Page 46 of All The Smoke

K aori.

“Wow, Mo, tell me how you really feel,” I pouted as she pulled more and more of the measuring tape meant for the game they were currently playing.

“I am, hoe, you big as hell.” She laughed. “Shit.”

“Seriously, Morgan,” I whined. She knew how insecure I was about my weight gain. It was like in the last month alone, I gained all of my weight. I was carrying so small before, but now I had a booty do.

“Don’t start all that crying and shit,” she fussed. “You are the baddest pregnant bitch I’ve ever seen.”

“Facts, you are,” Solomon said as he circled his arms around my waist. “What I tell you at the crib?”

I poked my bottom lip out. “No crying.”

“Aight then. You look too good for that anyway.”

“You always say I look good.” I smiled, not caring at all that he interrupted the game.

“And have I ever lied to you?”

“Nope.”

“Aight then.” He pressed a kiss into the side of my neck then face. “Stop all that whining and crying and enjoy yourself.”

“Okay, Smoke, move.” My mother shooed him away. “Come on KK, we’re on a strict schedule.”

My mother had been serious as a heart attack about the schedule since we at the venue. She damn near shoved Solomon and me inside and got right to work. She even had poor Solo working hard to pass stuff out to our guests and picking things up.

She hurried around to the other guests participating in the game then had me stand up front while they all prepared to see who the winner was.

Before they could start, Solomon bullied his way up front and said he wanted to participate.

Everyone groaned and complained that it wasn’t fair because we were together daily but it didn’t matter. My mother let him do it.

Over the course of time that we had been together their bond had grown super strong which was a little shocking considering she had always hated my ex.

Ice didn’t even allow me to get the introductions out of the way before letting me know she didn’t like Jamal.

I was relieved to know that wasn’t the case with Solomon.

They hit it off from the very beginning.

She told me it was because he was his authentic self from the very beginning and also because she saw a lot of my father in him.

For me that was a true flex, because I always said I wanted a love like Ice and K-Dot shared.

Solomon, of course, won the game, but he allowed the runner up, Morgan, to get the gift.

It truly was unfair for them both to play because of everyone in there she knew me the best. We played a few more games, then ate.

I really couldn’t decide what kind of food I wanted so I had a little of everything.

It wasn’t anything that made sense though.

I had ribs and chicken from the Smoke Pit.

Redmond’s did most of my sides, mainly the soul food dishes.

Teyon and Day both did some of the signature dishes, while Averi and Destiny Masters tackled my sweets and cake.

I was so happy as I ate and congregated with everyone. My baby shower was literally perfect. I fell in love with the “We Can Bearly Wait” theme, so my mother got with Tae, the event coordinator, and made it happen. I couldn’t have imagined it any other way.

“Okay, because we’re a little pressed for time due to dinner going over a little and the lady of the hour’s feet swelling, they’ve decided to go through their gifts at home.”

“Uh uhn, Auntie, I wanted everyone to see mine now,” Morgan shouted from her seat.

“Girl.” I laughed. “I’m going to post pictures and allow everyone to tag themselves if I don’t see your name on the gift and do it for you.

We really do appreciate you all for understanding and celebrating with us today.

” I looked up at Solomon and puckered up for a kiss.

“I just need to wind down now and wait for this little boy’s arrival. ”

“Wait, don’t disperse yet,” my mother said when she saw people getting prepared to leave. “I, well we , have one gift we can’t wait to give.”

I looked between her and Solomon confused as he stood then helped me do the same.

My mother and grandmother led the way outside to the back alley of the hotel we were hosting the event at with us all following closely behind.

My granny dipped off to the side and immediately began to record with others following suit, including Morgan.

Does this bitch know something I don’t?

I got ready to ask what the hell was going on but a set of lights distracted me and grabbed my attention. My eyes lit up and my mouth dropped when I noticed the candy red Range Rover coming my way with a big ass red bow on it.

“Oh my god, is this mine?” I shouted, jumping up and down.

“Relax, mama,” Solomon took my hand. “You still carrying my seed.”

“Sorry, babe, I can’t help it though, is this mine?” I looked toward my mother. “You got me a Range?”

My mother knew I wanted a Range. Since finding out I was pregnant and knowing I needed a new car I had been obsessed with them.

I had the money to get one and all, but with Solomon and I purchasing a home on our own, without the help of my parents, I put it on ice.

I didn’t want anything to stop us from buying our house.

“Nope, it was all your man.” She smiled.

“Bae,” I gushed. “You just got your Wrangler.”

He shrugged. “Had ya whip first though.”

“Really? And you didn’t tell me about it?”

“It was a surprise for today.” He chuckled. “Go check the shit out.”

Releasing his hand, I raced over as best I could, yanking the door open so I could check it out.

It was just as I imagined it, fully loaded, blacked out interior, black rims, spacious as hell.

I was in love with the car and my man even more than I was before.

He was literally Mr. Make It Happen. I didn’t know how Silas and I got so lucky, but I would spend the rest of my days expressing my gratitude any way I could.

“Fuck with it?”

“Do I?” I grinned. “I am going to su?—”

The sound of a horn blaring behind my new car interrupted me. Peeking out of the car, I noticed a nice ass Bentley back there. Looking up at Solomon, I asked, “You got another car?”

He shook his head. “It’s not mine.”

“Then whose is it?”

“Let’s go see.”

I was skeptical as hell about taking his hand but knowing he wouldn’t hurt me I allowed him to lead me to the car.

There was no bow on it or anything so I didn’t think it was mine.

The windows had a really dark tint, so it was hard to see inside.

As soon as we were at the back door of the car, it opened slowly and I almost fucking fainted.

