Page 27 of Breeze and Melodie

I was in awe of how much my body had changed over the past few months. It was truly a thing of beauty. I’d outgrown my clothes and was forced to go shopping. My shopping excursion wasn’t as successful as I’d hoped, so I had to create my own maternity style.

“You look cute!” Raine said when she entered the classroom.

We were teaching a class today on hair color in the student salon, and she’d just arrived. I did a little twirl at her compliment so she could see my whole outfit.

“Thank you. It was time for me to accept that I have two basketballs in my stomach. I kinda like being pregnant, though. These babies have been so good to me.”

“RJ dragged me for nine months, but my baby girl is showing me so much love.”

Raine was two weeks ahead of me and found out last week that they were having a girl. Her and Shyne were excited about it.

“I can’t wait to find out what we’re having tomorrow. Ohh, we should have a joint baby shower.”

“You think so? I think you should have your own since these are your first babies.”

“Girl, I don’t care about that.”

“Are you sure? I think all of the attention should be focused on you, Breeze, and the babies. I’m not sure if I want a baby shower this time.”

“Raine, you’re my sister, and you’re giving birth to my niece. I want to do it together.”

She hesitated briefly but eventually gave in. “Okay, fine. If that’s what you want.”

“Yessss! Let’s start planning tonight.”

We talked for a few more minutes about ideas for the shower before the students began to arrive.

I loved being a hairstylist, but teaching had become a very close second.

The excitement from our students when they perfected a skill was confirmation that we’d done a great thing by expanding our business.

When we broke for lunch, Raine went to check on RJ in the daycare, while I went to the salon to check on things and wait for Breeze to bring my lunch.

Mari and Yvonne were perfectly capable of running things without us, so I wasn’t concerned.

Thankfully, Harmonee got along well with them and fit perfectly into our dynamic.

Although my sister was still building her clientele, she’d gained several returning customers thus far.

“How are things?—”

Everything happened so fast. One second, I was walking into the salon, the next, I heard one gunshot, then another right after, and I was tackled from the side. My arms immediately went to protect my stomach as I fell on my arm. My head hit the hardwood floor, and everything went black.

The next time I opened my eyes, I was in a dark room, and all I heard was beeping. Memories of what happened flooded my mind, and when I reached for my stomach, only one arm moved, and I felt excruciating pain in the other.

“Ahh!” I screamed.

Breeze, Harmonee, and Raine were at my bedside in a flash.

“Baby!”

“Mel!”

They spoke at the same time, and I could hear the concern in their voices.

“My babies!” When I raised my voice, my head pounded, which reminded me that I’d hit my head.

“The babies are fine,” Breeze said. “You fell on your side with your arms protecting your stomach, but your arm is sprained pretty bad.”

“You also hit your head on the floor and have a slight concussion,” Raine added.

“That explains the headache, but the babies are okay?” I questioned, even though I heard what he’d said.

“Yes, baby. Take a deep breath.”

I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly through my nose before exhaling through my mouth. I didn’t care if every limb on my body was broken, as long as my babies were okay.

When I opened my eyes, six of them were on me. I looked at each of them for a moment, and when I got to Harmonee, I noticed her arm was in a sling.

“What happened to you?”

“The bullet grazed my shoulder when I tackled you.”

“Wait. It was you who tackled me. Can somebody tell me what happened?”

“Literally minutes before you came in, a new client had come in requesting you. Yvonne was in the middle of telling her that you weren’t available today when I heard your voice.

She must’ve heard you, too, and pulled a gun from her purse.

When she aimed it in your direction, I tackled you from the side.

The bullet from her gun grazed my shoulder. ”

“A new client? Who—Arielle?” The three of them nodded. “Y’all can’t be serious.”

“Unfortunately, we are,” Raine said.

“I didn’t recognize her because she had something covering her face the night she attacked me,” Harmonee said.

“Damn! We didn’t think to show everyone her picture. This is unbelievable. Is she gonna stalk me until?—”

“Nah, she won’t be stalking you or anyone else,” Breeze said with satisfaction.

The confidence behind his words led me to believe that Arielle was no longer among the living.

“The second gunshot?” The three of them nodded. “She’s dead?” More nods. “Who shot her?”

“I was coming in to bring your lunch and saw her peripheral. You know I stay strapped, so when she aimed in your direction, I put one in the back of her head.”

