by Mz. Toni
“Well at least she made an effort. She’s been gone for a while, so she has to get to know you again.”
“I know dad, I’mma try.”
“Good, baby girl, but I wanted to run something by you.”
“‘Aight, what’s up?”
“How would you feel about me proposing to Kaliah tonight?”
“I don't like her. I mean she cool, but I don't like her with you,” she said honestly.
“Why, you don't think she good enough for me?”
“Nope, I don't. Plus, we like to eat and she can't cook. I like mommy for you,” she said with a smile.
“Jasmine, me and Cherish tried and it didn't work out, but we both deserve to be happy,” I said.
“I understand. If you really love her daddy, then go ahead and propose.”
“Thanks baby girl,” I said, hugging my smart daughter. Getting up, I walked to my bedroom to get dressed. I knew I would need to go to her house since she refused to answer my calls. I didn't tell anyone, but I had gone with Mark and picked up the perfect ring to propose to her. He kept asking me over and over was I sure that this was what I wanted and honestly, I felt like it was. Getting the kids into the car, I drove to Kaliah’s house. To say I was nervous was an understatement, a nigga was scared as hell. Pulling up to her house, I grabbed the kids and went to knock on her door.
“You look scared daddy,” Jasmine said laughing.
“I ain't scared, little girl.”
“Why you sweatin like that?”
“Mind ya business,” I said, playfully mushing her in the head. Knocking on the door, I waited for her to answer. When she opened the door, she looked surprised to see us.
“Jason, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“We came because we miss you,” I said with a smile.
“Can we come in at least?” Jasmine asked.
“Oh yeah, I'm sorry Jas, come on in,” she said, while giving me the evil eye. When I walked into her house, I left the twins in their car seats and sat them on the couch, and Kaliah gave Jasmine the remote, so she could watch TV.
“I know you're pissed at a nigga, but I need you to come back,” I said.
“For what?” she asked.
“Because I love you and the kids love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” I said, before getting down on one knee and pulling out the ring.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“Yeah, it is. I wanted to know if you wanted to be my wife?” I asked.
“And you're ok with this?” she asked Jasmine.
“Yeah,” Jasmine shrugged.
“Yes, I’ll marry you!” she screamed excitedly. Jumping into my arms, she kissed me passionately. Placing her back on her feet, I placed the ring on her finger.
“The crew and their women are going bowling, so I’mma go drop the kids off home and come through to scoop you afterwards.”
“Ok, well, have fun bowling,” she said sadly.
“What you mean ‘well have fun’, you going with me!” I said, while laughing.
“Really, you're letting me meet them!”
“If you gonna be my wife, then I can't keep you away,” I said, before kissing her and walking out the door. After getting the kids into the car, I called Mark to see what time they were heading out and to let him know that I was bringing Kaliah.
“What up nigga?” Mark said.
“Yo, what time y'all heading out?” I asked.
“We about to head out now. Why, what’s up?”
“Shit, I’mma drop the kids off, then slide through.”
“We bringing the girls, so you might as well bring your kids too.”
“Aight, bet. Oh, and I'm bringing Kaliah too.”
“Nigga, do you gotta death wish, you know how the women can be.”
“I know. That’s why I'm telling you now, so you can talk to your wife.”
“Aight nigga, you asked for it,” he said before hanging up. After he hung up, I called Khaliah and told her about the change of plans, and in ten minutes, she was outside, looking good and ready to go. When we pulled up to the bowling alley, Kaliah was nervous enough for both of us, and I couldn't help but say a silent prayer that the women were on their best behavior. When we walked into the alley, I quickly spotted the crew. When we walked up to them, all the laughing stopped, as they gave me and Kaliah the evil eye.
“Hey god Mom!” Jasmine said, breaking the ice. Running up to Camille, she hugged her tightly.
“Hey baby, I missed you so much,” Camille said.
“Bring me my babies!” Shante said with a smile. Since Kaliah was holding one of the car seats, she nervously and quietly walked over to Shante and handed her the car seat.
“Thank you. So what are you, the new nanny?” Shante asked.
“No, she’s not the nanny Shante, she’s my girl,” I said, grabbing Kaliah’s hand. I knew for a fact that Shante had met the kids’ nanny before, so she knew that Khaliah wasn't it. All I could do was shake my head at her messy ass.
“Naw, she the homewrecker!”
“Come on, Camille. You know me and Cherish weren't even together when I met Kaliah,” I said.
“Actually, I'm the fiancé,” Kaliah said with a smirk, before holding up her hand and flashing her ring.
“I know you didn't Jason!”
“Come on now, let's not do this,” Mark said, grabbing Camille’s waist.
