by Andromeda
"Please Jonny..." I plead. "If you do...I'll let you touch my belly..."
His face lights up instantly. The children of Glitterland love my belly. Every day when I come to work, we measure it and they take turns touching and rubbing it. I know that he can't resist.
"Fine..." he says, opening his mouth.
I pop the pills in and give him some juice, watching him swallow and then opening his mouth to make sure.
"Good little one," I say with a smile. "Now come on over, they are moving."
He smiles and rushes over, putting his hand on the right spot, his eyes widening as the babies move.
"Three babies are in there?" he asks.
"That's right," I say with a smile.
"How did they get in here?"
I'm saved from 'the talk' by a nurse who comes in and smiles. "Ok Jonny, time for your therapy."
He nods and smiles up at me. "Bye, Dr. Robin!"
"Bye Jonny," I chuckle before going back to finish my rounds.
"Hey Malaika!" a voice suddenly says.
I look up and see James, the coach from Richmond University striding over.
I smile. "Hi James, what brings you here?"
"My nephew pulled a leg tendon," he says, putting his hands in his pockets. He looks at me, his eyes settling on my belly. "How far along are you?"
"About 5 months," I say, absentmindedly rubbing it.
"You look good," he says. "Hey...um...I don't normally do this, but I was wondering if you'd like to go out? Maybe to lunch or something? To talk about Jordan, of course."
"Sure," I say. "When?"
"How's...tomorrow sound?"
"Sounds perfect," I say nodding.
"Doctor," a nurse says, catching my attention. "We need you."
"I'm coming," I tell her before turning back to James. "You still have my number?"
"Yeah, I do," he says. "I'll text you?"
"Perfect," I say with a smile, patting his shoulder. "I'll see you then."
********************************
Giovanni
"I don't care what our 'past' contract was! That was in the past! Tell them I want 60% of their shares or no deal!"
I slam the phone down in a rage, my fists clenching.
"Gio?" a soft voice says.
The door to my office opens and Malaika walks in, her hand on her stomach. Dressed in a long t-shirt, socks, and her hair wrapped up, I can't help but softly sigh. She has split her nights staying here with me and staying at her home, but she's thinking of giving her house to her brother and fully moving her and Robyn in here with Rosie and I. However, I do have to admit: she looks good wearing something that loose. All the easier to tear off.
"I'm sorry, mia angela regina," I sigh. "Did I wake you?"
"Not really," she yawns, walking over. "Are you alright?"
"Just a little stressed," I sigh.
"Want me to help you relieve some stress?" she asks.
Smirking, I grab her hips and pull her into my lap.
She laughs. "That's not what I meant."
She pulls away and I softly whimper at her absence in my arms.
"Come to me love, and just hold me and the triplets. That should calm you."
She's right; it does. Holding her in my arms as we sleep removes the stress off my shoulders, and I love her for it.
The following morning, we dress for work. Malaika slips into the shower when her phone begins to ring.
"Gio, can you tell me who that is?" she shouts.
"Sure!" I call and unlock it.
We trust each other and have the other's phone password. It was a text, and my eyes widen when I see the message.
James: Had a great lunch last week. Want to go out again?
My blood boils and my heart stops. No...no she wouldn't do this to me. She can't be another Brittany! I look up as she walks in wrapped up in a towel, looking at me innocently.
"Who's James?" I ask her calmly.
"The coach from Richmond State," she says. "Why do you ask?"
"Did you go out with him?" I ask.
"I went to lunch with him," she says slowly. She crosses her arms. "Gio, what are you getting at?"
"Is that all?" I ask. "Just lunch?"
"Yes!" she snaps. "Just lunch! What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Are you sleeping with him?"
I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth, but it's too late to call them back. Before I can blink, she's crossed the room and slapped me across the face.
"Who the hell do you think you are asking me such a thing?" she growls. "YOU of all people!"
"Answer the question!" I yell back.
