“Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 4, Chapter 46″
Masterlist HERE.
"And it, and it begins, he walks outside for a cigarette break
And thinks how many cigarettes does it take
He takes a long drag with the sun in his eye
He squints, he thinks he starts to sigh
Sometimes he cry
When he think about his girlfriend on his side
She held him down, she made him better
Fought the love, through the fucked up weather
And she thinkin' about her life
With no more work just being a wife
But instead her love, she gave it to a man
Who fought against her lovely plans
So when she go to work, plus go to school
Plus fight the love, she must feel like a fool
She want the ease that come after pain
She fights for love, that's her campaign
We fight, we love"
Q-Tip – "We Fight/We Love"
The pain in Erik's chest subsided by the time he returned to his office. Nakia and her team of War Dogs waited for him in his inner office, and he took a moment to step into his private sauna to gather his thoughts.
The shock of Yani giving him his walking papers hurt, but the thought of her leaving Wakanda with his babies hardened his resolve to stay calm and not overreact despite his frayed nerves. He meandered back to the West Palace like a car out of alignment, almost missing his floor, with his mind repeating her words over and over. "I'll get my own place outside of the palace with the kids—"
Hearing the words took him back to Disa, dropping him like the plague so long ago, but this time, the feeling gutted him more because there were children involved. The threat of removing Sydette and Riki from his immediate presence was something he would not tolerate. His stomach churned with bitter bile and he smacked the wall of the sauna in anger.
"Second best? When have I ever treated you as anything less compared to how I deal with Disa?" he shouted, his voice echoing.
Erik stared at himself in the sauna's glass enclosure that had a small circular mirror across the room and questioned an imaginary Yani as if she were there in front of him again. He had been fair and respectful to them both, allotting equal time to all of their children, often taking care of them by himself so that both mothers could have more free time despite his packed schedule. He often sent Yani and Disa books about Wakanda and vintage Wakandan jewelry that he thought they would both like. If he ran across something interesting for one, he always thought of the other and what they might enjoy having too. When they were all together for family meals in the grand dining rooms, he never showed more favor to one or the other because he was intentional in making sure no one felt slighted with his interactions. He planned to go to Yani first with the flowers, but Disa was the first person he saw to give them to because she was outside the suite.
Erik closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The only chastisement he gave himself was kissing Disa out in the open when he thought they were alone. He had shared a moment with her and he didn't want to be penalized that severely because things were still so tender with Yani. His body riled up again, and he shook his hands and arms to focus on centering his erratic nerves.
Think.
The royal family wouldn't let Yani leave with their heirs to another country at all, not during a national crisis. Umama and Baba Z for damn sure were not letting their royal great-grandchildren get taken away from them. Yani's threats to move would only mean out of the palace, not out of Wakanda for the time being. He would ask Twyla to suggest to Yani moving into another suite on another floor of the palace. Twyla had always remained impartial when it came to the children, and Erik knew a disruption would stress all three of his kids. Especially Joba. As far as Twyla was concerned, parents could break up and shit talk each other, but Sydyette, Riki, and Joba was the square she was going to stand on and not move.
Erik sat down on the wooden bench in the sauna and rubbed his forehead. The back of his throat grew watery, and he pushed back on throwing up as a memory of his mother running off to Oak Bluffs with him as a child seared his brain. Yani hadn't run off secretly as his mother did, but Erik instantly understood the terror his Baba went through when he came home from Wakanda and they were gone. Vanished into thin air with no communication. He cradled his face and rocked his body. Califia had been in a bad place mentally. Scared and grasping for meaning in a world that had fundamentally changed without her input. Yani couldn't help but feel the same emotions and uncertainty. Much the same way that he, acting as his father did, stumbled into creating something that hadn't been fully thought out with his mother's input.
Erik didn't want his children to suffer the way he did, not knowing or understanding exactly what was happening between their parents. Just whisked away from their father suddenly because their mother was hurting. His feelings, his situation, and his pathetic attempts to passively force his will on two women like they were Barbie dolls waiting for him to create an insular world when he was ready to act wore Yani down and she broke. He had to fix himself and his new world order by himself. The hope was for more time to pass that would give them space. Umama told him to step back, and he did. Sort of. Fooling around with Yani as she used her natural charms to help march his ass into T'Challa's office with a "Nah, I ain't going," switched up the plan too fast and blindsided him. It frightened Erik, the way her eyes had gone dead and ice cold. Even the way her body rejected him with the flowers… his throat burned with the acid rushing forward and he vomited on the sauna floor. A long strand of sour saliva clung to his bottom lip and the cool tiling. Had his father done the same thing? Vomited and imagined the worst?
