I dedicate this chapter to gobeyondthestars and mkexkay!! I really appreciate the votes and comments! Your support is so encouraging! ☺️😍💖
"pars familiae duo testimonii"
"THREE years ago I was scared. Terrified, actually. I had no idea how I was going to raise a child while being in college, and I knew good and well that Devin's future was up in the air since he was declaring. Does that make my decision right? Not at all, but I was never malicious."
When it was clear that the grandparents were going to let Skylar speak, Devin sat back down and linked hands with her once again. She didn't know what her next statement was going to cause, but she was going to say it anyway.
"Devin and I were in a completely different place when we were freshmen. I was falling in love with him, and we were throwing caution to the wind and losing focus on our priorities, and I knew that I needed to fix that if I was going to bring a child into this world..."
Devin's heart fell into his stomach when he heard Skylar's words. Could it really be true that he wasn't the only one who felt what he felt three years ago? All this time he had been so angry, not just because Skylar had kept his son from him, but because he thought the only reason she could do it so easily was because she didn't care for him like he cared for her. She had abandoned him. Cut him off without any explanation. The only way he'd been able to move on was to rationalize her actions and just assuming that she thought their relationship was casual. And even after telling himself that day after day, year after year, he still held out hope that his feelings were reciprocated.
"I also didn't want to be the reason that Devin's career was sabotaged. The news of a child could've caused him to make sacrifices that would've affected his chances to make it in the NBA, and I just couldn't have that on my conscience. The way Devin talked about basketball, and being like you, Melvin, I just, I would've never forgiven myself if he never made his dream come true," Skylar explained, opening up about her decision in a way that she hadn't done so in years.
Melvin and Veronica's demeanors immediately changed. For Melvin, when Skylar spoke of how much she wanted Devin to be able to achieve his dream, and for Veronica when Skylar spoke of how she knew how irresponsible she'd become due to the feelings she had for Devin. Skylar's youth became very apparent to them, and her authenticity let them know that she really was just trying to do what was best for her, for Devin, and for their child.
"So, Melvin, Veronica, I apologize for robbing you of your first couple years as grandparents. And I apologize for robbing you, Devin, of fatherhood as well. Family is so important to me, and I understand how I have spoiled a family bond for you all to a certain degree," Skylar continued, her words easily flowing as this burden she'd been carrying was lifted from her heart and mind, "I just want to say that I am ready to do whatever it takes to fix this, and that's part of why we called you all here today. I know with me being a senior and looking for jobs, and Devin being in the middle of his season, we can't do this on our own. We need as much help as we can get. So, I understand if it takes you some time to forgive me or be able to stand to be in the same room as me, but please, please don't punish our son for my decision."
Feeling Devin squeeze her hand let Skylar know that she had done well. She looked into his eyes and saw something she couldn't quite put her finger on. All she knew is that his look caused her to sigh and smile, happy to finally have opened up with him, and grateful that he didn't seem to be harboring any ill will towards her.
Benjamin and Grace held hands under the table as well. After birthing DJ they couldn't be more proud of anything Skylar had done — to see their daughter face her demons and be honest and take responsibility for her actions was very gratifying.
"I appreciate your honesty, Skylar. And I must also apologize to you and to Grace and Benjamin for my rash reaction. I take everything related to family very seriously, and this situation definitely comes as a shock, so bear with me," Veronica responded with a much softer tone.
"I agree with Veronica, I can tell that you were sincere in your reasoning for your decision, and I apologize if I flew off the handle, but you all have to understand how I could be apprehensive in trusting what's been presented to us. And something I've always taught my son is to have evidence of everything when it comes to the business he's in because things can come back to bite him if he doesn't take the necessary precautions. And that's less about you, Skylar, and more about Devin protecting himself," Melvin explained, standing his ground about the paternity test.
"UN-DEAAAAA, NOOO!" DJ exclaimed in laughter as he scurried down the hallway as fast as his little feet would let him go, completely oblivious to the tense conversation happening a few feet away from him.
Skylar's eyes widened in surprise and glee as she watched her precious son make his presence known ironically in the perfect moment.
"I texted Davon. Thought a visual would help my father. He can be pretty stubborn," Devin whispered, his lips brushing Skylar's ear.
