“Damn, baby, you got it smelling good back here.” Cashmere’s mouth began to water.
“Y’all came right on time cause it’s time to eat. Can y’all go and get the paper plates and rolls out the kitchen, please.”
“I got you.”
Ramsey slapped her ass before she walked inside. He watched her ass jiggle in her shorts and licked his lips at the sight.
“Is it me or do they look like triplets?” Manny approached Ramsey, keeping his eyes on the girls.
“They do look more alike than usual, and I’m not talkin’ about their clothes.” Ramsey nodded.
“I got a feelin’ we’re gonna have to fuck somebody up over them,” Nick chimed in.
“You ain’t never lied.” Ramsey stared at Cashmere a few seconds longer before carrying a couple of trays of food to the table.
Ramsey felt a shift in the atmosphere when the sisters came back out to the backyard. Cashmere pulled Ramsey to the side as Tiffany and Ryan came out with the kids.
“What the hell are they doing here?” she questioned through gritted teeth.
“Baby, calm down. I just found out today what went down between y’all and, to be honest, I think y’all need to squash that shit.”
“I’m not squashing shit unless they apologize and keep the disrespect to a minimum. I don’t give a fuck if they like Baylynn or not, but they will respect her,” she stated sternly.
“I agree, but I need you to behave yaself and don’t be on no petty shit.” Ramsey pointed at her.
“Fine.”
He gave her a quick kiss before they joined everyone at the table. Tamia, Baylynn, Nick and Manny sat on one side of the table while Tiffany, Randall, Ryan and Nysir sat on the other. Ramsey and Cashmere sat at the head of the table. Cassi was sitting in a chair next to Cash and the twins were parked next to Ramsey in their stroller. Brandi was sitting in between her mother and father, waiting to eat. The tension at the table was thick, and no one moved or said a word to each other. Tired of the silence, Ramsey asked everyone to join hands for prayer. When he was finished with the prayer, everyone began fixing their plates in silence. Ramsey watched how everyone avoided eye contact with each other and he was tired of feeling uncomfortable at his own table. He was about to set their asses straight, but his sister beat him to the punch.
“Can I say something?” Ryan stood.
“You got the floor, li’l sis.” Ramsey nodded.
“Cashmere, I want to apologize for the things I said about Baylynn at the spa. I was out of line to speak about her in that manner. You’re my best friend and I never meant to disrespect you. I love you, I miss you, and I want us to be cool again.”
“I accept your apology, Ryan,” Cashmere answered.
“Baylynn, I would like for us to put our issues behind us and learn to get along with one another.”
Baylynn looked at Cashmere and Tamia before responding.
“I’m willin’ to try if you are.”
Ryan extended her hand to Baylynn and Baylynn shook it. When Ryan sat down, the tension was no longer there and the good vibes returned instantly. Ramsey saw Randall nudging Tiffany to get up and speak, but she remained seated.
Everyone enjoyed themselves as they ate, laughed, and talked. Randall told everyone about the grand opening of the youth center that was coming up the following week. He asked if the family could help with getting the word out about the grand opening, and to help with the hiring process of staff members for the summer camp program that was about to start. Everyone agreed to help out with different things and they were all so excited about the youth center.
As the sun began to set, the cookout slowly came to an end. Everyone was stuffed with food and filled up on alcohol. Ramsey was glad that his family was having a good time and that things were back to normal between Ryan and Cashmere. The ladies made plates to take home with them before wrapping up the food and putting it in the fridge. Once the backyard was cleaned up, the women created flyers, job applications and researched programs for different age groups while Ramsey and Randall discussed the job requirements for their employees. They needed staff for every position from supervisor to camp counselors. They discussed the wages for the positions as well as what benefits were going to be offered to their full-time employees.
By the time they had everything sorted and printed out, it was almost two in the morning. Most of the family left by midnight, but Tiffany and Randall stayed behind to make sure all their bases were covered. They agreed to get up bright and early in the morning to post the flyers before Randall and Tiffany got ready to leave. Ramsey walked them to the door while Cashmere made her way upstairs with the twins.