“You're right, let's have fun, but this shit ain't over,” she said, rolling her eyes at me and walking away. The whole night was just awkward as hell. Kaliah basically sat in the corner the whole time, unless it was her turn to bowl.
“Are you seriously marrying that girl?” Camille asked.
“Yeah, I am, and I'm asking you not to tell Cherish.”
“What you mean don't tell her, she deserves to know.”
“I'm telling her tonight when I drop the kids off,” I said honestly.
“Well as long as you tell her tonight, then we good. But come tomorrow, if she don't know, I'm telling nigga!” she snapped, before walking away.
“Y'all can be a little nicer to her too,” I said, pissed.
“Nicer to who? That bitch ain't no friend of ours!” Camille said loudly enough for Kaliah to hear. Turning around, Kaliah looked at Camille and rolled her eyes.
“Oh, she a little feisty, huh,” Shante said, laughing.
“Yeah, she is.”
“Well tell her don't get too feisty before she gets these hands,” Shante said with a smirk, before blowing Kaliah a kiss.
“Everything alright bro?” Kasan asked.
“Man, I'm bout to head out. They being real messy with my girl.”
“Yo, what did you expect. They’re loyal to Cherish, not her.”
“I feel you,” I said before walking away.
Chapter Seven
Cherish
“So what do you have planned for today?” Peter asked me as he watched me get dressed.
“I got a busy ass day. I have to meet with the contractors, then head off to school. I have a big test that I can't miss because it’s worth fifty percent of my grade. Then Mega is supposed to drop the kids off after school and I still have permits for the outreach program I have to apply for online. I still haven't even gone shopping for the Bahamas and I leave in two days,” I said, feeling overwhelmed.
“Slow down. I can handle some of the business side of things, just give me a layout of what you want and need and I’ll meet with the contractors for you today.
“Awwww thanks boo, but I got it,” I said with a smile. I was so excited to be handling business on my own. It made me truly feel like an adult, so unless I had no choice, I was ok taking care of my own shit. After getting dressed, I headed out to my building to meet the contractors. Kissing Peter lightly, I watched as he got into his car and pulled off, and when he was gone, I headed out. When I pulled up to the building, I couldn't help but smile brightly at my hot mess, because I saw all the possibiliti
es and that alone excited me.
“Hello, you must be Cherish. I'm Marcus Green and this is my partner Lamont Archer,” he said, greeting me as soon as I walked up to the building.
“Nice meeting you both,” I said with a smile. After unlocking the building, we all walked in and from the smile on their faces, I could tell they liked what they saw.
“Damn, this building is big. The structure is great in here.”
“This right here, I want to be a day program for my teen outreach program,” I said, talking about the first floor.
“Wow, that’s great that you're doing something for the lost children in this world.”
“I was a lot child myself not too long ago, so yeah, I want to help in any way I can.”
“I feel you,” he said, writing in a notebook.”
“Ok, well let me walk you guys around so you can see the rest,” I said as we stepped on the elevator to go to the second floor. As we got onto the elevator, I pressed the number two button and nothing happened. Clicking it a few more times, I realized that it just wasn't gonna work.
“We will have that fixed in no time, but it doesn't look like this thing is gonna move, so maybe we should take the stairs,” Lamont said, laughing.
“Maybe you're right,” I laughed. Walking up a flight of stairs, we reached the second floor, which had so much potential. There had to be space for about fifteen rooms, maybe twenty, between this floor and the third, which was more than enough for me.
“So, what are you tryna do with this floor?” he asked.
“I'm gonna have the bedrooms for the shelter on this floor and the third floor,” I said with a smile.
“So you would need a front office, a kitchen and an about twenty-five rooms, give or take?” he asked.
“Exactly!” I said, loving that we were on the same page.
“So when were you looking to have this done?”
“Asap. I'm going on vacation in a couple days for my birthday, and I would really like for it to be done within a month. I don't think it's bad, I really think it’s possible.”
“I mean, that sounds great, but it would take me and my men to be working on your place around the clock to get that done,” he said honestly.
“Is that a problem?”
“Well that’s gonna cost you.”
“How much?”
“Well normally it would run you about fifteen thousand, but seeing as though you're doing a service to our community, I can do it for ten.”
“No, I don't want any handouts. As long as you do an awesome job and have it running within a month, I'm willing to pay the normal price,” I said, not wanting to owe anyone anything.
“Ok, whatever you want. I would need half to start immediately, and the other half when the job is complete and to your liking.”
“Ok, that works,” I said with a smile.
“Well, I have a contract for you to sign and then we can get started,” he said, shaking my hand. After signing the paperwork, giving them a check and going over everything I wanted and needed to have, I locked the building back up and we parted ways. Looking at the time in my car, I realized I only had ten minutes to get to class so I could take my exam. Pulling off, I rushed out of the parking lot. As I was fast walking to class, I bumped into some girl, causing all her papers to fall to the floor. The look on her face told me she wasn't happy.
