Misunderstood (Toussaint Mafia #4)

Chapter 20

“ I ’d like to thank each and every one of you that has come to bid my son a final farewell. Despite his short comings he was a father, a husband and a son. If you feel compelled to do so please come up and share a memory of him that warms your heart,” Juan Toussaint her grandfather spoke standing inside of the large church.

Meilani was so weirded out by being inside of the building that she could barely focus on what was happening. She stood from the seat and quickly rushed out of the room. Meilani felt her heart racing as she walked down the long hallway trying to ignore the intrusive thoughts that ran through her mind taking her back to a time when she was helpless, lost and sadly taken advantage of.

“Mei, you okay?”

Meilani looked up and her sad eyes fell onto the man that she had been dreaming of since he left her. It felt like it had been ages since she’d laid eyes on her husband yet there he was. Donning a navy linen Gucci suit with a black shirt and black loafers he was a sight for sad eyes. Long thick ass hair braided neatly to the back as his rum hued eyes looked at her in concern. His jewels sparkled in the hall as he headed her way. She briefly eyed his guards who stood near the end of the hall protectively and Meilani sighed. She wasn’t sure what to do because his absence and loss of communication had caused uncertainty to swim in her veins replacing the love and security that his love had once put there.

“Come here,” Yaseer said, pulling her into his strong arms.

Meilani closed her eyes the moment she crashed into his solid chest. She rested her head against him, enveloped by his touch and alluring cologne. She tried her best to slow her racing heart as he held her.

“Regardless of what he did, I’m sorry you had to see him stretched out like that. I came back as soon as I heard, ma,” Yaseer spoke, holding her tightly.

Meilani’s eyes watered over as she thought of the photos of her father stretched out on the ground with his mouth cut open. Her stomach nearly emptied out when she saw the picture was traveling around online for everyone to see.

“It’s fine,” she whispered, and Yaseer shook his head.

He pulled back and peered down at her in concern.

“I know that messed with you, and I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” he reiterated.

“Meilani?”

Meilani’s body grew tense at the sound of the old voice that had once been deeper than Yaseer’s. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting to face the priest who had once been a confidant.

“Please get me out of here,” she whispered.

“Meilani, I’m so sorry about your father. I really am, dear.”

“Aye, she needs a minute, nigga,” Yaseer cut the priest off and led Meilani out of the Catholic church.

Despite her fear, Meilani smirked at his ignorance. She walked with Yaseer out of the building, and the moment the fresh air kissed her skin, she exhaled. She sat on the steps as her eyes traveled across the rows of black Rolls Royce’s that her grandfather demanded they ride in for her father's service.

Meilani adjusted her long black Dior skirt and peered up at the bright sky. Usually, it rained at funerals, but not for her father. Instead, God shone the sun down brightly on them, and she knew He was rejoicing in sending her father to hell because a man like him could never make it into Heaven.

“I’m sorry about your pops, Meilani. Despite what happened, he was your father, and I’m sorry, Mei,” Yaseer said.

He touched her stomach, which was starting to have a slight pudge, resembling bloat more than a baby, and she kept staring straight ahead.

“It’s fine,” she said softly. “Maybe now everything can be over.”

Yaseer rubbed her belly slowly, and she told herself not to care, but damn, feeling his touch after it had been absent for weeks—hell, months—did something to the side of her that he had softened.

“I felt you go rigid back there. You’re still hurting, Mei, and that’s okay.”

Meilani’s angry eyes shot to Yaseer. “That wasn’t for my father. That was—” She stopped talking when Yaseer removed his hand, and she swallowed hard. “That was me being caught in my head.”

Yaseer stared at her briefly before placing his hand back on her belly.

“You look good, Mei. Healthy and glowing. Your hair growing?”

Meilani thought of her growing locks and nodded. She felt like she may have been pregnant with a boy because her hair was growing like crazy, and her skin was glowing as well. She looked amazing that she couldn’t deny.

“Yes, it’s already grown three inches. I think I’m having a boy,” she smiled. “I can’t wait to hold him and kiss his face,” she sighed.

“We’re having a boy, not just you, ma. How you been feeling?”

Meilani watched Yaseer resume touching her stomach and then looked back at the lineup of cars outside the church. “Better. I’m starting to feel like I’m going to be alright,” she spoke honestly, not to hurt him but to be truthful about the situation.

“We’re about to have a family, Mei.”

Meilani nodded, her body relaxing at the thought of being a mom. She vowed to be better to her child than her parents had been to her. “Regardless of what you choose to do, I will eventually have a kid, and I will not let them down ever,” Meilani said, not caring at that moment whether Yaseer chose to stay with her or not.

