“Do you think—”
“No,” he said, shaking his head.
“I didn’t even finish.” He smiled and poured more oil into his hands.
“I don’t think we’re moving too fast, and I don’t think the love we feel for each other will die out. This is real, and in order for us to continue working, we have to keep working at this. I’m willing to put the work in, are you?”
“Without a doubt,” I answered.
“That’s what I like to hear.” He moisturized every inch of my body and then stood. “Now get dressed because Megan Thompson has texted me four times, asking when we are showing up.” I laughed and nodded.
“She’s excited, huh?”
“She’s ecstatic, so don’t be alarmed if she asks you about babies.” My eyes widened, and he laughed. “It’ll be alright, baby.” He kissed my forehead and left the room. As I dressed, I tried to calm my nerves, but nothing was working, so I sat down and called my aunt.
“Hey, Blossom, baby,” she answered in a chipper voice.
“Hey aunty, what has you sounding all happy?”
“Oh, nothing, just preparing to have a friend over.”
“Mm, does this friend go by the name of Samuel?”
“Maybe,” she muttered. I chuckled and laid back on the bed. Elena had already put us up on game about the time they'd been spending together. If she was happy, then so were we. After what we’d learned this year, Lori deserved some happiness in her life. “Enough about me. How’s my baby girl?” I smiled and pushed the phone closer to my ear.
“I’m in love,” I whispered.
“Ezra’s cousin,” she said, and it wasn’t a question.
“Who told you?”
“Well, no one told me you were in love, but I vividly remember you two watching each other at Magnolia’s baby shower. Is my guess correct?”
“Yes, it’s him, and I’m meeting his mom and uncles today.” I didn’t need to elaborate for her to know where I was going with my statement.
“Blossom, my sweet baby, you have no reason to be nervous. Do you want to know why?”
“Please, I need all the encouragement I can get.”
“I remember that eleven-year-old girl who came to live with me during one of the most painful times in her life,” she began. “You were sweet and quiet. Then, you became a teen, and I saw that strong personality. The one that draws people in even when you don’t ask for it. Your aura is genuine, and anyone that meets you will be able to tell right away. And if they can’t, then, its fuck them and they can see me.” I laughed and wiped away my tears.
“I love you so much, auntie.” I sat up when Roman entered the room. He looked at my face and frowned. “I love you, and I may not say this enough, but I appreciate everything you did for us. I am who I am because of you.”
“I know, baby, and I love you just the same. You girls gave me purpose. Taking you in was the best decision I ever made.” Roman sat beside me and rubbed my leg. “You go and be yourself. Everything else will fall into place.”
“Thank you.”
“Always.” We ended our call, and I laid my head on Roman’s arm.
“I just needed her reassurance.”
“I understand.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and held me. “I’m glad you have her.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Roman tapped my leg and said, “Finished getting ready, baby.” I nodded and did as I was asked.
“What’s your purpose?” Umar asked. It was an odd question, but I had an answer.
“Unc—”
“To be the best version of myself. To make my mother proud and never be afraid to stand up for what’s right. I have a few more, but those three are the most important to me.”
Umar, York, and Roman were staring at me when I was finished. “What?”
York laughed and said, “You left Umar speechless. That means he likes you.” I smiled broadly, feeling accomplished. Roman wrapped his arm around me, and I stared up at him.
“No one ever leaves my uncle speechless.”
“I’m standing right here,” Umar said, frowning. Roman’s mom entered the kitchen and looked between the four of us. He nodded his head toward the front door, and his uncles caught the hint. After kissing my forehead, he led the way outside with Umar and York in tow. I watched until they were out of sight and then turned toward his mother. The nerves I had before getting here vanished the minute I walked through the door. When I laid eyes on her smiling face, I felt at ease. She was so beautiful, and Roman had gotten all his features from her except for his skin tone and eye color.
“Blossom, what is that you do?” Megan asked while checking on the chicken she was deep frying.
“I’m a partner at a public relations firm.” She closed the lid on the deep fryer and looked at me. I used to keep it simple and say I work in public relations, but it was Roman who told me to never downplay my accomplishment.
“A partner?” she repeated, nodding her head. “At twenty-six. You, my love, are a gem.”
“Roman tells me that all time.” She walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out two bottles of water, handing me one of them.
“That’s because I raised him to celebrate his culture and the people in it. Your success deserves to be talked about.” I was beginning to see who Roman was through his mother, and it was even more beautiful than I could have imagined. She took a seat at the table, and I followed suit. “My son is very fond of you. Couldn’t keep the smile off his face every time your name came up.” I sighed and smiled.
“I am very fond of him, too,” I admitted. “He’s the perfect gentleman who stole my heart.” Her eyes lit up.
“I like you, Blossom Baker.” She looked behind her and then leaned in. “Give me some grandbabies, and I’ll like you even more.” I tossed my head and laughed.
“You know,” I began after getting myself together. “He told me you might bring up babies.”
“Do you want children?”
“Yes ma’am. I want a big family like I have.” Having my sisters got me through life. And though, I planned on giving my children the life I’d missed out on, one with a mother and father present. If something were to happen to us, I need them to have siblings to lean on.
She stared at me for a long while and then said, “He was right. You’re exactly what I would have chosen for him.”
“Ma,” Roman yelled. “Your brothers out here showing they ass.” Roman’s voice was full of laughter, and she shook her head.
“I swear those three act like they’re brothers.” She stood, and I followed behind her. We stepped outside to find Umar and York slap boxing in the middle of the street. I chuckled and walked toward Roman, who now had his eyes on me.
“You’re smiling, so I take it that the talk went well.” He pulled me into his side, and we watched as Megan argued with Umar and York. I smiled. Roman had given me the best part of him today, and that was his family.
“Yeah, baby, it went well.” He kissed my forehead, and we moved toward the three siblings just as Megan spun around and headed toward the front door of her home.