Chapter 48' Let it be Beautiful

Scar

“Honey I’m home” I called out through my apartment waiting for Tee to answer but she never did

I rolled my eyes, slipped out of my boots and put my bag down then headed towards her room. I walked further into the room and saw her sleeping with papers scattered all around her.

I could have left her sleeping but that’s just not the person I am.

I crawled onto the bed and lightly flicked her nose causing her eyes to pop open. She glared at me and I smiled brightly at her.

“Can’t you be normal?” she asked stretching and sitting up

I flopped down beside her “I can but I choose not to” I said

She rolled her eyes and pulled her glasses down on her face “Did you go to work already? Because it’s barely twelve and I know Uncle Kirk didn’t let you leave early?” she said looking down at her papers

“He actually gave me the day off” I said

She rolling her eyes “Your dad pays you to read magazines and text on your phone all day” she said

“That’s not true” I protested “I answer calls, I make appointments and I make coffee” I said defending myself

I basically did the same this I was doing when I worked for Cash, now when I worked for him I basically get paid for doing nothing.

Unlike here I actually had fun working at the tattoo shop, in my daddy’s office I’m surrounded by middle aged men.

“Ok Cari whatever you say” she said looking at me “You think I ain’t notice that you ain’t come home last night?” she asked playfully

I giggled “I was with my best friend” I said

“Who Mikey?” she asked saying his name in a mocking tone

I rolled my eyes “Yes Mikey is there a problem?” I asked

“You know what I’m starting to think that you were with him instead of his brother” she said

I frowned “You know he’s been my best friend since grade school plus I don’t think neither of us would cross that line; matter of fact I know for sure we wouldn’t” I said

What’s sad is she’s not the only person that thinks me and Ty either dated before or are currently in a relationship with each other. That couldn’t have been the furthest thing from the truth

Ty and I not only have respect for each other but for the people around us. I just got out of a year-long relationship with his brother and he dated my dead best friend for years plus he has a girlfriend. That would just be mad grimey on both of our parts.

“I’m just saying gosh” she said “Anyways it’s early as hell, what are you gonna do today?” she asked

“Hold that thought” I said retrieving my vibrating cell phone from pocket “Hi Kira boo” I sung into the phone

“Don’t Kira boo me” she grumbled

I frowned “Why you mad at Cari?” I asked in a baby voice

“Cause when she dropped her nigga she dropped everybody else along with him but you still fuck with his bother though” I could she was rolling her eyes by the tone of her voice

That’s not entirely true. Kira and Mijo are around Cash more than anybody else. Although Ty’s his brother they see each other every other week, they talk on the phone more than they see each other.

I just don’t want to run into him because I know if I do I’m going to break because lord knows I miss him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to I just needed to get my head together and Ty was the only person that can help me do that” I said

“You know you ain’t shit Scar, I’m pregnant and emotional, you shouldn’t do that to me” she said

I giggled “Ok babes it won’t happen ever again I promise” I said

She kissed her teeth “To make it up to me you should come meet me for lunch” she said

“I can do that” I said

“Cool, do you want me to come pick you up-“

“Oh no it’s okay I have a car now” I said

“Well excuse me madam I didn’t know” she said

“Well now you do, I’ll see you soon” I said hanging up the phone “I guess I’m going out for lunch with my best friend” I said to Tee

“Have fun”

* * *

Going into this lunch I didn’t know what to expect. I know Kira forgave me and what not but Kira is unpredictable especially because her ass is pregnant anything could go down.

I parked the car that my daddy bought for me in the semi-packed parking lot of the little restaurant that I was meeting Kira.

In the course of the last two months he has bought me a car, hooked me up with an apartment which I share with my cousin Tee and gave me a job at his office.

I know he’s doing it out guilt from his actions and how they affected me. No matter how much I tell him he doesn’t have to do all of this for me he just refuses to take no for an answer.

I whipped my car into a parking space and got out; immediately the harsh winds hit me in my face making me pull my scarf closer to my face.

