Page 60 of Surrender to Love

“Any special requests? I’m just going to order five or six pizzas and wings,” Kyrah says and I chuckle.

“Baby, the twins can eat one each. We need a little more than that,” I tell her.

“Okay, eight,” she responds with a titter.

“Um. Can we get one with chicken? I don’t eat beef or pork,” Thursday’s little friend asks in a low tone. Thursday introduced her when they got here but I don’t remember her name.

“Okay. We can do that. I’ll order as soon as we get in our room,” my baby says.

FIFTEEN

All eight pizzas, six orders of wings, and five salads have been demolished and we are still in shock about Shuga owning this beautiful cabin, especially her sons. I’m in awe and impressed. Family really means everything to her and the purchase of this for her family is true Black woman magic. She’s such an inspiration.

“I love your family,” I tell Shiro as I trace my fingers across his fresh haircut. We’re in the room he claimed on this first level. Like the rest of the cabin, it’s beautiful. The theme is rustic with a luxury flare. Browns, beiges, and golds provide a warmth to the large room.

“They love you too, baby.”

“I know. I can feel it. Everything is so warm and inviting, the way y’all love and support one another, and Shuga… She is so amazing, and not just this house. Look how she is with Alami. She accepts her and treats her like she’s her own.”

“That’s ’cause we all share fucked up Asali. He was at least there for us. He really wasn’t with Thursday, and once Shuga found out about her, he abandoned her altogether, him and her own mother. But she’s ours now and Shuga accepts her because she’s our sister,” he says.

“But it’s more than that. A stranger would think she was Alami’s mother. Not many women could accept and treat her like Shuga’s does. Hell, I don’t know if I could,” I admit. “You’re so lucky to have a mom like her. I wish I did.”

His large frame shifts then he raises on his elbows to face me. “Are you sure you don’t want to call and see if she⁠—”

“If she, what? It’s been years and obviously, nothing has changed.”

“I know, baby, but tomorrow’s Thanksgiving and your birthday is Monday. I don’t want you to be sad.”

This time, I sit up and inch toward him. After throwing my arms around his neck, I speak from my heart that he owns.

“Nothing in me is sad. I’m spending Thanksgiving with the man I love and adore and his beautiful family. Then tomorrow,” I say and kiss his lips. “That same sexy man is taking me to Hawaii for my birthday.”

“But if things could be fixed with your mother, would you want that?”

“Yeah. I would. I love her but I love me too. I’ve done all I can and put my feelings out there more times than I can count. It’s on her this time. I can’t anymore,” I say, then grab his face to change the subject. After kissing him again, more lovingly and slower this time, I add, “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been because of you. I don’t want to think about anyone else. Can we do that?”

“We can do whatever you want. It’s your weekend.”

“Good. That’s why I love you.”

“I love you too, baby. I just want you to have everything you deserve.”

“I have it, all of it, thanks to you. As for my momma and her daughter, I can’t dwell on that and let it ruin my happiness,” I tell him, repeating what I’ve been telling myself since that day at my mom’s. Kym hurt me, broke our relationship, and I will never forgive her. My momma refuses to see my side and I can’t make her. The more I try, the more I end up hurt. So why put myself through that?

“If you’re happy, baby, I’m happy.”

Light knocks at the door cause us both to look in that direction. “Auntie. Auntie,” Niya calls out.

“It’s not locked,” Shiro says as he climbs off the bed. As he walks toward the door, Niya walks in right past him then jumps on the bed.

“You got a big bed,” she says. “I got on the elevator to come here.”

“You like that elevator,” Shiro says when he joins us on the bed.

“I like it a lot. Imma ask Daddy to get us one.”

“Good luck with that.” Shiro smirks. “And why you in here bothering us?” he teases.