft cheek. “Are you happy?”
She smiled broadly. “Happy isn’t the word. I’m married to Khalil Lewis!”
“And you will be for a very long time.”
Danielle kissed him. “I don’t have any problems with that.”
“That was very sweet of you to include Kyros at the reception,” he told her softly.
“I love him and although I didn’t give birth to him, he’s mine now.” Danielle affirmed.
He gathered her into his arms. “Thank you for loving both of us.”
“It’s so easy, baby,” she whispered holding on to him. “One day I’d like to make him mine…legally.”
Khalil pulled back. “Legally?”
Danielle nodded. “I don’t know what Melody’s plans are from here, but I’d love for Kyros to be my son.”
“You’d adopt him?” Khalil asked.
She sat up. “I know that we’ve never discussed it, but yes, I want to be a mother to both him and our baby.”
Khalil looked away. “When our child calls me Momma, I want him to know that he can too,” Danielle explained. “Because I love him the same.”
“His birthday is next week and he’s growing up,” she continued softly. “I want him to have a real mother in his life from this point forward.”
He turned back to her with emotion on his face. “I don’t know what to say…that you love my son that much.”
Danielle smoothed his brow. “You don’t have to say anything right now, let’s see how he feels about it?”
“I love you…so much Danielle.”
She smiled. “Are you ready for this life together, my King?”
“Yes, my Queen.” He stroked her back. “Also thank you for requesting donations to the Center instead of wedding presents.”
“We have two houses, the last thing we need is more stuff,” she told him. “Plus, the more you have to work with, the more you can do for our community.”
“Your support is worth more than anything,” he said quietly.
Danielle smiled. “I just make the moves available to me.”
******
To say that Danielle went all out for Kyros’ birthday would be the understatement of the year. Khalil looked around at all the games, food and gifts before shaking his head. She’d promised that she would keep it low key, but he should have known…this was his wife.
Kids ran around the yard in bathing suits, spraying water with the large water guns that Danielle had provided while the adults gathered under the tent in his backyard. Khalil had balked at the toys for the kids, but Danielle had reminded him that a black man, Lonnie Smith, had invented the Super Soaker. His judge was now a black historian, elaborate party planner and officially one of the infamous Nigists.
Danielle’s parents had stayed in town to attend the party and all of the other parents were in attendance as well. He saw Danielle speaking with Judge Williams, who sat next to his wife, Victoria Patterson-Williams. The pair had gotten married in Hawaii a few weeks ago and the judge had never looked happier. His new wife sat with her grandson, Little Rion, on her lap. The Pattersons, Shaws, and Williams looked like one big happy family as they watched the festivities.
Turning his attention back to his son, Khalil watched the boy run and play freely. Since Danielle had entered their lives, he saw a different little solider. He was still the smart, perceptive, strong little boy, but he was also happy and free, everything Khalil wanted his son to be.
“I can’t believe this right here!” Corvus said walking up to Khalil. “Next the boy is going to be on a sports team.”
“Shut up.” Khalil told him.
He laughed. “For real though Khalil, it’s good to see little man acting like a kid. He used to scare the hell out of me and he still got Lance scared.”
Khalil looked at him. “He is happy.”
Corvus studied him. “I don’t think he’s the only one.”
“No, he’s not.”
“That’s what’s up,” Corvus nodded.
Lance joined them. “My little dude is deadly with that water gun. I gotta make sure I don’t have any weapons around when he comes over. Your sister is deadly enough.”
Khalil glanced at Lance. “Is she still whipping your ass?”
Lance laughed. “Nah, I do the whipping now.”
“Don’t make me hurt you,” Khalil warned.
Rion and Brandon joined them next. “We decided to come over before Khalil killed you two,” Brandon said.
“Good decision on your part,” Khalil commented.
“I was just telling Khalil that it’s good to see little man act like a little boy,” Corvus told them.
They all looked at Kyros running around in patterned swim shorts with no shirt or shoes. “He’s having a ball,” Brandon said with a smile.
“He looks like you running around, Khalil,” Rion commented. “Except he’s faster.”
Lance laughed. “So he’s more like Khayla.”
Khalil frowned. “You got jokes?”
“I’m good.” Lance put his hands up.
Danielle came out carrying a tray of food and all the men moved quickly to assist her. Khalil got to her side first and took the tray, handing it to Lance.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“It wasn’t heavy,” she complained.
He looked down at her. “Do not carry things out here when there are all these damn men standing around.”
