excuse any mistakes...
SEMAIJAH
"Okay the makeup look coming together niceee." My makeup artist, Kennedy smiled brushed a soft layer of foundation onto my skin.
"Thank you, You know how to make me look good. They was thinking of finding somebody else to do my makeup because they saw that you were booked but I was like nah, I need Kennedy."
Kennedy grinned "I appreciate the love, Semaijah. And don't worry, I'll always make time for you. You nervous?" She asked and I chuckled because I thought I was hiding it well.
"Yeah I am. I've been in the singing game for a long time now and I'm still nervous every show I have. I don't know when I'm gonna stop being nervous."
Last week marked the beginning of my highly anticipated world tour, a journey that would take me to countless cities and allow me to connect with fans from all corners of the globe.
"And that's completely normal. Nerves show that you care, that you're passionate about what you do. It's what keeps you grounded and gives you that extra spark on stage." Kennedy stated and I closed my eyes as she applied the eyeshadow, blending the colors together effortlessly.
"I remember when you first started performing at small events and shit now look at youuu." Kennedy continued. "You've come so far and yet you still are the same Semaijah. I love that."
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips "Thank you so much Ken. You're so sweet."
"You're welcome bae. You deserve all the success that has and is coming your way. Today's Namiko's birthday, right?" Kennedy asked, and I nodded. "What y'all doing for miss sassy pants?"
Namiko, at five years old, has a spirited and lively personality that never failed to make us smile. Kennedy isn't lying about the sassy pants though.
Her sassy responses kept everyone on their toes. She had a way of effortlessly asserting herself and voicing her opinions, even at such a young age. She's unapologetically herself and never shies away from showing her true colors. It's a trait I admire in her, even if it means dealing with a lot.
"Tonight we're going out to eat then Saturday we're throwing her a birthday party. You should come with Kami and Bria." I mentioned her kids.
"Aw she's coming down here?"
"Yeah, she's been asking about it all week. I think they just landed too." I checked my phone.
"Y'all throwing the party here or in Memphis?"
"We're throwing it in Memphis."
"Oh! Then I'll definitely be there. You know Bria and Kami love them some Namiko. It's a party for real when all three of them are together."
I chuckled at Kennedy's response, nodding. "We're going to the spa before the party and all her friends are going to be there. I'll send you the address so you could bring Kami and Bria also."
Kennedy smiled "Y'all going all out for Namiko, I know that's right."
"Her birthday is a whole holiday." I chuckled.
I turned my head towards the sound of Namiko's voice and saw her running towards me, "Mommy!" She yelled jumping on my lap.
"Hey Nami Baby."
"Hii." She grinned "Hii Kennedy it's my birthday today, Where's Bria and Kami?"
"I know it's your birthday girl, Happy Birthday! I'll send your mommy your gift so she could give you and Bria and Kami at home. You'll see them soon."
"Are they coming to my birthday party mommy? Can they please come to my birthday party?"
"Yes they're coming to your birthday party baby. Are you enjoying your birthday?" I asked touching her hair which she asked to be left out today.
"Yeah. Daddy brought cupcakes and goodie bags for my class, and then he took me home, and there were so many presents! Look, Mommy, I got a new necklace! See, it's shiny!" She excitedly pulled out her necklace from under her shirt.
"Okay Icyyyyy." Kennedy hyped Namiko up and Namiko started smiling.
"I love your necklace Namiko. Ouu, I love your bracelet. Who got you it?" I asked her pointing at the Van Cleef bracelet that was on her wrist.
Namiko looked down at her wrist, admiring the Van Cleef bracelet. "Mommy you got me that. I love it so much, Now we're twins."
"Yeah now we're twins and you won't have to ask to wear mine anymore, Where's Daddy?"
"Talking to BuffBuff."
BuffBuff is one of my security guards. His name is Adonis but Namiko calls him BuffBuff.
Chris, A member of my crew approached me, a clipboard in hand. "Semaijah, you go on in 10 minutes." He informed me.
I glanced at him, "Ten minutes? Already?"
Chris chuckled "Time flies. Happy birthday Namiko!" Chris grinned looking at Namiko.
"Thank youuuuu." Namiko dragged.
"All done." Kennedy announced, turning up the brightness of the vanity lights. I looked at myself in the mirror as a smile spread across my face.
"Mommy you look so pretty."
"You always eat Ken. Thank you and thank you Nami baby." I kissed Namiko's cheek before going back to admiring myself in the mirror.
"Mommy, Can I get my makeup done?"
"You're fine without makeup." I said and Namiko frowned "You want some lipgloss on?"
Namiko's face lit up, "Yes, please!"
