Sunshine is Callin'

*"I was ya Fresh Prince back in the summa' days.I loved ya Nia Long time, yeah.You had them Daisy dukes that stop below ya waist, showin' off ya bikini line."_Mack Wilds- Love In The 90s*

Eyes of Joshua:

The smell of butter pancakes hit my nose the next morning..I was knocked out on the couch and rolled over getting up. I could hear what was sounding like Marina and Kai..

"He never came back, back, back till the Fourth of July, ly, ly.."I glanced around the corner seeing Kai playing around with Marina..My daughter was so happy it made me feel some type of way..Sad that I never see her like this with her mom blessed that Kai had a big enough heart to except me and all I came with..It was only the beginning but some shit you just knew.And I knew no matter what her intentions with Marina was good...I laughed looking at the sight of Marina and Kai with what looked like my jogging pants and Jersey on..

"DADDIES UP!"Marina said running flopping in my lap..

"OHH BABY GIRL! YOU TRYNA KILL DADDY?"I said holding my stomach than feeling her life with kisses..Marina turned me softee for sure. The very moment I knew she was cooking in the oven so to speak .

Kai stud in the kitchen doorway.."I'm sorry we were trying to let you sleep did we wake you?"

"Nah I'm usually a morning bird anyways.. What time is it any how?"I asked looking around..

"I don't know.. and your phones is under that grey pillow by the way.."The way Kai carried herself just screamed wife material..But I wanted to become the best of friends before I started pushing up on her..I wasn't even sure if she was feeling me all like that.

I searched where she told me and my phone was right there.."See daddy Ms. Kai, her know ebreething!"

I laughed.."I guess I can agree with that.."

I watched Kai continue to cook but I could tell she had a big grin on her face.."What you doing here so early mamas, I thought auntie KC kidnapped you?"

"Her did, but Ziggy was being bossy and I not put up with that so I tell her to bring me home.."I laughed, my baby girl had always been straight up.. when she wasn't feeling some shit she wouldn't hesitate to let ANY BODY KNOW!Me and Melissa included..I checked the time on my phone..3:47 HOW LONG DID I SLEEP?I said to myself with wide eyes.."Baby girl when did you get here?"I asked tickling her little belly

"DADDY STOP!"

"She's been here since like 11 in the morning.."Kai said cutting the stove on low.."We did each other's nails and hair then she said she was hungry so I decided to whip up some brunch.."

Marina giggled.."Ms. Kai you funny, what's BUNCH!?"Marina said so tickled falling to the floor.

"Breakfast after or during lunch but before dinner so you call it Brunch cause it's in the middle. And there you have it Brunch Breakfast plus Lunch.."She said smiling sitting down the spatula and pinching Marina's cheeks..

"Ooooou I like dat! Daddy why you don't know about BUNCH!?"

"Cause that's a CORNBALLS meal..."I paused as they gave me attitude.."CORNBALLS!"I said shooing them off..

Kai came in the living room sitting across from me and Marina.."We'll remember that when we're making your plates right Marina?"

"Right!"

Marina said getting up standing over by Kai as they did a hand shake..

"Maaan, y'all BIG WEIRD!What the heck was allat non-sense about?"I said tugging at my beard..

"Noneya!"Marina said sticking out her tongue..

"Noneya!?"I said confused.."Ight don't get that little nigga messed up!"

"Noneya, as in NONE YA BUSINESS CORNBALL!"Kai said tossing her little baby hands at me like she was throwing away trash as her and Marina clapped hands..

"Ooouuu daddy, you got DISRESPECTED!"Marina said falling to the floor laughing..

"Man! Ya' some straight nerds!!"I said laying back relaxing like a king..

"No you a nerd daddy just like Joe!"Marina said as Kai bust out laughing..

"Hea' we go now who the H double hockey sticks is Joe.."

"JOE MAMA!"Marina said as they both fell out..

Kai was so tickled.."Nice one!"

"What! You grounded, and let's NOT EVEN GET STARTED ON MAMAS!"I said crossing my arms, I gotta admit that was cute as hell..

"Daddy, PLEASE! You just mad cause you got handled.. you the one that got with mommy not me!"Marina said shrugging as Kai shrugged too..

"She said it not me.."Kai said shrugging

"Yeah ight nerd 1 and nerd 2..What ya in there burning up my kitchen bruh?"

Kai stud up.."First off I ain't ya bruh, and when I step in the kitchen to cook it becomes mine..Secondly I hear that stomach growling all the way over here so I would be nice to me if I was you!"

I put my hands up.."YES MAM!"She walked off picking back up the spatula again.."But Kai.."

She gave me evil eyes.."WHAT!?"

"That was three things not one.."She bucked at me as Marina cracked up some more.."I'm just sayin' I'd expect more out of you, it's okay Kai..Marina, baby girl teach this scrub how to count.."

"DADDY! BEHAVE!"Marina said pointing her little finger my way..

"SOOOOO it's okay for ya' to come for me but I can't come for ya'?"I said extending my arms..

"Exactly!"Marina said as the doorbell..