“Daddy!” I shrieked and ran into his arms when he was all the way out of the car. “Oh my god,” I cried into his chest. “How? When?”

I felt the vibrations from his laugh in his chest. “Let me look at you, baby.”

“No.” I shook my head as the happy tears flowed and stained his shirt. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Baby girl.” He tried to pry my arms from around him but I wasn’t having it. “Kaori.”

“Babe, let him look at you.” Solomon joined in the attempts to get my arms from around my father. I finally let him go and stepped back.

“How are you here, Daddy?” I sniffled.

“You thought I wasn’t coming home to you?

” He smiled, holding my face in his hands until my mother walked over.

“Or her?” They shared a loving kiss before he gave his attention back to me.

“I told you when I got knocked I was going to do everything in my power to make it home to you and your mother, right?”

I nodded, still wiping my tears. “Right.”

“And you didn’t believe me?”

“No, of course I did.”

“Aight then.” He smiled and took me in before placing his hands on my swollen belly. “I couldn’t miss this, my little protégé.”

“No disrespect, OG, but that’s all me,” Solomon said.

“It’s my baby brother in there,” Solo added. “I’m Solo.”

“What’s up, Solo?” My dad smiled. “You don’t know who I am?” He shook his head. “You don’t remember talking with me on the phone when you’re with your Gigi?”

He shook his head again but lifted his head some as if he was trying to think. His eyes grew as wide as saucers moments later. “Papa Dot?”

“The one and only.”

“Wow, you’re back from vacation?”

“Yeah, lil man, I am.” He grinned.

“Can I go with you next time?”

We shared an awkward laugh because he didn’t know any better, but if any of us had anything to do with it, he would never see the inside of a place like that.

“Maybe not where I went but as soon as I get settled in at home and your baby brother gets here, we’ll go somewhere as a family.”

“Okay, bet.”

I hugged my father a little longer before I finally gave him enough space to go inside.

I was for sure ready to go home because my body was beyond exhausted and ready to spend time with my family.

It felt good to have my entire family together once again and even better with the new addition of Solomon and Solo.

We sat at the venue long enough for the movers my mother hired to get all of our things loaded up and for the cleaners, The Cleaning Lady, to come in and get started. I was too tired to drive, so I had Solomon drive my new car home while Bino drove his back to his place.

I showered and changed into something comfortable when we got home while everyone else helped bring all of our stuff inside. If we hadn’t needed a new place before, we definitely needed one after the addition of all of our gifts.

Once they were done we settled in my living room. Solomon sat on the couch with me and pulled my feet into his lap, giving me a much needed massage. I was ready for my own body back real bad. I couldn’t be up for five minutes without my feet swelling.

“Thank you for today, mama.” I smiled lazily due to being exhausted. “It was perfect.”

“No thanks needed.” She returned the smile. “Anything for you and my baby.”

“Speaking of, what’s the timetable on the new house?”

“We just have to do the paperwork on Monday,” Solomon answered.

My father nodded. “Good. Me and Ice are staying here, at least until she has the baby, so we’re going to need more space.”

“If we’re not moved by then, you guys can just stay with Granny.”

My grandma spoke up. “Who? I’m going to be there helping you with that new baby. You’re going to need it.”

“Granny.” I laughed. “All of you want to stay with us?”

“Right because one of the rooms is automatically mine,” Mo added. “And I don’t know how I feel about giving it up.”

“Y’all,” I groaned.

Treva came to our rescue. “Nobody is staying with them. They’re going to be new parents getting used to a new baby in the house. Even though we’re all excited about that, we have to give them the time and space to transition into that.”

That was why I loved my godmother. She always had my back and didn’t mind being the bad guy for me because Lord knows I was going to try to figure out how we were all going to fit in my condo or rush the move.

“Oh, I can’t wait for you to have a grandbaby.” My mother smirked.

“Yes, you can, Auntie, because yeah, that’s not happening.”

“Anyways, girl.” My mother rolled her eyes. “I guess you’re right, but we are staying here in Crescent Falls until you have the baby and little after.”

I nodded and yawned. “That’s fine.”

“Well, since Treva has rained on all of our parades and told us what we were going to do, I’m going to have Neal take me to the house. I need to shower and rest these old knees, and Solo has scheduled us a movie date.”

She came over to hug me and Solomon as well as my godparents and my best friend.

I asked my parents to stay because I wanted them close.

They retired to my guest room while Solomon locked up then helped me into bed before he showered.

It was very early in the evening but I knew he wasn’t leaving.

He had already sent all his clientele to Bernard so there were no late nights. He basically went on leave when I did.

“You good?” he asked as he slid into bed with me.

“Perfect.” I smiled, running my hand over his waves. “You’ve made my life so much better since meeting you.”

“Yeah?” He grinned, caressing my belly. Silas wasn’t really moving much due to him having virtually no room to do so, but he still always seemed to greet Daddy when he was close by.

“Yeah. When I was with Jamal, I spent so many nights crying myself to sleep because he was out doing God knows what, but I don’t think I’ve shed one tear that wasn’t of joy since I met you. I’ve rekindled with some of my closest friends, completed school…”

“Made me the happiest nigga alive,” he added.

“That too.” I blushed. “But yes, you’ve elevated me in ways I really didn’t think were possible after my last situation. I can’t thank you enough.”

“This is thank you enough.” He tapped my cheek because I was smiling. “Knowing you and my boys are good is all a nigga wants. No matter what the fuck my day consists of and what happens, if y’all three are straight then I could die a happy man.”

“I hate that saying.” I sniffled because I was crying, of course. “But I get it. I want to always make you happy too.”

“I love you.”

He kissed my forehead then lifted my head to kiss my lips. “I love you more.”