After leaving the hospital, they went straight to Kiki’s condo where Nina and Lynn insisted on throwing a small welcome home gathering. Party or not, her condo would be flooded with family now that Cheyenne was released, so why not make an occasion out of it? It was a time worth celebrating.
Having declined Kiki’s offer to join the party since Justin was all set with everything “ planning to catch a ride home with someone who’d be by later “ and they had another client to work with, Lonnie and Eric dropped their charges off in front of the elevators in the condo’s garage. For an easier departure, most of their stuff had been cleared out of the hospital days ago, so Kiki only had to unload a couple of their bags from the hatch back while Justin removed Cheyenne, car seat and all, from the back.
“Bye guys and thanks again.” Kiki waved back at them when she and Justin reached the elevators, waiting for one to arrive.
“No problem.” Lonnie answered and Eric, ever the strong silent once, waved back. “See ya later J.”
“Bye man. Thanks to both of you.”
The elevator arrived and as they climbed on board, Lonnie drove off.
Reaching the top of the three story building, Kiki was the first to step out of the car and made a quick right to her door, more than anxious to finally be home. Keys in hand since they started their ascent, she unlocked the door and sighed happily as she pushed it open.
“Thank you God we’re home at last.” She praised aloud and jovially bounced trough the threshold taking in the sight for sore eyes. Not that she expected it to be any different, but it was a comfort to see nothing had changed.
Following her in, Justin chuckled at her exuberance as he sat the car seat down and took Cheyenne out. He rubbed her back soothingly when she whimpered from being jostled around and once he was sure she was settled again, he took in his surroundings. “Nice pad Kik.”
Kiki had a beautiful two floor condo that was open and airy, but very cozy at the same time. The living room was the most visible room from the foyer, expanding out towards a large sliding window leading toward a balcony that gave a picturesque view of the distant Pacific Ocean. From what he could see she had great flare for decorum, chic and sophisticated, but comfortable, homely, fun even considering the pool table that stood in front of the window. To the left was a five step elevated den and to the right was her dining room, kitchen and stairs leading to the second floor. As impressed as Justin already was, he could only imagine how she had to rest of the place deck out.
“Thanks.” Kiki beamed with pride. “How about I give you a tour before everyone starts invading.”
“Too late.” They heard the deep voice coming from the den and looked to see Frederick and Paul grinning as they leaned against the rail bordering the room.
Surprised to see them there, as was Kiki, Justin wondered how they hadn’t noticed the condo wasn’t empty and “how did you guys get here before us?” They had called their parents only a half hour before they left the hospital.
“This is your mother and your mother that we’re dealing with. We don’t ask questions. We just follow their directions so we don’t get hurt.” Paul retorted.
Rolling her eyes at her mother and Lynn’s frequent bogarting ways, Kiki muttered, “figures,” before calling out. “Mamí! Lynn! We’re here!”
A mere seconds later, both women came out off the kitchen, dishtowels draped over their shoulders, obviously hard at work already whipping up, most likely, a smorgasbord.
“Hi babies.”
“Welcome home hijita.”
Frederick and Paul came down from he den to join their wives in formally and boisterously welcoming the trio with hugs and kisses.
Some how throughout the happy homecoming the lady of the hour continued to doze on her father’s shoulder. At least that’s what everyone thought, but Cheyenne was only playing possum. All the commotion was making it impossible for her to get back to sleep so she reluctantly gave up her rouse, squashing the adults’ assumptions.
Eyes opened, she scanned the group of people around her until they fell on her mother talking to her Gigi.
“Mommy.” She called and reached a hand out to her, wanting her mother closer.
Kiki, as well as everyone else, turned their attention towards her and started clamoring for her attention. Instead of a cheerful, about face response, Cheyenne turned away from them, shyly hiding herself into Justin’s chest and softly murmured a “hi”. It was an unusual response from the very bubbly and affectionate child, but not a surprise to any of them especially her parents.
Days before Cheyenne was discharged, Justin and Kiki had a meeting with the support group counselor to talk about what to expect when they returned to their normal lives, specifically what to expect from Cheyenne. The counselor warned that she would probably be a little withdrawn and apprehensive with others and clingy with them, but not to be alarmed. It was a natural response after going through such a traumatic experience. She assured them that once Cheyenne got back into her normal routine, she’d readjust and be confident in her independence from them again. Time and patience was all she needed.
