You thought we were done? Not quite ;)
Thank you PMs coming soon, shout out to: KateyBee42, Firegirl19, ladyrere1985, QuestionyTheQuestionMark, CocoaMoon, ThatBlackGirl, Guest, Katie, Katie(2), King Kroniiclez, Guest(2), LovinHueyFreeman, Katie(3), Chel29, Ghost7393, and TheMoonlighter01.
It's been a long time coming but the first half of the epilogue is here. The second half will be here before you know it.
Enjoy.
"I am the stone that the builder refused
I am the visual, the inspiration
That made Lady sing the Blues…"
~Asheru; The Boondocks Theme Song
Three and a Half Years Later
Riley's POV
"Boy, get on that chair and bring down whatever's up on that shelf."
"You ain't touched that stuff since you first put it up there. Why you need it now?"
"Because I'm takin' everything out of here."
"Granddad…"
"Boyyy…" Robert turned around from the other side of the room to glare at his grandson. "I ain't about to keep goin' back and forth with you about this."
Riley lightly matched his glare while he crossed his arms, refusing to move. "I don't like this."
"Yeah, I heard." Granddad rolled his eyes. "Just like you heard me when I told you I wasn't asking for your opinion. This is my house, this is my stuff, and—"
"This is your room, G." Riley cut him off. "It don't make any sense for you to leave it."
"You and I both know it's the only thing that makes sense."
"There has to be another way." Riley grumbled.
"Boy, the only other way is for me to move in with your brother and his family, now would you like that?" Granddad snapped. "It ain't like I'm leavin' my damn house, I'm just relocating rooms... for y'all. How is it your wife can understand that so easily and you can't?" He went on rhetorically. Riley continued to stare back blankly, already knowing the answer.
Because I feel guilty.
The two had been arguing about the situation for several months, particularly heightening over the past few weeks. Riley hadn't taken him seriously at all the first time he brought it up, it had been so out of the blue. And unnecessarily early to even be thinking about it. But as time went on, Granddad persistently started mentioning it more and more. It wasn't until about three weeks ago, almost to the day that he became adamant about it. He stopped suggesting and just started sorting things in his room on his own. He then started telling Riley about things he would need help with downstairs. That along with the other cryptic comments he kept making had Riley ready to lose his mind.
"It's just a transition, boy." Granddad continued, turning away from him. "And it ain't no big deal. Y'all will take this room and I'll take the den. You'll get over it. It's just a room and it's only temporar—"
"It's not about getting over it, man!" Riley shot back before he could even finish the sentence, causing Granddad to whip his head towards him at his tone. "You wanna know what it's about? Fine. It's about this being your space. The way it's been since we moved in here. It's about you not feeling that you're getting banished to the basement. Or feeling resentful over the fact that you're down there. Or if you want me to be real, wonder if you'll even be able to make it up and down the steps without hurting your damn self." Riley listed, gesturing to the cane in his hand. "There's a lot I've been thinking about that I still don't agree with or feel right about, G."
"Riley." Granddad gave him a surprisingly calm look as he turned to face him directly. "I understand where you're comin' from. I do. And I appreciate your concern, boy. But again, this is not up to you. This has been my decision from the beginning. Nobody's banishin' me anywhere. And please, I have the same resentment for you and your brother that I always have." He said with a smirk.
"I'm still worried about the steps." Riley said, not budging.
"Boy, there's steps no matter what! I've gotta take the steps up to get to my room now."
"It's different."
"How?"
"For one, the basement steps are steeper. What if you fall down the steps? What if you can't make it up? What if there's an emergency and you're stuck down there and we can't hear you cuz we're all the way up-ow!"
"If you don't stop with this damn what-if shit, I can't stand that." Granddad snapped, brushing past him after his assault. "I'm through having this conversation with you, boy. It's been decided."
"I don't like it." Riley grumbled again, crossing his arms while he leaned against the wall.
"Tough titty." Granddad dismissed him. "Now are you gonna grab those things or am I gonna have to do it my damn self?"
"We both know that's not happening."
"Ya damn right!"
Riley rolled his eyes as he pushed away from the wall, dragging out the desk chair from its spot while he passed by. "Whateva man."
"I want the bulk of this taken care of and in order by today."
"It's only Friday, we have the whole weekend."
"Mmmmhm, I know what day it is. I also know you." Granddad glared up at him. "You're not gonna mess around and waste time."
"I ain't though."
"I want to be able to sleep down there tonight." He went on. "So we can rearrange these rooms today, the kids' room tomorrow, then Sunday you can have all day to focus on doing the—"
"Hold on." Riley interrupted him quietly, pausing as he strained to listen. He thought he heard the front door open, but when the faint sound of rapid thudding followed behind it he was sure.
"They're back." He said, quickly bringing the heavy box in his hands with him as he stepped down from the chair.
"Already?"
"You can't hear 'em?"
Granddad stood quietly for a moment before nodding. "Yep, now I hear 'em."
"You better go sit down." Riley told him, moving some things out of the pathway before pulling the bedroom door all the way open.
"Whatchu think I'm doing?" Granddad scoffed, resting against the edge of his bed. "If they charge at me again, they're getting tripped."
"You really gonna sweep 'em with your cane though?"
"Boy, hell yes, it's between them or me! They're lucky they don't get clotheslined, shit."
Riley matched his smirk from the doorway, turning from him to look down the hallway. The noise of small footsteps and voices quickly increased in both speed and volume, escalating to the sound of a mini stampede up the stairs. It wasn't until they reached the top of the landing that the noise dissipated for the slightest moment, bringing a smile to Riley's face once they spotted him.
