All About The Benjamin's, Teasha Adams [best new books to read .TXT] 📗

I should just wear my pants suit. You think that'll work?" La-La was talking mad fast, and I could barely understand what she was saying.
I grabbed her shoulders. "Wait--What?" I asked.
La-La took a deep breath. "So, I auditioned for that new movie that's coming out next year right?" I nodded my head. "Well, I got the role right. I have an interview today with the director and the leading male role, and I am so nervous. I can't decided what to wear." She looked down at her outfit. "Is this okay?"
"La-La, anything you wear is okay." I admitted. "I'm pretty sure they'll love you, just go and be yourself."
La-La took a deep breath and smiled, "Awe sister you always got my back."
I hugged her and smiled. "We're the only thing we have left."
We both sat there quietly, thinking about the funeral that was about to take place tomorrow.
La-La smiled. "So I have a couple minutes to spare before I have to leave. What's up?"
"Girl, this baby is bugging me."
La-La laughed. "Awe leave my poor niece alone." She started making baby noises at my stomach. "Auntie is gonna spoil you."
I giggled. "La-La stop it."
"What? I can't spoil my niece." She said.
I laughed. "How do you know it's a girl."
"Girl everybody and they mama know Devon got the girl gene."
We both cracked up in laughter. "That's not true, maybe god'll bless me with a boy."
La-La grinned. "Well, either way it go I will be the auntie ever."
Just as I was about to respond, Justin came in the apartment. He kissed La-La on her cheek. "Bae, don't you have a meeting today?"
La-La pouted. "I don't wanna leave Lyric, she just got here."
Justin laughed. "Either Lyric, or the movie. Which one do you want the most?"
"That's not fair." La-La said as she grabbed her matching red chanel clutch bag. She kissed me on my forehead before leaving.
"Yo' sister is a mess." Justin said as he sat down on the couch.
I laughed, "Tell me about it."
****************************************************************************************** The day had come and I wasn't prepared. Here I was holding the vase that held my grandmother's cremated body. We stood along side the beach on top of this beautiful Hawaii rich black sand. As predicted, not a lot of people showed up for my grandmother's funeral. It was really just me, Devon, La-La, Justin, Devon's parents, Hope, and a couple of distant cousins that I'd never known about. As the preacher asked me if I had any final words to say to my grandmother before I let her go.
I promised myself that I wouldn't cry, but I couldn't hold the tears back. "When my parents died, they left you with me. To raise me, and make sure that I didn't end up dysfunctional or worst--a criminal. My parents left you here with me, and you did a fantastic job at raising me. All through my life, you've shown me right from wrong and helped me at times when I thought I'd give up. You were there." I took a deep breath, and wiped the tears from my cheeks. "I miss you so much Grandma and I hope you can hear me up there. Thank you for everything, and I hope that maybe one day we can see each other again. Me, you, mom, and dad could all be a family again. I just want you to know that I love you and I will always be thinking of you."
I looked over at the preacher to let him know that I was done.
"In honor of Ahulani Ipo Kealoha, we release your remains into the tides of mother nature and let the waters carry you forever. May you be with us Sister Ahulani."
I stepped up to the beach, watching as the tides rushed against my feet. I wiped one last final tear before turning the vase over and letting my grandmother get carried into the sea. As bad as it hurt that my grandmother was dead, it felt good to know that she would finally be able to be with my mother and my grandfather again.
I stepped away from the beach and ran straight into Devon's arms. La-La wiped my face and wrapped her arms around both Devon and I.
My cousins wished me their condolences, then it was over within a few minutes.
Within an hour, I was back in my hotel room thinking about my grandmother and how just a couple weeks ago, she'd been talking to me. God, I miss her.
Devon came in the hotel room and sat on the edge. I was over on my side, stroking the pillow and blowing my nose. He looked down at me. "Lyric, you need to really get out and get your mind off of things."
I could just die right now.