Innately understanding that, the family pulled back from their overwhelming hovering and Kiki went to Justin’s side as her daughter had requested.
“Hi babyheart. Guess what? We’re home. Isn’t that great?”
Lifted her head to face her, she nodded. “Mmhmm.”
“You get to play with all your old toys again and sleep in your own bed tonight.”
She shook her head and pointed at Kiki. “I seep with you Mommy.”
Kiki laughed. “Okay baby. You can sleep with me.” Holding on the Justin’s arm for leverage, she leaned in to nuzzle Cheyenne and blow a raspberry on her cheek, making her giggle.
As always her contagious laughter drew her parents in and the three stood there giggling in their own little world. It was obvious that Cheyenne was in her comfort zone right now, so the family collectively backed off to give them some space until they settled in a little.
“Oh we left that rice on the stove Lynn. It’s probably done by now.”
Catching her drift, Lynn tacked on that she had to check the baked chicken in the oven while Paul and Frederick claimed that the game they were watching was back on. They weren’t fooling anyone, But Justin and Kiki appreciated the space that they were giving them and especially Cheyenne.
“You guys go get settled, relax and get cleaned up a little.” Lynn suggested.
“Oh yes I am dying to get this hospital grime off of me for good.” Justin snorted a laugh as she cringed at herself. “Excuse me, you’re just as nasty as I am. You might want to consider using one of my bathrooms. You’re more than welcome to use one if you like.”
“Seriously?” She nodded. “Yeah that would be great actually. Thanks.” He did feel just as dirty as she did and it would save him the trouble of sitting around feeling gross or going all the way home and coming back.
“Perfect.” She smiled. “Follow me and I’ll show you where.”
Justin grabbed his duffle bag and she took him to the staircase across the living room. Once they were upstairs, Cheyenne cheered when Kiki approached the first door down the left hallway.
“My room!”
“Yeah let’s see if your toys have been behaving themselves while you were gone.”
“They better.” She pouted indignantly.
Her parents laughed at her and when Kiki opened the door, of course the room was just as it had been over a month ago. Cheyenne’s face lit up when they entered the sunlit room and she started wiggling in Justin’ s arms, signaling that she wanted to be put down. As soon as her feet hit the ground she took off towards her bed and jumped up onto it, snuggling into her pillows and comforter.
Chuckling at their silly goose of a daughter, Kiki told Justin. “I’m just going to get her a change of clothes really quick.”
He was about to tell her there was no rush when Cheyenne called for him.
“Daddy.” She sat up in her bed and enthusiastically asked. “You like my room?”
“Yeah I do. It’s a very cool room.” The minute he walked into her bedroom, it was somewhat of a surreal moment. This was the room she grew up in and it told the story of her childhood.
To his surprise, she had a cherry wood sled bed with guarder rails, as opposed to a crib, sitting in the center of the room with a matching dresser and little vanity table fit for a toddler off to the sides. Right next to her bed stood a rocking chair that Justin guessed Kiki had been using since she was an infant. He could just picture her sitting there rocking Cheyenne to sleep every night when she was a baby. To no surprise, she had a bookshelf filled with books and stacks of puzzles. In one corner of the room was a cubical stand with all sorts of toys tucked into each cubby, a toy chest bench and a table set with a doll sitting in each chair next to a kitchen set. The most curious part of her room was her walls - an assortment of posters of cartoon characters were mounted on the combination pastel purple, pink, blue and green paint splatters over white, walls.
Intriguingly, he commented to Kiki. “Kind of random paint job.”
“I do.” Cheyenne announced, pointing at herself proudly.
“Really?” She nodded and he looked over at Kiki who was kneeling by the bottom drawer of her dresser, pulling out an outfit.
She glanced up at him and explained. “When she got too dare-devilish for her crib and I had to replace it with a bed, I redecorated the whole room and let her do the painting herself. I put that paint brush in her hand and she went to town. I think it’s kind of cute actually.”
“Very creative. Good job babygirl.”
“Tank you.” She coyly beamed under his praise.
Doing another scan of the room, Justin started thinking of his own decorating that he would have to do for a room for Cheyenne at his place…. Living arrangements “ that was an issue that still needed to be tackled between him and Kiki. Now that Cheyenne had both parents in her life, she basically had two homes. How were they going to figure that out? Whatever the solution was, they’d sort it out when the time was right.