Skylar shuddered at Devin's closeness. Had she not been focused on how Devin's parents were responding to DJ, she would've melted into a puddle. She knew that Devin knew what he was doing, and he'd be getting a stern talking to after this was over. Veronica immediately stood up with the biggest smile on her face, and Melvin looked rooted to the spot with eyes as big as saucers.
"I'm gonna get you, my little munchkin!" Andrea exclaimed, jogging after DJ before skidding to a stop when she saw all eyes on him.
DJ immediately noticed that everyone was silent and all eyes were on him.
"Mama," he whispered nervously, slowly walking over to me and trying to climb up into my lap.
"Alright, Junior, come here," I said, picking him up.
"Hey, buddy," Devin greeted him, ruffling DJ's hair and making him feel at ease while all the adults in the room continued to stare.
"He looks just like Devin, Melvin," Veronica observed with a glint in her eye.
"Devin texted us at the right time, didn't he?" Davon whispered to Andrea.
"That's clear," Andrea nodded in agreement with a smirk, "Everyone seems to have taken quite nicely to him. I don't hear anymore fighting out here, that's for sure."
Both Davon and Andrea had heard loud voices and a couple cuss words and began to worry that they might need to make an early appearance for reinforcement purposes. So, Devin's text did not come as a surprise.
"Uncle D and Un-Dea to the rescue," Davon gloated.
"Whatever, I chased DJ out here, not you," Andrea reminded Davon with confidence.
"Uncle D will have his moment, don't you worry," Davon fired back, wanting to already have the best relationship with the sweet, well-mannered boy he'd had the pleasure of playing with for the past half hour.
"So I think that's all the paternity test you need, right Melvin?" Benjamin questioned, not allowing anyone to forget the task at hand.
"You got that right, man. He's the spitting image of my son," Melvin replied in awe, taking no offense to Benjamin's question.
DJ had sucked up all the tension in the room, and from then on, all conversation was healthy and focused on how everyone could make this special situation work. From talk of Devin purchasing a home to Skylar sharing the schedule she'd made on Google Calendar, everyone was now working together and had put their differences aside at least for the sake of DJ.
"Ma, I know we talked about you and Mya moving here in the next year or so. Any chance you might want to make that moving date a little earlier? Sky's going to be bringing DJ here quite a bit, so I could really use your help," Devin asked while Veronica finally got her chance to hold DJ.
"I don't see why that would be a problem. I just need to start looking for houses now and not putting it off anymore," Veronica replied, not once letting her eyes leave DJ's to look at Devin.
She was already in Grandma mode, and Skylar could tell because that's how her mom acted whenever DJ was around — like no one else mattered.
"Alright, now that that's settled, I've come up with a few options for how Devin can make DJ's introduction," Davon shared, wanting to get down to the business side of the situation, "Since you are all here for the week, we could bring you to a game and make sure you have some strategic moments in front of some cameras as well as introducing you to the team and staff. Devin, you could even bring DJ with you to a press conference if you and Skylar are comfortable with that. You could also do what DeAndre Jordan and Kyrie Irving did and post on IG."
Talking about DJ being introduced to the world made Skylar nervous, but she knew that it would be better for them to control the narrative.
"What do you want to do, Sky?" Devin turned to her and asked, "I'm up for anything, honestly."
"Well, I'd love to start bringing DJ to games anyway, so we can go with that. And maybe, you and DJ can take a cute picture on the court or in the locker room, and you can post it? Y'all should probably get to know each other more before you start taking him directly in front of cameras at your press conferences," Skylar answered.
"Mama has spoken," Devin responded with a smile.
Slowly but surely, people started to break off and fix more plates of food as discussion became more focused on just Devin, Skylar, and DJ. Melvin and Benjamin went out on the balcony to talk, and Grace, Veronica, Davon, and Andrea, took out some games to start playing with DJ. And of course, that left, Devin and Skylar on their own.
"Ready for that tour?" Devin asked Skylar who was finally enjoying her food now that the family meeting had adjourned.
The butterflies in Skylar's stomach got to flitting as she anticipated what was probably going to go down between her and Devin if she were alone with him for any span of time. He'd been working her nerves ever since she stepped foot in his place.
"Only if you promise to not try any funny business, Armani. Unlike you, I'm trying to be good," she firmly stated, taking the last bite of her cinnamon pancake before standing up.
Devin's eyes trailed her figure when she stood, appreciating the curve of her hips and the way her solid black dress clung to her body.