“I'm so sorry,” I said, before bending over to help her pick up her things.
“Just leave it, I got it!” she snapped, before snatching a paper I’d picked up out my hand.
“I was just trying to help. You don't have to be nasty about the shit,” I calmly snapped back.
“Why don't you just watch where you’re going next time!” the girl said, before getting up and storming away.
“Cherish, why you just standing there, the test is about to start,” one of my classmates said.
“I know, I'm coming,” I said, before walking into class. When I was done taking the exam, I felt confident that I’d aced it. As I walked to my car, I saw someone leaning on my baby. As I got closer, I noticed that it was Peter.
“Hello beautiful!” he said with a smile.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, before hugging him.
“I was in the area and figured I’d take you out to lunch,” he said.
“Ok, thank you. I guess I’ll follow you,” I said, kissing him lightly before getting into my car. When we pulled up to a diner near my school, we pulled in and parked. I didn't know why he met me at school, he had never done anything like that before. He usually called me to confirm and I liked it that way. I didn't need him getting too comfortable.
“So, I kinda lied,” he said when we sat down.
“Lied about what?” I asked, confused.
“I wasn't in the area. I came because I wanted to talk to you.”
“Ok, what’s up?” I said.
“From the moment I first met you, I knew there was something different about you. You had this presence about yourself that made me want to know you on any kind of level. I didn't care, I was willing to take what I could get. Spending this time with you showed me that I don't want to spend time with anyone else. I understand that you have a lot going on, but I'm willing to take this ride with you if you’ll allow me.”
“Peter, you are a good man and I enjoy all the time we spend together, but it sounds like you're asking me to give you more than I can right now.”
“Cherish, I'm not asking you to marry me, I'm just asking you to let me in.”
“I like you so much, but you know I just got out of a relationship. I guess what I'm trying to say is I need some time to get to know me, before I allow you to sweep me off my feet,” I said honestly.
“I understand and I'm willing to give you the time that you need, but just know I'm here,” he said, reaching over the table to kiss me. When we were done eating, he paid the bill and walked me to my car. I felt bad for shutting him down, but I was so confused and right now, my heart was still with Mega. I refused to make things more confusing than they already were by adding someone else into the equation.
When I got home, I hopped in the shower and relaxed. Mega called me and said he would be dropping the kids off in a little while and that we could talk. I was nervous as hell, but ready to get it all out. I wasn't sure how he would take everything I planned on saying and honestly, I didn't care, I just wanted it to be out. My nerves started to get the best of me when I heard him pull up and park in my driveway. I could hear his speakers bumping, like always.
“Heyyyy mommy, I missed you!” Jasmine said, running full speed.
“Hey my baby girl, I missed you too.”
“Daddy asked Kaliah to marry him and she said yes,” she whispered before quickly running into her room. I didn't even know how to take what she had just told me. I felt like someone had just punched me in the gut and ripped out my heart. Quickly wiping my tears, I went to help him grab the twins. When he walked in, he placed the car seats on the floor and I did everything in my power not to look him in his eyes because I knew I would break down.
“I needed to talk to you about something. I know you’ve been trying to talk to me, so you go head first,” he said before sitting down.
“It’s nothing, I handled it myself,” I said, looking down at the floor.
“You sure? I know I’ve been a little busy, but you know I got you if you need anything,” he said sincerely.
“I know Jason,” I said, while playing with my fingernails.
“Aight, but I needed to tell you something. I wanted to be the first person you heard it from.”
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I asked Kaliah to marry me,” he blurted out.
“Congratulations, but I need to get the kids ready for bed, so I’ll talk to you later,” I said, rushing him out.
“Are you ok?” he asked.
“Why wouldn't I be?”
“I know me and you tried to make us work.”
“Oh, I'm not worried about it. I'm happy for you,” I said, lying through my teeth.
“Aight, well I’mma head out,” he said, kissing the babies. As I watched him walk out the door, I felt the tears building up in my eyes and in my heart. I felt like a complete idiot and if he would've come in at the same time as Jas, I would have felt like an even bigger idiot, pouring my heart out to a nigga already engaged to be married. If he proposed to her then I know he’s in love with her. For some reason, no matter what problems we’ve had, I’ve always had it in my mind that he was my soulmate, the person made for me, but obviously I wasn't made for him. I was no longer gonna stress myself out and hold myself back from love. After getting the twins and Jasmine situated, I laid in my bed, stuck in my thoughts. When my phone started to ring, I quickly answered, after looking at the caller ID.