“Alright.” Armed with a set of clothes and some toiletries, Kiki stood up from her crouched position and approached Justin who was standing at the foot of the bed and Cheyenne, who was busy playing with her stuffed animals. “Bath time kiddos.” She announced in a baby voice primarily for Justin’s benefit.
“Cute.”
“I know. Now get your daughter.” She headed off to the door and Justin went to follow her orders. Sitting down next to Cheyenne who was neatly putting her animals back against her headboard, he asked. “You want a piggy back ride?”
“Yay!” She beamed and climbed on board when he turned his back to her.
All secure, he followed Kiki out of the room and down the adjacent hallway. Opening the assigned door, she turned on the light to reveal a bright, spacious red and white full bathroom. There was a linen closet in the corner and Kiki pulled a washcloth and towel set out, placing in on the vanity sink. “These are for you and when you’re done in here you can use the guest room next door to the right to change.” Justin thanked her as he placed his bag of the floor and then deposited Cheyenne into Kiki’s arms. “Okay monkey girl you ready?” She nodded cheerfully “ bath time was always a fun time for her. “My room is two doors to the left if you need anything.”
“Thanks Kiki.”
“You’re welcome. Come on Pixie.”
The trio went there separate ways to take care of their business and regrouped in Kiki’s room once they were done, each feeling clean and refreshed. Once Kiki finished dressing Cheyenne she left her on her bed watching cartoon while she dressed herself and by the time she was finished, Cheyenne had fallen asleep. In her current fragile emotional state, Kiki didn’t think it was best to leave her alone, should she wake up and Justin agreed. And as long as she wasn’t being jumbled around, Cheyenne could sleep through anything, so she was comfortable bundled in a blanket in Kiki’s arms when they returned downstairs.
Coming down the steps, Justin and Kiki could hear that more people had shown up during their absence. They were just landing when Nina came out of the kitchen.
“Oh hijita, there you are. I was just about to come looking for you. Where are you’re serving platters?”
“In the pantry.”
“No they’re not. I looked there.”
“Well I don’t know. I don’t even use them like that, you do so where’d you put them the last time you borrowed them?” She asked with a little sass in her voice.
“No conseguir insolente conmigo.” Justin may not have known what Nina was saying, but considering her tone it couldn’t have been good for Kiki. He snickered at her expense and his suspicion was confirmed when she scowled back at him. “Give her to her Daddy and come help me find them…Now.” She walked back into the kitchen, ending the discussion with Kiki on the losing end.
She huffed as she transferred Cheyenne into a laughing Justin’s arms. “Shut it.”
“Get to work.” He teased and she flipped him off. “Hey, hey not in front of the baby.”
“Go away.” She told him as she walked into her kitchen.
Chuckling he shifted Cheyenne to lie against his chest and went to join the guys he spotted in the den, only to be stopped when he saw them crossing the living room, headed towards him.
“Don’t even bother man. Just go to the dining room. The girls gotta be doing something better than watching the history channel and talking about the old days.” JC warned and following the crowd, they brought him to the place the girls usually occupied.
As soon as Joey, leader of the pack, started up the couplet steps to the dining room, the girls started grousing.
“Oh great how are we supposed to talk about you guys now?” Tami whined. Naturally, the men in their lives were a prime water cooler topic for the women when they got together. How were they supposed to gossip about them now that they were in the same room?
Marissa shrugged nonchalantly. “I say we talk about them in front of their face. It’s much more honest….and fun.” All the women in the joined dining room and kitchen laughed at the men while they scowled and grumbled, but still took over the empty seats around the table. They were used to the abuse by now and could give just as good as they got….Well sometimes.
“Seriously though. Why do you guys always have to follow us and invade our turf? The den is your domain, this is ours.” Maya pushed JC away when he playfully crowded her while commandeering the chair next to her. “Unless you all want to do something for a change, like the cooking maybe for once.”
“Shut up Maya. You don’t even help with the cooking. Hell I don’t think you can. I sure as hell wouldn’t risk my life eating any thing you made.” Derek jabbed back, laughter underlining his words as he stretch out in the seat next to his wife. The rest of the guys backed him up with their own mirth, but some of them like Joey paid for it with a pop in the shoulder from his girlfriend.
Maya wasn’t about to let anything slide either and came back at Derek with a barb of her own. “So what if I can’t cook? At least I help by cleaning up. No haces cualquier cosa tú mierda inútil!”