"Who said I wasn't trying to be good?" Devin asked with a smirk, standing as well and grabbing Skylar's hand.
"Don't even try it, Devin. I'm not playin' wit you," Skylar demanded, pointing her finger at him and trying to hold back a smirk as he pulled her towards the hallway Davon, Andrea, and DJ went down earlier.
"This is Davon's room," Devin said as they crossed over the threshold, stepping over some of DJ's toys that were on the floor near the door.
Skylar looked around and was impressed with the size of the room. Davon had a big desk and Mac Desktop on the far wall underneath the big window.
"So this must be where the magic happens. Babysitting you every day," Skylar joked as she surveyed all the documents scattered across the desk.
"Wow, I'm not a child, Sky, if anyone knows that, it should be you," Devin replied with that damn smirk of his.
Heat rose to Skylar's cheeks as the suggestion behind Devin's words sank in.
"Nope, not gonna do this with you, Booker, let's go to the next room," Skylar urged, her hands on her hips while she exited Davon's room.
Devin's eyes traveled to Skylar's ass without a thought, and he got caught when Skylar glanced back at him over her shoulder before disappearing down the hallway.
"Damn," he muttered under his breath, thinking he had been in control of this situation and realizing that he might've lost control.
When he found Skylar she was already in his room, picking up his shoes to look at and turning on his tv.
"Just make yourself at home, why don't you?" Devin said, announcing his entry.
"I think I will," Skylar replied.
Devin swiftly moved towards her and slid his arm around her waist, forcing her to turn and face him.
"Good, because I have a feeling you're going to be spending a lot of time here," he whispered in response, his voice reaching a dangerously low octave.
Skylar gasped as their bodies collided, and she listened to Devin's voice seduce her. She knew she didn't stand a chance against whatever was brewing between them. It was as if their bond was immediately strengthened when they united to get through the tumultuous family meeting that tested their fortitude.
"And why is that?" Skylar answered, holding back a whimper as she had promised herself she wouldn't give in first.
"Well, I don't know if you heard, but I have a son, and Imma need his mom to bring him to see me as often as possible," Devin cleverly explained, trying to seduce Sky into giving in first.
His large hands gripped Skylar's waist, and he looked down at her, watching her chest heave up and down as her breathing increased. He bit his lip, enjoying how he affected her with just words and simple touches.
"Especially when his mom dresses like this," he added, leaning down and whispering in her ear before nibbling on her earlobe, "And admits to everyone that she was falling in love with me."
And with that compliment and reminder of what she'd admitted earlier, a whimper did escape Skylar's lips, and she knew she was a goner.
"Devin, we ca—," Skylar started to whine, but the lie was cut off before she could even finish because Devin's lips were on hers.
He kissed her desperately, groaning as soon as her plump lips started moving against his. They breathed no air as Devin slipped his tongue in Skylar's mouth, deepening their kiss and causing Skylar's brain to fog up even more. Her body began to move automatically, starting with her hands having a mind of their own and slipping under Devin's t-shirt, craving skin to skin contact.
"Well, look what we have here, Davon," Andrea exclaimed, surprising Devin and Skylar enough to force them apart.
"Man, you called it, Andrea. Lemme give you this twenty," Davon added with a groan.
Skylar's eyes widened before she screeched, "Y'all bet on us?!"
Devin was highly amused as he wiped the moisture from his lips and met Andrea's eyes that had the I-told-you-so look in them.
"Sorry, sis, you, nor this knucklehead can be trusted alone. Naive Davon had too much faith in y'all as if DJ isn't enough evidence that y'all got self-control problems," Andrea said with a shrug, "Bring ya fast ass back to this kitchen right now. Besides I'm not cleaning up these dishes with the two grandmas by myself."
Davon and Devin bust out laughing as they all reentered the hallway and headed back to the kitchen. Skylar rolled her eyes and vowed to beat her sister up as soon as they got back to the hotel if it was that last thing she did.
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*pars familiae duo testimonii - Latin for "family meeting part two"
I know I'm late posting but that was Part Two of the family feud, and the feuding part seems to die down for the time being... 🙌🏾 What do y'all think about our dysfunctional family now? And how about the two lovebirds?! Devin is so sprung, ain't he? 😏😜
As always, please continue to vote and comment! I really can't thank y'all enough for your support and love! I'll be entering this into the Watty's, so tell all your friends! ☺️😁💖❤️