"DADDY!"
"Whaddup, boys?" Riley said, squatting down to accept the eager hug barreling towards him from his sons. It was something he looked forward to every time he had to tell them goodbye, whether it was for a few hours or a few minutes. Because he knew that this was the reaction he would receive whenever they saw him again.
Elijah met him first, crashing into him as hard as he could like always. Dwight piled in right after him, the both of them giggling when Riley scooped them up into a tight hug. At the rate they were growing, Riley didn't know how much longer he was going to be able to pick them up at the same time. Elijah was slightly lankier than his brother, but was all solid. Dwight still kept a small bit of baby fat on him, even though he was certainly as active as Elijah. They both stayed at maximum energy, which as a result, always left their hair a mess constantly. Elijah's mop of tiny braids desperately needed redone while Dwight's soft curls were practically falling out of the bun they'd tied it up in.
"Daddy, Daddy, we got rocks today!" Elijah said excitedly.
"Rocks?" Riley crinkled his brow with a grin.
"Uh-huh, we found them outside and got to paint them!"
"I painted mine with chalk!" Dwight added.
"Mrs. Jones says we can start a connection!"
"Start a collection." Riley corrected him gently as he started to set them down. "You had a good time then?"
"Yeah!" The boys answered right away.
"Good." Riley grinned. "Go say hi to your Granddad." He nodded towards the open room. As if noticing for the first time, their eyes lit up as they turned to look, spotting their grandfather smiling at them from his bed.
"Pop-Pop!" They both exclaimed, already moving to bolt. They were slightly restrained as Riley held onto the back of their pants.
"Both of you, slow down." He reminded them as he did every day. "Do not tackle."
"Okayyy!" The twins acknowledged as he released them, only half listening before they both collided against Granddad's legs and reached up to hug him.
"Hey boys!" Granddad greeted them with a big smile, pulling them up to sit on his lap. It only took a few moments for Elijah to let out a playful roar, leaning into Granddad to push him backwards to plop onto the bed.
"EJ, what did I just say?" Riley crossed his arms from the doorway, not being able to contain his own smile at hearing all three of them giggle. As usual, Granddad talked his shit, but he was just as much of a marshmallow with them as he was with Jamilah.
"Pop-Pop, we got rocks today!"
"Nooo!" Granddad responded to Elijah playfully. Riley turned away from the room, hearing more footsteps finally making their way up the stairs. The head of hair came into view first before anything else.
"C'mon, Aunt Cindy."
Riley grinned while watching his nephew lead the way to the top of the stairs, looking behind him as he held onto Cindy's hand.
"I'm comin' babe, just slowly." She told him with a weary smile as she came into view. One hand was in Xavion's and the other was on her fully pregnant belly.
Again.
She made eye contact with Riley once she noticed him approaching, lightly rolling her own eyes in response to the way he probably looked at her. But he didn't care. He knew that she knew that he loved the look of her pregnant. She just looked… good. In everything, in nothing, it didn't matter to Riley. She didn't even have to try. Even at her most casual, which was currently a tie dye bust-cropped hoodie with a white tank beneath, denim shorts, and her hair pulled into a messy bun, he still wanted her in the worst way.
"Yooo, how was it?" Riley greeted as he came over.
"Fun!" Xavion answered, letting go of Cindy to run to him.
"You had a fun time at camp, my man?" He asked while he accepted his hug.
"Yeah!"
"That's what's up, Zay." Riley grinned, ruffling the growing afro that was looking more like his brother's every day. "Why don't you go down and say hey to your Granddad? Your cuzzos are in there too."
"Okay!" Xavion replied before bee-lining down the hall.
"Your aunt and I will be right there." Riley added offhandedly, no longer watching him run off. Cindy met his gaze with a smirk of her own.
"Will we?" She asked him smartly.
"…Nah." Riley grinned, closing the gap between them to kiss her lips. She'd met him with just a peck, but he recaptured her lips immediately as he pulled her closer to steal a few more.
"Boy…" Cindy murmured huskily. "Don't start."
"Stop me then." He tried and failed to call her bluff, groaning when she did slip away from him.
"We ain't about to leave the three of them alone with Granddad."
"It's only two of them that we gotta worry about." Riley shrugged, smirking at the look Cindy gave him in return. "How did they say the day really went during pickup? And while we're on it… rocks? We're paying the camp people to have the kids collect rocks? We can do that ourselves in the backyard."
"Listen." Cindy let out a chuckle with the shake of her head. "It was the last activity of the day and they all enjoyed it, okay? Let 'em be kids."
"Mmmmhm." Riley playfully rolled his eyes. "How many incidents today?"
"Well, it was all fun and games until your son started throwing said rocks." Cindy eyed him.
He didn't have to ask to know which son she was referring to. "At others?"
"Not today, no. Just in the air, across the yard… the usual shit."
"What else?" Riley asked, knowing there was always more.
"Beanie bit a kid who tried to take the rock he wanted." Cindy continued. "But apparently, the kid started to cry and Bean apologized right away. He gave him the rock and everything."
"Wish he was that afraid of gettin' in trouble at home." Riley shook his head. "Perfect report for Zay, I'm guessing?"
"Obviously." Cindy snorted. "Though the counselors did catch him climbing halfway up a tree during a break."
Riley grinned, lifting a shoulder. "Doesn't sound too bad overall. They didn't threaten to throw any of them out."
"I mean, I feel it's too late for that. There's only one more week of camp until preschool."