Danielle reached up to kiss him. “Yes, sir. May I go back inside and finish?”
His eyes narro
wed. “What are you doing in there?”
“Getting more food prepared for the kids. Toya and Kim are making goodie bags,” she told him.
“Goodie bags?” he asked confused.
She sighed and touched his face. “They’re little bag of toys and snacks for the kids.” Danielle held up a hand. “And yes, Khayla approved the snacks.”
“Don’t do too much,” he warned.
“I’m sitting down, I promise.”
Danielle kissed him again and walked back inside their home. They’d made Khalil’s house their primary residence to keep things cohesive for Kyros. Danielle had, however, brought her video game system and set it up in the den for the kids along with Kyros’ system for Minecraft.
He’d taught Kam how to build worlds and she’d taught him how to race cars and everything else that seven-year-olds play. When the two were together, they were two peas in a pod. When Khalil and Danielle had explained that they were cousins now, both were ecstatic, knowing that they could play together all the time.
Khalil watched as Kyros ran after Kam with the water gun and she screamed loudly as he chased her. Shaking his head, he headed inside to check on the hardheaded woman he’d married. He found her sitting at the counter with Kim and Toya surround by all types of…stuff.
“What is all this?” he asked.
Toya looked at him. “Save me Khalil! This woman got me in here making all these little damn bags. I didn’t come here for this,” Toya complained. “She told me there was going to be fine men here, but all I see is married dudes with pregnant wives.” Toya glared at Danielle, who hid a smile.
“Toya, what would fine dudes be doing at a seven-year old’s birthday party?” Danielle asked and Kim laughed.
“Girl, I could’ve told you that!” Kim said laughing harder.
Toya glared at them. “Y’all so wrong.”
Khalil looked at Danielle. “That is wrong,” he agreed.
“Corvus is here,” Danielle said with a shrug.
“Oh hell no!” Khalil disagreed. “You and Toya as Nigists? The other ones are out of control as it is.”
Danielle laughed. “You’re going to put some respect on our names.”
The doorbell rang and Danielle went to stand, before Khalil stopped her with a look. “I’ll let you get it,” she said sitting back down.
He gave her another look before walking away. The party was clearly in the backyard, so he wondered who was coming to the front door. When he opened it, he frowned.
“Hi Khalil,”
Khalil’s eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here Melody?”
******
He stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind him. Staring down at her, he crossed his muscled arms underneath his T-Shirt.
Melody looked him over including the ring on his finger. “It’s Kyros’ birthday.”
He lifted a brow. “Since when did you remember?”
She paused. “I never forgot.”
He took a deep breath. “Why now?”
“Because it may be the last time,” Melody said quietly.
“Why?”
She looked at him. “You’re married now so I guess everything has changed.”
“Nothing’s changed between us,” he clarified.
“You married the judge?” Melody asked in shock.
Khalil remained silent and she continued, “She took my son.”
“You did not seriously come here for this on my son’s birthday?” Khalil told her angrily.
Melody glared at him. “You had her take my son away and then you married her!”
Khalil stepped closer. “Lower your voice,” he warned. “Nobody took your son Melody. You walked your ass out of his life and never looked back.”
“And after what you almost exposed him to, I should throw your ass off of my property!” he snapped.
“You were supposed to come get me Khalil! We were supposed to be a family!”
Khalil shook his head. “Leave, now.”
The door opened and both looked up to see Danielle. She blinked a few times before looking at Khalil. “She’s leaving,” he announced.
“Hello Melody,” Danielle said turning to the woman.
“Judge Baxter.” Melody looked at Danielle then turned to Khalil. “She’s pregnant?”
“Last warning,” Khalil said slowly.
“You should come inside Melody,” Danielle instructed much to Khalil’s dislike. “The front porch is not the place to discuss this.”
Danielle stepped back and Melody entered the home. Khalil followed, closing the door firmly behind him.
“I think that Melody and I have a few things to discuss, Khalil.” Danielle told him.
“No.”
She touched his rigid arm. “Really, it’s fine.”
He stood rigid for a minute. “Five minutes and I’m in the kitchen,” he informed her and Danielle agreed.
Giving Melody one last look, he reluctantly left the two women alone.
Danielle placed a protective hand on her little stomach. “I take it that you have a problem with me and Khalil?”
“Is this why you took my son away from me?” Melody snapped.
Danielle shook her head. “No, your son was taken away because you didn’t attempt to be a mother.”