“Cashmere, wait,” Tiffany called out to her.
“Yes?” She turned around to face her.
“I wanted to hold this grudge against you for how you treated me at the spa, but I can’t. Not talking to you is killing me and I want us to be friends again,” Tiffany confessed.
“I would like that,” Cashmere smiled.
Tiffany hugged her before letting Cash go upstairs. Ramsey locked the door after the couple left and grabbed Cassi off the couch before turning off all the lights and making his way upstairs. He placed Cassi in her bed and tucked her in before he headed to his bedroom where Cashmere was already in bed. Ramsey stripped down to his undershirt, boxers and socks, then climbed into bed with his wife.
“Baby?”
“Yes, Ramsey?”
“I just want to let you know that I appreciate you, bae, and everythin’ you do. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without you in my life. You’re my queen and I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”
“Aww, baby. I love you, too.”
Ramsey kissed her forehead as she got comfortable on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. After sleeping on the couch for a few days, Ramsey missed holding his wife at night and vowed to never put himself in a situation that would cause him to sleep on the couch again.
82
The next morning, Cashmere woke up, ready to get to work. She was excited about helping out with the youth center and couldn’t wait to get started. Grabbing her phone off the nightstand, Cash sent a text to Renee, letting her know she would be dropping the girls off by eight that morning. A few minutes later, Renee responded and she hopped out of bed to get the girls ready for the day. Cash got her little divas washed and dressed before she packed their bags. She couldn’t believe how fast her girls were growing up. Cassi was getting taller by the day and since she was potty trained, it seemed like she was maturing at a faster pace. The bottle phase had passed and she was on to sippy cups. Cassi was only one and a half, a young toddler, but she looked like she could pass for a preschooler. The twins were close to four months old and were starting to develop a personality of their own. Raina, the older twin, was more independent and quiet. She didn’t like to be held that much unless she was being rocked to sleep. Her bouncy chair and swing were her favorites and Raina hardly cried unless she was wet, sleepy or hungry. Other than that, she was a quiet baby. Reema, on the other hand, was the opposite of Raina. She liked to be held and would sit still for a few minutes at a time. Reema was very spoiled and liked to fight her sleep. Some would say that Reema was a difficult baby, but others would just call her nosy or attentive.
After she packed their bags, Ramsey entered the nursery and kissed Cash on the cheek before taking the girls downstairs to feed them. Cashmere walked down the hall to her room to get herself washed and dressed. It was going to be another warm day, but since she was going to be in the streets, posting flyers, she decided to be cute and comfortable with a pair denim Bermuda shorts, a graphic tee shirt and pair of low top shell toe Adidas. Cashmere filled her Louis Vuitton tote with the flyers they had printed out along with her keys, wallet and phone charger. Stuffing her phone into her pocket, she walked into the closet and grabbed a few stacks and tossed them into her bag as well. Cashmere double checked to make sure she had everythi
ng before leaving her room and making her way down the stairs where Ramey was waiting by the door with the girls. She grabbed one of the twins and they headed out the door to the car. Cashmere unlocked the doors to her SUV and they strapped the girls into their car seats. Placing their bags and her purse in the trunk, Cash jumped behind the wheel and started the engine. She was surprised when Ramsey got in the passenger seat of her car instead of getting in his own.
“Well, isn’t this different,” she smirked.
“Yeah. I figured I’d ride with you today since we’re goin’ to the same places,” he smiled.
Cashmere smiled as she put the car in drive and pulled out of the driveway. They rode hand in hand as she drove down the highway to Renee’s house. They were listening to the Steve Harvey Morning Show and were laughing at Nephew Tommy’s phone prank. Cashmere glanced over at Ramsey, who seemed to be in deep thought at the moment.
“What’s on your mind, love?”
