Redemption: AmBw Romantic Suspense

“Oh my God,” Ebony muttered.

“So, your mother is outside.” Mrs. Williams rose from the couch. “I can’t wait to meet my new roommate.”

“Guest mate,” Ebony corrected. “She is not your roommate. She’s your guest mate because it’s a guest house.”

Mrs. Williams waved her away. “I don’t know what you’re over there trying to hint at.”

“I’m just saying roommate sounds more permanent—”

“You think you’re funny.” Mrs. Williams grinned. “Yoshiro said I can stay here as long as I want. And I’m definitely not leaving until my new grandbaby is born.”

“Wow.” Ebony rolled her eyes, making sure her mother didn’t see. “It sounds like Yoshiro and I will be talking about that later.”

“Yoshiro is a good man.” Mrs. Williams raised one hand in the air. “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for all of your relationship mercies for my child. She—”

Ebony rushed us outside and shut the door in the middle of her mother’s praying.

I held in my laughter.

We got to the steps, right as my mother headed to the door.

I froze.

She stopped and stared at me.

A minute of silence went by.

No one spoke, not even the kids, Ebony, or Kevin.

And then my mother’s face brightened as she held out her arms. “Yoshiro.”

“Mother.” Nervous, I went over and hugged that small frame. “I’m. . .glad you’re here.”

“I’m glad you invited me.”

“I. . .” My voice went low. “I missed you, mother.”

“And I’m so very sorry.”

“What?” I leaned away and quirked my brows. “Sorry for what?”

“Sorry for everything.”

“No. I told you that is okay.” I shook my head and hugged her harder. “No. Don’t be sorry.”

We must’ve hugged for a few minutes. By the time we finished, the kids had already ran out to the center of the yard and played some more with the dogs. Kevin was inside the kitchen with Mrs. Williams pouring them both a glass of wine.

And Ebony. . .she stood with an awkward look on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She looked down at her wet jeans. “Sorry. We may have to speed up this reunion. My water broke.”

“Oh shit.”

My mother held her hand to her chest. “Yoshiro, my grandchild is coming?”

“Apparently,” I muttered.

If I thought I was nervous waiting on my mother’s arrival, I found myself completely terrified now.

“Yoshiro?” Ebony smirked. “It’s going to be fine.”

“Y-yes.”

My mother stirred as she spoke. “Can. . .can I be there?”

Smiling, Ebony nodded. “Of course. I would love it. But my mother should stay. . .for. . .babysitting.”

I still tried to wrap my head around the events.

“Yoshiro?” Ebony grinned. “We just need the keys, baby.”

“Oh, yes. I’ve got it.” I rushed inside the house.

“Please, don’t forget my trench coat,” Ebony called after me.

I laughed. “Mustn’t forget that.”

Once Ebony had become pregnant and the weather became chilly, she’d begun donning my old trench coat.

Before racing up the stairs, I quickly told Kevin and Mrs. Williams the news. They agreed to watch the kids. Next, I raced up the stairs, grabbed the hospital bag Ebony had packed months ago, and her trench. Something fell out of the pocket.

I stared down at the floor.

The bullet lay there, just as shiny as it was long ago when Death had given it to me in my dream.

Life is crazy.

I picked up the bullet, pocketed it, made sure I had everything else, and hurried away.

Life is crazy, indeed.

Ten hours later, I held my son at the foot of the bed and then gazed at Ebony passed out. She deserved the rest, after blessing me with a healthy, beautiful son. Both mother and son were fast asleep. For her fourth child, she’d delivered with ease, not including the screaming and cursing at me, when she was in pain.

A big kid, my son rounded up to fourteen pounds. He had my complexion, but his hair shined with curls and his eyes were hazel. That was all I could gather after he cried in horror and then went to sleep in my arms.

I landed a soft kiss on his forehead. “I love you, little one.”

For a minute, I thought of my son Akio. I’d lost him too soon and never got to watch him grow up. How nice it would’ve been for him to meet his brother? How much I wished he could share this moment with me?

My heart ached a little, but I didn’t swim in the sorrow.

You’re somewhere happy with your mother, Akio. I know this. I believe it. And you’re looking down so happy for your new brother and me.

A light knock came at the door.

My mother peeked in. “They said I could not come in yet, but I did not want to wait until tomorrow.”

“Forget them.” I gestured for my mother to come closer.

She hurried my way and stood in front of me.

“Do you want to hold him?”

She nodded.

I handed my newborn son to her.

“What will you name him?” She rocked him in her arms.