Hours later, Meilani, along with her siblings, their spouses, and close friends and family, chilled out at the cigar bar Yaseer had named after her middle name. Meilani sat with her sisters on the sofa, watching Yaseer talk with Ossa. She noted how Nano had chosen not to come to the cigar bar, and she didn’t blame him. She also didn’t want to lead him on, so instead of asking him to come through to make sure he wasn’t feeling a way, she left it alone. Instead, she grabbed her seltzer water and crossed her legs.

Her eyes drifted to Boston, who was falling asleep from crying so hard at the service, then to Maia, who was tossing back lemon drops like they were water. When she looked at Masami, she saw that, like her, Masami was holding back her emotions. Masami sat quietly with a bottle of water on her lap, staring blankly around the bar.

“Masami, it’s okay for us to mourn him. He was our father, shitty dad or not,” Meilani told her.

Masami nodded as they spotted their mom walking quietly by the sofa, watching them as she had been doing since they learned of his death. Meilani was past being angry with her. She didn’t want to keep putting her energy into something she couldn’t change. She didn’t like the decisions her mom had made, but what could she do about them? She wasn’t sure if she completely forgave her, but it was easier to stomach her mom without feeling like she was the enemy. It also helped that her mom had given her the best advice—leave Yaseer alone. Ever since she took that advice, Meilani could sleep better at night. Her time wasn’t centered around Yaseer and the shit he was doing, which left her with the space to find a new location for a completely new Flower Boutique that she would fund herself. She was also able to enjoy her pregnancy.

“I’m not sad over that,” Masami snapped, frowning.

Meilani sighed, trying not to lash out at her older sister.

“Okay, then what’s wrong? I heard Ariz was fine. Are you worried about him still?”

Masami stood and pulled out her keys. Meilani watched a tall, buff man approach the sofa and look at Masami.

“You ready, Mrs. Peralta?” he asked.

“Who?” Maia asked, snapping her head in the guard’s direction. “Her last name is Toussaint.”

“I’ll catch up with you all later,” Masami frowned.

Masami put on her sunglasses and walked off with the guard following after her. Maia stood quickly, holding her glass.

“I’ll go after her.”

Maia walked off, following after Masami and the guard, while Meilani sank back onto the sofa. She tried to think of a heartwarming moment with her father, but nothing came to mind, and it actually hurt. It hurt so much that her eyes watered and prickled with tears. Not wanting to fall apart in front of anyone, Meilani quickly blinked away her emotions.

Imani joined her on the sofa as their mom walked by once more, this time with Reuben's wife by her side. Meilani turned to Imani, and before she could speak, Imani pulled her into a warm embrace. Meilani shielded her face as a few tears fell.

“I would never normally say this, but not here, Mei. You’re going to be fine, though. You are strong, and everything happens for a reason. However, he was your father, your marriage is rocky, and you’re pregnant. You’re dealing with a lot of shit, and you deserve a good ugly cry. Wanna go to the car and let it out?” Imani whispered, rubbing her back.

Meilani discreetly wiped her face before shaking her head. She pulled back from the embrace, and Imani touched her small belly, all smiles. “I’m so happy that your niece is going to have so many cousins to play with! First Boston with that beautiful baby girl and now you. You’re going to be a good ass momma,” Imani beamed.

Meilani couldn’t help but smile at Imani’s excitement. “I am? I mean, look at what we’re bringing our kids into. This is crazy.”

Imani sat back, still rubbing her belly. Despite the circumstances, she looked amazing in her black pantsuit, which was form-fitting and showed off her new curves and wide hips that Meilani knew her brother was loving.

“Yes, things are shaky right now, but sad times don’t last long. I already told Ossa what it is, and now you need to lay down the law with your husband. It’s okay to let men lead, but if you see they’re somehow lost in the forest, then as the woman of your family, you’ve got to guide them back to the road. Right now, our men are lost, and we have to show them the way,” Imani spoke.

Meilani eyed Yaseer as he talked with Ossa and Peace. She frowned as she considered what Imani was saying. “But how can I do that when I don’t want him to know I still care?” she wondered.

Imani looked over at her and smiled. “From the way he’s been watching you all night, your message was received. He sees now that you’re not going to chase him, so you can move on to the next play. Put that pussy on him, demand he gets his shit together, or tell him you’re leaving. Simple as that,” Imani told her.

Meilani swallowed hard, unsure if she was ready to do all of that. She knew once she gave Yaseer some pussy, he would regain control of her emotions and their situation. He didn’t have the type of dick that you could sample and then say goodbye to.

“I don’t know. I kind of like him not knowing what type of time I’m on,” Meilani mumbled.

Imani grabbed her drink off the table and took a sip before replying, “Well, keep doing what you’re doing. As for me, I already told your brother what it is. If he stays his black ass out here looking for drama one more night, all of his shit will be right there on the block with him. We’ve let these niggas do the most; the shit stops now. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired, and a bitch is not trying to be burying her husband. Ossa is going to get his act together, or it’s going to be stepdaddy season round two around here,” Imani retorted.