Erik raised up and stepped over the mess he made. He rinsed his mouth and washed his face in a hanging bowl, leaving his vomit behind for a later clean-up. Duty called.
Nakia and her team of two men and two women stared at Erik's terrain map and they discussed the route the War Dogs would take. He used holo maps above the war table so that T'Challa and his military leaders could observe in another location. There was talk of his cousin going on the mission too, but T'Challa preferred to protect the nation from within the borders. He would act as if Wakanda was business as usual with his daily royal duties.
Erik gave input that the team liked, and Nakia grudgingly accepted that he knew his stuff as a master strategist in espionage tactics. The key was securing access to Nigandan security recordings in and around the border that led to the secret opening in the underground cavern. They needed to find their targets quickly and eliminate them. They would drop water drones into the rivers in the area to search for aquatic access and possible submersible spyware. If the Phuri were getting outside help, those outsiders would scramble to make contact in the place they thought was still off the grid.
Nakia gave him codes to watch their journey through their night vision goggles. The primary goal was to sweep the area with serious reconnaissance and plant their own people in positions to track all movement. Under cover of darkness, they would enter Niganda after nine that evening before the moon rose up high.
Once the War Dogs left his office, he went back to his sauna to clean up his vomit and then go over tasks in his personal space.
"Are you alright?" Mpilo asked.
Erik stared aimlessly at the painting of Queen Shuriyah. Mpilo held out a comm tab, needing his signature for a television agreement.
"Prince N'Jadaka?"
He reached for a chrome stylus in Mpilo's hand and signed the document on the flashing screen. The urge to rush out of the West Palace and storm over to Yani's suite overwhelmed him, instead, he left his office and wandered around the lower levels and admired the artwork and the hustle and bustle of palace life, giving his mind the freedom to go blank for an hour. Afterward, he took his time heading over to Yani's place with a calmer frame of reference.
Twyla answered her door and gave him a cautious smile.
"Hey stranger," he said.
Twyla gave him a hug and patted his back.
"I need to make an appointment with you," Twyla said.
"For what?"
"I want to talk to you about a potential business venture I'm cooking up," she said with excited breath.
Erik looked around the living room.
"Yani here?"
"Yani!" Twyla called out.
"Come through tomorrow," he said.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Twyla smiled, and it dimmed once Yani stepped into view.
"What do you want?" Yani asked in a snappish tone.
"I'm going to head down for dinner," Twyla said.
She squeezed Erik's arm and exited the suite.
"Where are Riki and Sydette?" Erik asked.
"Napping. I have to get them up for dinner in a minute."
"Tell me when I've treated you second best," he demanded.
Yani rolled her eyes and sat on the armrest of her couch. She folded her arms across her chest and stayed silent.
"When?" he said.
No response.
"See? I haven't. You can't even name one instance where I've purposely disrespected you—"
"Why can't you choose me, Killmonger?"
"I choose you Yani, it's just that Disa—"
"Disa what?! Why does she have to be in the equation?"
"She's always going to be in the equation somehow. She's the mother of my child—"
"Because you're a selfish bastard. Another man who cahn keep his dick in his pants. You're just like every wasteman I've dealt with in my life. I honestly thought you were better than that."
"I'm the best you've ever had, girl. I've always treated you well because I love you."
"And you love her too."
"I can't change how I feel. I regret ever confessing that to you."
"So you would've come back acting like we're together but secretly wanting her behind my back."
"I have always been open and honest with you. Even back when it was just us and we both knew this wasn't supposed to happen. What do you want me to do, ignore Disa? Not interact with her?"
"You have a long history. Mi know that. I don't want to see it thrown in my face."
"Yani, I try my best to be fair around both of you."
"It's not about being fair. Am I your only woman? That's all I want to know. Do you want to rebuild a life with me and our children? Can't you see how it hurts me when you are with her? Holding her hand? Kissing her? That's all supposed to be for me. I'm sorry I'm not some sophisticated anything-goes woman like her. I'm very old-fashioned and wasn't raised like that."
"I'm still yours, Yani. It's going to take me time to work through my feelings with Disa. She was one of the most important people in my life that shaped who I am. She was my best friend before she was ever my woman. That friendship will never end. I know that's what you want, and I can't do it. It doesn't make you second best or less than her at all. She's a vital part of my life and always will be—"
"Then I don't want to be with you. You put her on too high of a pedestal—"
"Like I don't put you up there already? I can't be friends with her?"
"Do you even listen to yourself? I tell you what I want and she's always there. Friendship with her is just a nice way of saying you want to be with her still."
