Page 40 of A Major Love

“Hey, baby girl. You seem excited to see Daddy. You’re not gon’ ditch me again for Nani and Papi, are you?”

I picked her up and kissed her forehead as she responded with, “No, not this time, Daddy.”

“Good, because there’s someone I want you to meet. Wassup, Rahkia? Can you come in for a minute? I want you to meet her too.”

I waited for her to step inside so I could close the door, but instead, she folded her arms across her chest and put all her weight on one leg.

“Are you serious right now, Major?”

“I am. Are you coming in or not?”

“You couldn’t give me a heads-up?” she questioned, still standing outside.

“Rahkia, either you’re coming in to meet my girl, or you’re not. It makes no difference to me.”

She hesitated long enough for me to close the door in her face, but she stopped it before her ass was locked outside. She entered more aggressively than necessary, and I almost sent her on her way.

When we entered the family room, Dynastie stood from the couch. She looked from me to Maja and smiled, but when her eyes landed on Rahkia, her smile faded a bit.

“Maja, this is Daddy’s girlfriend, Dynastie.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me?” Rahkia mumbled loud enough for us to hear, but I ignored her comment.

“Rahkia, this is Dynastie. Baby, this is Maja’s mom, Rahkia.”

“It’s nice to—” Dynastie began before Rahkia interrupted her.

“Maja, go upstairs to your room. Mommy needs to talk to Daddy and his friend.”

I was still holding Maja, so I put her down so she could do as her mother asked.

“Mommy, Daddy said she’s his girlfriend, not his friend,andher name?—”

“Maja, go to your room right now and hurry it up,” Rahkia said, more sternly this time.

Maja huffed but still rushed from the family room and went upstairs.

“Dynastie, do you mind if we talk for a few minutes?” Rahkia asked.

“Rahkia, you need to chill,” Major interjected.

“Major, Rahkia needs to feel comfortable with me being around your daughter, so if she wants to talk, that’s what we’ll do. I think you’re the one who needs to chill.”

“I’m actually very chill, considering the dots I just connected because I know damn well her name is not a coincidence,” Rahkia snapped.

Dynastie looked back and forth between us before asking, “Am I missing something?”

“You are, but I’ll get to that soon enough if Major stops interrupting me.”

“Fine, but Rahkia, don’t be on no bullshit,” I warned.

She rolled her eyes, dismissing me, but I was serious. If she’d connected the dots correctly, this conversation could go either way.

“First, let me just say that I’m not concerned about Maja’s safety. Major loves her too much to have someone around herwho doesn’t have her best interest at heart. I’m sure she’ll be in good hands with you.”

“I assure you, she will be. Can we sit?”

Without answering, Rahkia sat in the recliner, while Dynastie sat across from her on the sectional.