Page 27 of Body Language (Mind, Body, & Soul #2)

They both turned toward me like two kids waiting to find out if they were about to be grounded or spared. Still clinging to each other.

“I’m not gone yell,” I started. “I’m not gonna fuss. What’s done is done. Y’all grown enough to make a baby, so now y’all gone have to grow up faster than you thought.”

They looked down at the floor.

“But,” I added, my tone softening, “you’re not doing it alone. I got y’all. However you need me. Emotionally. Financially. Whatever.”

I watched their shoulders drop in relief.

“But,” I raised a brow. “There are rules.”

Zejah nodded first. Then Hux.

I folded my arms. “You live in my house. You follow my rules. There will be no sneaking around, no late-night linkups, and no smart-ass mouths. You wanna be grown? Cool. But you gone respect my roof.”

“Understood,” they said in unison, like it was a damn drill sergeant talking.

“Alright,” I said, standing up straighter. “First things first, y’all are not sharing a damn room. Zejah you can have the room down the hall.”

Zejah blinked. “Okay.”

“But that’s Mama room,” he said. “You said that room—”

“I said,” I cut him off, pointing, “your mama had that room for years. YEARS, Huxley! When’s the last time she stayed in it for longer than a cigarette break and a Xanax nap?”

He looked down and mumbled, “Never.”

“Exactly. That room belongs to whoever actually sleeps in it now,” I said. Then I turned to Zejah. “It’s yours. Hux is staying in his own room.”

Zejah nodded respectfully, but Hux looked like he wanted to protest again.

“Yes, the damage is done. Yes, y’all made a baby. But the only people who will be knowingly fucking under this roof…” I smiled sweetly and pointed at my chest, “… is me. Got it?”

Their faces were PRICELESS.

“You wanna cuddle? Chill? Hold hands and watch Netflix? Great,” I continued. “Living room only. If I walk past that hallway and your grown-ass is in her room, that door better be wide open like it’s expecting the Lord to walk through.”

I tilted my head and added with a smile, “And if I catch that door closed? I will politely invade your privacy, go full FBI, and install cameras in both rooms. Don’t play with me.”

They both nodded like soldiers who just got drafted.

“Now,” I said, clapping my hands together like an HR director at orientation, “school is still in session. Neither one of y’all are dropping out or slacking off. Hux, you already know what time it is.”

He nodded.

“Zejah, I’m pulling you out of that damn public school. You’re coming to the magnet academy with Hux and Heidi.”

Her mouth fell open. “Wait… you serious?”

“Very. You’re too damn smart to be trapped in that school with no A/C and a principal that smell like depression and backwoods. I’m getting your transcripts sent this week.”

She blinked like she was about to cry again, but in a good way.

“Also,” I continued, walking toward the kitchen like I didn’t just drop another bomb, “I’m calling Talynn Baldwin. She’s a top notch OB/GYN.”

Zejah looked stunned. “But that probably costs—”

“It costs what I’m willing to pay,” I cut her off again. “You gone carry this baby like royalty, not like a burden. That child will have a mother that’s cared for, not dismissed.”

Hux sat down like the whole future just hit him in the chest. I saw his head drop into his hands and I just… let it sit there.

Because it is real. This is what life does when it starts life’ing too damn fast.

“I’ll be tough on y’all,” I said, softening my tone. “But I’ll always be here. You hear me?”

They both nodded.

I crossed my arms and looked dead at both of them, making sure every word stuck.

“And lastly, let me break this down real simple before y’all start thinking life is about to stay cute. Zejah, unnecessary mood swings? Yeah, I’m not having it. You cry, you laugh, you throw an attitude. Whatever you do, that baby’s gonna feel it and reflect it.”

She sniffled, trying not to smile, and I pointed at Hux.

“And you. Don’t think you gone get off easy. This ain’t no one-sided parenthood. You wanted to shoot the club up, congratulations, you now own the whole building.”

Zejah choked on a laugh.

“Y’all are both going to parenting classes.

Matter fact, I’ll sit in the back with snacks just to make sure y’all pay attention.

And Rita? She cooks her ass off, so on some days, Zejah, I want you in that kitchen watching her.

You ain’t babysitting anymore, baby girl. This is your child. Step into it.”

I turned back to Hux, smirking.

“And on the days Zejah gets her girl time, guess who’s on daddy duty? Spoiler alert, it’s you. Full responsibility. Don’t even call me unless the house is on fire.”

They both stared at me like I had cursed them with a lifetime sentence.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

“What?” they said together.

“You both are about to start watching Heidi, too. Rita deserves a damn break, and I can’t wait to see the looks on y’all’s faces the first time she says she wants McDonald’s but really means Chick-fil-A. Good luck.”

I clapped my hands together with a fake-ass cheerful smile.

“Welcome to parenthood. I hope this teaches you both the importance of condoms next time.”