Meilani sighed before smiling because she knew enough about her sister-in-law to understand that she was not playing with her brother.

“I guess I can’t play hard to get forever. It would be nice to get things back on track. I just didn’t want to keep being weak. If I give in and have sex with him, he’ll think he won,” Meilani frowned.

Imani shook her head. “FYI, Mei, regardless of the way he’s behaved, you did wrong. It’s okay to say sorry. And as long as he didn’t cheat or disrespect you, it’s okay to want to still be with him. He’s hurt, and while we think our men are indestructible, they aren’t. They can act like big-ass babies at times, so adjust and act accordingly. He’s walking around here in his feelings; put him on the titty and get his ass to act right. Because my good sis is not about to go through this entire pregnancy alone. Is that what you want?” she asked.

Meilani thought about experiencing pregnancy milestones by herself and shook her head. She didn’t make the baby alone, so she didn’t want to go down that road alone either.

“I don’t,” she confessed.

“Then put that pregnant coochie on him and end this shit. Sometimes it takes a woman to do the job right, so it gets done,” Imani said, finishing off her drink.

“I know that nigga didn’t call you,” Yannis frowned, grabbing the black duffle off her sofa.

Meilani examined her loft, which was taken over by the Saintil brothers, and was pleasantly surprised to see it had been thoroughly cleaned and didn’t resemble a sloppy bachelor pad. She looked back at Yaseer’s brother and sighed. She was going through a serious bout of first trimester symptoms but couldn’t not go check on Yannis after learning from Yoson that he was making his last payment for a debt he built up while he was in jail.

She opened her black tote and pulled out a Ziploc of cash. She passed it to Yannis as he glared at her.

“Something I learned from my sister-in-law is that pride has no place when you’re in the company of family, and that’s what we are. Take it and let’s go pay these niggas one last time so you can move on with your life. Okay? And save all the unnecessary talk. You belong to the Saintil family, so you are someone I will look after. Plus, I can’t let my baby’s uncle get jammed up now, can I?”

Yannis stopped glaring as she continued to hold out the money.

“You pregnant by that mean ass nigga?”

Meilani smirked.

“Mean? You’re one to talk and yes, I am.”

Yannis be grudgingly accepted the cash and placed it in the duffle before looking at her.

“Thank you, I appreciate it. You been real from the start and if Yaseer loses you, he’ll be the dumbest nigga alive. You ready?”

Meilani closed her oversized maxi YSL bag and looked at him.

“Yeah, let’s ride out.”

Yannis chuckled as he headed to the door.

“Never envisioned my brother marrying somebody like you. Beauty and you bust your gun. You like an enigma and shit,” he smirked.

Meilani chose to not reply, instead following him out of the loft. Two hours later, they were pulling up to a warehouse on the outskirts of Detroit. It was becoming dark outside, and Meilani was wrestling with her fatigue and nausea. However, the minute they pulled up to the desolate building, she was on alert. Meilani checked her clip in her pistol and made sure the safety was off as Yannis parked his tinted out Escalade.

“So Yoson called to tell on me, but the lil nigga couldn’t bring his ass home? I’m confused by the shit he does,” Yannis grumbled, placing the truck in park.

Meilani thought of Yoson and the mission she had him on. Yaseer’s brothers were smart, handsome and efficient. After speaking with Yoson on several occasions, she was certain that he had a future in the sports betting world. Similar to Yaseer was with stocks, Yoson had an eye for teams. He’d made him and Meilani a good amount of money in the last few months he’d been betting, and she was excited for his future. If he kept it up, he would be rich in no time.

“He’s in Vegas and couldn’t fly home yet. Remember that invite he had to come to the Bellagio?” Meilani replied.

Yannis nodded as a black Tahoe with a heavy tint pulled into the lot and rode towards them. The Tahoe chose to park five rows over, and Yannis made sure he was strapped before glancing over at Meilani.

“Don’t get out of the truck. If something was to happen to you, I would beat my own ass, then my brother would kill me. True shit, I’m good.”

Meilani watched Yannis exit his truck with the duffle and head towards the Tahoe. She waited on bated breath until Yannis was passing the duffle through a window and dapping up a shadowy figure. Minutes later, he was back in the truck and pulling away. Meilani exhaled as they headed back to Marcy Falls.

“Aye, sis, I got a question for you, and I mean this with no disrespect. How long are you gonna wait for him to forgive you? I been waiting for years. Three, to be exact, and it hasn’t happened yet,” Yannis remarked, relaxing in his seat.

Meilani peered out of the window as her hand moved to her belly. She wanted to talk shit. Act like this boss bitch that didn’t have feelings, but she didn’t have it in her to pretend at the moment. So instead of putting on an act, she kept it real with Yaseer’s little brother.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” she answered softly, and Yannis nodded before turning on the radio.