"How are you feeling though?" Riley changed the subject as he usually did when the topic of school came up. The summer camp they enrolled the kids into was supposed to help ease the boys into the start of a structured routine. It was only for the month of August and the camp itself was organized by the preschool the kids would be attending. And while all the kids seemed to love the program, it seemed like it had gone by so fast for Riley. Even though camp was daily on weekdays, it was only half days for a few hours. Preschool would be full length days where they'd be gone out of the house.
What if they weren't ready?
"You're dodging the subject, but I'm fine." Cindy interrupted Riley's thoughts as she stroked her belly. "Did you and Granddad make any progress on his room?"
"A little." Riley murmured in response.
"You know he wants you to get that done today." Cindy raised an eyebrow at him. "So we can focus on the kids' rooms the rest of the weekend."
"Yeah, yeah, he told me about his little master plan." Riley crossed his arms. "That's why I took today off."
"It's a good plan." Cindy gave him a look. Then she reached out to tug on his elbow. "Come on, I wanna show you something." She told him, pulling him the opposite direction down the hallway.
"Thought you wanted us to save Granddad." Riley smirked at her boldness.
"We will. And we're not going to our bedroom." She grinned, guiding him to the first door on the right instead. "I've made a decision." She said as they stepped into the twins' current bedroom.
"Yeah?" Riley asked while they stepped around minefields of assorted toys. He grinned when she nodded, glancing from her to the corner wall as they approached it. "Finally. Which one?"
Cindy bit her lip with a smile before she lifted her finger, landing on a cutout square of one of the swatches they'd taped along the wall. "This one… and this one." She said before moving her finger to another square.
"Two?"
"I think we should paint three of the walls with this beige color," Cindy pointed again as she stared up at the wall. "And I think we should do this Tiffany-blue as an accent wall where the crib will be."
Riley turned to glance around the room, easily able to visualize it. The beige had more of a warm blush undertone to it and would naturally brighten up the room. That paired with the secondary color would be a good match, allowing the accent wall to be first thing the eye would focus on. The shade was a soft mix between an eggshell blue and turquoise. While it hadn't been the choice he'd expected among the other more obvious colors, he liked Cindy's idea. He could see it. And he could definitely picture their baby in it once they re-did the room.
"I like it."
"Really?" Cindy turned to him with a hopeful smile. Riley slid an arm around to pull her closer, resting his hand on the side of her belly.
"Anything for my babygirls." He told her before kissing her forehead. It was the plural nickname he'd been referring to them both from the day they learned they were having a girl. The pregnancy itself was another unexpected surprise, but Riley couldn't be happier. He knew he wanted a daughter ever since he became an uncle for the first time. Now that it was finally happening, and soon at that, Riley didn't even know how to act.
"Good, I'm glad you like it cuz I already bought the paint before picking the boys up this morning." Cindy beamed, removing the other swatches of pinks and purples off the wall.
Riley immediately frowned. "You shouldn't be lifting or carrying shit, woman."
"Oh my God, it was only three cans." Cindy rolled her eyes. "Two and a half pretty much if you go by the size. And I left them in the car."
"You just carried them all the way to the car, got it."
"I used a cart, now let's go save Granddad." Cindy said before pecking his cheek and heading to the door.
"You just lifted and put them into your cart, cool." Riley continued, following behind her.
By the time they reached the room, it was about the average amount of chaos that they'd expected. The kids rarely had access into Granddad's room, as the door was usually kept closed. They seemed to be taking advantage of the moment as they explored it thoroughly while Granddad leafed carelessly through a magazine.
"Who's in the closet?" Riley asked, noticing a pile of clothes near the walk-in that hadn't been present before.
"And who's under the bed?" Cindy added at the sight of a small foot peeking out.
"'Lijah." Xavion answered, pointing a finger to the bed without looking as he continued to carefully browse through one of the open boxes on the floor.
"Look, I'm Pop-Pop!" Dwight exclaimed, jumping out of the closet enveloped in a green sweater that flooded him.
"Beanie, take off your Granddad's clothes. You're dragging it along the floor now." Cindy sighed exasperatedly as she approached him.
"EJ, get out from under the bed."
"Daddy, there's stuff under here!" Elijah's muffled voice replied.
"I'm sure there's tons. Out."
"But whyyy?"
"Boy…" Riley muttered to himself, reaching down to grab ahold of his exposed foot. "Keep your head down." He told him, gripping both of his ankles to slowly drag him out.
"Daddy, what's this?" Elijah didn't miss a beat, holding up a bundle of dusty cords trailing from a small object.
Riley eyed the webcam and snorted. "Archaic." He answered him, glaring when Granddad whacked him atop the head with his magazine.
"Don't be talking about my camera." He huffed. "Put it with the rest and quit touching my stuff."
"Man, you the one who let him crawl under and touch this stuff in the first place!" Riley protested, taking the device from Elijah's hand while he rose from the ground. When he turned around, half of Xavion's body was bent into the box he'd been looking through.
"Why are there peanuts, Pop-Pop?" He asked, standing up straight again while he held onto a large filled jar.
"Ooh, I want some!" Dwight dashed over from the closet.
"I'll have some too!" Elijah added, instantly up from the floor.
"Nooo, you won't." Riley intercepted them all by grabbing the jar from Xavion, already knowing exactly what they were. "For one, these things are stale. And two, these are nuts from Pop-Pop's friend. They're called No-Moe nuts, which means, no eating these nuts."
"But Daddy, I'm—"
"Hungry, I know. You're always hungry, all of you." Cindy grinned, fluffing Dwight's hair bun. "Let's head downstairs and leave Daddy and Granddad alone for awhile and we can eat lunch."
"Sketti?" Dwight looked up at his mother excitedly.
