Page 28 of Pieces of Us

Nehemiah

A ugust

The months seemed to roll by quickly. Megan had gotten accepted into Detroit School of Arts, so we were shopping for back-to-school clothes and supplies.

While our bond seemed to grow tighter, I could tell something had been a little off about her lately.

Morgan had also been concerned, which prompted me to set up this daddy-daughter shopping spree.

Although I was still learning my daughter, I did notice that when she got upset, she grew quiet.

I wasn’t a therapist, but when it came to her, I was willing to be whatever she needed.

While walking out of Neiman Marcus, I suggested we take a break and get some grub, so we headed to the food court to get some Subway. After getting our food, we sat down and began eating. I wanted her comfortable, so I waited a minute before I addressed the issue.

“So, what’s been up with you lately? It’s cool if you don’t want to talk about it, but your moms seem a little worried about you.”

Her eyes lowered before she set her phone on the table then looked at me.

“My dad told me not to call him Dad anymore,” she revealed.

That shit had my temper rising. We hadn’t been hearing much from him or Gio over the past month or so. I figured their asses finally caught the hint and knew I wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.

I wanted to tell her fuck that nigga, but I wouldn’t match that bum’s energy. He took over my role as Megan’s father, pretending to be this loving, caring father figure, but at the first sign of trouble, he did shit like that.

I ran my fingers through my beard a few times, thinking of a positive thing to say before I spoke. I didn’t want her to think I didn’t care about her feelings because I absolutely did.

“Did he say why?”

She nodded. “He said it doesn’t feel the same now that you’re back…that you and Mom didn’t want me calling him that.”

This bitch ass nigga.

“Meg,” I called out, wanting her to look at me.

She lifted her head and looked at me. “Hear me when I say your moms and I never said that, a’ight?

” She nodded again. “He shouldn’t have ever told you anything like that.

He’s been your pops for fourteen years, and because I’m here, he may feel a bit insecure about that. But that’s not on you, okay?”

“Yeah…It just felt weird when he said that. I know Mom wouldn’t say that, and since getting to know you, you don’t strike me as the type of person to be malicious.

I don’t know. It just hurt my feelings is all.

I’ve just been trying to move past it and not make it a thing because I didn’t want you all at odds. It’s why I’ve been quiet.”

“I understand, baby girl, but don’t ever feel as if you can’t come to us.

As your parents, it’s our job to protect you, love you, and show up for you no matter what.

Although it’s unfortunate that he dropped out on you, just know that you won in the end.

I think I’m a pretty cool pops, no?” I asked, popping my collar. That made her laugh.

“You are.”

“Thanks. And always know I’m going to show up for you every time and never give up on you. Like who wouldn’t want you as a daughter? You’re the dopest kid I ever helped create.”

Her smile brightened the messy mood she had been in, and that’s all I ever wanted to see.

“Are you going to tell Mom?”

“As your parents, I think she should be privy to why her child has been solemn. She was really concerned about you, kid.”

“I know. I just didn’t want her going off on him. She thinks she be hiding stuff from me, but I be knowing.”

I chuckled at her vernacular.

She’s been hanging around Shelby’s ass too much.

“Yeah…She never could hide anything…only you from me, but that wasn’t her doing.”

“Yeah, even Papa’s acting different.”

I frowned. “Toward you?”

She shook her head. “No. He’s just been really sad lately. I know it’s because Nana left him, but he’s not the same happy granddad I remember.”

“I’m sorry you have to experience these adult breakups, but just know that I’m here and I’m staying. You won’t ever see me and your moms at odds with each other, and even if we are, I’m going to do my very best to fix it before it ever graces you and your sister’s ears, you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Do you trust me?”

“I do.”

“Good. Let it stay that way. You have a father…the OG triple OG.”

“Oh my God! Please don’t ever say that again!”

We laughed.

“I love you, Dad. Mom seems happier with you than I’d ever seen her with Justin. I’m glad to have you back with us.”

“I love you more, baby girl. We locked in, my baby.”

“Fa sho.”

We laughed again as we continued to eat our food. I would let Morgan handle this situation however she saw fit. If homie didn’t tighten up, I was definitely going to do it for him.

After tearing down a few more stores, we left the mall then headed back to their home.

I planned to let Boogie know this wasn’t going to be happening for long.

I wouldn’t force her to move in with me, but she was dragging her feet on the matter.

After living without her for so long, I wanted her to take her position on her throne and make our house a home.

Pulling into her driveway, I stepped out, opened the door for Megan, then retrieved all the bags we had accumulated. It was still wild to me that I had a daughter that I was spoiling the hell out of, but it felt good to spend my money on people who deserved it.

As we stepped through the threshold, Megan called out to her mom as I set the bags on the floor by the stairwell. My eyes did a quick scan of her home, and I was impressed. This was my first time stepping foot in here, and I had to say it was nice and big.

At least the bitch a ss nigga put her up nicely.

“Really, Nehemiah?” Morgan asked, bringing my attention to her pretty, thick ass.

She rocked some biker shorts, a cut off tee-shirt, and some Crocs with her hair in that big curly Afro that I loved so much. I subconsciously licked my lips while staring at her beautiful ass.

“Hello, earth to Hemi,” she said, waving her hand in my face.

Megan giggled as I smiled.

“My bad. What’s wrong?”

“She didn’t need all of this stuff, Nehemiah. The child still has clothes with tags on them in her closet.”

“Mom, those clothes are so last season,” Megan declared, grabbing all of her bags and heading up the stairs.

“They’re not all hers either. I got you and lil bit some things too,” I told her.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know I didn’t, but I did. Where is lil bit anyway?”

“With her father.”