Meilani got comfortable in the seat and her eyes lowered as the sounds of soft R I know your heart. You are a good man that would give the people you love your last. You don’t deserve for any of us to mistreat you and I’m sorry. From the bottom of my heart I am,” Meilani spoke, sincere as she could be, needing Yaseer to feel the love and compassion that she had for him in her heart.

“Meilani about the divorce.”

“I see you have your husband with you today. Hello, hello,” the OGBYN grinned, taking over the conversation.

She washed her hands as Meilani lay back on the bench she was sitting on. Meilani was relieved that she cut off Yaseer’s words, as she wasn’t ready to hear how he still wanted to divorce her.

“You’ve lost weight, Meilani. We want you to do the opposite of that. Okay?” her doctor spoke.

Meilani nodded as she felt Yaseer peering her way.

“Also, your vitals were low. I want you to come back in next week and do a stress test. If you aren’t carrying this pregnancy as healthy as we both know you can, I will have to place you on bed rest. At least until you are out of this trimester. Now relax so we can see how this little bean pie is doing,” her doctor smiled.

“What can she do to get herself back on track, doc?” Yaseer asked, standing.

Meilani chose to look at the monitor as he advanced on her. The doctor began to rub the ultrasound wand over her small belly as she replied.

“Eat frequently, healthy foods, of course. Get ample rest and keep your stress levels low. Her blood pressure is rising, and her weight is down. Right now, her body is like a cocoon, and she’s nestling a very fragile butterfly. In order for the butterfly to grow through every stage and be able to fly, she has to keep her body in the best condition it could be in. A butterfly can’t develop in an unstable cocoon,” her doctor responded, exaggerating how she often did, which pissed Meilani off.

“Well, I don’t wanna think of my son as a butterfly, but I get what you saying. Meilani needs to eat more food, go to bed early to get good rest and be pampered so her stress levels are down. Got it. Basically, we have to do better at keeping her healthy and shit,” Yaseer replied.

“Ha!” Meilani’s doctor laughed as she looked at Yaseer, visibly amused by his words. “Yes, pamper her, keep her fed and make sure she gets rest. Sounds about right. Meilani, I will see you next week for the stress test. Let’s see if this husband can help you get your levels in order. You two enjoy your day.”

After Meilani’s doctor appointment, she retreated to her home and began cooking for her mom, who was on the way. Yaseer, surprisingly, came home with her and was watching sports in the family room as she moved around the kitchen while speaking to Masami on the phone.

“The baby is fine, she said that I have to gain more weight. I lost eight pounds since my last visit,” she mumbled, putting the rice onto the island to make with her jambalaya.

“Maybe you should come over to my place for a few weeks. I can cook for you and make sure you’re eating right, Mei,” Masami offered, making Meilani shake her head.

“Nah, and listen to you and AR have sex? I’m good. I’ll stay here and I don’t need anybody watching me,” she frowned as Yaseer stepped into the kitchen and eyed her briefly before going to the fridge.

He was sporting his Versace lounge pants with a black beater, and Meilani was salivating at how sexy he looked while pretending to not pay him any attention.

“I’m done with AR, so you wouldn’t hear that anyway and you’re right, you shouldn’t have to be over here. Especially when you have a whole damn husband. Where is that mean ass nigga at, anyway? We should find his location and pull up on him. Put some candy in that niggas tank and flatten a few of his tires at least. He has you losing weight like you formed a habit. I don’t mind spending another night in jail if it’s gonna fuck up his day,” Masami fussed.

Meilani smiled at how serious her sister was.

“We don’t have to run down on anyone. I can assure you of that,” Meilani replied softly, and Masami smacked her lips.

“He must be over there with you right now? Got you whispering like a child. Well, I’m coming over too, on some guess who’s coming to dinner shit. I wanna give him hell for the way he’s been acting. See you soon,” Masami ended the call before Meilani could object and Meilani put her cellphone onto the counter hoping that Masami was joking.

“After today, I’m having a chef come over every day to take care of your meals, Mei. It’s nothing we have to debate about, it’s happening ma,” Yaseer stated, leaning against the counter inside of the kitchen and folding his arms.

Meilani started back, cutting her sausages as she frowned.

“I’m guessing it’s the same chef who cooks your breakfast, lunch, and dinner for you. Considering I haven’t made you food in what feels like forever. We both know you like to eat, damn near demand, it’s homemade,” she replied evenly. “Just so you know, I said all of that to say I don’t want any woman you are having sex with cooking for me.”

Casually, she chopped the sausages before tossing them into the wide skillet. Next, she prepared the vegetables as Yaseer gazed at her.

“Mei, my mom was cooking for me. No matter what’s going on, she is still my mom. Even when I didn’t wanna speak to her, she still brought me lunch, and I usually ate out for dinner.”