"Go to hell, Giovanni," she spits at me.
She puts on some yoga pants, a matching T-shirt, and sneakers before charging out of the room; I follow her.
"Mala, please!" I cry. "I'm sorry!"
She gets in her car and drives off, no doubt cursing me in all the languages she knows. Balling my fists, I throw the phone against the house, throwing my head back and roaring with rage. What the hell did I just do?
********************************
Giovanni
"Damn it Mala, answer your phone!" I roar.
I throw my phone against the wall in anger. I've messed up big time; ugh, what the hell is wrong with me? Why do I keep on messing things up with my angel? I haven't seen or heard neither high nor low of my angel for almost 3 weeks! She wasn't at her home, so I'm guessing she had to be with Pearl but I don't know where she lives.
Looking at my clock, I see that it's 12; she should be at work by now. Getting in my car, I drive like a madman to the hospital, my mind worried. What if she got into an accident like...Veronica? I shake my head; no, no that didn't happen because if so, I would have heard by now. Once I get out, I begin to look for her.
I see her walking down the hallways talking to Pearl, and I breathe a sigh of relief; she is perfectly fine, and her stomach is still huge.
When they see me, she takes Pearl’s arm and pulls them away, but I reach them first.
"Mala, stop running from me!"
"I'm not running from you!" she snaps. "I'm just avoiding you at all costs."
"That's the same thing!" I growl.
"Whatever Giovanni, I gotta go!"
"No, you're not going anywhere!" I snap.
Grabbing her arm, I pull her into an breakroom and lock the door. She yanks her arms from me before rubbing her belly, and then slaps me hard across the face.
I grunt softly and rub my cheek. "I guess...I deserved that."
"You deserve that and to be castrated," she growls.
"Ok, let's not get too crazy," I say, holding up my hands.
She narrows her eyes and I sigh, hanging my head. "I'm...sorry about what I said."
"You damn right you're sorry," she spits. "You of all people can't accuse me of cheating."
"Then why did you go out to lunch with him?" I growl, balling my fists as I remember those texts.
"We went to lunch because we were talking about Jordan," she says, crossing her arms. "They want him in their football program."
Instantly, my blood cools. "Oh, well why didn't you tell me that?"
"You asked me two questions, Giovanni: did I go out with him, and was I sleeping with him. You didn’t even allow me to explain myself." I hang my head in shame and then look at her.
"Well...now that we know the truth, can you come home please?"
"No," she says simply.
"No?"
"Yeah, no; you know, as in the opposite of yes," she says sassily.
Groaning I pinch the bridge of nose. "Mala...you need to come home..."
"No I don't," she says, shaking her head.
"Yes you do!" I snap.
"I don't need to do anything in this world but pay taxes and die," she says coolly. "And as for going back 'home' with you, I refuse to do it!"
"Why?"
"What am I, Giovanni?"
"The mother of my ch
ildren and the love of my life."
"You have the mother part right, but you don't love me."
"Yes I do!"
"No you don't," she says. "If you loved me, then you would have trusted me. Have I ever done anything to make you think less of me?"
"N...no you haven't," I sigh.
"That's right," she says nodding. "Until you can learn to trust me and value me, then we can't be anything." She walks to the door and rests her hand on the handle; sighing, she looks back at me, her other hand on her stomach. "I will still allow you to be in their lives...but just not in mine."
And then she's gone. The soft click of the door sends me into a rage. Roaring, I smash anything I can get my hands on, and then the dam breaks. Tears stream down my cheeks as I collapse on the ground, tugging and pulling at my hair. I love that woman, damn it! I love her so much that her rejecting me is physically hurting me! I do value her! Don't I?
No you don't, my subconscious says. You never have really shown her that you value her.
It’s right...I haven't. Malaika and I have been on-and-off so much that I don't really know where we stand. Yes, she's carrying my children, and I've told her I love her but...I've never truly showen her that I love her.
