I chuckled.
Stone and Rocky. Jiselle thought she was fucking hilarious when she’d pitched the name in relation to mine. Unfortunately for her, I’d loved that shit.
I trailed out of Joss’s room back toward the kitchen to check the baby bag for a third time. The last thing I wanted was to forget anything, especially because Kiano would be on Rocky duty. I was confident I would be drunk off my ass by the end of the night.
“We’re ready,” Selle called and I grabbed the bag and a bottle of water and headed to meet them.
Kiano was standing beside her, staring at his phone as he texted quickly.
“Who’s driving?” I asked.
“I figured you could drive there and I’ll drive back.”
“Cool. Let’s do it.” I grabbed the keys to our family car from the bowl by the door. “Joss!” I yelled out. “Come on, man.”
“I’m right here,” he grumbled as he rounded the corner with Rocky bouncing in his hands.
I nudged my head toward the door and we got a move on. Joss sat in the passenger seat so Selle and Kiano could sit on either side of Rocky’s car seat.
The drive to my old family house was easy, and when we got there, there were already plenty of cars outside. I stepped out and helped Selle out of the car while Kiano grabbed Rocky.
The front door was thrown open and music blasted from inside.
Morocco and Leann lived in our childhood house and it was paid off now. I’d paid it off after I got my mechanic shop off the ground. Morocco was in the process of trying to pay me back. I accepted all the payments and told him they were going back to the loan I’d taken out, but honestly? I was paying that loan off on my own and the money I got from Morocco went into a trust for Junie.
I looked back to make sure Kiano had settled noise canceling headphones on Rocky’s head then headed inside. Leann and two other women stood in the kitchen and I did my rounds, hugging her and dapping her friends. I took two shots then made my way to the backyard where the party was already in full swing.
A huge smile took over my face the moment I looked at the card table and saw Elijah. He was playing a game of dominoes with Morocco and two other men.
He’d been out of jail for a total of three hours but Morocco and Leann plotted his welcome home party the second we knew what day his bid would be over.
“I know that ain’t Elijah!” I yelled.
He looked over, smiled widely, and hopped up.
“Free at last, free at last!” He lifted his hands in the air and cheered as he walked toward me.
“About fucking time, nigga.” I closed the space between us and dapped him.
“What’s up sister-in-law, brother-in-law?” He hugged each of them briefly. “Is that my lil niece?” He looked at Rocky.
“Yeah. That’s baby girl.”
He cursed and shook his head. “Fuck. You a father and husband in this bitch.”
“You already know.”
“Welcome home, Elijah,” Selle offered. “I hate to love you and leave you but unfortunately I’m here for the food.” She smiled and Elijah laughed.
“Nah. I feel you.” He gestured to her large stomach and she giggled as she settled her hand there.
“I’ll come,” Kiano offered.
I watched the two of them walk toward the large table stacked with different desserts even though there was actual food in the house and shook my head.
“You look good,” I told Elijah.
“You think so?”