Meilani shrugged, not sure what to believe.

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” she sighed, cutting more veggies.

“You have guests pulling up, Mr. and Mrs. Saintil,” Yaseer’s house man announced, stepping into the kitchen.

Meilani groaned, realizing that Masami had extra time to be petty as hell that night.

“Guests? I thought it was just your mom? I wanted to talk to you, Mei,” Yaseer frowned.

Meilani smiled at his selfishness.

“Yaseer, you had all the time in the world for us to talk. Hell, I’ve been waiting months to talk to you, so surely you waiting a few hours won’t hurt. Ralph, you can let them in and Yaseer, it was good seeing you. I wanted to enjoy dinner with my family tonight so you can leave.”

Yaseer looked at Meilani like she was crazy.

“Leave? This my house too, Mei what the hell is going on with you?”

Meilani shook her head.

“Nothing baby, I’m just giving you the same energy that you have been giving me. While I’m sorry and I will say that over and over again, what I won’t do is keep begging and pleading for your time. I need to focus on my baby and staying calm. That’s what’s most important to me right now,” she replied.

“You not even done cooking, what the hell is this? A joke,” Maia fussed, walking in with wine as Yaseer walked out of the kitchen.

“I just started cooking, and I only invited Jazmine. I did not invite the rest of her offspring,” Meilani frowned, holding in her smile.

“I mean, you should have known I was pulling up the minute I heard you were cooking. You look so cute, Mei,” Maia said, hugging her from behind. “My Meilani, the body is having a baby. I’m really going to be the only bad bitch in the family after you pop that baby out,” Maia whispered, making them chuckle.

“Don’t laugh. You know it’s the truth. Plus, look how big Masami is getting. We’re going to have to give her a test next. I see you bitches just can’t keep y’all legs closed,” Maia teased, hugging her again.

“Maia, get off my wife,” Yaseer grumble making Maia smack her lips.

“Boy fuck you,” Maia mumbled, and Meilani snickered.

“Be nice,” Meilani whispered.

Maia huffed and then stomped her foot like a child.

“But I don’t want to. Masami said we came over to cause him hell,” Maia sighed.

“I’ma call y’all fucking husbands. I was trying to have dinner with my wife tonight. Mei needs rest. The doctor said she’s been losing weight, and her blood pressure is high. If she doesn’t get better, she’s gonna have to go on bed rest,” Yaseer retorted.

“I wonder why. You niggas love to play dumb,” Masami snapped, coming into the kitchen and Maia let Meilani go.

Meilani stopped chopping vegetables to look at her older sister, who was sporting her extra weight, proudly looking beautiful as ever. With the fuller cheeks, Masami looked so much more like Maia and Meilani.

“Y’all came to see me or fight with Yaseer?” Meilani asked, not in the mood to hear the bickering.

Masami sat two trays of food on the counter and rolled her eyes at Yaseer before looking at Meilani.

“Both,” she frowned, and Yaseer chuckled.

“Yeah, okay. You won’t be doing that shit in this house. Shouldn’t you be making sure your husband is good?” Yaseer asked and Masami nearly busted a vein as she glared at him.

“Masami and Maia, go help Boston with the last of the food,” Jazmine spoke coming into the kitchen, and Meilani was actually relieved to see her. “Hey baby,” Jazmine spoke to Yaseer as she traveled over to him. She gave him a hug before traveling over to Meilani. She grabbed the knife from her hand and placed it in the sink before pulling her into a warm embrace. Meilani exhaled as she hugged her mom tightly. “I know, I know. I felt like you could use a meal, so I cooked for you instead. I told Masami to call to tell you that, but I see she didn’t. Close your eyes, Meilani, and relax. Everything will be fine,” Jazmine soothed her while rubbing her back.

“Food smells good, Mrs. Toussaint,” Yaseer spoke.

Jazmine continued hugging Meilani as she smiled.

“I cooked all of her favorites, and I brought vitamins for her and tea. Along with a few more essential items to get her in a better state. I also bought an overnight bag so I can stay until she’s better. I need to keep my eyes on her,” Jazmine replied.

“Yeah, that sounds real good. She been running the streets, painting buildings like we don’t have people to do that and not getting any rest,” Yaseer snitched while pulling lids off the Cajun food Jazmine cooked.

“Maybe she’s trying to stay busy so that she can keep her mind off the problems she has at home. Women do that the same as men, sweetie. Or would you rather she find a new man to take up her free time?” Jazmine asked.

Yaseer glanced at her while frowning.

“Nah, I definitely don’t want that. I’m not trying to make the news no time soon.”

Jazmine smiled, hugging Meilani.

“Neither am I, so let’s get this marriage in order. I know firsthand how important it is to be on one accord with your spouse. When the husband and wife aren’t happy, the kids suffer. Now everyone, let’s eat,” Jazmine spoke.

