Page 23 of Loving a Libra (BLP Signs of Love #7)

Six Months Later

“Niggas will be niggas, but the truth always prevails,” Ginae said as she waved the results of the DNA test in the air.

“I wasn’t ever worried, but I was pissed. I don’t think there’s a soul walking this earth with more audacity than Maurice.”

Four months ago, I gave birth to a ten-pound baby boy named Tariq Vincent Thompson Jr. A month ago, we were subpoenaed and forced to have a DNA test to prove that Tariq Jr. was not Maurice’s child. There were no words to explain how pissed I was, but we had no choice and had to follow through.

While Ginae was visiting, the DNA results had arrived in the mail, even though we’d already been notified through email a few days prior. Her petty ass snapped a picture and was planning to make an elaborate post on Flikstagram about bitch ass niggas.

“They must be selling audacity somewhere because there is no way in hell he was born with that much. Has he posted anything since the email with the results came?”

“Nope! He’s been quiet as a church mouse.”

“His ass was loud and wrong as fuck, but now he wanna be quiet. I can’t stand niggas.”

After Maurice lost several employees, he found a way to regroup and stay afloat, or so it seemed. However, two months ago, Tariq and I happened to drive past the building where ERL was located, and it looked abandoned. We found out later, it had been closed a few weeks prior due to code violations.

“Once we saw ERL was closed, we should’ve expected him to do something stupid. I wouldn’t have expected he’d go as far as requesting a DNA test, but nothing about him surprises me anymore,” I said.

“You think it was ERL closing, or because that other baby ended up not being his?”

“Oh yeah. I forgot about that little situation. I guess it could’ve been a little of both. Hopefully, after this, he’ll take his karma like a man and go hide in a corner somewhere.”

While Maurice was on the internet trying to tarnish my name, he should’ve been focused on the woman he thought was carrying his child. Apparently, he requested a DNA test and found out he wasn’t the child’s father.

“If this doesn’t cause him to hibernate and leave y’all the fuck alone, I know somebody who’ll take his ass out for a couple hundred dollars.”

We burst out laughing, causing my son, who we affectionately called Bubba, to start crying. He’d been napping in a portable bassinet in the middle of the living room floor.

“Y’all done woke my son up with all that cackling,” Tariq said as he entered our home.

He’d put his condo on the market and officially moved in when we arrived back from our honeymoon. It sold within the month, and he made a significant profit.

He declined the offer from the owners of Devyn’s Soul Food to be more involved in the business .

. . for now. He wanted to focus on the family hardware store.

Although his parents did a great job with the business, Tariq wanted to create a website, update the inventory system, and make some cosmetic changes on the inside and outside.

“It was time for him to wake anyway. He sleeps all day and wanna keep me up all night.”

I took him from the bassinet and kissed all over his chubby cheeks before heading toward Tariq to greet him properly. After we kissed, he placed a kiss on Bubba’s forehead.

“Yeah, wake your lil cock-blocking ass up since you be acting a fool every time I touch your mama,” he told our son.

“Aww hell! Tariq, are you jealous of your son?” Ginae asked with a grin.

“Nah, I’m not jealous. I love my lil man, but he needs to let me fuck his mama in peace.”

He disappeared into our bedroom while Ginae and I went to the nursery so I could change Bubba’s diaper.

“Motherhood looks so good on you, friend,” she said as she watched me.

“Thank you. I really love it. I don’t know how I’m gonna go back to work when it’s time.”

“I don’t know why you’re stressing. Quit that damn job and stay home with your son. You don’t pay for shit, anyway.”

I laughed, but it was the truth. Just like when I lived with Maurice, all the money I earned from working went straight into my bank account and remained virtually untouched.

“I know, but I don’t know if I’m comfortable depending on a man.”

“He’s not your man. He’s your husband. There is a difference.”

“I know, but?—”

“It’s not like you don’t have your own money stacked up if something happens, and I highly doubt anything will happen. You and Tariq are a match made in heaven.”

Ginae stayed for a while longer before heading home.

I thought about our conversation and decided to talk to Tariq tonight, to get his thoughts about me not returning to work.

I must have dozed off while feeding Bubba because when I opened my eyes again, Tariq was removing him from my arms, causing my breast to pop out of his mouth.

“Do you need to take a nap?” he asked as he put Bubba in his crib.

“No, I’m good. Can I talk to you about something?”

“If it’s about quitting your job, there’s nothing to talk about. You can email your resignation tonight.”

“Were you eavesdropping?”

“Of course not, but Ginae gave me a heads up about you having doubts.”

“I need to find another best friend.”

“Nah, she’s a real one. Tell me about your doubts.”

“I’ve never been solely dependent on a man, and it’s kinda scary.”

“Do I not make you feel secure?”

“Tariq, no one has ever made me feel as secure as you except my mother.”

“Listen, Devyn. I’m not your father or Maurice. I don’t know what else I can do to help you get over your fear of letting me take care of you, but I got you, baby, forever and always.”

“I believe you, Tariq.”

“Do you believe me enough to let go of your fears and let me take care of you and our son?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go write that letter of resignation.”

For five years, I tried to create the happily ever after I wanted with a man who showed little interest in giving it to me. As a Libra, my desire for a harmonious relationship made me stay with him too long.

Luckily for me, there was a man right in front of me who was willing to do all the things my man wouldn’t do.

I was hesitant to move forward because of a shared history between the men, but thank goodness I didn’t let that minor detail stand in my way.

It was with that man from across the hall that I found true love and the happily ever after I was seeking.

I love this for me!

THE END