"Maybe for dinner." She chuckled, starting to herd them out.
"I'll be down soon babe, thanks." Riley kissed her cheek on her way past. "Holla if you need me."
"Oh, I will. It'll come after hollering two other little names."
"Not my name, Mama." Elijah spoke up with a proud grin, making the other adults in the room let out a laugh at once.
"Especially your name!"
Cindy's POV
"Wait, hold on one second, girl…. Elijah." Cindy said, lowering the phone down as she looked towards the living room. While she hadn't raised her voice, only emphasized his name, he clearly heard by the way he angled his head over to her.
"Yes, Mama?" Elijah asked while he entered the dining room.
"How many times have I asked you to use your inside voice?" She asked him calmly.
Elijah scrunched his nose as he seemed to think, then he brought up his hands. "One… two… three…" He slowly began to count his fingers.
"So definitely more than once?"
"Uh-huh."
"Honey, I don't mind you playing, but you have to play quieter. I've told you, more than once, that I'm on the phone."
"Hi Aunt Titi!" Elijah spoke up with a tiny smile on his face.
"Hiiii EJ!" Anthia yelled back, making Cindy grin as she held the phone out so he could hear. "Listen to your mama!"
"I ammm!" He answered while looking up at Cindy.
"Uh-huh, stop tryna be cute, boy." She shook her head, unable to resist the crooked little grin he always gave her. The one that was starting to curve into the hint of a smirk at times, and she wasn't ready. "I'm gonna be done in a few minutes, go back and play. Quieter." She pretended to whisper.
"Okay, Mama!" He nodded before dashing off again.
"Sorry girl, what were you saying?" Cindy asked, bringing the phone to her ear again.
"Just begging really." Anthia replied casually from the other end. "Please?"
"Nope!" Cindy chuckled at her half-hearted attempt. "Jazmine asked to see them too and I told her the same thing. I'll show you both at the same time once we're all together."
"But I'm the bride!" Anthia whined. "Doesn't that count for anything?"
"Mmm usually, but not this time." Cindy told her lightly. "Tomorrow."
"You suck."
"I'm the worst. Especially since I'm looking at them right now." Cindy smirked, listening to more of Anthia's complaints. But she didn't care. Getting to see her reaction to the photos in person with Jazmine would be worth it.
After three years in the making, Caesar had finally, finally, proposed to Anthia near the beginning of the year. While she had been nothing but patient, her friends had been the opposite on her behalf. Caesar had never been in a serious relationship prior to Anthia. Even though the concept of commitment and exclusivity was a foreign one to him, he'd never strayed. He'd been all in on Anthia from the beginning. Just slow in his planning.
Though apparently he'd made it worth the wait, judging by the detail of his romantic proposal and the beautiful ring he'd presented to her. Cindy was so happy for them both. She and Jazmine were both dedicating their time to help with whatever they needed for the wedding. Recently, Riley had photographed their engagement photos and Cindy couldn't wait for them to see. They'd taken them downtown in different, more urban parts of the city, and they'd turned out so nice with Riley's editing. The photos would be perfect for their save-the-date invitations, particularly with their industrial wedding theme they were planning.
"I'll bring the files over in the evening if that's fine?" Cindy said, powering down her laptop. "Riley's gonna paint the nursery room after dinner, so I'm gonna stay at Huey and Jazz's house tomorrow night. She'll pick me up and we'll head over to your place."
"Sounds perfect. We can't wait!"
"I bet." Cindy smiled. "Talk to you later, girl."
"Bye, Cin!"
"Bye." She replied before ending the call. No sooner than she did, Dwight ran into the room.
"Mama, where's my action guys? We can't find them."
"They're not in the play bin." Xavion added, following him into the room.
"They're lost foreverrr!" Elijah exclaimed dramatically while grinning behind Dwight, who in turn, frowned more.
"Mama!"
"Boys… relax." Cindy tried not to laugh at their theatrics as she stood from her chair. "Your action guys aren't lost, Bean. I know exactly where they are."
"Where, Mama?"
"I'll give you a hint. They're in a room that's always a mess."
"Is it you and Daddy's room?"
"Boy," Cindy couldn't help the laugh that snuck out. "They're in a room where two lil bad butts live."
"That's your room, 'Lijah." Xavion grinned as Elijah and Dwight giggled.
"You're absolutely right. All of your guys are on the floor up there, I stepped over at least two of them when I came home."
"Let's go find 'em!" Dwight said, already leading the charge out of the room.
"Don't run." Cindy called after them, already knowing that request was useless when she heard them thundering up the stairs. They ran everywhere, at least her set of kids.
And judging by these kicks… Cindy thought to herself, leaning against the table as she inwardly groaned. This one's gonna be runner too.
Cindy took a deep inhale as she rubbed her stomach, already feeling the pressure beginning to subside. She couldn't believe time had gone so fast. Here she was, married with two toddlers, now well into her third trimester expecting another. A girl.
She was nervous, similar to how she had been nervous with the twins, but for different reasons this time. For one thing, somehow this round of pregnancy was grueling. Looking back, being pregnant with Elijah and Dwight had seemed so easy for the most part. But this girl on the other hand was draining her entire life. Cindy was still was experiencing morning sickness and random nausea bouts at almost thirty weeks. And her skin had endured more breakouts than she'd experienced since puberty. She was more than ready to deliver and get her own body back to herself.