A daring idea pops into my mind and I rise to my feet. Taking out my phone, I begin to make some calls, smirking to myself. I will show her how much she means to me, how much I need her in my life.
Chapter Twenty-Two: All You Need Is Love
Malaika
The warm water gently pours down from the shower head and onto my body. Sighing softly, I wipe the wet hair from my eyes as I wrap my arms around my growing belly. I am less than two weeks from my 6th month, and the closer I get to my due date the more nervous I get.
I carry three lives within me; two little boys and a little girl. My siblings are overjoyed, and Robyn is ecstatic that she's going to be a big sister. All that is missing in this picture is the over-the-top father, the man I thought would be Giovanni. Boy, was I wrong. He actually accused me of sleeping with another man; he should know me better than that.
Sighing, I turn off the shower and as I'm drying my hair, my phone rings and I see it’s James.
"Hey Mala," he says on the other end when I answer.
"Hey James, what up?"
"I was wondering if you want to go with me to lunch, I want to talk to you about something."
"Sure, where do you wanna meet up?"
"China Town?"
"Sure, give me like 10 minutes and I'll be there."
"Alright, later."
"Later."
Walking over to my closet, I put on a pink wool dress, leggings, and boots as it's getting colder here since it's the middle of October.
Putting my hair into a high ponytail, I get my keys and leave.
********************************
"Hey Mala! Over here!" James calls as I walk into the restaurant.
I look around, memories coming back to me as I recognize it. This is the same place that Giovanni asked me to carry his children about almost 5 years ago. So much as changed.
Smiling, I pull up a seat and order. I laugh as James tries to use chopsticks and fails horribly.
"That's not the right way," I tell him. "Watch."
He watches as I hold them in my hands and copies; after a couple tries, he gets it done perfectly. I clap for him and laugh.
"So tell me how things have been going, Mala?" he asks.
"Erm...not so well..." I confess with a sigh.
"Things with your children's father?" he asks.
I nod. "Is it that obvious?"
"What happened? If you don't mind me asking."
I shake my head. "No I don't mind you asking, but promise you won't get offended."
He nods. "I promise."
"He...accused me of sleeping with you."
He chokes on his noodles and looks at me. "He...what?"
"Yeah...he saw the texts from you and...flipped out."
He looks at me and then bursts out laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"That he thought...that I liked you!"
I cock an eyebrow and he stops laughing. "No...no, I mean I like you, but I don't like-like you!"
"Well I knew that," I say, crossing my arms. "But he didn't."
James composes himself. "Mala...I only see you as a friend. Actually...there is someone I like."
"Oh? Who is that?"
"Your friend...you know, the Asian."
"Pearl?" I ask.
"Oh, that's her name? She looks like a Pearl..." he says dreamily. I snap my fingers in his face and he turns back to me and blushes. "Sorry."
"No, it's ok," I say with a shrug. "But you like Pearl? Since when?"
"Since I saw her at that football game. She with anyone?"
"No...but seriously, you like PEARL?!"
He nods and smiles. "Can you ask her out for me? Please?"
"Sure...I guess. Why don't we go to the hospital? I'm sure she's there. She lives there."
He nods eagerly and pays for our meal. Walking outside, I go to my door and as I'm unlocking my door, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Looking up, everything seems to freeze. Standing on the corner is the last person in my life that I'd ever want to see; the person that has given me so much pain and suffering that he needs to be declared Satan. Derrick.
********************************
He hasn't changed at all; well, besides getting a little bit beefier, he still has the same cold eyes and scowling mouth. I look down at his hands, those same hands that have caused me so much pain and suffering. His eyes take me in and then narrow in on my stomach. He grits his teeth and then begins to walk toward me.
No! No! No! No! I scream in my mind.
My heart begins to beat a thousand times per second. My lungs feel as if they are going to burst.
Turning around I begin to run, trying to get away. A hand on my shoulder makes me scream and I whip around, ready to slap and punch but it’s James.