Devon

Watching Lyric lay there, lookin' like she was seconds away from having an exorcism, broke my heart. I didn't know what to say to make her feel better, all I could do was be there for her. I took off my shoes and climbed in bed beside her. I held her tightly. I could hear her sniffling. I kissed her on her cheek, hoping that maybe she'd turn over and talk to me.
She didn't.
She stayed in that same position for the rest the night.
In the morning I convinced her to go to the beach with me. "We don't have to get in the water, we can just walk on the shore if that's what you want."
Lyric grabbed my hand and followed me outside. Justin and La-La were already outside sitting under a huge umbrella and eating ice cream. Hope was in the water playing with Carlos, and my mother was in her hotel room putting on sunscreen.
Lyric stopped as soon as we reached the door. "Aren't you gonna get December?"
"You sure?"
Lyric nodded her head.
I kissed her on her temple. "Don't go nowhere."
Lyric sat down in a chair, and I darted up the stairs to my mothers hotel room. Luckily, she was coming down the stairs, holding December in her carrier that she wore on her chest. December was wide awake, looking around at everything.
"I was just about to come get her." I said.
My mom shook her head. "How's Lyric holding up?"
"Ummm," I looked down the stairs at her. "I'm not sure. It's weird though."
My mom patted my shoulder and helped strap December onto my chest. "Devon this thing is weird, so you have to hold her up a little. Otherwise, this thing will slowly start to slid down." We shared a laugh. "Alright you have fun, and don't hurt her."
"Tell yo' grandma to stop worrying. Daddy got this."
My mom laughed and went downstairs.
I met Lyric downstairs, and she smiled.
"Oh, now you laugh. I've been trying to get you to laugh for the past 24 hours, and now you laugh?" I joked.
She was cracking up so hard, that she could barely get the words out of her mouth. All she could do was point at me. "Oh my god Devon, what the hell do you have on?"
"Lyric shut up. It's not funny." I said. "You know I gotta keep her in this thing so I don't have to carry her around everywhere that I go."
Lyric looked at me and shook her head. "You just made my day and I don't think you noticed."
I smiled. "That's what I'm here for."
Lyric reached over and stroked December's soft cheeks. "She's so cute Devon."
"Just imagine what our baby's gonna look like."
Lyric smiled. "I know right. I kinda wish my grandma was here so that she could see the baby."
I smiled and grabbed Lyric's hand. At this point, I didn't care what paparazzi had to say about me or Lyric. I didn't care what people thought. I figured, as long as I had Lyric by my side I was gonna be alright. This girl was more than a girlfriends. She's my inspiration, my heart, my soul. She's my everything.
I reached over and placed a small kiss on her forehead. "Your grandmother is in a special place where she can see, feel, and hear everything. She'll always be in your heart no matter what the situation is."
Lyric smiled. "Thank you so much."

Chapter Three: Paparazzi

Lyric

I wasn't even back in New York for a full day before cameras started harassing us. I wasn't in the mood to talk to nor deal with the paparazzi. Devon wrapped his arms around me, and helped me back to the limo. It was weird--you know--walking pass all of those people as they shouted different things at us. They were asking too many questions.
"Lyric, is it true that you are pregnant with Devon's second child!" I heard one reporter yell.
"Lyric, are you pregnant?"
"Lyric, is it true that your grandmother just died."
I kept my shades on and lowered my head away from the cameras. If there's one thing that I will make sure of--is that my daughter won't have to run away from these cameras the same way I do.
As Devon and I got into the limo, we could still hear the reporters outside. I took off my shades, and unbuttoned my blazer. I was so sick of running around with these tight outfits on. Carlos told me that it'd be best if I don't reveal my pregnancy until we're able to get on national television. He said that it's better if we let them all know at once. Slowly, my stomach had been starting to swell up. I wasn't humongous, but it has gotten to a point where you can physically see that I'm pregnant.
"Mr. Mitchell are you heading home or to the office?" The driver asked, looking back at us through the rear view mirrors.
Devon looked over at me before responding. "To the office. I gotta meet up with Justin and Carlos."
The driver turned around and then I looked at Devon. "I'm so sick of hiding it Devon. I'm so uncomfortable right now." I reached down and continued to unbutton my blazer. "Ugh!"
Devon laughed. "Lyric, Carlos is gonna get us an interview with Marcus so you can finally stop wearing these tight ass outfits."
I frowned. "Shut up."
Devon placed his hand on my stomach and kissed me on my cheek. "I'm just trying to make light out of the situation." He responded. I understood that part but at the same time, I really wanted to curl up in my bed and go to sleep, then maybe this would all be over.
******************************************************************************************
I guess we lucked out because when we got back to the house, Carlos told us that we were scheduled to be on national television today. My feel were hurting from this six inch stilettos that I had on, and my back was sore. I was ready to lay down.