Page 87 of Senior

“I’m so happy for you both!” Karen exclaimed, moving to hug them.

I followed behind her, pulling them both into a hug and kissing both their cheeks.

“I can’t wait to spoil this little one too,” I said, touching Salima’s stomach.

She smiled at me. “So, you’ll be on the compound this time?”

I looked over at Senior as he moved around the table, a huge grin on his face.

“We’ll see.”

“She’ll be here,” he said, slapping hands with Deuce and kissing Salima’s cheek. “Karen, when are you gonna move your ass on the compound? You know Iman would probably have had y’all right here if he was still alive. You’ve been family. All you have to do is pick a damn plot.”

Karen laughed. “I think you’ve worn me down. I’m ready to be near my baby and her babies.”

Salima instantly broke into tears. She’d been trying for the longest to get her mom to move closer to them. Having her near during a sensitive time in her life would make it easier for them.

“It’s a plot of land available right across the road from our house,” Deuce said. “We can send the kids over there when they’re getting on our nerves.”

Darlyn gasped. “Daddy!”

“My bad, baby girl. But you and Liam love spending time with your grandparents. You just cried to spend the night here.”

“Cause Papa was gonna leave me for dead.”

Senior shook his head as he picked her up and kissed her cheeks.

“You been around your auntie Shar too much. You don’t even know what that means.”

She giggled as she kissed his nose. “Auntie Shar said if all else fails, cry.”

I laughed. “Baby girl, you aren’t supposed to let the man know your manipulation tactics. Some things have to be a secret.”

“Don’t tell her that,” Deuce fussed.

“Stanely, you already spoil her and your daddy is no better. She knows she surrounded by suckers.”

Darlyn covered her mouth a giggled while both her father and grandfather shook their heads.

“Anyway!” Senior said. “Karen, I can call the architect and we can start drawing up plans soon. Be thinking about what you want.”

She nodded. “I got you.”

“I hope you know what you’re getting into, Pop,” Deuce said. “You know my wife and her bestie love to do everything together. Shar is gonna be convincing you to let her parents move on the compound next. You know Mama Karen and Ms. Cicley are besties too.”

Karen giggled. “If she can get Paul to agree, she would come.”

Senior shrugged. “Blake and I didn’t extend the property for nothing. The family is expanding.” He smiled as he rubbed Salima’s stomach before reclaiming his spot next to me. “I want this to be home for generations to come. That’s what my father wanted. Everybody that’s supposed to be here, will be here.”

He looked over at me, and I couldn’t help but lean in to kiss his lips. As I went to pull away, he deepened the kiss. We got so caught up that we didn’t stop until we heard sniffling. Breaking the kiss, we look over to see Salima dabbing her eyes.

“This is so beautiful,” she said, sniffling. “You two look so happy together.” She looked at Deuce and shoved her finger in his face. “You better not ruin this second chance, Deucy. I’ll never forgive you.”

Deuce frowned. “First of all, this is more than chance number two. Let’s just acknowledge that. Second… I’m cool. I don’t want no smoke.”

I decided to fuck with him.

“So, you’ll be cool when you find out you’re getting a little brother or sister?”