"Mala?" he asks, worried. "Are you alright?"
"H...he's following me," I whisper.
"Who?"
"Don't you see..." I turn around to look, but Derrick is gone.
"What's wrong Mala?" he asks.
I open my mouth to talk, but cry out as a pain racks my body. Holding my stomach, I drop to my knees, panting heavily.
"MALA!" he yells.
"T...take me to the hospital," I pant.
James picks me up bridal style and runs to his car. We speed to the hospital and run inside. An OB is summoned and checks me out; Pearl comes in (of course) and James blushes, turning into a blubbering fool.
"What's wrong with my babies?" I ask the OB.
She opens her mouth to talk when the door bursts open, and Giovanni comes crashing in.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!" he roars. He sees James and flips. "YOU!!"
He grabs him by the throat and pulls his hand back.
"GIOVANNI, STOP IT!!" I scream.
His eyes snap back to me and he lowers his hand, shoving James back, who staggers but stays on his feet.
"Why is he here?" he asks.
"He brought me here," I explain. "We went out to lunch and..."
"YOU DID WHAT?!" Giovanni screams.
"SHUT UP!" I scream. "FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE GIOVANNI, LISTEN!"
"Hey Mala, I'm going to need to you calm down," the OB says. "Your blood pressure is upsetting the babies."
"I'm sorry," I sigh, sitting back. "It's him..." I point to Giovanni, who scowls at James. "He doesn't like me," I tell him. "He likes Pearl."
"Wait what?" Pearl says, jumping a bit.
James blushes and nods shyly. "Do you want to go out with me?"
Pearl looks at me and then James, and she shrugs. "Sure, why not."
"He can be your date at the wedding," Giovanni says.
Everyone looks at him like he's grown a tail.
"What...did you just say?" I choke.
&n
bsp; He walks over and kneels before me. "Mala...you were right. I didn't show you how much I value you, how much you mean to me. And I'm going to do that right now."
Digging around in his pocket, he takes out a black box and opens it, revealing the most beautiful ring that I've ever seen.
"Will you, Malaika Robinson, do me the extreme honor of being my wife?" he asks.
I am frozen, my hand covering my mouth as he kneels before me. He...he is proposing to me, and as I look in his eyes, I can see nothing but love.
"Yes," I whisper. "Yes. Yes! YES!"
He smiles widely and slides the ring onto my finger. Pulling me close (well as close as he can with my huge belly), he gives me a deep kiss.
"Oh, and another thing," he whispers between kisses. "The wedding is next week."
Merde!
********************************
Malaika
I had a plan for me life: go to med school, become a doctor, settle down, have three-point-five kids (a joke there; no one can have three-point-five kids), and then retire. Nothing turned out that way. My life has changed so much from what I thought I wanted to do. Turns out, I like this life and here I am, standing in a chapel about to marry the love of my life.
Standing at the end of the aisle and at the altar, Giovanni stands with his brother as his best man. For the first time, our families and friends meet and I admit—I am nervous.
"You ready?" Pearl asks.
Nodding, she signals to the man on the piano, who begins the bridal march. Robyn and Rosie, the flower girls, skip out, littering flowers on the aisle before the bridesmaids and groomsmen begin their walk.
Sighing I smooth out my dress, take my bouquet, and begin the walk. With every step, I see flashes of our past, and visions of our future. The triplets first birthday, our daughter's first date (which Giovanni will hate, I'm sure), and so much more. Smiling to him, I hold out my hand and he takes it in his arm grip, and smiles back at me.
The priest clears his throat.
"We are gathered together on this beautiful afternoon to share with Malaika Robinson and Giovanni Rinaldi as they exchange vows of their everlasting love. As Malaika and Giovanni take their vows today, we are privileged to witness the joyous love of a new family—a family that will be nourished and nurtured through the devotion of two separate individuals growing together through the common bonds of love.”
