Page 55 of Mercedees: Forever An Atkins
“Baby girl, you are going through it aren’t you?” my mother questioned walking toward me with outstretched arms.
“Mama, please don’t make this a big deal,” I whined.
“I can’t help but make this a big deal. Look at you,” she cooed as she rubbed my belly.
“Leave the girl alone, Castina, and let her breathe,” my father fussed.
“You shut up. You just mad I beat you to her. Baby girl, you look like you’re hurting right now. Is everything okay?” she inquired assessing me from head to toe.
“She is, which is why I told her hardheaded ass to sit down somewhere and let me handle the rest. I’m Arion by the way, and this is my mother Linh, and my father Zeus. Everyone calls him Big Greek… BG for short,” Arion chimed.
I understood why everyone referred to him as Big Greek. Arion’s father was huge. Like I said, I was used to tall men. The Atkins were full of them. However, this man made my cousins look like midgets. He had to be at least seven feet tall and that was me taking a wild guess. His arms were thick as fuck and his hands were just as big. He earned his name.
“It’s nice to meet you, BG. I’m Mercedees, and this is my mother Castina, and my father Ryan. I have zero siblings to present. I’m an only child. Please come in,” I said moving to the side, gesturing for them to come into the house completely as if they hadn’t been here a thousand times over.
“Clover, go sit down, I got this. I ain’t gon’ say that shit again,” Arion commanded.
“I’m going, damn!” I snapped. I knew why he was so demanding, but it was rude not to greet my guests.
“Baby girl, I’m gon’ offer you some small advice, okay? When yo’ husband tell you something, do it. He has yo’ best interest at heart. He knows yo’ limit better than you do sometimes, that’s all I’m saying,” my mother intervened. She knew I was ‘bout to say something else and decided to step in.
Rolling my eyes, I walked away biting my tongue. If I didn’t, we weren’t going to get anywhere. My feet hurt, my back wasaching, and I had a headache. Getting through the night was all I wanted.
I was back in the recliner moments later kicking my feet up. My mother was in my face just a smiling as she looked down at my stomach. She wanted these babies just as much as Arion and I did. She’d lost every single one between her and my father. I could only imagine how the twins were gon’ heal her.
“Arion thinks it’s a good idea to eat in here and relax. Is that alright with you, Mama?”
“It’s more than alright. Me and Zeus aren’t here to make you or Arion uncomfortable in your own home. If this is where you want to be, then we’ll come to you. You’re really soaking up that pregnancy glow, Cedees. God, you are beautiful,” Ms. Linh complimented.
Smiling, I said, “Thank you, Ma Linh. I really appreciate that since I don’t feel like or look my best.”
“WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP? I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO CARRY ONE SO I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW AWFUL CARRYING TWO MUST BE FOR YOU. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT YOUR TASTE BUDS WERE, BUT I BROUGHT SOME PREGNANCY SAFE FOODS FOR YOU. TH?T KHO (CARAMELIZED PORK BELLY), G?I CU?N (SPRING ROLLS), AND SOME CHÈ (VIETNAMESE DESSERT). YOU CAN EAT ALL OF THESE FOR SNACKS WHENEVER YOU JUST NEED SOMETHING TO MUNCH ON. ARION KNOWS ABOUT THEM, JUST ASK HIM FOR THEM.”
I loved Arion’s mother. She was the sweetest lil’ thing you could ever come across. Whenever she called him, she asked about me as well. And don’t get me started on always bringing food over. She kept me fed even when I didn’t ask her to. I could see where he got his caring and nurturing side from. She didn’t hide hers at all.
“Thank you, Mama Linh. You and my mother can go ahead and have a seat. Arion knows to plate the food and serve. After all, that’s the least he can do,” I said mumbling that last part.
My mother sat in the recliner beside me like I knew she would. When it came to me, she wasn’t giving anybody the chance to get too close. Her with the twins was gon’ be like prying candy from a baby.
My father walked in first holding two plates in his hands. I assumed they were for him and my mother. BG followed behindwith two plates as well. Arion was the last to enter and he too had two in tow. He handed one over to me and everyone copped a seat with my mother giving up her seat to my husband to sit next to her man.
Arion took the lead giving me time to finally eat something. “Aight, now that we all got the introductions out the way, I’m gon’ say this once and that’s it. My wife is mine and them babies are ours. We love y’all, but keep all that overbearing shit to yo’selves, and I mean that in the most respectful way there is. Whatever my wife says goes when it comes to our marriage and our kids. Don’t undermine her or make her feel like anything less than a damn good wife and mother.”
My mother was the first to interrupt with, “But Arion?—"
She couldn’t start her sentence good before my father stopped her in her tracks. “Nah baby, let the man speak. You wanted her with somebody that could hold his weight and that’s what he doing.” My father threw Arion a head nod to continue.
“She ain’t here to please nobody but me. I ain’t saying hold off on giving advice or shit like that ‘cause we understand it takes a village. However, I’m saying respect her decisions when it comes to us. I gave her my word that I’d protect and provide, her emotional, mental, and physical state is included in that. Now… let’s blend this shit. The Greek’s are more than happy to have her, and I hope the Atkins feel the same ‘bout me.”
The room grew quiet after my husband pretty much laid down the ground rules for everyone moving forward. I couldn’t help but blush at him taking charge. My father was the kind of man that moved to the beat of his own drum and not what my Uncle Senior cooked up. I was hoping he understood what Arion was trying to do.
“I see I made a man out of you. Always take care of home and run it the way that keeps you and yo’ family happy. I’m proud of you son. Me and yo’ mama respect it. Clover, I’m sure my wifehas told you several times already but welcome to the family,” BG said raising his glass of cognac to me.
“Thank you, BG. She definitely tells me whenever she knows I’m near that she’s lucky to have another daughter. I’m more than grateful,” I commented.
“We’ve talked already, Arion, so it’s not much more for me to say. Just keep yo’ word and we’ll never clash. Once again, welcome,” my father chimed. I knew he wouldn’t say too much to begin with. He was a man of few words.
“I ‘preciate that. I’m gon’ hold it down, believe me on that. Wassup Ma? You got something on yo’ heart? Ms. Castina, how ‘bout you?” Arion inquired.
