"Are all his documents in his black folder?"
"For the nth time, Noni-" I groan, but I check again just incase.

Noni and triple checks need to chill.

"Does he have his water bottle nearby?" she asks.
"Dad, where's your water bottle?"
I turn to him, "He's holding it."
"His medicine bag has been packed?"
"Yes, Noni,"

I cross check everything and make sure he has all his belongings. There's a knock on the door and I rush to open.
"Noni we'll talk later, okay?" I end the call.

"Is that Christian?" my dad asks. I don't answer, I just stand there face to face with my mother.
"May I come in?" she asks timidly.
"Sure," I step aside so she enters.

This is probably the first time she actually gets inside my home, she's only gone as far as the corridor.

I look behind her and James' Jeep is parked there. He waves and I nod, closing the door.

"Your house looks nice," I don't know if that's a compliment but-
"Thank you," is all I say.
"What time is Christian arriving?" My dad is oblivious to her seated in the living room until he looks up.
"Good Morning," she tries to smile.
"Good Morning,"

They gaze into each other's eyes for a moment.

"I'll excuse you two,"
"No need," my mother stops me, "I'm just here to bid your father farewell and that I'll find him at home."
"Okay," I bite my inner cheek and turn to my dad.
"Thank you," he responds to my mother.
"Do you have everything you need for the journey?" she inquires.
"Yes, Noni and Imani have been cross checking with me," his answers are straight to the point.
"That's good," she gives a faint smile, "Well I won't take up your time, I thought we'd all pray bef-" she stops at the sound of the knock on the door.
"I'll go get it," I leave the room and I already know who to expect.

"Hey," Christian bends over to hug me, I'm sure he knows James is watching us but we'll just give him a show.
"Hey. My mum's inside," I whisper.
"I figured as much," he tries to look over his shoulder but I stop him.
"Mmm mmm, Christian. He knows we see him," we chuckle softly and I lace his hand in mine and guide him in the house.

Once we're in the living room, I turn to my mum. She seems tense but I'm not bothered, at this point she can say all she wants for all I care.

"Good Morning, everyone," Christian grins, "Mr Yané," he nods and my father does the same.
"Mrs Yané," her smile is lowkey sinister but you know what, fine.

"You may proceed," my father says referring to my mother offering prayers.
Christian and I sit on a separate couch while my father and mother sit opposite one another.
"Before you leave. We must commit this trip into the hands of God and ask that His traveling mercies be with you. I was hoping it would be us three as a family but-"
"Ma Noni, we'll just pray either way," my dad cuts in.
"Very well then. May we all bow our heads,"'we oblige as she begins to pray.

I'm hoping amidst her prayers she asks God to forgive her. That she may free herself from the negative, patronizing and demoralizing mentality that she has. That she may do away with the idea that I'll fulfill her every wish especially with marrying James. And that James too may find someone to love and stay far away from me... (Amen).

"Heavenly Father," she begins, "I thank you for this day that you have made and that we are able to rejoice in it. I thank you for life and grace that is sufficient, for your mercy that is new every morning. I thank you for my husband and that you protect him as he returns home, protect him and the journey..."

I sigh internally as she closes her prayer. Is it weird that I hoped she'd give some prayer of repentance or forgiveness? I expect too much of her.

Once the prayer is over my father walks to his bags.

"My flight's in 2 hours,"
"We're on schedule," I assure him.
"James can drop you off," my mum mentions.
"That's fine I'll be taking him there," Christian replies and my mother is taken aback.
"My husband will need to go with someone he's familiar with," she shoots back.
"Whoah, mum. Dad requested Christian to come over here so we'd all go to the airport," I interject.
"Bambo a Noni?" She calls at him to say something.
"What's the matter? You've heard them, we're going to the airport together," he says sternly.

I actually like that he's being firm nowadays and not so understanding like he usually is. Well he still is but- this is good too.

"I came hoping that-"
"Anne it's fine. We'd already planned before you showed up," he cuts her off yet again.

Christian glances over at me and I just shrug slowly.