And the two siblings were off after that, it was a typical occurrence at their family gatherings. Someone always got into a stupid pissing match, sometimes it was in English, sometimes Spanish and sometimes both. And per usual, everyone else not involved tuned them out.
Sitting near Justin, Tami was trying to get a peek at her goddaughter over the blanket she was bundled up in.
“Did she just fall asleep?” Rhea asked, just as anxious as the others to see their niece.
“She’s been dozing off and on all day. She probably won’t be out for too long.” He assuaged their impatience.
After swallowing his sip of beer, JC asked. “How’s she feeling?”
“She’s okay, but she was acting a little skittish earlier. She’s just gotta get used to everything again.” Looking down at her sleep content face, he smiled and kissed her cheek.
“Okay the two of you seriously need to stop.” Kiki spoke out, fed up with her still bickering siblings. “Damn why couldn’t Mamí and Daddy have left you two on a doorstep somewhere?” Scowling she went back to mixing the cake mix she’d been conned into making after successfully find the platters for her mother.
Both Maya and Derek finally stopped arguing with each other, but turned on their baby sister.
“You know what Kiki “ no one was talking to you so-“ Maya started, but was interrupted by their mother.
“No one was talking to me either, but I tell you what - you all better shut the hell up.” The dining table went completely silent and still, afraid to even move. “I think its time for some music.” Nina declared to Lynn.
“Yes please cause I’m tired of hearing their voices.” The two laughed lightly as Nina went to the stereo control panel in the wall and the music of Earth, Wind, and Fire’s Devotion start flowing through the speakers mounted in the walls all over the condo. It was one of their family gathering rules “ every other hour of music was promised to either the parents’ mix of mostly oldies and some up to date stuff or the “youngins” choice musical selection.
Derek’s head fell back and he groaned in agony. “Ugh man, the old people are taking over the whole apartment….Ow!” He screeched when Lynn popped him with the dishtowel on her shoulder.
His mother’s turned her head from the pasta salad she was mix to glower at him right along side Lynn. “Who exactly are you calling old?”
“N-no one Mamí. I said ‘woohoo the cool people are taking over’.” He lamely amended and grinned nervously at both the mothers glaring at him.
Nina’s scowl faded and she started laughing. “Don’t you just love that? No matter how old they get you can still scared the shit out of them.”
Lynn started cracking up with her as she returned to the kitchen leaving the kids frowning at their disadvantage.
JC looked over at Joey. “You know what’s bad - neither one of them are our mothers yet they still scare us.” They both chuckled at the very truthful notion. Nina and Lynn were the mamas of the inner circle and not to be messed with.
Justin had been quiet as he took in the whole dynamic of the group. He’d been a witness to their interactions since being reunited with them all and it still amazed him how all his friends and family and Kiki’s friends and family had come together and really created their own family unit. A second family - in some cases home away from home “ and you never can have too much family right? He really had been missing out on a lot of good times, but luckily he had been welcomed back into the folds. Slowly, but surely he was finding his place in his new family.
Having evenly spread the chocolate cake mix into the pan “ no doubt for Cheyenne - Kiki slid it into the preheated oven and sighed haggardly. “There it’s done. Can I go now?” She whined.
“Yes you lazy child. Now get out of my face.” Nina mockingly abhorred and her daughter giggled as she hugged her tight and gave her a big loud kiss on the cheek. “Get away.” Kiki laughed as her mother pushed her away. “Just ungrateful. The whole lot of you are ungrateful.” She teased.
“Aww Nima don’t you know we’d be a bunch of starving children if it wasn’t for you and Mama Lynn.” Joey smiled charismatically.
“He’s such a charmer isn’t he?” Lynn awed alongside Nina.
In unison with JC, Justin rolled his eyes. “Still pulling the same slick shit to get ahead.”
“Oh and what about you? You sure as hell aren’t Mr. Innocent.” Tami pointed out. “We’ve heard plenty of those deep, dark scandalous backstage stories from the guys and more than half of the time you were the leading character.”
Justin smirked at her. “It’s called having skills baby. Pure game.”
The girls sneered at him “ Maya called him a male whore - while the guys egged him on with jeers of praise, but Kiki busted out laughing.
“’Pure game’? Yeah okay.”
“Do I need to remind you that I’m holding our child in my arms?”
“Burn!” The whole table cheered at Kiki’s blushing expense.
“Shut up” was all she could come back at Justin with before turning on the rest of them. “When the hell are you all getting out of my house?”