She remembered how terrified she'd been to have the twins. How ill-prepared she felt to raise them. To be a mother. And scared to death that she would fail them. Somehow over the course of the first year, that fear slowly started to dissipate. She knew without a doubt that Riley had been part of the reason. Though he'd expressed his fears as well, it was like a switch went off as soon as the twins arrived. He was a natural with them and just had a sense of confidence in his ability as a parent, and in Cindy too. He'd been so encouraging and constantly verbalizing what a great mother he thought she was. Eventually she started to believe it for herself.
For her, being a boy mom was easy. Not that they made it easy by any means, but she could handle them. And it was fun. Getting to learn their interests and see the differences in personality and style already. She would miss having them little, but at the same time, couldn't wait to see them grow. Not that she wasn't excited for her little girl, because of course she was, it was just going to be different. Completely. And more than anything, she just wanted to have a healthy relationship with her daughter.
But first, dinner. Cindy thought, wincing slightly as she experienced another stomach twinge. The wave of hunger brought her into the kitchen at once, already contemplating options. Dwight's spaghetti suggestion sounded favorable to her, she supposed she could start preparing the sauce. She just needed to check Granddad's special recipe for it.
She pursed her lips while eyeing the cabinet above the refrigerator, the unreachable home of the recipe books and cards. The illogical location both confused and irritated her as she started to drag a chair over. Normally, she would ask for help before getting Riley all worked up, but he and Granddad were hard at work in the basement den. Besides, she wasn't completely incapable. She could do more than what most people gave her credit for. Her standing on a chair wasn't life or death-
"Don't you dare."
She'd barely started to rise onto the chair, one foot already in position, when she felt two firm hands grip around her upper shoulders, immediately pulling her right back down. When she turned to meet the unamused glare, she sighed.
"First of all, can you knock instead of creep?" She stressed. "You don't live here, bro."
"I'm sorry, who lived here first?" Huey questioned sarcastically.
"Maybe try living in the present?"
"Maybe try not being reckless?"
"I wasn't."
"Riley, your wife was standing on a chair again!" Huey raised his voice towards the hall, avoiding Cindy's swat at him.
"Wife! Aht aht!" They heard Riley's faint voice yell back from downstairs.
"You are such a bitch." Cindy scoffed with a light shove.
"Takes one to know one." Huey nudged her back, stepping past her to stand on the chair himself. "What do you need?"
"The stupid pack of recipe cards." Cindy huffed, propping a hand on her hip as she watched Huey reach in to grab the items, gracefully stepping down right after to offer them to her.
"You're welcome, Cindy." He halfway smirked, holding the cards slightly out of reach as she went for them.
"Oh fuck you." She snatched the cards with an eyeroll, grinning despite herself. He got on her damn nerves, but that was to be expected. Their relationship would never change. She couldn't lie though, things did alter slightly over the past few years. Allegedly, he still "couldn't stand her" and all, but it didn't feel as deep as it had been before. He'd always had a low tolerance for her, but ever since the twins were born, from the moment she went into labor with them particularly, Huey wasn't as… Huey with her. At least not the way he'd been before. He would never admit or actively show it, but she knew he cared about her. Nagging her about safety and tattletaling to Riley were subtle indicators. It was a weird love language, but she would take it.
"You're off early." Cindy commented, glancing at the clock while opening the refrigerator.
"Wanted to beat Friday traffic. And escape the Dean." He grumbled, making her chuckle.
"She's still tryna get you to take that position, huh?"
"I don't want it."
"You don't want anything, but they, and the students, want you." She told him pointedly, turning around with her hands full of products. Huey wordlessly helped her by taking two of the items from her so they didn't slip, setting them down on the island top.
"Life is about disappointments." He muttered in response. Cindy rolled her eyes before turning to the cabinets to grab seasonings. He was so stubborn, even about good things. Since teaching at the university, he'd garnered quite a following of students, particularly those of color. Over the course of last semester, he'd helped a group of students pioneer a school club dedicated to activism and involvement in the city. Within that time, he had more students than ever visit his office hours; not specifically about class or the club, but just to talk about things. Vent, if needed, about certain or personal situations.
Somehow or another, word got back to the Dean of Student Affairs about Huey's extended hours. When she had initially requested a meeting with him, he'd been blindsided to find the Academic Council and the President of the University in attendance. Not just to discuss his office hours, but to discuss their proposal for him to become a counselor towards students that needed his guidance. Typical Huey had merely listened before bluntly stating that he wasn't interested, but the Dean wasn't letting up. He'd barely appeased her with an "I'll think about it," seeing as though she asked him at every chance she had.
"If you don't take it, you're crazy." Cindy said out loud. "You're the one who has the leverage."
"I don't care about leverage, I don't want to be a counselor." Huey shrugged. "I'm satisfied with what I do now."
"You don't have to give up what you do now, it would just be an additional responsibility. Which means more money."
"And more people talking to me, which I don't want." He rolled his eyes. "I didn't ask for my office hours to become what they are. It's a free for all. And they never leave."
"You must be doin' something right then."
"It's not like I'm counseling them. Or even advising them, that's not my style. They just… talk to me. And again, don't leave."
"Then set appointments. And get an egg timer or something so when it goes off, you can kick 'em out." Cindy suggested. When she looked back at him, he seemed lost in thought as he stared off into space.
"…I don't know." He murmured. "I still don't think I want it."
Cindy grinned as she moved to put the pot on the stove. "The kids want it for you. They love you."
He lifted his eyes towards her at that, giving her a deadpan expression. "There's only two actual children that I care about."
"Don't you mean four?" Cindy propped a hand on her hip.
"No, why would I?"
"Your nephews… your god-sons?"
"Your spawn?" Huey retorted, making Cindy drop her jaw.
"Riley, Huey called them spawn again!" She shouted.