"James had offered to drop you,"
"Mum is there a problem with us already making plans? You're really pushing it," I squint at her, my hands falling on my sides.
"I knew that you have your moments so I needed to make sure your father gets to the airport in time," she argues.
"There you go assuming things, ma," I point out.
"Your moods are very unpredictable, Ima. Christian, yes? I don't know how you put up with her,"

"Anne, please," dad growls.
"Am I lying?" she scoffs.
"You've said enough for one day. We need to leave," he grabs his carry bag and Christian jumps to help him with the other.

I stand there, biting my lip because I don't want to give this woman the satisfaction she desperately wants from this back and forth.

We all walk out and I lock up, turning to find James standing outside his car.

"Let's go, my son," she walks off and I watch as James clenches his jaw before entering his car.

"Let her be," my father says calmly.

***
"If I had known sooner how much of a jackass James is, I'd have done some damage and jail time," Hannah huffs.
"It's alright, every dog has its day," I sip on my smoothie.
"You're using the proverb wrong- James is a dog," I pause and our eyes meet, she snorts and we laugh.

"Ugh, you're too much, Hannah," I sigh.
"Yeah you know I bring nothing but facts here," she pouts and I nod.
"And you're extra,"
"And you should be too, girl. Your birthday is coming up and you need to do look extra hot, extra boujee, you need birthday dic-"
"Hannah," my eyes bulge.
"I'm just saying," she hisses.
"Kenya will probably be back by then so we could always have a day out and celebrate,"
"No, what you need is to have an intimate moment with Christian, it's your first birthday in a relationship. Wow, it sounds weird on you," I shove her and we laugh.

After meeting up with Hannah, I head home to get some work done. My dad messages me to tell me he's arrived and that we can call whenever I'm free.

The house feels so empty without him around. I miss him already and I wish he'd have stayed longer.

My phone vibrates and its Noni requesting me to join a video call. I accept and the screen shows her with Gabe and my dad on the other screen.

"Grandpa!" Gabe squeals.
"Hello boss," he smiles, "how are you doing?"
"Good," he gurgles.
"How are the trucks?"
"Big! Mommy got me blocks for a house,"
"Oh, nice. So you'll be building? You know, Imani's man does the same thing,"
"Dad!" I gape.
"Hush, he's they're talking business," Noni teases.

I am dumbfounded by the conversation right now but I actually like it. My dad goes on and on telling Noni how the walks he's been having have been refreshing, how he's been caring for my house while I was at work and that Christian and I made him clay pots.

That was a good distraction, shout out to Christian.

"So I decided to put artificial plants in the one Christian made. And then this..." he reaches for mine and Noni cackles, "this one will be on the coffee table."
"It looks good though," Noni adds.
"Y'all can say whatever you want but deformed clay pots are trending," I defend it.
"Mommy look," Noni shifts her attention and returns to the screen.
"Gabe made a cute ribbon," she shows us.
"It's for grandma," he stares at the screen, "where's grandma?"

Oh if only he knew.

"She's gone out," my father answers.
"Okay," he smiles innocently and we all stay silent for a moment.

I guess this is our reality. I only hope for better days with all that's going on. It's amusing, I keep going back to the thought of how we would have followed the endless cycle of legacy and fulfilled wishes that we're not happy with.

All this drama is probably a blessing in disguise, or a curse. Either way, it has unearthed so much that I've questioned for a good while.

I'm thankful that in this moment I'm at peace, and though it's not the same with my mother, she'll come around.

"...birthday plans." Noni says
"I probably should have stayed with Ima longer," dad scowls.
"You should have!" Noni laughs.
"I love you guys," my voice cracks at the end.
"I love you to," Noni smiles.
"I love you my girls," my dad finally says.
"I love you!" Gabe screams in the background, to which we all laugh.
"So back to your birthday," Noni points out, "I was thinking you'd get..."

_____________________________________
Hey lovely readers!
It's been amazing writing this book and though I've had so many blocks I'm just happy to have completed this story ♥️
Thank You a trillion times for your support and yeah, hopefully I'll be posting another book who knows 🤷🏾‍♀️

Anyway, let's interact here on your thoughts before the story is officially done!

Looking forward to your responses! Bless🌞