I pulled her closer to me, leaned down, and kissed her neck. She smelled sweet, and her hair smelled amazing.

“Is that how you greet your man, Boogie?”

Her arms came around me and her head came up, puckering her lips. I pecked them a few times as she smiled at me.

“Hi, Booby. I missed you.”

“I missed you more, Boog.”

“You and your family need to stop spoiling us.” She smirked.

“It’s never going to happen, so you might as well get used to it.”

She kissed me again. “I see she’s in a better mood. Did she tell you what was wrong?”

“Yeah. Let’s put the bags away before we get into all of that,” I told her, grabbing all of the bags as she led the way up the stairs. We walked by Megan’s room. Morgan paused. She put her ear to the door after hearing Megan talking to someone. I bumped her with my pelvis to move her along.

“Stop being nosy, Boog.”

She giggled. “I can’t help it. I just want to make sure she’s okay.”

“She’s good.”

I nodded my head for her to continue. She led me further down the hall and around a corner to the master suite. I set the bags on the bed and looked around the room.

She grabbed my hand. “Let’s go on the terrace.”

She led me out on the terrace, and I appreciated it. I sure as hell didn’t want to sit in a room she shared with another nigga.

I sat in the chair and patted my lap for her to sit. Once she did, my hand went to her ass and rubbed.

“So? How’d it go?”

I sighed. “Ya mans is a fuck nigga. I have a good mind to fuck him up, but I’m going to let you handle it, because if I do, homie won’t be alive to see his seed grow.”

“What the hell did that bastard do?”

“Told my shorty not to call him dad anymore—”

“What!” Morgan screeched. I could feel her body tense as I rubbed her back.

“Calm down.”

“How can I when he’s saying things like that to her? Like what kind of shit is that to say to a child you helped raise?”

“Because he wasn’t real from the beginning, Mo. There were possibly moments he showed his true colors, but you didn’t peep it. I know Megan did, though.”

“Did she say that?”

“She didn’t have to. For her to feel how she feels is the reason I know she did.

You really married a ho ass nigga, but it’s cool.

She has me now, and ain’t no way I’m ever leaving her side.

Fuck that nigga. She never needed him in the first place.

” My work pager went off so I took it off my hip, seeing the emergency code.

“Shit. I have to go.”

“Nooo, do you have to?” She pouted, looking so fucking cute.

I laughed. “It’s a nine-one-one emergency. I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

She slid her tongue in my mouth, and I deepened the kiss, squeezing her ass in the process.

“Real soon,” she said, licking my nose.

I smiled and stood with her in my arms.

“You got it, mama.” Kissing her once more, I placed her on her feet and left.

I hurriedly moved down the hall of the emergency unit to the nurses’ station. Nurse Trudy saw me and stood from her seat.

“Good afternoon, Dr. Newson.”

“Afternoon, Trudy. What do we have here?”

“Three year old came in with bruising on her arm and backside. She was also vomiting profusely. We finally got her to sleep. Child Protective Services has been notified.”

“And no doctor has been in to see her?”

“We’re so backed up it’s crazy.”

I nodded to her as she handed me the chart. I looked at it, and instantly, my heart plummeted.

Mariah!

I hurriedly moved to room fifteen and opened the door, hoping to see Justin’s bitch ass, but instead, an elderly woman sat next to her rubbing her head. She was hooked up to an IV, and her skin looked pasty and pale.

“What happened?” I asked, shedding my professionalism.

The woman looked up at me and frowned before noticing my lab coat and scrubs.

“I’m not sure. My son said that she ate something bad. Please don’t let those CPS people take my grandbaby.”

“Where is your son now?”

“He had an emergency at his company and asked me to come in his place.”

Fucking bitch ass clown sending his moms in his place, and not here for his own kid.

I moved to her bedside and rubbed her back.

“Mariah? Lil bit, can you hear me?”

She stirred a little before she opened her eyes and looked at me.

“Mr. Hemi?”

“Yeah, baby girl, it’s me. Can you tell me what happened?”

“Mr. Hemi, I not feel good.”

“I know, lil bit. Can you tell me what you ate or drank?”

“Mrs. Jolie made me a sandwich and gave me juice.”

“Okay…What else happened?”

“That little boy hit me.”

“What little boy?”

“At she house. Him hit me on my butt with a string, and him grab my arm.”

I looked over at her grandmother. If she was even her damn grandmother.

“Why wasn’t her mother notified?”

“Everything happened so fast. I hadn’t had the time.”

“The time should have been while she was lying here asleep.” I sneered.

“Excuse me if I’m only being concerned with my grandbaby—”

“Ma’am, I don’t care what you were being concerned with. Her mother should have been called if her father couldn’t be here.”

“What kind of doctor are you? It’s clear she knows who you are.”

“She does. I’m Megan’s real father.”

Her eyes ballooned, but she didn’t say anything.

“I’m going to have the nurse come in and draw her blood to run some tests. I’m going to try to keep CPS at bay but only because of my girl.” I turned to Mariah. “I’m coming right back, lil bit. Okay?”

She nodded. “Okay.”

I left the room and immediately took out my phone to call Morgan. The phone rang twice before she picked up.

“Hey, my love. I guess it wasn’t that big of an emergency for you to be calling so soon, huh?” She giggled.

“Mo…”

“Yeah…What is it?” Her voice held alarm.

“I need you to get to Providence as soon as you can. It’s Mariah.”

“What? What’s wrong with my baby?”

I could hear her scrambling around.

“Just get here, Mo. But be careful. We’re in room fifteen in the emergency room.”

“Oh my God! Hemi, please…”

“Get here, baby.”

“Okay.”

I hung up and sighed.

It was definitely some foul shit going on, and I knew this shit wasn’t going to be good.