“Hey now. We haven’t had a decent get together in over a month. Chill out.” JC said. They hadn’t had a lot, if any; family functions while Cheyenne was hospitalized. Sunday dinner had even been postponed. It just wasn’t the same without Cheyenne or Kiki.
“Aww I know cause you guys can’t have a good time without my dazzling presence.” She gushed over herself while everyone booed. She just laughed it off and randomly busted out a cheer, dancing around the kitchen.
I'm sexy
I'm cute
I'm popular to boot
I'm bitchin’
Great hair
The boys all love to stare
I'm wanted
I'm hot
I'm everything your not
I'm pretty
I'm cool
“I dominate this crew. Woo!” She ended her routine with “spirit fingers” raised in the air.
More laughter and head shakes greet her antics and through her giggles, Marissa commented on what they were all thinking. “She’s so stupid. You weren’t even a cheerleader!” She yelled at her.
Just then the doorbell rang and ignoring their heckling, Kiki took the liberty to get it. After checking the peephole, she opened the door to reveal Sage’s arrival.
“Hey little sis. Welcome home.” He stepped into the condo and as best as he could with two cases of beer in his hand, enveloped her in a hug.
“Thanks.” She pulled back and looked down at the cases of Heineken. “Ooh I see you came bearing gifts.”
“Of course.”
“Well thank you and let me take one of those. Everyone’s in here, follow me.”
“So I hear I finally get to meet Daddy Dearest. The mystery has been solved.” Sage whispered conspiratorially as they ambled towards the dining room. He was the only person within the group that was still in the dark about who Cheyenne’s father was, but he understood why. It was a family secret and he hadn’t been part of the circle long enough prior to this. It didn’t upset him and it was obvious that he was now being trusted with the knowledge of this secret. That honored him.
“Yeah right this way. Drum roll please.” She quipped and he chuckled. “Look who I found scratching at the door.” Kiki announced once they stepped into the room.
“Hi baby.” Maya beamed when she saw her man and he puckered his lips at her from across the table before returning everyone else’s greeting.
“Justin this is Sage. Sage this is Justin-“
“Fuckin’ Timberlake.” Sage was beyond surprised when Justin turned around to face him. Initially assumed this was a stranger, Justin was just as surprised when he saw the exact opposite. Glancing down at Cheyenne asleep in his arms, Sage concluded. “You’re the Daddy?”
“Sage Hill. What the hell are you doing here man?” Justin reached out an arm and they clutched hands. Having witnessed the greeting between him and Maya, he came to a conclusion of his own. “I can’t believe it “ my boy here is the boyfriend you mentioned before.” He said to Maya.
“Apparently.” Her eyes shifted between Justin and her boyfriend who had moved into the kitchen to put one case of the beer away and greet her mother and Lynn. “How the hell do you two know each other and how come I never knew about this?” She volleyed questions between the two.
“I don’t know. We’ve only known each other for like a little over a year now.” Justin replied. “He was the photographer for a spread I did and the only one I didn’t want to knock out when it was done.” He chuckled to himself thinking back on how he had thanked him after the shoot for not being an “annoying prick”. Before they left the shoot that day, the magazine’s photography editor had invited him and his entourage and Sage and his crew to the magazine’s swag party where they all ended up having a good time together. With Sage being a freelance photographer, the two had stayed in touch as business contacts and that evolved into running buddy whenever they were hanging out at the same spot. “We’ve been cool ever since.”
“Yeah and you know that last time I ran into you man, I didn’t even think about you being friends with Joe and Josh.” Sage answered the last of his interrogating girlfriend’s questions. “I can’t believe this. I would have never guess you were little Miss’ father.” Looking over at Kiki, he smirked. “And I never took you for a groupie Kik.”
The neutral face Kiki wore as she listened to them talking, shifted into a glare and the whole room started snickering at Sage’s dig.
“Damn Kik you’re gettin’ it today.” Trent gloated. Usually they were the butts of Kiki’s jokes. Oh how the tables had turned.
She sneered at him before reaching over to poke Sage in the shoulder. “Hey! I am not nor have I even been a groupie. I’ll have you know me and Justin used to work together.” As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she frowned, knowing that didn’t sound any better.
“Oh I see. Way to climb the corporate ladder.” He patted her on the back and this time the room roared with laughter, even Lynn and Nina who were only half way listening, were giggling.
With that loud cackling laugh of his, Justin’s amusement was the hardest to miss and if he wasn’t holding Cheyenne she probably would have smacked him. Instead she went after Sage.