"So taking my kids away is supposed to punish me for telling you the truth of what she is in my life?"
"I want a normal relationship. For once, I want to be first in someone's life. I want all the flowers, all the love, all the praise… just me. Me!"
Yani slammed her hands on her chest. Erik approached her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He nuzzled her face.
"That won't work anymore, Killmonger. I'm done. We can raise our kids together in separate places. You go your way, and I'll go mine from now on. Go be with your precious friend. You're just a bum like all dem back home. I'll get me someone who respects me, loves only me."
"Riki and Sydette are staying in the palace."
"You don't get a say on that."
"Yes, I do. The family will back me up too. If you want to leave and go live somewhere else, I can't stop you. But my kids stay here. You can move to a different floor if you can't tolerate being near Disa. Why can't we just sit down and talk all this shit out?"
"There's nothing to talk about! Mi done!"
Yani pushed back from him and slapped her hand on top of her other hand.
"I told you in plain English, I want you to pick me and forget about her."
"And we agreed to give each other time and space to work through me being back. Allowing me to work through my shit without pressure on you regarding our —"
"I don't care about that anymore. You're back dealing with your shit and I'm here dealing with my shit, too. I'm over it. Just go move in with her. It's what you want, anyway. You don't have the guts to tell me that, so yuh string me along."
Erik pushed his face closer to her.
"Riki and Sydette stay here. You go if you want."
"You cahn wait for me to leave."
"I want you here. By my side."
Yani twisted her lips and glared at him. Erik's shoulders drooped.
"You mean the world to me and all I wanted was time to… you know what? Forget it. Nothing I say matters to you anymore. Love ain't enough for us… for you. I hope you change your mind."
"Baba?"
Riki bounded out of the hall and ran to Erik. He scooped up his son.
"Ready to go eat dinner with the Fam?" Erik asked.
Riki nodded.
"Sydette!" Erik called out.
Sweet Pea came trucking out fast, tossing back beads on her new braids.
"I'm taking them down," Erik said.
Yani watched him with surly eyes. The pain of loss rested in his stomach and he left with the children, trying to pick up his mood. Riki and Sydette chatted to him about their lunch date and visiting the royal garden searching for an elusive butterfly that was said to be rare that time of year. He gripped their small hands tight and constantly showered them with kisses on their cheeks that made them laugh as they rode down the elevator together. He swung them both gently with his strong hands when they entered the red dining hall, one of the more intimate dining areas the family used. Ramonda held out her arms for Riki and Sydette and the children dashed over to her with giggles and shared their garden discoveries.
Twyla sat near Disa and Joba, and the two women were in full discussion mode. They both clammed up the moment Erik planted kisses on Joba's forehead. He moved to sit across from Shuri and Ramonda. T'Challa was absent, and Erik knew he was busy dealing with the excursion into Nigandan territory.
Yani showed up right when the first course was served, a simple vegetable soup with a thick texture. She sat near Shuri and close enough for Erik to watch her facial expressions. She looked pissed and dampened the mood of everyone present.
"N'Jadaka, did you receive the message from Umama and Baba Z?" Ramonda asked.
Erik hadn't checked for personal messages after arguing with Yani.
"No," he said, "work had me hemmed up."
"They will return a little later than scheduled. They ran into some issues that will lengthen their stay. Nothing serious."
He nodded. Ramonda gazed at Yani.
"You have been silent this entire meal, Yani. Everything okay?" Ramonda asked.
"I'm not feeling well. Excuse me," Yani said.
She stood up from the table and folded her napkin across her plate. Erik reached for her hand as she rushed past him and she jerked away from him so hard that it surprised everyone.
"Don't touch me," she hissed under her breath.
Ramonda stood up at the head of the table. Erik held his hands out to show everyone he wasn't man-handling Yani.
"What is the problem?" Ramonda asked.
Erik glanced at his children. Sydette gave a wide-eyed stare and Riki focused on Joba, who already had anxious tears in her eyes with all the negative energy.
"Go on and go," Erik said to Yani.
"Sweet Pea, Dumplin…" Yani said.
"Nah, they'll stay and finish their meal. I'll bring them up," Erik said.
"Sweet Pea, Dumplin. Get up and come with me," Yani demanded.
"What's wrong, Mama?" Sydette asked with a stressed tone.
"Let them eat their food in peace!" Erik said.
"Calm down everyone," Ramonda said, moving over to Riki and Sydette. "We can have their meal sent up to the suite."
Yani stomped over to the kids and pulled them from their chairs.
