“Wait. Why is she putting off the test, Son?”
Sucking my teeth, I crossed my arms over my chest as my anger started to grow. The past two weeks of trying to get the shit scheduled had been hell. Kiana came with one excuse after another, and the more she waited, the more it irritated me. I tried to give her grace and the benefit of the doubt, but I’d done my research, and she was far enough along in her pregnancy for her to safely have the test done, so I don’t know what she was waiting around for.
“I’on know, Pops. Her first excuse was she wanted to make sure it was safe. We confirmed she was far enough along for the test and then she started talking about her schedule. Now, she’s not answering my calls, but she texts me talking about she hasn’t forgotten and she’s going to call me when she schedules the test.”
“Does Daniel know the baby might not be his? They’re engaged, right?”
“No and yes. She said she doesn’t want to tell him if she doesn’t have to. He proposed after she told him she was pregnant, and she believes he will call the wedding off if he finds out the baby might not be his.”
“Damn,” he muttered before chuckling. “I hate to say it, little man, but I got a feeling Kee Kee about to draw this shit out. If he’s not the father, she’s going to lose her man. She’s not going to rush into that.”
“She ain’t got no choice,” I griped, getting pissed off all over again. “I understand she’s in a delicate situation, but this is on her. I can’t move on with Heir until we get this test done, so I really don’t give a fuck if she wants to tell Daniel or not. I’m not putting my life and relationship on hold for damn near six more months playing around with her.”
Silence found us for a while, but when Pops did speak, it was to say, “I commend you for releasing Heir if the baby is yours. That’s going to be a big adjustment, and my grandbaby will consume your whole world for quite some time. I raised you to be a man and take care of your responsibilities, so I know you’re going to be there for Kiana and your baby.” He paused. “Just… don’t make the mistake I made.
“Be clear on your role, be clear on who you are, and be clear on who Kiana is to you. I almost lost my wife trying to have an unofficial marriage with your mama. Aries and I had long since stopped having sex, but she was damn near my wife because of you.” He chuckled.
“I had y’all in the guest house right behind my house so we could do the family thing every day. I told myself it was fine because we weren’t in a relationship. All that changed when I met Neo. She challenged me to be honest with myself about my relationship with Aries and then left when the responsibility became too much. We weren’t together, but I was playing the role of her husband, and Neo wasn’t having that shit, especiallywhen Aries got pregnant with Ariel and I offered to help her take care of the baby.
“Neo bowed out gracefully, and I was too focused on being there for Aries that I didn’t realize what my loyalty was about to cost me. Had it not been for Aries calling me out on that and agreeing to be more independent, I know I would have lost Neo and regretted that shit for the rest of my life. In my attempt to have a family and be a good father, I lost myself as a man and almost ruined my chance to be a husband. You take care of your child, but don’t ever blur the lines between you and Kiana. If you gon’ be with her, be with her. If not, don’t ever let there be a question of her place in your life.”
I nodded as I processed his words while Neptune made his way over to us.
“What y’all over here looking sad and depressed for?” As he looked around he said, “Where that cart girl with the drinks at? Y’all need to drink up before y’all fuck up my vibe.”
All I could do was laugh because he was dead serious. His tall ass started walking around looking for the beverage cart attendant. Because if Neptune demanded nothing else, he demanded everyone around him enjoy life and be in good spirits. Before he made his way back, I decided to text Heir.
Wifey.
:
I miss you bae.
: I miss you too babe. I really do.
: No word on the test yet?
She’s moving slow but I give you my word, I’ll have it done by the end of this month.
Her dots popped up immediately, but she decided not to text back, and that made me feel like shit.
I’m sorry bae.
: Hurry up Marz.
She laughed at my emoji and sent me a kiss, and I was content enough with that to end the conversation. As Neptune walked over to us with the young lady trailing behind, I stood and called Kiana, though I was sure she wouldn’t answer. Not to my surprise, she sent me to voicemail.
“You trying my patience, Kiana. Handle ya business so I can handle mine. We need to know our next move.”
After leaving the voicemail, I put my phone back in my pocket and gave my people my undivided attention. Though I understood Kiana not wanting the results because it could potentially end her relationship, I needed them to be able to save mine.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Heir
“I’m soglad you came out,” Onesty said, hugging me from behind.