Kennedy held up the two tubes of lip gloss, giving Namiko a choice. "Sparkle or no sparkle?"
Namiko's eyes lit up as she considered her options. She leaned in closer to examine the glittery tube. "Hmm, I want sparkles."
"Sparkle it is." Kennedy said before carefully applying the lip gloss to Namiko's lips.
"Thank you, Kennedy." Namiko stated.
Kennedy smiled at Namiko. "You're welcome, sweetheart. You look adorable."
"Thank you. Daddy look! I have sparkly lips."
Namiko turned around to show Ja her lips, and I turned as well, noticing Ja standing there with a smile on his face.
"You look beautiful princess. Cmere." Ja stated and Namiko hopped off my lap and ran towards Ja and Ja picked her up and Namiko kissed his cheek "Now you got glitter on my cheek."
Namiko giggled "It's pretty, Daddy."
"Wassup, Baby Momma." Ja leaned in and kissed my lips.
"Don't call me that," I responded smiling. "And hey." I stood up from the chair stretching.
"Wassup Kennedy." Ja greeted Kennedy and Kennedy waved at him before going back to cleaning the vanity "So you could call me babydaddy but I can't call you babymomma?"
"Correct." Me and Namiko both said in unison.
"You get it baby girl." I grinned raising my hand and Namiko gave me a high five.
"Really Nami?" Ja furrowed his eyebrows "You could get yo momma to hold you."
Ja tried to put Namiko down, but she held onto him tighter, refusing to let go. I couldn't help but laugh at their interaction.
"Get off me." Ja joked.
"Daddy, I'm sorry!" Namiko giggled.
For the rest of the time we had left backstage, we all sat together, talking and joking around. "You're about to go on in one minute Semaijah!" Chris came back out telling me.
"You not gon ask yo momma the question?" Ja looked down at Namiko who was sitting on the chair beside him and I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Mommy, Can I go on stage with you?" Namiko's eyes locked onto mine.
Her question caught me off guard and a wave of emotions washed over me. I was happy but nervous. The thought of sharing the stage with her would be amazing but I couldn't help but wonder if she was ready for such an experience.
"Of course you can but there's a lot of people out there watching and it could be make you very nervous, Are you sure you want to do this?"
Namiko's nodded. "Yes, Mommy. I really want to be on stage with you. I'm not afraid."
"Okay then come on. If you get nervous at any point or if it becomes too overwhelming, just let me know, and we'll figure it out together." I assured Namiko, giving her a hug.
"Daddy I'm going on stage with mommy!" Namiko said excitedly.
"I know baby, I'm proud of you. I can't wait to see y'all out there." Ja smiled before kissing me on the lips and kissing Namiko on the lips.
"Daddy." Namiko covered her mouth laughing "You have glitter on your lips now."
"Mannn." Ja kissed his teeth before wiping the lipgloss off of his lips and me and Namiko laughed.
"Thirty seconds!" Chris yelled.
"Hold on a second." I told Namiko and Ja before walking over to Chris "Chris, Can you get promises to play first? Namiko's coming on stage with me and I want to sing that song with her."
"Got it." He smiled before walking away.
"Okay Nami, we're going to surprise the crowd since it's their first time seeing you in person. Promises is going to be played first, so I'm going to go on stage alone. Daddy will tell you when to come out, okay?" I bent down to Namiko's level.
Namiko nodded, "Okay, Mommy. I'll be ready."
I gave her a smile and a kiss on the forehead. "I know you'll do great, I'll be right there with you."
The energy in the crowd was loud as I took my position on stage, their cheers and applause filling the air. "I've been coming home late night, I've been sleeping past day light, I'm waking up you're not by my side, Baby that ain't right." I sung into the mic and the crowd joined in.
I wanna be there with you
I really do be missing you
Everything I do is for you
And I really do adore you
You're getting so big now
You're making me so proud 'cause
You are such a star
And, you know that you are
"So, every single little moment I can't be there to hold your hand I need for you to know that I need for you to know that." I bobbed my head.
Anything should happen, anything should happen
'Cause anything could, if anything should happen
Know that you'll be alright, know that you'll be alright
Just promise you'll be alright, promise you'll be alright
"If anything." I looked over at the corner.
The stage lights shifted, focusing on the spot where Namiko was standing with a microphone "Alright, promise I'll be alright, Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be alright."
The crowd's cheers and applause growing even louder and I smiled watching as my little girl take her place beside me.
"If anything should happen." I bent down in front of Namiko and sung to her and she smiled.
I held my microphone in front of her and she looked at her's before leaning into mine "Promise I'll be alright, Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be, promise I'll be, alright."
