Page 16 of The Cancer I Chose (BLP Signs of Love #4)

I tried to steady my breathing as I watched Kai swagger around the front of his car.

He opened my door seconds later and offered a hand to help me out.

My heels clacked against the pavement before I stood tall beside my husband.

Today, I was wearing a yellow button-up underneath a lime green peplum mini dress that snatched in my waist. The yellow pumps on my feet gave me more length, so my brown legs were on full display.

Kai placed a protective hand on my back as we headed to the sidewalk in front of the big house.

All his siblings were standing there shooting the shit.

Prosper Ave was lined with tables down the middle covered in food from the various homes.

Kids were running and playing while adults stood by talking or dancing to the live deejay set up further down the block.

I’d never been to an event like this, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

However, as we walked up to his siblings, I watched everyone’s face break into a smile, which made me feel safe.

I released a shaky breath as both Jiah and Azani came racing over to me.

“Ouu, Nuri. Girl, I love your outfit. It’s so cutesy,” Jiah complimented me before opening her arms for a hug. “Looks like you’re going to a tea party.”

I paused, then looked down. “Oh no... did I overdress?”

Azani shook her head and waved me off. “Not at all. You dressed like you. It can never be overdone.”

I noticed that they both wore a variation of t-shirts, shorts, and sneakers with gold jewelry. That was the one thing our outfits had in common. In South Carolina, we didn’t care for diamonds. We wanted gold and would invest plenty of money in it.

I placed a hand on Azani’s rounded belly. She was entering her second trimester, and it showed. “How are you and the baby doing?”

She fanned herself, reminding me that I’d brought something for her. “Hot, but we’re good. I probably won’t stay too long. The sun is whupping my ass.”

I giggled and then dug into my shoulder bag. “I brought you this.” I passed her the electric fan, and she moaned.

“Oh my God, Nuri! You are literally an angel! Thank you!” She closed the distance between us in a rush, hugging me. I laughed while hugging her back.

“It’s my job as your doula and sister-in-law to make sure you’re always good.”

When Azani stepped away, I felt the weight of Kai’s eyes. When I glanced over at him, he winked and offered me a smirk that made my heart race. I blushed, turning my attention back over to his sisters.

Azani took my hand, leading me over to where everyone else was. When we stopped, Kai’s only sister, whom I hadn’t met yet, stepped forward. She wore glasses and an outfit like her sisters except she had on overalls.

“Hi, I’m Nazje,” she introduced herself with open arms.

Azani released my hand so I could step forward. “Hey, I’m Nuri... uh, Kai’s wife,” I stumbled a little over my words, but the look on his face when I glanced at him made me melt. He seemed so proud of what I’d said.

Nazje stepped back and laughed. “Oh, trust me. I know all about you, girl. I just had to put a face with everything I’ve heard.”

I placed a hand on my hip. “Hold on. What have they been saying about me? Good things, I hope.”

Jah came over and tossed an arm over my shoulder. He was so tall that my heels didn’t even make a dent in our height gap. “Now you know we got nothing but good things to say about you.”

Before I could respond, Kai walked over and pushed his arm off me. I giggled as he slid his hand into mine. He began to pull me away before his younger brother spoke. “Damn, I don’t get to meet your wife, Sekai,” he said dramatically as if he was hurt.

“No,” Kai replied with a frown.

“Kai.” I laughed.

He sighed. “Fine, but no hugs.”

His brother walked over cockily. “Hello, Queen Nuri Symone. I’m Man Man.” He bowed as if greeting a real member of the royal court.

I laughed at his silliness. “Nice to meet you, Man Man.” I extended my free hand because Kai was still holding me hostage at his side.

Man Man shook my hand and his head at the same time. “Damn, this nigga got you locked down. Blink twice if you need help, sis.”

I couldn’t stop laughing. “I’m good. I promise. Your brother takes good care of me.”

The girls all squealed while the guys all hyped up Kai.

Kai began leading us away with everyone following behind.

Azani was already putting the electric fan to use as she took up my right side.

She was asking about when I could give her another massage.

I told her to let me know when she was available, and I would make the time for her.

She realized we were approaching the food tables and got distracted.

I laughed as she waddled off to get herself a plate.

A tall man, who I realized was an older version of Jah and Man Man, waved from over by the grill.

