Page 20 of Love Me Now: Baltimore & Madelyn

OurridetoMobilewas spent listening to music and trading glances. Heir’s text was still in my head. She was right that this was no one’s business. However, I was married into this family. I didn’t know where Duval’s brothers were on their healing journey and throwing Baltimore in their face wasn’t smart. While I wanted things with him to move slowly, the feeling that this was anything but slow was heavy.

Before I knew it, we were on property that rivaled Bell Estates in every way. Through the clearing of trees lining the long, paved road, a large Mediterranean style home sat in the distance. I was accustomed to beautiful homes, but this one was magnificent.

Baltimore parked the truck in the driveway behind a few other luxury vehicles and cut the engine. He got out, then came to open my door. Once I stood on the cobblestone driveway, I noticed something peculiar.

This place feels like home.

That was impossible. My home was at Bell Estates.

“Come on, baby,” Baltimore called out to me. He had Genesis in his arms, and had his hand held out for me. I took it and let him lead me inside the house.

A few hours later, I was stuffed off waffles, bacon, eggs, grits, fruit, and orange juice. Brunch with Baltimore’s family was light, fun, and hilarious as hell. Baltimore and Dayton were like teenagers getting on their mother’s last nerve with their shenanigans. I didn’t mind their banter. It was easily infectious and entertaining to say the least.

I hadn’t seen Genesis in nearly twenty minutes. Dayton’s oldest daughter, Destiny, had him in the living room with the other children. He hadn’t cried a lick, and I wasn’t mad about that.

Baltimore kissed my forehead and left me at the dining room table with his mother while he and the fellows retreated to the den to catch up on sports. Alone with Mrs. Cooley, I wasn’t the least concerned. Since I’d known her, she’d shown me nothing that would cause me to dislike her.

She peered across the table at me and said, “I’m glad you’re finally getting to know Baltimore. He’s waited so long for you.”

“He waited for a married woman?” I questioned skeptically. “That’s insane and a little taboo, don’t you think?”

“Maybe,” she replied. “However, a man knows. Half the time it’s us letting a no-good man stand in the way of our destiny.”

I smiled and asked, “You’re not concerned about my age, or the fact that I can never give him his own biological children?”

She smirked and shrugged. Her wise eyes twinkled with mirth.

“So, you’ve had a hysterectomy?” Her eyebrows lifted in question.

I shook my head. “No… It’s just… I’m turning forty-eight this summer.”

“And?”

“And… Forty-eight is…”

“A number.”

“But—”

“You tellin’ me you know what God’s plans are?”

My eyebrows crashed together. “No, ma’am.”

“Alright, then. That settles that.” She giggled. “You’re concerned about your age.”

“I’m not—"

“You are, my dear,” she interjected. “And it’s fine; I get it.”

It figured Mrs. Cooley was one of those mothers. She was too caring not to gently pry information out of me. I wasn’t used to this. I knew how to be a supportive, loving mother, and it was because I wanted that for myself.

She sighed whimsically and said, “When Dejuan came to work for me, it was all I could do to ignore his ass. I did everything short of calling the police on him.” She giggled and so did I. I didn’t know her and her husband’s story, so she had my rapt attention.

“That man sent me flowers nearly every week. I’d go to my car to find trinkets waiting on the passenger seat. He did all this knowing I had a man. He did all this knowing I was older than him.”

My eyes widened.

“Yep,” she confirmed. “At the time, I was faithful to my fiancé. I did everything right. And you know what?”