After we finished singing Promises the crowd started clapping really loud and their energy remained that way as I continued performing song after song. Namiko stood by my side, singing along to some songs.
"Alright y'all before we end the concert off let's all sing Namiko a happy birthday." I looked down at Namiko and she covered her face smiling.
The crowd started singing and I joined the audience in singing "Happy Birthday" to Namiko.
Namiko blushed and giggled hiding her face in Ja's neck and as the song came to an end, I grabbed Namiko from Ja and kissed her cheek "Happy birthday baby. I love you more than life."
"I love you too mommy. You're the best mommy ever." She wrapped her arms around my neck.
____
jamorant
Liked by ashante and 856,611 others
jamorant this what i enjoy the most. being able to be a father and treating my daughter like a princess👑 happy 5th birthday to baby 12 💙 i love you and gon forever go all out for you baby
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niyamorant happy birthday nieceskiiii
semaijahsummers
Liked by jaydacheaves and 367,179 others
semaijahsummers Somebody please stop the time because why do I have a 5 year old already? These five years have been the best years ever, I can't believe God blessed me with such a blessing like her. I love you sooooo much stinka 💗 this whole month and every month after that is about you but you BEEN knew that though.
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rasheeda y'all are the freaking cutest!! happy birthday sweet girl namiko! 💋
ameilinekhi auntie baby growing up so fast
"She's sleeping?" I asked Ja as he walked inside of the bedroom.
"Yeah, She finally went to sleep. She ain't sleep since she woke up this morning." He walked over to my side of the bed and grabbed both of my arms "Come outside with me on the balcony."
"Are you going to carry me?" I tilted my head looking at him and he nodded. Ja wrapped both his arms around me. With a swift motion, he effortlessly lifted me off the bed, cradling me in his arms.
"You spoiled."
"I just know how to take advantage of a good opportunity when it presents itself. Wait before you go to the balcony can you go in my purse and grab the pink envelope?"
He put me down and made his way towards my purse, which was placed nearby. Opening it up, he pulled out the envelope. "I got it." He held up the envelope with a curious look on his face. "What's inside?"
"I think that's the card Leah got for Namiko." I mentioned somebody else on my crew "Open it."
Ja's eyes widened as he saw the ultrasound image in the envelope. His gaze shifted from the image to me, a mix of surprise and excitement in his expression. He looked back at the ultrasound, then back at me again and I just smiled at him.
"Surprise." I smiled doing jazz hands.
"You for real?" Ja asked and I nodded smiling "Like you for real for real?"
"Yes Jamel I'm for real for real. Pregnancy is definitely something I don't joke about."
"Let's goooooo!" Ja yelled wrapping his arms around me, showering me with kisses "Thank you baby."
"You're welcome, I wanted to let you know first so we could surprise Namiko together." I told him and right after I said that the room door opened.
"Surprise me?" Namiko rubbed her eyes.
Ja and I exchanged a quick glance, momentarily caught off guard by Namiko. But then we quickly regained our composure, "Nami, Come here." I put my arms out so she could walk into my arms.
"Yes mommy?" She walked into my arms.!
"Remember how you've been asking for a little sister or a little brother?" I asked her and she nodded "Well the other day mommy found out that there is a baby growing in her stomach so you're going to be a big sister."
A smile spread across her face. "Really?"
Ja looked down at Namiko smiling "Yes baby, We don't know what it is yet but just claim it as whatever you want her to be."
Namiko's gaze shifted from the ultrasound image to my stomach "Can I touch him?" She looked at both me and Ja and we nodded.
Awe she wants a boy, She's really me.
"I can't wait." Namiko smiled.
"I can't wait until the baby gets here too so I could watch you both grow together." I smiled.
"And just because there's gon be another baby now don't mean we gon forget about you. You gon always be our first born. We gon always make sure to give you lots of love and attention."
"Your daddy is right, You are and will always be an important part of our lives. Our love for you is boundless." I kissed Namiko's cheek.
"I know, I'm Nami? How could you forget me?" Namiko said and me and Ja both started laughing.
"I love y'all so much." Ja stated pulling me and Namiko in for a hug.
"We love you too." Me and Namiko said in unison before Namiko started giggling because she was sandwiched in between me and Ja.
In the days and months to come, we would prepare ourselves for the arrival of our little bundle of joy, cherishing every moment as a family of three before becoming a family of four. We would create memories and navigate the ups and downs of parenthood together again, knowing that our love would only grow stronger.
In this chapter of our lives, we were filled with gratitude for the blessings we had and the ones yet to come. Our journey as a family was unfolding, and I couldn't wait to see what the future held for us in this seventh heaven of love and joy.
•••
and that concludes seventh heaven! thank y'all so much for reading and supportinggg.