“Ow! Ow!”
“Say you’re sorry.” She growled and continued to slap at his arm and shoulder.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. Geez.” He scurried away from her to the other side of the room where Maya was seated. He tapped her on the shoulder, asking her to get up so he could take her chair and she sat on his lap. Kiki returned to her seat next to Justin and the room settled again. The taunting and laughter simmered down to light joking and casual conversation about the on-goings in their lives, catching Kiki and Justin up on the latest gossip they’d been missing. Ironically it was now when the room quieted down that Cheyenne began to stir.
Opening her eyes, she looked up to see her father looking down at her. Justin had felt her waking and greeted her with a smile. “Hey babygirl.”
Wearing a small grin on her face, she wiggled and stretched in his lap before getting a good grip on his shoulders and standing up on his thighs.
Out the corner of her eye, Kiki saw her getting up and reached over to stroke her hair. “Hey sleepyhead.”
“Hi Mommy.” She rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she scanned the room full of people happily calling out to her now that they had realized she was awake. She shyly waved, then whispered to her father. “A party?”
“Yeah it’s your party, but you were sleepin’.” She nodded, still quietly taking in her surroundings and turned to look towards the kitchen.
“Hi Gigi. Hi Nonnie.”
Both women had been engrossed in the food prep and talking, and hadn’t realized that she had woken up. Cheyenne’s very distinct voice had them both dropping what they were doing to finally get to welcome her like they wanted earlier. She openly gave them hugs and kisses, but her demeanor made it clear that she didn’t want to be removed from her father’s arms, so they refrained from picking her up.
“Did you have a good nap?” Nina asked and she nodded.
“I bet you’re hungry aren’t you sweetie?” Lynn followed up in the inquisition about her well being. That question got an even more enthusiastic head nod, making the grandmothers laugh. “Well that’s good cause me and Gigi made all your favorites.”
“The foods ready?” Justin asked for himself and the others who were just as ready to eat.
“Her food’s ready. The rest of you have to wait for about 15 more minutes.” Hungry and tired of waiting, Justin frowned at his mother. “Don’t pout because the last time I checked this was her party and she’s the baby. She eats first. Get used to it.” Lynn grinned as she taunted her son.
“I’ll go make your plate Pixie.” Nina offered, but Kiki stopped her.
“No Mamí I’ll do it. You and Lynn have done enough.” She stood up and followed the cooks back into the kitchen only to return a second later with a small bottle of water. “Have her drink this Justin. Babyheart do you want your Dora plate, Diego or Backyardigans?”
Her face scrunched up as she considered her options for a moment before making her decision. “Tyrone peas Mommy.”
“Okay baby.” Kiki leaned down and kissed her forehead before going off to prepare her plate.
Justin was about to open the bottle for Cheyenne, but she beat him to it and opened the bottle herself before taking a long pull. “Aahhh!” She exaggerated when she was done drinking and Justin chuckled at her. She giggled as she buried her little face in his shoulder, clutching his arm with her empty hand for a hug. She was such a little ham and he loved it. Like nothing else ever had, she warmed his heart and he hugged her close.
“Aww she’s a Daddy’s little girl already.” Tami said as she and the other girls melted at the father/daughter moment.
“A soon to be spoiled Daddy’s little girl I’m afraid.” Kiki said when she returned, armed with Cheyenne’s booster seat and bib in one hand, and her plate of chicken quesadillas, a dollop of salsa, seasoned rice and zucchini in the other.
“Whatever she wants.” Justin confirmed her accusation and Kiki rolled her eyes. As long as she doesn’t turn into a bratty celebritante.
Setting Cheyenne up in her mother’s seat next to him, Justin and Kiki worked together to get her ready for lunch and when they finished, she dug right in.
Luckily for the rest of those sitting around her, they didn’t have to enviously watch her get down for long. Nina and Lynn soon called everyone to eat, the buffet they assembled in the kitchen was ready. Frederick and Paul finally emerged from the den and got their chance to finally greet Cheyenne with raspberries and tickles before making their plates. They stood around eating with everyone in the dining room for awhile until they mentioned a UFC fight was coming on and being fans as well, Trent and Joey joined them in the den “ food and drink in hand. It was while everyone was eating and talking in various parts of the condo that more guests began to show up. The first being Cameron and Trace.