I quickly crossed the street and entered the restaurant. I looked around and spotted Kira but she wasn’t alone.

I didn’t really recognize who the person was because they had their face buried in their phone.

The more I approached the table the better I was able to see the person’s face.

I looked at Kira in confusion “Um Kira, what the hell is going on here?” I asked pointing at Moni

Moni finally put her phone down and looked at me “Scar just sit down please” Moni said she said breaking her silence

I wanted to say the fuck you and leave up out of this restaurant just as quickly as I came in but there was something in her eyes that wouldn’t let me.

I sighed and sat down across from them. I glared at Kira and she shot me an apologetic look.

“Let’s make this short and sweet” she said

“Why am I even here?” the attitude was evident in my voice

She blinked and blew air out of her mouth. I guess she was trying to keep herself calm or something “Look, I know you don’t like me and all but for the next ten minutes can you manage to keep that attitude out of your voice” she said

I fought to roll my eyes “What is it that you need to tell me?” I asked tightly

“It’s about Cash you have to talk to the kid” I was about to say something but she stopped me “And before you say no let me attempt to justify his actions” she then proceeded to tell me about her condition, the miscarriage and how Cash reacted

Both Kira and me had shocked looks on our faces when she was finished.

“Are you okay?” I found myself asking her

She smiled “I’m fine now” she said “I never intended to come here and mess up what you two had, I may be a lot a things but a home wrecker is one thing I can say I’m not” she said

“And you thought he cheated, shame on you” Kira said

I smiled at her “Girl keep quiet” I said  “I don’t understand why he couldn’t just tell me thought, if I had known this I would have never broken up with him” I asked

“That’s just the way he is, no matter how close he is to you he won’t tell you what’s bothering him” Moni said

I wanted to talk to Cash and I wanted to talk to him now.

Cash

“And you’re done” I said to the blonde woman who I just finished inking up

She got and looked at it in the big mirror “Oh they’re so pretty, thank you” she said eyeing the pink ribbons I put on each of her shoulders

They were the typical first tattoo for her girls like her.

I lightly smile at her “You’re welcome” I said before looking at the clock and sighing “When you go to the front desk they’ll tell you how to take care of them” I said pulling off my gloves and tossing them in the trash

I then quickly wrote up her receipt and handed it to her.

She nodded “Thank you again” she said

“No problem” I said watching her walk out of my office

One customer down countless more to go.

I had a full schedule today; there ain’t no telling what time I’ll be getting home tonight. Even though I know I had a lot of customers today I still came to work late.

A knock came at the door “Come in” I said thinking it was my next customer but it wasn’t

“Hey Cash can you squeeze in a walk-in like right now?” Lucy asked sticking her head through the door

I shook my head “Naw, I can’t take anybody else right now send them to somebody else” I said

“Alright” she said closing the door

I don’t know why she even had to ask if I was taking anybody else.

Less than a minute later Lucy came back “She doesn’t want to see anybody but you” she said

I rolled my eyes “Who problem is that?” I asked “I got other people who been waiting here for mad long to get they shit done so she either can see someone else or take her ass somewhere else” I said

“You’re so damn mean, you know that?” she asked

I shrugged “Yea I know now go tell shorty what I said” I said

She sighed “I ain’t gonna keep doing this back and forth shit” she mumbled walking out

“Send in the next customer while you out there!” I yelled after her

I started to set up my station for the next customer when I heard someone come in. I turned around and saw Lucy standing there with her hands on her hips.

She sighed “She’s not leaving until she sees you right now, she looks like she’s ready to turn shit up” she said

I kissed my teeth “You got to be fucking kidding me” I grumbled

“Nope, now come do something about this girl” she said

“What the hell do you want me to?” I asked

“I don’t know but you better do something” she said leaving

I rolled my eyes and followed behind her “Where she at?” I asked Lucy when I got to the front of the shop

She nodded in the girl’s direction “Right there” she pointed at her with a smile

The annoyed look that I initially had on my face changed to a shocked one.