“Come on,” Kai said, pulling me over there.

“Wassup, old man,” he greeted him when we were close. He released my hand so they could hug. I could feel the love in their embrace as I stood there nervously.

He left his hand on Kai’s shoulder, squeezing it lovingly before they turned their attention to me. Kai waved me closer, then retook my hand. “Pops, this is my wife, Nuri Symone.”

Kai’s father released him to extend a hand to me. Even though his eyes studied me, his smile was genuine. “Nice to officially meet you, Nuri Symone. I’m Kai’s father, Ingram Walker.”

I smiled widely, taking his hand. “Nice to meet you too. You don’t sound surprised to hear I’m his wife.

Did he tell you?” I was intrigued because Kai wasn’t much of a talker, yet everyone close to him knew who I was and our connection to each other.

Even better, they all seemed to accept me with open arms.

He nodded. “Of course, there’s not much this boy does without running it by me first. I couldn’t change his mind, but I trust him and know the man I raised him to be. I hope you don’t doubt for a moment that you’re in good hands.”

I eyed Kai, who stood there coolly. Where he would usually be expressionless, today, he sported a smile that made me want to drop my panties right in the middle of Prosper Ave.

He turned to look at me, and my heart raced.

He winked, causing me to giggle. When he kissed me on the cheek, I melted completely, forgetting all about his father until he chuckled.

I glanced back at him to find him looking shocked at Kai openly showing me affection. Kai yanked me to his side, and I allowed it. “Where’s Mama?”

Ingram looked around, trying to locate her with his eyes. “She’s around here somewhere. You know how your mama likes to mingle, and sometimes when she gets to talking, you can never get her to shut up.”

Out of nowhere, a strong voice said, “I heard that, Ingram.”

She appeared from the lawn to the left, catching us all off guard.

Kai’s mother was a beautiful, brown-skinned woman with hazel eyes.

While their children had their father’s complexion, they had her eyes.

It made me curious about my mahogany tree of a husband without hazel eyes, but I knew when he was ready, he would share.

It wasn’t like the truth changed the love I could tell they all had for Kai.

She opened her arms to him. “My baby!” she squealed. “I missed you so much, Munchkin.”

Kai chuckled, allowing her to shower kisses on his cheek. “You sound like Pooh Bear now. I gotta make sure I’m coming to see my girls.”

She swatted his shoulder and nodded. “Yes, you do. I know you have a wife and all, but I’m still your mama.

Sometimes, mamas just need to lay eyes on their babies to make sure they’re truly good.

” She paused, then looked over at me, standing there, soaking in all the love.

“But I can see why you’d be locked up in a house with this one. ”

Kai groaned and smacked his face in embarrassment. “Mama...” he warned in a low voice.

She laughed, ditching him to come over to me. “Hey, baby. I’m Kai’s mother, Jacqueline, but you can call me Mama Que.”

I stepped into her warm embrace and nearly broke from how motherly it was.

I hadn’t had a hug like that in so long.

As if she knew I needed it, Mama Que clung to me even tighter.

Leaning closer, she whispered in my ear, “Kai told me all about your parents. I am so sorry for your loss, sweet girl. Please know that I am always here for you.”

When she stepped away, I had tears in my eyes.

I used the back of my hand to wipe them away and nodded.

I didn’t realize how badly I needed that right now.

Kai stood behind his mother, looking like he was ready to save me, but he allowed his mother to console me.

I smiled at him because I wouldn’t have this support around me if it weren’t for him.

When he’d said I could have his family, I didn’t realize how true that was.

They welcomed me with open arms, making me feel like I belonged.

Kai’s mother stepped away to bicker with her husband. Kai walked over to me and asked, “Are you hungry?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I could eat.”

Kai led us over to the large spread of food.

By the time we made it to the end, I had a plate of ribs, baked beans, mac and cheese, collard greens, a Roger Wood sausage, and a slice of bread.

I carried our drinks while Kai carried our plates over to the picnic tables, where people were eating.

Azani was already there digging into her plate.

Kai set down the plates, then pulled out a chair for me beside his sister.

I sat down, and then he tucked me in. Someone walked up, greeting him.

I placed his plate next to mine because I knew he was going to be filling the seat beside me.

I joined Azani in digging into my food. One by one, all the Walker siblings joined us at the table, filling it up completely.