Thirty minutes later, Meilani’s new dining room table was being put to use as she, along with her sisters, mom, Ossa and Yaseer, enjoyed her mom’s creole dishes.

“How my nigga AR doing?” Yaseer asked Ossa and Meilani caught how disturbed Masami became at his question.

“He’s better. I was leaving him and Masami’s spot when you called and told me to pull up. Especially since nobody else was gonna call and tell me about the family dinner. Me and my wife like good ass food too,” Ossa sighed, sitting back in his seat.

Meilani rolled her eyes as she grabbed her iced tea. She’d eaten so much that her stomach was sticking out, making her look more pregnant than she was.

“Boy, this was supposed to be a dinner with me and mom. Nobody else,” she frowned. “Y’all always want shit to be about y’all,” Meilani sighed.

“And we do,” Maia snickered, holding her glass of wine. “Shit, you gotta share.”

“Mouth girls and Ossa, I’m sorry I didn’t call you. I was coming over to make sure Meilani was good after hearing the news about her weight loss. I can plan a family dinner, and everyone can come,” Jazmine suggested.

“Nah, no need for that,” Masami mumbled and tossed back a shot of tequila.

Meilani eyed Maia, and they shook their heads. It was obvious the wide hips and ample ass Masami now sported were thanks to Ariz, but her other weight gain was from separate sources. After observing Masami scarf down two plates of food and unlimited drinks, it was clear she was using food and liquor as a way of comforting herself.

“Masami let’s go talk in the kitchen,” Jazmine said, standing.

Masami rose and before she traveled after Jazmine, she looked at Yaseer.

“You know Mei is really sorry about what happened. I know your father wasn’t as shitty as ours, but being in this life, you, of all people, know how sticky it can get. How we have to sometimes say yes to shit that even we don’t agree with. Meilani is a lot of things, and a snake isn’t one of them. She is loyal and a good woman. If you don’t want her, let her go and I’m sure plenty of rich, getting money, mobbed up niggas, will jump in line to take your place. Hell, play daddy to your baby too. Don’t get it twisted and don’t lose a good woman because of pride. You will never find a better woman than a Toussaint girl. You can believe that,” Masami told him and exited the room.

Ossa grabbed his fork while frowning.

“Fucks going on around here? What I miss? Yaseer y’all having problems?” he asked, and Maia rolled her eyes.

“I don’t see why Imani wants your ass, you always a day late and a dollar damn short,” Maia frowned, making all the Toussaint girls laugh.

Meilani snickered, and when she looked up, Yaseer was gazing at her. After the dinner Jazmine cooked was gone, along with the wine and drinks the sisters brought over, the family left. Meilani showed her mom to the guest suite and retired to her bedroom. She gradually closed the door as she noticed the lit candles on the dresser and soft R&B music playing from the bedroom wall speakers. The fireplace was lit as well, and Meilani found herself leaning against the bedroom door as she reflected on the last time she was in the new bedroom with her husband.

“You can trust that I will never steal or lie to you again,” Meilani said softly. “Whatever you wanna know, I’ll tell you Yaseer. You never even gave me a chance to tell you everything.”

Yaseer sat at the foot of the bed in his black Celine boxers.

“Come have a seat, Mei.”

His words were commanding, but not in a harmful way. And they had a way of making Meilani move to the demand of them as she traveled over to Yaseer. He pulled her onto his lap, and she sat back so that she could peer into his eyes as his hands traveled to her ass.

“I’ve wanted you for a long time, Meilani. I just had no clue shit would be this hard for us to be happy, baby. I’m far from soft but honestly I thought once we got married we would be happy. Not once did I think any of this shit would take place in our marriage and it knocked me off my game. Had me thinking things that wasn’t good for either of us. Can you understand that, Mei?”

Meilani nodded, feeling remorse. She tried to look away, and Yaseer rubbed her back.

“I’m not trying to keep rubbing the shit in. Even though they working my fucking nerves, your people was right. You are a good woman, and I don’t wanna lose you, ever. I’m sorry that I didn’t handle the situation in a good way. The fact that I can’t even talk with my lawyer about the divorce shows how much I love you. It’s never hard for me to cut a muthafucka off. Shit, I went years without talking to my brothers. I’m not proud of it, but that’s how I am. Still, I see now that being like that isn’t healthy. I can’t want you to change and I don’t meet you halfway. I’m willing to fix my shit, Mei. For you and for this family that we’re building. Was it your pops that made you feel like you didn’t need men and love?”

Meilani slowly shook her head while looking at him. She took a deep breath and decided to expose her biggest secret. A secret no one knew about.