“I’m mad it took three times for you to actually come out” Scar said

“I-I didn’t know it was you” I stuttered slightly

She gave me a small smile “Well now you do” she said

I eyes admired her from head to toe. Damn my baby was looking real good; she looked happy too and that made me wonder, why was she here? Was it to rub in my face how happy she was?

“What are you doing here?” I didn’t mean for it to come out so harsh but shit ain’t no taking it back now

Her smile vanished from her face quickly “Why else would I be here, I want to get a tattoo but I guess you can’t squeeze me in so-“

My mouth started to work faster than my brain “Oh naw I could squeeze you in right now it ain’t no problem” I totally disregarded the five customers that I had sitting in the waiting area

“I’m not trying to break up you twos little reunion or anything but Cash you do still have customers waiting for you” Lucy said

“Give them to someone else and whoever is left over when I’m done with her I’ll take them” I said without taking my eyes off of Scar

Lucy rolled her eyes “Whatever you say boss” she said walking away from me

“C’mon” I said putting my hand on the small of Scar’s back and guided her towards my office

I closed the door behind us and watched as she took her coat off “You really didn’t have to give away your customers for me, I know how much you hate doing that” she said laying her coat over my chair

“It’s cool” I assured her

She smiled as she pulled her hair into a high bun. She then pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to me.

I unfolded it and read it “This is it?” I asked

“Uh huh” she nodded “Where do you want it?” I asked her

“Right here, below my shoulder” I nodded and gestured for her to sit

I pulled on a fresh pair of gloves and positioned myself in front of her. I wiped the spot I was about tattoo with an alcohol pad and began to concentrate on my work.

“I talked to Moni” she said ten minutes into the session

I sighed I really didn’t want to hear about them talking to or being around each other because both of their attitudes just don’t mix.

“What happened?” I asked her

“She told me about everything, why didn’t you just tell me?” I felt her eyes burning a whole into the side of my face

I shrugged “I don’t know” I said

I know my answer bothered her because she didn’t say anything to me after that.

“Do you still have the tattoo I gave you?” I randomly asked her

“You gave me a lot of tattoos Cash” I rolled my eyes “You know which one I’m talking about Scar” I said

“Where was it supposed to go?” she asked

I’m not even going to front though; I missed her smart ass mouth.

“I thought after everything you would have probably got it lasered off or something” I mumbled

“No, I told you I wouldn’t do it, I’m noy gonna go back on that” she said

You also said that it was you and me forever and look how much that held up.

I didn’t say anything after that; I just concentrated on finishing her tattoo.

It took me another thirty minutes to actually finish it.

I looked at my finished work and read the tattoo out loud “Let it be beautiful” I said “Let what be beautiful? What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked

“I just want everything in my life to be beautiful” she said “My past, my future, us” she said

At first I didn’t pick up on the last part but then I realized what she had just said “Us? What do you mean us?” I asked

“I mean I miss us, it’s so hard living without you. I’m wanted to let the past be the past and live a happy life but I realized I can’t do that without you in it” she gently cupped my face “I gave up on you too quick and I’m sorry” she said

“You ain’t got nothing to be sorry about Scar, I should have told you about the shit that was bothering me instead of shutting you out” I said

“Yea, you should of but that’s the past now, can we just go back to being happy like we were?” she asked

I smiled at her “Yeah, we can do that” a big smile formed on her face and she damn near leaped in my lap “Under one condition” I said making her smile fall

“What?” she asked

“You can’t leave again” I said

“Deal”

Epilogue

Cash

“That’s how the story ends baby girl, it’s time for you to go to bed now” I said tucking Zari only for her to untuck herself

“Wait daddy” she said

“What the matter?” I asked her

“You were mean to mommy, that wasn’t very nice of you” I couldn’t help but laugh at the look of disappointment on my 4 year-Old’s face “I’m sorry Za-Za” I said

“Don’t say sorry to me, you gotta say it to mommy” she said

“I did say sorry to your mommy” lord knows I apologized to that woman “Weren’t you listening to the story?” I asked her

“Uh huh” she said shaking her head repeatedly

I realized then she was just didn’t want to go to bed and neither me nor her mother was having it.