“I was wonderin’, how would you like to work with me at the youth center?”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course. Randall is still gonna be at the shop durin’ the day, so I’m gonna be runin’ the center, and I figured it would be a good look if I had my wife by my side, helpin’ me run things. What do you think, sexy?”
“I would love to work with you, bae, but do you think we would be spending too much time together?” she asked with concern.
“There’s no such thing as spendin’ too much time together. I don’t mind seein’ my beautiful wife at work and at home. I want you by my side because you’re smart and you have experience runnin’ a business, and instead of hiring a stranger to be the supervisor, I’d rather have you helpin’ me out,” Ramsey answered sincerely.
Cashmere couldn’t help but blush at her husband’s words.
“So, do you accept my offer?”
“Yes, my love,” she beamed.
Minutes later, Cashmere parked in front of Renee’s house and she was waiting on the porch with a baby in her lap. Cashmere and Ramsey hopped out the car and carried the twins up the stairs and onto the porch, still in their car seats. Ramsey walked back to the car to get the girls’ bags out the trunk, then came back on the porch. Cassi kissed her grandmother on the cheek before Renee ushered all of them inside.
“I just want to let y’all know that I’m startin’ a home based daycare center and y’all are my first parents. I don’t have all the prices and stuff worked out yet, but I will by the end of this week,” Renee informed them.
“A daycare center?” Ramsey quizzed.
“Yeah. I’m always watchin’ people’s kids for hours at a time, so why not educate them while they’re here and make some money doin’ it?”
“I think that’s a great idea, Renee.” Cashmere sat the car seat a few inches away from the TV.
“Okay, ma. I see you.”
“I just want y’all to know that y’all inspired me to do this. Cash has her own business, Randall has the shop, and now y’all about to open the youth center. It’s only right that Mama has her own business, too.”
“Well, if you need any help, just let us know, Ma. We gotta go. We’ll be back around five.” Ramsey kissed her cheek before they left.
The couple hopped back in the car and made their way to South Philly to the youth center. Cash parked in front of the freshly painted building and got out the car. It was fifteen minutes after eight and the streets were filled with kids going to school for the last few days and people on their way to work. Grabbing her bag out the trunk, they walked up the stairs and Ramsey unlocked the doors to the center. Ramsey flipped the switch, turning on the lights and Cash admired the hallway in awe. While her husband went into the office, she walked around the main floor, admiring the pictures and the main room that was filled with tables, chairs and a TV on the wall. Seconds later, Ramsey called for Cash to come to the office and she obeyed. She sat in one of the chairs while he sat behind the desk.
Cashmere pulled out her phone to text her sisters, but Tamia and Baylynn sent texts to the group saying they were pulling up now. Cashmere removed the flyers from her purse, placing them on the desk. A couple of minutes later, her sisters entered the office with Nick and Manny in tow. Everyone greeted each other and waited for their next move.
“A’ight, y’all, let’s get these flyers passed out. Post them on telephone poles and pass them out to people with kids and teenagers if you see any,” Ramsey instructed.
Nodding in agreement, everyone grabbed flyers and headed out the door in different directions with staple guns in hand. Cashmere posted flyers on every other telephone pole and handed some to a few interested parents who were looking for summer activities for their children. Cashmere had been walking the streets for two hours when she came across a group of girls who were posted up in front of a store. She didn’t like the fact that they were chilling in front of the store instead of being in school, so she decided to put them to work. After offering them 250 dollars apiece and telling them what to do in order to get the money, Cashmere handed the girls the flyers and told them to meet her at the center when they were finished before they took off in different directions, anxious to get rid of the flyers.
When Cashmere got back to the center, she typed up the job applications for people to fill out and posted a picture of the flyer on her Facebook and Instagram pages. She made some phone calls to a few amusement parks, the zoo and the museums to set up trip dates for the campers. Around noon, her sisters came back to the center and they were shocked to see her there.
“When did you get back?” Tamia huffed.
“I got back around 10:30,” she smirked.