"Huey! Aht aht! Stop hatin'!" Riley yelled from the basement, making Huey roll his eyes while Cindy laughed.
"Speaking of…" Huey commented dryly at the sound of both rapid and clumsy footwork hurdling down the stairs. It wasn't but a few seconds until Cindy saw her boys slide into view in the hallway, charging for the kitchen.
"It's Unca Hater!" Elijah shouted, pointing towards Huey's turned back as they kept running. "Get 'im!"
Huey gave a slow eye roll with the slightest smirk, bracing himself without turning around. Cindy watched in amusement as the moment Elijah leapt at him, Huey reached his arm around to grab him in mid-air, doing a half spin to catch Dwight springing towards him as well.
"Ow. Eep." Huey said in monotone as they wiggled and flailed against him. "Make it stop. The horror."
"We're winning!" Dwight exclaimed as they continued their "attack."
"Don't hurt your uncle too much, he's gotta go soon." Cindy told them, receiving frowns in return.
"Aww, does Zay have to leave too?" Elijah pouted up at Huey.
"Yes, where is he?"
"He's in the ba—"
"Hide and seek!" Elijah interrupted Dwight loudly.
"Stalling… that's new." Huey replied sarcastically.
"I dunno what that means." He grinned cheekily.
"Yes you do." Cindy and Huey responded simultaneously, making him giggle.
"Hi Daddy!" Xavion exclaimed, entering the kitchen to approach Huey.
"Hey," Huey greeted in return, gently setting down the twins before squatting to accept the incoming hug. "How was camp?"
"Fun Daddy, we got to collect rocks today!" Xavion told him proudly.
"…Rocks?"
"They had fun painting rocks, Uncle Hater." Cindy told him with a pointed look.
"Yeah, Unca Hater!" Elijah added obliviously, diving to piggyback around Huey's shoulders while he was still kneeled.
"Yeah, Uncle Hater." Riley chimed in, suddenly entering the kitchen. "But on the real, can you help me with something?"
"What, I need to leave to pick up Jamilah."
"Can't you go get her and come back here?"
"No, she has dance lessons right after, I'm taking her straight there."
"Dang, so I might not even see her today?"
"You'll see her tomorrow, now what do you want?" Huey snipped.
"Help me move these mattresses around real quick."
"Seriously?" He groaned, standing tall again with Elijah still hanging tightly around his shoulders.
"Come on, I just need help moving his bed all the way downstairs."
"Is the frame already in the den?"
"Yeah, the bedpost is set up, I just need you for like five minutes."
Huey rolled his eyes as he started to walk past him. "Fine."
"And maybe two more minutes to move mine to Granddad's room." Riley suggested while grabbing Elijah from around his shoulders to set him down.
"Oh please, you can drag that down the hallway yourself!" Huey protested as he left the room.
"I'd help you!" Riley complained while following behind him.
"No you wouldn't!"
"Yay, we still get to play!" Elijah cheered.
"For just a little bit longer." Cindy reminded them.
"What should we do?" Dwight asked quickly.
"Hide and seek from Daddy and Unca Hater, c'mon!" Elijah exclaimed, snatching Xavion's hand to run along with him and Dwight.
"No hiding or seeking in the dryer again… or the washer!" Cindy called out behind them.
"…Yes Mama!"
Several Hours Later
"Ow…ow… Daddyyy." Elijah whined, pressing his palm to his forehead.
"My bad, man. Maybe if you'd sit still though… don'tchu gimme that look, lil boy." Riley smirked when Elijah turned to make a face at him. "Turn back."
"Why can't Mama do it?"
"Because I'm doing Daddy's." Cindy grinned as she continued to cornrow, keeping an eye on Riley's progress below her on Elijah's head. "Besides, how's Daddy gonna learn to do it right if he doesn't practice?" She asked, chuckling at the way his little shoulders bobbed in response.
"I am doin' it right, and over halfway done! I get no credit." Riley pretended to huff.
"Good job, Daddy!" Dwight spoke up from his spot snuggled next to Cindy.
"Thank you, lil man." Riley told him. "You know you're next though, right?"
"Mm-mmmmm." He immediately shook his head.
"Only if we have time, settle down, Bean." Cindy shushed him, knowing she'd have to wait until he fell asleep to work on him herself. He was so tender-headed, it was always a fight about his hair, even just to brush it. They kept threatening to cut it off if he wouldn't let them work on it, to which he always said 'do it', but Cindy knew they were bluffing, herself in particular. She was not ready to see all his long baby hair go.
Riley and Cindy glanced up as Granddad slowly entered the living room using his cane.
"You good? You need anything?" Riley asked right away, his fingers paused in Elijah's hair.
"Boy, am I not allowed to come in to sit in my damn chair?" He asked incredulously.
"Pop-Pop said the damn-word."
"Dwight!" Cindy addressed him while Riley whipped around.
"I meant the D-word, Mama." He looked up innocently.
"He said that word again Mama, get him!"
"Boy, hush." Riley turned back in his seat. "Mind ya business. And I told y'all both to ignore words your Pop-Pop says that he shouldn't be saying." Riley said while giving Granddad a look across the room. Granddad waved him off, unbothered as usual. Frankly, Cindy was too for the most part, along with Riley. Minding their language for babysitting, especially before they had kids of their own, was one thing. But after? Cindy was sure the twins had heard every curse under the sun by now, multiple times if she was being honest. If the boys could just hold off on exerting them for a few years, at least out of public earshot, she'd be happy.
Granddad was just about to sit in his recliner when he peered out the window. "Were you expecting Cutie Pie to come over tonight?"
