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Slidingmy shades on my face I pulled the hoodie over my head and sat at the front of the jet by the window. Today was the day we were flying to Punta Cana for Jude’s birthday. Julius had rented out both villas at the Nickelodeon resort so the family could celebrate with him.
Me, him, and Jude were staying in one while both of our moms and my sister were going in the other one. Tito, Byron, Lucas, and the rest of the security were staying on site in a few of the other suites. We wanted everyone to be comfortable since we were staying for the week.
“Ma, you and Ms. Norma can take the room in the back. The rest of the peanut gallery will be alright out here.”
“You sure? I know you’re tired. If you want to go lay down, you can.” Ms. Norma said.
“No ma’am. I wouldn’t dare take that from y’all.”
“Alright baby.” My mama smiled.
The few days leading up to today was spent with me getting mine and Jude’s things ready but also at the warehouse packing orders. I had run a thirty-five percent off sale so I could get ridof the rest of my inventory because by the time I made it back to Atlanta the new shipment would have arrived.
Between doing that and finalizing the last-minute details of this trip my ass was tired and planned on sleeping the entire flight. Jude had spent the night with Julius so that I could finish doing everything I needed to do.
“Mommy!” Jude yelled when he spotted me laid back in the seat.
Pushing my hood back, I dropped my shades in my lap. “Buddy. Are you excited?”
Jude threw his lil body into my chest. “Yes. My daddy said I get to see Sponge Bob.”
“Yes, baby you will.” I kissed his cheek. “You sitting with me or going with TT Lariah?”
“Ummm.” He pondered for a second before breaking my heart. “I’m going with TT.”
“Aight. Riah, make sure he has his headphones and his iPad.”
“They right here.” Julius said, stepping on the jet looking like something right out of heaven. Here I was from head to toe in Alo while this man looked like he was ‘bout to hop on stage. “Here Juju, give yo bag to Lariah.”
After getting him situated Julius leaned into the empty space beside me. “You gon’ let me sit here?”
Sliding my shades back on I fixed my hood. “Boy I do not care. Just make sure you or your son don’t bother me.”
Stepping out of the aisle he waited for everybody else to board before responding. “Aight. Now when you need somebody to get yo ass something don’t ask me or my son.” He laughed and mushed the side of my head.
“Trust me I won’t.” Unfolding my Hermes throw I draped it across my lap and kicked off my shoes.
Julius spoke with the pilot a few minutes before the door was closed. Once we were cleared for take-off I popped two Benadryl and let the engine lull me right on to sleep.
______
“Hold your nose.” I yelled before picking Jude up off the ground. Running towards the pool I hopped in it with him still in my arms. When we came from under the water his lil ass was begging me to do it again. “You gon’ have to go ask your daddy.” I laughed.
“Please mommy.”
“Aight.” I groaned. “One more time then we gotta get out and eat.”
We had barely checked in before Jude was begging to get in the pool. While Julius handled everything, I had concierge drive us over to the villa so I could get changed and get in the water with him. Once Julius finished, he joined us. The rest of the family had ventured to their own spots, so it was just the three of us.
“Don’t forget what I taught you.” I said to Jude before jumping in the pool one final time. This time when we swam to the surface Julius was standing on the edge of the pool with his hands on his hips.
“Y’all ain’t hear me calling y’all.” He fussed.
“No.” I dug in my ear. “We been hopping in and out of the pool for the last fifteen minutes. I placed Jude on the side of the pool near Julius before climbing out. After digging my bottoms out of my ass, I bypassed him and made a beeline for my towel. “What you wanted?”
“I was tryna tell y’all the food here.”
“Good. Cause I’m hungry as hell.”