"Mama, don't," Riki whined, tugging his arm away from her.
Riki ran to Erik, and he picked up the boy.
"Riki, come here!"
"Don't yell at him," Erik said.
Twyla left her seat to pull Yani away. They fussed all the way to the entrance. Sydette ran back to her chair, then went to Joba to calm her down.
"What in the world?" Shuri said.
"Sorry, y'all. We got into it before we came here. Let's finish eating and give her time to chill," Erik said.
Appetites were already spoiled. Erik changed seats to sit next to Riki and Sydette and the rest of the meal was reserved with brief conversations. Ramonda stared at him with concern. Disa looked after Joba, rubbing her back and encouraging all the children to eat. The dinner ended and Erik gathered Riki and Sydette. Disa held Joba's hand and approached him with trepidation.
"What happened?"
"I'll tell you about it later. Let me take them up—"
"Tell me what happened. She was pissed seeing us together, that's obvious, but what went down?" Disa said.
"Wait for Baba over there," Erik said to Riki and Sydette.
They wandered over to the entrance near Shuri. Ramonda left the dining room to give them privacy. Shuri waved for Joba to join her, and his youngest moved over to her siblings.
"She left me. Wants to move out of the palace and take my kids with her. Told me I had to choose her and stop being around you."
Disa sighed.
"I don't know what to tell you," Disa said.
"She accuses me of treating you better than her and tells me that I rank her second in everything and all I've done was try to work through this new reality and I can't… I can't…"
"You can't what?" Disa asked.
"I can't ignore you. I can't act like I don't love you. I want her… I want so many things…"
"If you want her, then be with her."
Disa's face tried to look stoic, but her voice strained to maintain composure.
"I want you in my life, Disa."
"We can remain friends."
"You'll always be more than that to me."
"I feel the same, but I know your heart. Her happiness is important to you. Let's face it. Our time was beautiful, but it's over. I know you want the best for me, and guilt plays a big part in why you want to make up for our past. Guilt is not a good foundation for us to be something different together. I want your love to be pure and guilt-free. We'll always have that special bond. We'll always be closer than most. Nothing will break that. I don't want you torturing yourself, worrying about me. I see it in your eyes, Erik. She's the one you need."
A weary shudder went through his midsection, and he fought from crying. Disa was his, and he had to let her go to keep his princess, Yani. Disa kissed his forehead.
"We are family forever," she murmured. "This is a new chapter."
"Don't hate me… please," he said.
"Never. I have everything I ever wanted because of you. That is enough."
She pushed him toward Riki and Sydette. Joba ran back over and slipped her hand into his.
"Daddy, please don't cry," Joba said.
His daughter patted his thigh, and he nodded, wiping his eyes. Disa turned her head away, but she couldn't hide her copious tears. Erik bent down on one knee and looked at Joba.
"Daddy is okay, Sunshine," he said.
Joba shook her head in disagreement. He touched her fluffy hair and pressed his forehead into hers.
"Go take them up to their mother," Disa said.
Erik kissed Joba's cheek.
He ambled over to his other children and took them to the nearest elevator.
"Why is Mama mad?" Sydette asked.
"I'll make it all better," Erik said.
He led them up to their floor. Twyla greeted him again but blocked him from entering the suite.
"She's not in a good place right now to see you, Big Man," Twyla said.
Erik let Riki and Sydette go inside without him. He glanced at his kimoyo. In an hour, Nakia and her team would cross into Niganda.
"Tell her I have to work now with the mission. Ask her if she'll have lunch with me alone tomorrow at my place. She can hit me up later if she wants. You can meet with me in the morning at my office to talk about your business plan."
"Okay."
He turned away, but Twyla held his wrist. Her eyes watered.
"I know yuh doin' your best," Twyla said.
"I wish she knew that."
"In her own way, she does, I think. For once she finally drew her line in the sand and I'm proud of her. I want you to know that no matter what happens, I will still respect you and root for yuh, Big Nigga. Mi feel like we blood relatives for life."
"We are."
Twyla hugged him and wept into his chest. He rubbed her back until she pushed back from him and wiped her eyes.
"Gwine, now. I'll go back in here and take all your licks for yuh until she talks face to face with your ridiculous self," Twyla teased.
Erik cradled Twyla's hands.
"I love her, Twyla. She's my heart. I want a life with her… I want more kids with her… I want her to know the adventure with me isn't over."
Twyla waved her hand at him.
"Tell her alla that yourself tomorrow. Get out mi face!"
Erik sauntered away, feeling better. His kimoyo beads glowed with Nakia's signature. The countdown began.
Chapter 47 HERE.
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