“When I was in school, I had what I thought was a close friendship with one of the priests. I was lost, and he was there for me. Made me feel like he cared about my troubles. One day when I was meeting up with him to talk about my problems at the time he took advantage of me,” Meilani stopped speaking as her mind briefly traveled to that turbulent time in her life. As she swallowed down her pain, Yaseer caressed her hand lovingly. Meilani flashed him a smile before continuing. “He wasn’t rough, but it hurt all the same. I was a teenager looking for guidance. Someone to have in my corner and instead of being there for me he raped me inside of his truck in the back of the church. I was scared, embarrassed and afraid to tell my father. I felt like I would disappoint him if he knew that I was no longer pure, so I hid it. Months later I discovered I was pregnant by way of a miscarriage. I had no clue I was pregnant but when I woke up bleeding the way I was I knew something wasn’t right. I snuck off to Black Bottoms and went to a clinic that doesn’t care about your age. I paid for the procedure, and I rode the bus home. You are the only person I’ve ever told this to,” she stated softly, eyes prickling with tears.

Yaseer’s jaw tensed at her revelation, and she waited for him to respond to it. However, instead of asking her who the priest was, he brought his thick lips to her neck and gently kissed it.

“Thank you for trusting me with that, Mei. Can we start over?” he asked, kissing her neck once more before pulling back to peer into her eyes. “Can we?”

Meilani’s tears fell as she nodded finally feeling like she could fully breathe again without her heart hurting.

“Yes.”

Yaseer grinned at her, something he rarely did, and she matched his vibe, smiling hard as well. Yaseer retrieved a ring box and held it up, grabbing her attention. Meilani felt her heart start to race as she looked at him.

“I Yaseer Saintil, take Meilani Toussaint to have and to hold. Through sickness and in health, the good shit and the bad. To be my wife, my best friend, my rider. The one person I can trust, love and spoil the fuck out of. The one person I will be better for because she deserves that,” Yaseer spoke sincerely.

Meilani wiped her tears before clearing her throat.

“I, Meilani Toussaint, take Yaseer Saintil to be my husband. To have and to hold, through sickness and in good health. I vow to be true to you,” she sighed, fueled with so much emotion that she wanted to cry some more. “I vow to never lie or steal from you again. I promise to love your fine ass continuously. I vow to give you one more baby in case this one is a girl,” she laughed. “And I vow to never leave your side, unless your ass gets to tripping again. Now kiss me,” she grinned.

Yaseer smirked. He opened the ring box and as the light came on, the diamond ring that housed a band that was flooded with clear diamonds nearly blinded her. Yaseer switched out her wedding ring before sitting the box on the bed. When his eyes connected with Meilani’s, she blushed at the way he was staring at her.

“I love you, Mei. I want you to know I didn’t fuck off with nobody. You had a nigga taking it back to the old school with the lotion and shit. I damn near twisted my wrist,” he swore.

Meilani giggled as she grabbed his face.

“I was true to you as well. I kept these legs, and this mouth closed.”

Yaseer kissed her on the lips as he gripped her ass.

“What about your heart, you kept that for me too?”

Meilani nodded as she slowly started to grind on his lap.

“I especially kept that for you. Nobody else was meant to have it but you. My heart belong to the Don, Yaseer Saintil,” she replied before thrashing her lips into his.

Every kiss, touch and moan was inflamed with a passion Meilani had never felt before. She started out on his lap and ended up on her back as Yaseer placed loving kisses on her body. Slowly dragging that long tongue of his over her frame as she writhed beneath him.

“Missed you, Mei. Damn,” Yaseer groaned before sticking his head between her thighs. “Missed this pussy, too. Feed it to me,” he demanded.

Meilani did just that, spreading her meaty thighs wider and receiving Yaseer’s tongue lashing as they caught up on months’ worth of lovemaking that they had missed out on.

Masami: Did you see somebody killed Priest St. James? He was always fine as hell for a priest, somebody must have found him with their wife after church lol. Why did I think he low-key liked you when we were younger? He used to stare at you after mass.

Meilani put her phone away as her eyes traveled over to her husband, who was cutting into his steak with a pleased smirk on his face. Day two of being back in perfect union with Yaseer had Meilani floating on a cloud that nobody but God had the power to knock her off of.

“Aye, listen when the bet was over and I saw I hit it, I damn near pissed myself. Nigga was happy as fuck, ouch my bad ma!” Yoson winced when Yaseer’s mom popped his arm.

Everyone laughed as Meilani peered around the inside of the dining hall. The round table was filled with Yaseer’s family and friends. Meilani was giving him a small birthday re-do that he was enjoying.

She had been as well until she realized he went behind her back and handled the priest. How he knew the right priest, she had no clue. It wasn’t enough to sour the mood, but it did work her nerves. Meilani divulged her past to Yaseer out of love, not need. She could have handled the priest long ago, but she hadn’t because she was allowing for God to give him his karma. She didn’t need to do it.

