Page 98 of Senior

“Yes, you is a thief!”

“No, I not! Papa, him don’t wanna play with me. Him wanna play with him tablet friends.” He pointed at the screen to emphasize his point. “I got mad.”

Steel shook his head. “Give me the tablet,” he said, extending his hand.

KJ’s mouth fell open as his little brother handed the tablet over.

“Now, KJ, is it screen time?” Steel asked.

KJ hung his head. “No, sir.”

“Are you supposed to be on the tablet right now?”

“No, sir.”

“So that means no screen time tonight since you broke the rules. Don’t you think that’s fair?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good. Go play outside and take your brother with you. And don’t be out there fighting either. Y’all understand?”

They both nodded. Semaj jumped down from my lap and ran out of the room with his brother behind him. Steel shook his head as he tossed the tablet on the coffee table.

“These kids are gonna be the death of me. Those two be fighting, then Nayelli calls herself liking a boy in her class. I ain’t ready for the lovesick teenaged years, Pop.”

I chuckled. “You think I was ready for it? You and your brothers were trying to hunch on every girl that batted her lashes at you. I thought I was safe with Jaeda, then along came Mia.”

Steel stared blankly at me. “Thank you, Pop. Now I have another layer of things to worry about. I’m not ready to discuss the birds and the bees with her. That’s my baby girl. I missed so many years with her, but it still doesn’t feel like we should be here so soon. She ain’t too old to still play with barbies and shit.”

I laughed. “I don’t think baby girl played with barbies when we met her.”

“She didn’t, but still.”

“You’ll be fine. You have the most patience of your siblings, and you are great with gentle parenting. You got this.”

Just then, Neha walked into the room. She moved to the space behind Steel’s seat and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. These two had come such a long way. At first, I didn’t think he would get over her hiding his child for ten years. When he walked into that prison and killed her father with his bare hands, I knew there was no turning back for him.

He loved her, and no matter if people thought he could have done better, he was with the woman his heart had always desired. She was the best wife and mother to their children. KJ wasn’t hers biologically, but she had adopted and cared for my boy like he was. He called her mommy and that baby didn’t play about her.

“Dinner is ready, my love.”

“Thank you, baby. Pop, can I have a moment alone with my wife?”

I smirked as I stood to my feet. “I don’t need to be told where I’m not wanted.”

After filling my glass again, I headed into the kitchen where Steph was putting the final touches on the pie she made.

“Damn that looks good,” I said, placing a kiss on her cheek then slapping and rubbing her ass.

She giggled. “The pie or this ass?”

“Both. I can’t wait to get you home.”

“Fast ass.”

“Might be fast, but I’m gonna give it to you nice and slow.”

She squealed as I kissed and sucked on her neck while hugging her from behind.