“You gotta go to be bed now; I’ll see you in the morning ok?” I assured her

“Promise?” she asked

“Promise, now gimme kiss” she wrapped her small arms around my neck and gave me a kiss “Good night daddy” she said in a sleepy voice falling back down on her pillow

“Goodnight baby” I pulled her blanket over her and gave her one more kiss on her forehead before I left her room

I slightly closed her door and went one room over. I opened the door, quietly slipped inside and walked over to Vanna’s crib.

I stood over her crib and watched her chest rise and fall for a few moments before placing a kiss on her one of her chubby cheeks.

I wished that she could stay like this forever because I know when she hit Za-Za’s age it’s about to be hell.

I’m living in a house full of girls. I already know when Vanna gets older she gon’ be running game on me just like her mama and sister. I need a son to balance out all these emotions in the house.

I grabbed the baby monitor turned it on and headed to my room.

“Baby!” I said loudly as I closed our room door behind me

She kissed her teeth “I’m right here Cash all that hollering ain’t necessary boo” she said never looking up from her magazine

She stays with that damn attitude.

I rolled my eyes then slipped into bed next to her and laid my head on her arm “So baby I was thinking” I said looking up at her

She finally looked up from the magazine she was reading and stared down at me her green eyes sparkling from the lamp “About what?” she asked

“Okay so we got two girls right? And I’m just wondering-“

“No” she said cutting me off

“Man Scar you don’t even know what I’m finna say” I said

“Yes I do, you’re going to say ‘all these damn girls, where my son at’” she said in a mocking voice

I chuckled “I’m just saying babe, can a nigga get a son please?” I ran my hands up and down her exposed thigh causing goose bumps to appear

She sighed “Ok say let’s say we do try for this son, what’s gonna if I end up giving you another daughter, what’s going to happen then?” she asked

If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.

“We just gonna try until we get that boy” I said smiling

She kissed her teeth “Boy bye, I think you failed to realize I just had a baby less than 6 months ago” she said

“Ok and your point is…?” I asked

She pushed me off of her making me erupt into laughter “Alright baby I’m just playing” I said once I regained my composure “We can wait until you’re ready to pop out another one” I said laying back on her

She was the one who said she wanted three kids; I’m just hoping this last one is a boy.

“Thank you” she said “What story did you tell Zari?” she asked

“Ours” I said watching as a confused look made its way into her face

“Ours?” she asked

“Yup, she wasn’t tryna hear none of the ones that she had on her shelf so me being the creative nigga I am I was going to make a story for the kid but then it somehow became our story without all of the sex and filth that comes out of your mouth” I said

She rolled her eyes “Shut the hell up Cash because you know you curse way more than I do” she said

“Lies.com” I said making her laugh

“Did she like it?” she asked while tracing my jawline

“Yea, she said I was mean to you though. Talking ‘bout some I gotta apologize to you, she got some nerve” I said kissing my teeth

Zari forever on Scar side not once during this story was she rutting for me.

“But you were mean as hell, you were an asshole you still are!” she said

I waved her off; I know I wasn’t that bad “I’m not an asshole” I said

She gasped “Lies.com” she said in a joking tone

“Whatever” I said

“But you’re my asshole baby and I love you” she said placing a kiss on my lips

“Yea, yea love you too” I said

Six years together, we’ve been married for three, we have two daughters together and we’re still happy. That’s what happens when you marry your best friend.

I don’t feel trapped in our relationship; I wake-up every day even more in love with Scar because I know no one can hold a candle to my wife. I always say she’s the closest thing to perfection and I’m going to keep saying it till the day I die.

Don’t get me wrong now, we have our moments but we get through them. We have no choice because we’re married with kids now so we can’t just up and leave or just ignore each other.

Plus what is there to argue about nowadays; who’s turn it is to check on Vanna? It’s never that deep with us anymore, we’re just simply happy.