“Well, watch your mouth because I am not one of your lil friends,” Mrs. Saintil frowned before smiling. “However, I am very delighted to see all of my babies together in one room. Won’t He do it, I’m so overjoyed!”

Yaseer sat back and wiped his face as Meilani smiled at Yaseer’s mother's excitement for the family bonding moment.

“Yeah, it’s been a long time coming,” Yaseer finally spoke, making everybody peer his way. His braids were somewhat frizzy because of the shower lovemaking from earlier that day still, he was giving off major big dick energy. He was giving Don and Meilani was loving every second of it. The custom tailored black Dior suit fit Yaseer impeccably, doing little to hide the toned, tall frame that was wearing it. Everything from Yaseer’s muscles to his speech and even his gait showed why he was the Don. He was all man and while Nano was cool, he wasn’t Yaseer. Meilani had no doubts in her mind about who the right man for her was.

Yaseer licked his lips as his eyes traveled over to her.

“I wanna thank my beautiful wife for putting together this impromptu dinner. I know times have been hard for us and the fact that she didn’t immediately count me out shows the love she has for me. I appreciate you Mei and I thank you for still being my wife.”

“Nigga, so happy Mei didn’t leave his ass. He done came back around giving love speeches and shit,” Joyner jested, then chortled when Mrs. Saintil gave him a warning look for his language. “My bad ma, you know it’s hard for us to turn that on and off,” he chuckled.

Yaseer smirked, still staring at Mei.

“Come here, Mei,” he demanded lowly, with adoration in his gaze.

Meilani leaned towards him, and he kissed her cheek before leaning towards her ear.

“I’d give love speeches, or whatever the fuck else I gotta give to keep you by my side. My biggest blessing,” he whispered before sitting back. As Meilani blushed while gushing out her thongs, Yaseer turned to his family. “I also wanna thank my brothers for coming today. I know we haven’t been the closest, but that’s gonna change. Especially now that you two are staying in Marcy Falls. Big things are coming and since Meilani is getting her business back on the ground and preparing to bless us with my baby, I wanted to make some changes.”

Yaseer stood and Meilani smiled as she watched him grab a jewelry box from his guard near the wall. Yaseer passed Yoson his box first and dapped him up before going to Yannis, who had been quiet through the dinner. Yaseer cleared his throat as he peered down at the brother who resembled him the most.

“I know we have a lot we gotta iron out but know that we share the same blood, and I would die for you the same as I would die for them. I want you to be my consigliere, and this isn’t a request. Since you’re part of the family, it’s about time you join us at the table," Yaseer said as he handed Yannis his box.

Meilani’s eyes welled up with tears as she watched Yannis stand up and be enveloped in a warm embrace by Yaseer, like a true brother. Yaseer spoke quietly to Yannis before letting him go. Yannis and Yoson put on their Saintil Cuban Link chains as Yaseer took his seat at the table.

“Our baby is on the way and my brothers are here for good. New blessings in the Saintil Mafia and that’s something for us to toast to. It’s only up from here,” Yaseer spoke, raising his glass of 1942.

After dinner, Meilani rested in bed as Yaseer rubbed her feet. He was due to be in Miami in a few hours but wouldn’t board his jet until he knew she was asleep.

“Yaseer, I told you I’m fine. I know Joyner and Yannis are tired of waiting for you in the car,” she smiled.

Yaseer frowned before kissing the pad of her left foot.

“They’ll be alright. I told you I’m not leaving until you sleep. Now let’s lay down.”

Meilani giggled as Yaseer climbed into the bed with her and cuddled with her like he wasn’t sporting a $5,000 suit. He held her tightly as her eyes started to close.

“How did you know which priest I was talking about, and why did you kill him?”

Yaseer kissed the side of her neck while holding her.

“I make it my business to learn as much as I can about you, Mei. The minute I saw that old R. Kelly ass nigga in the hallway, I felt something was off with him. I had my people look into him and you wasn’t the only one. He had over twelve cases of sexual abuse with a minor on him. Teenage girls like you, and that shit got me hot. I couldn’t stop myself from pulling up on him. You mad at me?”

Meilani took into account everything Yaseer revealed about the priest and shook her head. She had never considered he would do it to anyone else.

“No, and now I feel awful because I could have helped those girls. Wow,” she mumbled.

Yaseer kissed the side of her neck again.

“Mei, you was dealing with a lot, and I didn’t tell you that to make you feel guilty. I told you that so you wouldn’t feel sorry for him. Nobody made him be that way, he chose that shit. Now the other young girls are safe. Don’t let that get you down, baby.”

A yawn escaped her lips as she nodded.

Meilani whispered, her eyes shut, the dream land so close that she could almost grab it, “Yaseer Saintil, I love you.”

Yaseer caressed her stomach as he replied, “And I love you more, Meilani the body, Saintil.”