"Jazmine?" Riley wrinkled his brow as he looked back at Cindy. "Were you?"
"Tomorrow, but not tonight." She told him while he stood up from the floor and went into the hallway.
"Auntie J is here?" Elijah asked, looking back at Cindy. She barely shrugged a shoulder before he was scrambling off the floor to follow his father. "Ooh, do you think she brought—"
"Ayy, whaddup baby!" Riley's voice exclaimed happily from the foyer.
"Mila's here." Dwight grinned, shifting away from his spot against Cindy to slide off the couch. He had almost made it through the doorway when they entered the room. "Mila!" He spoke while he knocked into her with a hug.
"Hi Beanie!" Jamilah greeted while hugging him back. She giggled when Elijah ran up behind her and swatted at the braided beads in her hair. At six years old, Jamilah was everything the twins wanted in a big sister. And despite how rambunctious they were and always had been, she'd never treated them any differently than she did her own brother.
"Hi Aunt Cindy, hi Granddaddy!" She smiled brightly, making her rounds over to them both.
"Hey hun," Cindy gave her a quick squeeze, noticing Riley and Jazmine walk into the living room over her shoulder. "What're you guys doing here?"
"Friday-ing." Jazmine answered with a sleepy grin and wave. "As if her full day of summer camp and dance class this afternoon wasn't enough, one little girl was still, somehow, up for basketball time tonight."
"Mommy said yesterday that maybe I could come over." Jamilah grinned, still snuggling against Granddad.
"That was before Mommy's schedule changed." Jazmine responded wryly. "I was going to text you guys this morning about it, but work turned insane. I was on-call all day." She explained, barely managing to stifle a yawn. It hadn't been long after Xavion had been born and Jazmine returned from maternity leave that she made a job transition. While relocating from the local animal shelter to a major veterinary hospital had been a big step for her, it couldn't have paid off better. Within three years, Jazmine now held the certified title of a veterinary surgical tech and, to everyone's surprise including her own, loved the surgery aspect more than she'd ever expected. And apparently, her boss and coworkers loved it for her too, with as much overtime she put in.
"I don't mind." Riley shrugged. "We ain't got much going on."
"Only the left side of your head, Huey." Jazmine cracked, glancing upwards at his hair.
"Get out of my house." Riley started pulling the unbraided section of his hair back at once. "What time you want her back?"
"Not too late. Maybe around the time the streetlights come on."
"Oh boooo." Riley complained, making the others laugh.
"Aw Mommy, it's already starting to get dark." Jamilah pouted slightly.
"You've had a long day, I don't want you overexerting yourself, honey." Jazmine told her before turning back towards Riley. "Five minutes after the streetlights turn on. Then bring her home please."
"Yeah-yeah-yeah, I got it, after the lights come on, I know." Riley said while shooing her back towards the door.
"Don't make me have Huey come over to get her."
"Ooh yeah, let him!" Elijah butt in excitedly.
"See you tomorrow Jazz!" Cindy called out while Granddad waved.
"Bye Auntie J!"
"Bye Mommy!"
"Have fun!" They heard Jazmine call back before the sound of the door closed behind her and Riley stepped back into view.
"Aiight, you ready? You ain't gonna smoke anybody without practice." Riley grinned at Jamilah, who cutely put her hand on her hip in return. She was already dressed in a loose T-shirt and shorts with pink and white sneakers on her feet. While she was currently only enrolled in dance lessons, she never let up on eventually wanting to join a basketball team in a few years. Which made weekly practices with her uncle invaluable to her.
"We only have til the streetlights come on, let's go!" She beamed while skipping over to him.
"Lemme grab my hat and we can go outside."
"Daddy, can I come too?" Elijah grabbed Riley's hand before he could move from his spot.
"Not tonight, but you and I and your brother can hoop in the morning together."
"But why?" He whined.
"For one, ya head's not done." Riley ruffled his section of loose hair before starting to walk. "Why don't you let your Mama finish your hair? We won't be out here long... quit poutin', boy." He smirked, grabbing his hat from the coat rack and ushering Jamilah out in front of him.
"Come on over here so I can finish you up." Cindy spoke to Elijah, trying not to crack a grin at how pouty he looked.
"It's not fair." He complained, walking over towards her with crossed arms. "How come I can't play?"
"You heard what your Daddy said." Cindy told him, sitting him down in front of her. "It's getting late, your hair needs done, and you'll get to play tomorrow."
"But how come Mila gets to?"
"This is special time for Daddy and Mila." She told him as she maneuvered through his hair. "The same way you have special time coloring with Daddy or Beanie has playing his music game with Daddy."
"I don't like that game." Elijah shrugged.
"It's fun." Dwight disagreed, nudging past him to climb back onto the couch.
"The point is, isn't it nice to have special time, just for you and Daddy to play together?"
"Yes." The boys said together.
"Well, that's how it is for Mila and Daddy." Cindy smiled to herself. "They'll always have that."
Granddad's POV
…Being old sucks….
Robert heard himself groan as he shifted in his recliner, a sharp pain in his left knee stirring him from his nap. He knew he was up when the second wave hit, this time causing him to lean forward to clutch his leg at the intensity. He released a slow breath, waiting for it to pass as he started to blink open his bleary eyes, willing himself to focus on something else. As if on command, the sound of a light snore suddenly came from his right, prompting Robert to turn his head. And even through the pain, the sight managed to bring a grin to his face.
Cindy and Dwight were in the same spot he'd saw them last, just much more slumped at the moment. Cindy's legs were lounging along the couch as she laid partially on her side. Dwight was positioned in the nook behind her knees as he rested against her belly. Both of them were out cold as they cuddled together.