Having already assimilated into the group very well during hospital visits, Trace jumped right into the festivities, being just as jovial and lively as the rest. Cameron was a little reserved in her approach which was easy to understand. She had taken her rightful time to get used to this, by default, new element in her life and had yet to interact with the family at this level. She was here now though and among a group of people who always made it a curtsey to warmly welcome anyone into their world. Nina and Lynn both showed her around the buffet of foods and drinks in case she was hungry and the gang made it a point to include her in the conversation when she joined them at the table. Once that initial moment of awkwardness pass, Cameron found herself having a decent time with her new associates and the inner circle was having a pretty good time with Cameron.
The party had carried on, talking and eating, celebrating that in the wake of over a month of praying and hoping, the bright light known as Cheyenne was still here with them. A few more select groups of people who had been invited “ those who visited the hospital and by proxy, been privy to and trusted with the daddy secret - had arrived like Kevin, Jade, Karen and a couple other club staffers. Given Cheyenne’s antisocial mood Kiki and Alana thought it would be best if Robbie skipped the party. Instead, Alana called to let Robbie talk to Cheyenne for a little while and she and Kiki made plans for a playdate in a few days. As is Cheyenne was doing more socializing than she care to which wasn’t a lot. She was still being reserved, sticking close to her parents the entire time, coloring at the table next to either Kiki or Justin, or quietly sitting in one of their laps - people watching. Nevertheless, she was being very polite, acknowledging everyone who came to see her and check up on her.
For the moment she was back in her father’s arms entertaining herself with the sparkly diamond crucifix charm on his necklace while he was talking with the guys around the pool table as some of them played a game.
Standing straight after taking his shot, JC saw two familiar faces approaching. “Hey Johnny, hey Erika.”
In particular Joey and Justin turned to see the new arrivals, calling out greetings of their own.
“Fellas. It’s good to see you.” He and Erika took turns clutched hands and hugging Joey and Justin who were the closest before Johnny addressed the more important person of interest contently propped in his client’s arms. “It’s especially good to see you young lady.” Sensing that she was now the center of attention, Cheyenne released the charm and looked at the new strangers.
“Wow she is beautiful.” Erika exclaimed when Cheyenne’s bright blue eyes focused on her and her husband, who couldn’t agree more.
“Thanks Erika.” Justin beamed with pride. “Pixie these are some really good friends of Daddy’s.”
“Hi.” She extended her hand for a shake.
Johnny shook her hand, charmed by how cute and precocious she was and then Erika took her turn, stating how adorable she found Cheyenne to be.
“Can you say thank you?” Shyly she turned away to give her thanks and Justin chuckled as he watched his daughter blush at the compliment. “Anyway.....I’m glad you guys stopped by.” When it came to invited anyone he knew outside of his family, Justin knew he had to let Johnny know about the celebration. Every time he talked to his manager while at Cedars, Johnny always asked with genuine concern about Cheyenne’s health. Plus he wanted to use any opportunity to show off his baby.
Johnny laughed wryly. “There was no way I was going to miss the first chance to meet the child you helped create.” He joked. “Besides we’re going to have to keep an eye on you, see if you’re anything like your Daddy. You have any secret talent I should know about Ms. Lewis? I can definitely see that face on a TV screen.” He tickled Cheyenne on her tummy and she giggled. “After all they say real talent skips a generation.” He took a crack at Justin.
“Very funny. But no matter what she does, she is gonna be bigger than her Daddy. Aren’t you?” He bounced her in his arms bringing another peel of laughter out of her.
“If I remember correctly that’s Mom over there isn’t it?” Johnny pointed out Kiki who he spotted coming down the stairs.
“Yup that’s her. Kiki!” His called stopped her just before she went into the kitchen. “Come here for a minute please.”
She approached the trio and when she reached Justin’s side, Cheyenne stretched out towards her. “Hey babe. You’ve been over here playing hostess?” She curled up in Kiki’s arms and yawned, looking drowsy again.
“She’s still really tired.” Justin rubbed her back gently.
“Yeah. Poor baby.” Kiki pecked her cheek and turned her attention to the two new guests. “Hi. Nice to see you again Mr. Wright.” She smiled deviously.
He caught the look and chuckled. “Yeah, yeah you two got me. You were flying right under my radar.” Justin and Kiki looked at each other and giggled. “You can call me Johnny and this is my wife Erika. Erika, Kiki.”