“Harmonee and Breeze saved your life,” Raine said with tears forming in her eyes.

Although Breeze wouldn’t admit it, I knew he’d killed Sean. His confession to killing Arielle brought things full circle. Knowing my man wouldn’t hesitate to end a life to keep me safe gave me a sense of peace that would be considered abnormal by most.

The past few months of my life could’ve been a mystery or crime movie with a love story woven in between. However, now that my enemies were dead, I was ready to start filming my happily ever after.

My parents rushed into the room, startling us. When they saw Harmonee, they gently embraced her before coming to the side of my bed.

“Must you continue giving us heart attacks?” Ma fussed before kissing my cheek and squeezing the hand of my good arm.

“I’m not doing it on purpose. Life be life-ing. I’m just glad I have people who love and support me when things are crazy.”

“I’m just glad you, Harm, and the babies are okay, baby girl,” my father said, kissing my forehead. “Breeze, can I talk to you outside for a minute?”

Breeze nodded, but I suddenly became nervous. “Daddy, none of this is Breeze’s fault. Sean?—”

“I know, baby girl. It’s nothing serious. I just want to talk to him about a few things.”

The two men went into the hallway, and although my father downplayed it, I was concerned about why he wanted to speak to Breeze privately. I hoped he didn’t think any of this happened because of Breeze.

“I’m starting to wonder if moving to Onyx City was a good idea. Nothing like this ever happened to you in Chicago,” Ma said, her voice filled with anger.

“There are unstable people everywhere, Ma. This could’ve happened anywhere,” I assured her.

“It seems like me and your father are unaware of a few things because the story ain’t adding up. Start from the beginning.”

“I have a headache, so I’ll let Raine and Harmonee fill you in.”

I closed my eyes and listened as my sister and best friend filled in the gaps.

My parents knew nothing of Arielle or the events surrounding her.

At some point, I dozed off, and when I woke up again, it was because the nurse was there to check on me.

Everyone had gone except Breeze, who was holding my hand.

The nurse took my vitals, entered some things into a computer, and wrote a few things down in the folder they kept at the foot of my bed.”

“How are you feeling?” the nurse asked.

“I’m a little sore and I have a slight headache.”

“Considering all that’s happened, that’s not bad. The babies are doing wonderfully. Did anyone tell you what you’re having?”

“No. We actually have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow.”

“I think the ultrasound tech made note of it when she checked on the babies after you arrived. If you want to know, I can check your file.”

“Hell yeah, we wanna know,” Breeze said before I could respond.

“Are you sure?” she asked with her eyes on me.

“Yes. We’re sure.”

Breeze’s grip tightened around my hand. “You think I don’t know what my woman?—”

“Breeze, chill.”

“Nah, baby. She asked you as if my answer ain’t good enough.”

“That’s not it at all, sir. Sometimes, one parent wants to know the gender, and the other wants it to be a surprise. I wanted to make sure you both were on the same page.”

Breeze opened his mouth to respond, but I interjected. “Thank you. I appreciate you checking. We both want to know the gender.”

The pretty, brown-skinned woman smiled, and I could tell it was genuine because it reached her eyes. Her demeanor was warm and welcoming, so I wasn’t sure why Breeze gave her the negative energy. I watched nervously as she looked through the file. Her smile brightened as she gave us her attention.

“You two have two little girls on the way. I bet they’ll be just as beautiful as their mama.”

“Girls?” Breeze and I said simultaneously.

“Yes, and you’re in for a treat. I have two girls, and although they aren’t twins, they’re less than a year apart. They keep me and my husband busy, but they’re a lot of fun. Congratulations!”

“Thank you,” we responded as she pushed her cart toward the door.

“You’re welcome. Get some rest, and I’ll be back at least once more before my shift ends.”

She disappeared on the other side of the door, and I turned to face Breeze. The smile on his face was so big and bright, it caused my eyes to fill with tears.

“Are you happy?”

“Happy is an understatement, baby. This might sound like some sucka-ass shit, but you really making a nigga’s dreams come true. You giving me the family I never had, and it means a lot.”

“Aww, babe. You’re so sweet.”

“Thank you, Mel. I mean that shit with everything in me. Thank you for trusting me with your mind, body, heart, and soul. I love you.”

“I love you more.”