“How’d you get finished so fast, Cash. What? You threw the flyers in the trash?” Baylynn flopped down in one of the chairs.
“Naw. I told a group of girls I would pay them 250 dollars apiece if they passed the flyers out and didn’t throw them in the trash.”
“You did what?” they said in unison.
“They were posted up on the damn corner. They needed something constructive to do, so I put their asses to work, shit.”
Tamia and Baylynn nodded in agreement. They talked for a few seconds before the girls arrived. They were impressed with how the center looked and were interested in signing up for camp themselves. Cashmere gave them membership forms and the money she promised them before sending them on their way. Minutes later, Ramsey, Manny and Nick entered the office.
“Thanks for helpin’ out today, y’all. I really appreciate it.” Ramsey leaned against the desk.
“Are y’all hungry?”
“Hell yeah, I’m starvin’.” Baylynn rubbed her stomach.
“Are we orderin’ in or goin’ out?” Nick questioned.
“Let’s hit up South Street. That way we can check out Cash’s bookstore,” Tamia suggested.
“That sounds like a plan to me,” Cash agreed.
“A’ight, let’s roll.” Manny rubbed his hands together like Birdman.
Cashmere shut the computer down and turned off the lights before heading out. The ladies got into her car and drove the short distance to South Street. They found a parking spot not too far away from the bookstore and Baylynn put money in the meter before they walked inside where Ashley was seated at the counter, reading a magazine.
“Hey, Ash,” Cashmere smiled.
“Heeyyy, Boss Lady! I haven’t seen you in forever!” She jumped up and hugged Cash.
“I know, but I’m going to be back at the store on the regular pretty soon. Ash, I want you to meet my sister, Baylynn. You already know Tamia.”
“Nice to meet you.” Ashley shook Bay’s hand and waved to Mia.
“Same here,” she answered with a smile.
“Damn, Ash. The shelves are almost empty,” Cash pointed.
“I know, and the new books came on Friday, but I didn’t get around to restockin’ the shelves. I’m sorry.”
“No sweat. We’ll just do it now.”
The lad
ies went to the back of the store and ripped open the boxes that were filled with books. They filled the shelves with books from their new authors and the authors who had been with her since she’d opened. When the shelves were full, Ashley told Baylynn and Tamia about the books while Cashmere checked the records over the past few months to make sure the money was straight and the authors were getting paid accordingly.
When she finished checking the records, the sound of glass shattering caught her attention. They headed to the front door and they saw some of the people outside stop and stare at what was going on. The ladies left the store to see what was popping off, and when Cash noticed Ramsey was involved with the commotion, she power walked to where he was. There was a girl in Ramsey’s face and Cashmere pushed her back and stepped in front of him. She noticed the chick who was causing a scene was the same pregnant bitch from the mall. Cashmere locked eyes with her friend, and when she realized who she was, her friend took off running down the block, leaving the pregnant chick behind.
“Bitch, who the fuck you think you are, puttin’ your hands on me!”
“I ain’t here for the talking. I know you tried to set my man up and had him thinking this baby is his, but it ain’t. So, take your dusty ass home somewhere before you lose that baby,” Cashmere warned her.
“Naw! Fuck that! That bitch is gonna cough up some bread for me to get my damn window fixed!” Nick yelled.
Without warning, Tamia stepped up and two pieced the girl in her face, knocking her to the ground. While she was knocked out, Cashmere went through her bag, snatched the hundred dollar bills and handed them to Nick. Leaving the girl on the ground, the crowd dispersed and went on with their day. Cashmere told Ashley she would be back before the store closed as she, Ramsey and the crew strolled down South Street to a nearby restaurant. When they were seated at their table, they joked about how Tamia had put that bitch to sleep and how Cash had snatched her money from her purse. Cashmere couldn’t help but laugh at how the situation had played out and no one tried to stop them, but that was typical in Philly. She wouldn’t even be surprised if someone had posted a video of them on World Star.
My Other Baby Mama Box Set Page 41