“Hi.” The two women greeted each other with a hand shake. “Well the radar’s about to catch up with us and my guess is that it’s not going to be pretty.” She broached the topic of the impending news bomb that was going to drop any day now.
“Doesn’t matter right now. We’ll talk shop later. Right now it’s a celebration. I’m hungry and it smells really good in here.”
“Well then right this way.” Kiki lead the way to the buffet in the kitchen, on the way introducing Johnny and Erika to everyone they passed.
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It was a little after 10 when Kiki finally had some peace and quiet. Her parents were the last to leave, not long after Trace left with a reluctant Justin. He stalled and stalled until Trace was the last person left who was headed back towards LA and could give him a ride. Justin was not ready to be separated from his daughter, but it was bound to happen - he and Kiki didn’t live together, so Cheyenne couldn’t be with him every day. It was a fact of life that he would have to deal with. It took an offer to stop by tomorrow morning for breakfast from Kiki before he finally left.
Kiki was just finishing tidying up her apartment. Of course her family hadn’t left until the place was cleaned up, but she had a few touch ups to make to her liking before she could rest. Cheyenne was asleep in her bed and she was just about to cut off all the downstairs lights when there was a knock on her door.
“Who the hell is this?” She mumbled tiredly to herself. “Who is it?”
“It’s uh, its Justin.”
Totally confused about why he was back, Kiki opened the door regardless. “Hey.”
“Hi.”
When that was all he said, offering no explanation as she gave him a curious look, Kiki verbalized her question. “Did you leave something here? Is that why you’re back?”
“No.” He answered nervously, stuffing his hands in his pockets and shuffling his feet. The space between them was silent for a few moments before Justin blurted out. “Is Cheyenne still up?”
“She was half asleep when you left Justin.”
“Right, right.”
Again he silently stood there, eyes darting all over the place, completely flustered and Kiki continued to watch him wondering what his deal was. Then the light bulb when on above her head. For almost two months he lived day and night with Cheyenne, for that to suddenly end was probably a shell shock to him when he walking into his house alone. Justin’s life had done a complete 180 and now after years of being separate from his daughter, he wasn’t ready to deal with that again even if it was only for a night. Kiki sympathized with that so she made a decision, a crazy one.
“I can’t believe I’m about to do this.” She said aloud to herself and stepped back from the doorway, keeping it open for him. “Come on. Get the foyer light for me please.”
Justin, slightly reluctant, but more relieved, entered the condo for the second time today, closing and locking the door behind him. He cut the light as she said and like a little puppy dog, followed her through the moonlight living room and up the stairs. She lead him to her bedroom and walked through the cracked door, leaving it open for him to continue following her.
He nervously scanned her room wondering what she was up to, trying not to think he was really going to be lucky enough to get what he came back for.
Her room was cute and comfortable like the rest of the apartment, but the most precious aspect in the room was sound asleep in the middle of the bed. Looking at his baby girl again, Justin felt a little bit of that tension he’d been feeling since he walked out of the condo earlier tonight, melt away. He went home and tried to get comfortable, but no matter what he did, it just felt so wrong. And he knew exactly what he needed to feel right again, so he got into his car and drove back to Santa Monica. Now here he was, with Cheyenne and Kiki and he felt relaxed again, but that, no doubt, was short lived. Any minute now Kiki was going to tell him that now that he saw with his own eyes that Cheyenne was out for the count, he could leave. Any minute now….
“Breakfast is still on for the morning. You’re helping too so when the alarm goes off, you better get up.”
Justin’s eyes widened and his head whipped towards her. Kiki giggled at the shock on his face and she silently nodded, letting him know that she was serious and it was okay for them to keep having their sleepover every once and awhile.
“Close the door please. It freaks me out sleeping with an open door.” She climbed into her bed and got comfortable, being careful not to wake the sleeping toddler.
Justin was still in shock a little, so he followed her instructions almost on autopilot. He slipped off his jacket, putting it on the chair in the corner of the bedroom and kicked off his sneakers before gingerly laying down next to Cheyenne, facing Kiki.
She smiled at him reassuringly and he sighed, relaxing into the mattress. “Thank you.” He whispered.
“You’re welcome.”
In the silent dimly lit room, they stared at each other and their daughter, realizing that this was life for them from this point on. Two people who shared a past, but were now forever connected by a child, a purpose to give her the best life possible. If that meant sharing some part of this own personal lives, like sharing a bed, it was okay. They could do that and anything else together for their baby girl.