Robert re-adjusted his recliner before pulling himself up to stand, using his cane to help stretch out his leg. He reached for the blanket draped over the back of his chair before moving towards the couch, unfolding it as he did so. Gently, he billowed out the blanket to cover Cindy's legs and around Dwight's shoulder, letting out a small chuckle watching him snuggle in even closer against Cindy.
You're definitely your Mama's boy alright. Robert smirked, brushing a light hand over his curls. The bond between them was evident from early on. Just to look at the two of them together, it was obvious.
Robert furrowed his brow at the thought, suddenly realizing that he was short one child, the child who should never be unaccounted for. But before his thoughts could escalate, he was distracted by rhythmic thudding coming from outside, prompting him to push aside the curtain. Instant relief filled him when he saw Riley and Jamilah rounding the corner towards the front of the house, Elijah sitting on his father's shoulders while he bounced a basketball.
"I'm telling you babe, you're killin' it." Riley said enthusiastically.
Jamilah seemed to hug the basketball she was carrying in her arms tighter as she beamed up towards him. "Really?"
"Definitely."
"I am too!" Elijah piped up, causing Robert to chuckle from the window.
"Yeah yeah!" Riley agreed, allowing his basketball to bounce freely as he quickly took Elijah down from his shoulders, grabbing ahold of it again right after. "And one day, both y'all are gonna be able to do a lil sum like this…." He smirked before showing off his footwork and dribbling maneuvers, just before doing a quick spin move and heading for the basketball hoop. He bounced it off the backboard as he leaped, catching its return and dunking it with a flourish.
"Me next, me next!" Elijah exclaimed, rushing over towards Riley with Jamilah following behind him. Robert let out another snicker at watching their excitement momentarily subside when they all turned to look towards the street, noticing Huey approach from the opposite house. He had the typical look on his face, but the irritation seemed to be focused on his brother.
Now this I gotta see. Robert thought, shamelessly cracking open the window to better hear them.
"Are you colorblind?" He managed to hear Huey say while he crossed his lawn.
Riley scratched the back of his neck. "…I don't think so..."
"Does this streetlight look on to you?" Huey pointed up to the one a few paces away from him.
"Listennnnn, what had happened was that we were knee-deep in practice."
"Knee-deep?" Huey crossed his arms. "Is that why I just witnessed you dunking on them?"
"Man, it's called inspiration!" Riley protested while the kids giggled "And we were practicing. Mila, embarrass ya Daddy one time, I give you permission." Riley gestured towards her. She didn't hesitate, giving herself some space before she started to carefully dribble the ball with her right hand. After several bounces, she made a wider stance before bouncing the ball to switch over to her left hand, maintaining her rhythm as she continued to dribble.
"FYI, she wasn't doin' that when she got here." Riley boasted proudly while he watched her keep it up.
"I'm impressed." Huey said simply. "Now say goodnight."
Riley let out a loud groan. "Mila, tell ya Daddy to stop hatin', I give you permission."
Jamilah giggled as she put her ball down, stepping over to Riley for a hug. "Night, Uncle Reezy. Thanks for practice."
"Anytime, babe." Riley told her before kissing the crown of her head. "Love you."
"I love you too." She kissed his cheek before letting him go. She was almost tackled by Elijah when he slammed into her with a surprise hug. "I love you too, EJ! I'll see you soon."
"Bye, Mila! Bye Unca Hater!" He called, making Robert let out another laugh as he watched them. Jamilah looked both ways before she crossed the street safely, accepting her father's hand once she reached him. She waved again over her shoulder while they continued back towards their house. Meanwhile, Riley was pretending to have trouble chasing after Elijah when the little one scooped up Jamilah's ball and ran towards the garage.
These kids… Robert grinned, letting the curtain fall closed again. Sometimes it felt surreal to him. All the things that had happened over the years unplanned… the sudden move to Maryland with his grandsons in tow, all the years spent raising them, watching them grow into young men, starting and raising families of their own right before his eyes….
Though he'd never said it aloud, he knew he was blessed. And he felt thankful to see their lives and their legacy continue to unfold. He was so proud of his boys… another thing he'd never admit, but he didn't have to. He knew that they knew. Career-wise, they were both thriving doing exactly what they wanted to do. Family-wise, they were already exceeding his expectations by a long-shot.
Maybe I did something right after all. Robert smiled faintly, glancing over at Cindy and Dwight again as he slowly started to exit the room. He'd miss moments like this. It felt fleeting at times, and he struggled with wanting time to speed up and slow down at the same time. If he could have nothing else, he just wanted to meet his great-granddaughter in a few weeks. He knew he'd never have nearly as much time as he wanted, but would be grateful for whatever time he was granted. All he wanted were times like this. Listening to Riley and Huey bicker, the same way they did even as children, watching all of his grandchildren grow and play, feeling a sense of peace that he'd never really felt before. It felt familiar, yet new at the same time. And though he felt like his role in their lives would be eventually coming to an end…
Who knows… maybe I'll have a better seat to see the next chapter of theirs continue…
Dedicated to our legendary icon: John Witherspoon, AKA our Granddad.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Aaron McGruder's The Boondocks or any of his characters.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who's rocked with me and continued to read/review this story. It's truly kept me going during this past dark year. Cheers to a better time in 2021 (hopefully).
Speaking of, I started the original story to this sequel in 2013… like… it's mind-boggling to me. And the fact that it's about to be over, even more so. It's why I've procrastinated so long, I already know. The show must go on though and all of that.
The second half will be coming soon. Stay tuned, stay blessed, and stay safe!
~Schweetie