“What if I’ve changed my mind?”
Danielle lifted a brow. “Have you? Because this isn’t a game.”
“I won’t have the chance now, since you’ve taken them both,” Melody accused.
“You wanted them both?” Danielle asked surprised.
Melody folded her arms. “You were the judge,” she charged.
“I didn’t know Khalil when you were in my courtroom,” Danielle told her. “And the only reason I even became aware of him is because you brought him to me with your selfishness.”
“Selfishness?”
Danielle shook her head. “You weren’t thinking about Khalil or Kyros, Melody. You were only thinking of yourself and what you wanted. You didn’t care about hurting either of them.”
“I helped catch Spencer,” Melody pointed out.
Danielle looked at her. “And saved your own self in the process.”
“I didn’t know that Spencer was crazy,” Melody insisted. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“What were you expecting?” Danielle asked.
Melody looked at her stomach. “Not this.”
Danielle frowned. “What did you think Melody? That you’d appear back in the picture and you, Khalil and Kyros would ride off into the sunset?”
“Khalil protected me from Spencer and I felt that he still cared,” Melody told her. “Even if he didn’t want to admit it.”
“I don’t think Spencer was the only one that was crazy,” Danielle commented.
Melody frowned. “I know what I felt.”
“Then you should ask him,” Danielle said before calling for Khalil, who appeared instantly at her side.
“Yes, Queen?” He looked down at her concerned.
“Here he is Melody,” Danielle told her and turned to walk out of the room. As she reached the opening, Kyros came rushing inside.
“Momma, can we play the games now?” he asked running to Danielle and grabbing her hand.
Melody’s eyes widened as she looked at her son. Danielle stroked his dark, damp hair with her other hand. “You’re ready for games?”
He nodded. “Yes.” The other woman in the room caught his attention and Kyros looked from his angry father to the woman.
“I’m sorry for interrupting,” he apologized warily, holding tighter to Danielle.
Khalil smiled at him. “It’s okay son. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
He took a deep breath before speaking again to his son. “Kyros, this is…”
Before he could say her name, Melody cut him off. “Janet.”
Both Khalil and Danielle looked confused, then Kyros slowly moved away from Danielle and over to Melody. Holding out his little han
d, he greeted her the way his father had taught him.
“Hello Ms. Janet.”
Melody studied the boy. “Wow, you’re so handsome.”
“Thank you,” he responded automatically.
Kyros moved back to Danielle’s side and she took his hand. “Games and then cake?” she asked.
He nodded. “This is the best birthday ever!” Kyros gently hugged her around the waist and Danielle kissed his head, while watching Melody.
“We’ll leave you two alone,” Danielle said quietly. “Come on baby.” She took Kyros with her and disappeared.
“Why didn’t you tell him who you were?” Khalil asked.
Melody touched the corner of her eye. “Because for the first time, he became real to me.”
Khalil lowered his head. “He’s been real to me every day for seven years.”
She sniffed. “He looked so happy and he called her Momma.”
“Danielle loves him and he loves her, just like I do.” Khalil lifted his head to look at her.
Melody put a hand over her mouth for a minute. “I guess this is the year of Melody being a complete fool. I’m sorry for coming here like this. I clearly misunderstood some things.”
“Melody, stop looking for yourself in another person. Find out who you are so that one day, you can have a relationship with your son. He deserves that,” Khalil told her. “Danielle isn’t trying to replace you, because you were never there to replace. She’s giving him what he needs.”
Melody blinked to control the tears. “You two would still let me have contact with him?”
“We would start real slow and see if you could stay consistent,” Khalil offered. “I won’t set him up to be abandoned again.”
She nodded. “I understand.” Melody dug into her purse and pulled out an envelope. She held it out to Khalil. “It’s a birthday card. Will you give it to him?” she asked.
“You’re free to give it to him yourself.”
Melody shook her head and sniffed. “No, it’s his day and he’s happy. I realize that I’ve been selfish enough.”
Khalil took the card. “I’ll make sure he gets it.”
She started towards the door and Khalil followed. Melody stopped and turned, throwing her arms around him.
Khalil patted her back. “Take care Melody.”
Khalil opened the door and waited for her to walk out. Closing it behind her, he walked back through the house to the backyard. Danielle was standing watching the kids play Pin the Tail on The Donkey. Kyros was blindfolded trying to find a place to stick the tail and Kam was cheering him on.