"Whatever nerds let me go get this door.."I said getting off the couch lazily as the doorbell kept ringing back to back.."Alright DANG!"I said making my way to the peep whole..It was Melissa..

"Open the FUCKIN' DOOR BEFORE I CALL THE POLICE AND LET THEM KNOW WHATS GOIN' ON AROUND THIS MOTHAFUCKA!"Man what the fuck is she doing here..•

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Eyes of Kai:

I could hear aggressive like banging at the door..I grabbed Marina's hand because I had a weird feeling on the inside.."Hey let's go pick out a favorite movie for you to watch until I make your plate.."

"YAAAY, you gone make Dirty Dan a plate too?"She said holding my hand looking up my way I chuckled..I picked her up spinning her around..

"Maybe if he acts right.."I said buttoning her nose..She laughed as I got her settled in.."Okay you watch the Cheetah Girls and I'll be back when the foods done, I promise you're gonna love this movie."

"Do you like this moobie?"She asked looking up at me curiously..

"Oh yes ma'am, it's a classic! I know all the songs and dance moves.. maybe we can go to the mall and get the matching outfits and learn them all.. What'd say?"

"Mmhhmm I like the sound of the Ms. Kai.."She said as we pounded it..

"Cool hang tight little mama I'll be right back.."I said as she nodded getting comfortable and I turned on the movie leaving out cracking the door..I could hear yelling and carrying on outside so I turned all the food off and looked out the window to make sure everything was okay..

"You got some fat ass BITCH around my daughter Joshua REALLY!"I had to point at myself..Who she talking to and about?

"Man Melissa first of all don't show up to my crib high disrespecting my people's or daughter no more it's the reason why I bought you ya own crib. How the hell did you get hea' in the first place, why aren't you in rehab I thought you was tryna get better for Marina?"

He sounded so sad and stressed and my heart instantly broke..

"Fuck YOU, THIS CRIB AND YA PEOPLE! I don't need rehab, and the next time you and my mom's decide to do some slick shit like that I'ma have all ya shit ran in.. I'ma have the laws runnin' all thru this BITCH! Got some nothin' ass hoes around my child and you wanna talk about me!"

"Yo straight up, I tried to care for you since the day I met you.. I've been more then patient but you gonna keep threatenin' me and I'm the one that raised Marina and take care of ya ass! Try that shit if you want to, you ain't dumb.. You try to come between me and my daughter and I'll kill you Melissa!"

"OH SO YOU GONE KILL ME NOW! MATTER FACT MOVE!"She said pushing him..By this time I'm looking at everything thru the window..I turned to Marina's room and I could see that she had the tv sky high..

"Melissa I got mad footage of you and all the drugs and shit, you think the court gone give you my daughter?"

"Nigga that's my daughter!"

"You don't even LOVE HER!"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP AND MOVE JOSHUA!"She said pushing him again..And in his eyes I could see him about to snap..I had to do something, even though this wasn't something I should jump in I had to do something for Marinas sake.."You ain't no better than me, that record label you own is a cover up, me and you both know that you ain't nothin' but a wack ass dealer! Does that BITCH IN NEA' KNOW THAT!I KNOW YOU HEA' ME HOE COME ON OUT!"

"Melissa.."He put his hands in prayer mode and backed up.."Melissa just leave man, don't do this.."

"I'M NOT LEAVING WITHOUT WHOPPIN' THIS BITCH ASS AND MY DAUGHTER!"By this time there were his neighbors outside..Next thing I hear is Marina call my name..

"Stay right there Marina OKAY!"

She nodded her head crying.."Is that mooomy?"She asked with the puppy face and my heart just broke..

"I'm not sure baby stay right there okay, just go back in the room.."

"BITCH I SAID MOVE!"I heard Melissa scream as she launched for Joshua's face and I bust out the doors..Cause I knew he was about to say F it and risk it all..I stepped in front of him..I looked him in the face..

"Bitch LETS GO! WHAT THE FUCK THIS GOTTA DO WITH YOU!"She said as I ignored her.I wasn't fazed by her, she really didn't want any..

Joshua's eyes were blood shot red and his veins we're all puffed out..I made his eyes meet mine.."Joshua?"I called to him as he was panting hard bleeding on the side of his face.."JOSHUA!"But he had a murderous eye full of rage, pain and hurt.."JOSHUA, GO IN AND GET MARINA NOW SHE'S CRYING!"His face softened a bit as he came back to earth noticing me..

"Kai, what you doin' out hea', it's not safe go back in.."

I sighed and held his face.."Look at me!! GO GET MARINA..SHE'S CRYING. SHE'S SCARED AND ALONE! And these people gone call the police, don't be stupid GO!"He took a couple more deeps breaths..

"You better be glad my daughter needs me.."He said over my shoulders..

"JOSHUA ENOUGH! GO!"I said pointing at the door..He huffed punching the brick walls making a slight dent and going back in...

"OH SO YOU GONE LISTEN TO THIS BITCH I THOUGHT.. YOU KNOW WHAT.."She said pulling out a phone as I sat on the steps of Joshua's Brown Stones shaking my head at this utter foolery!

"And what are you gonna do with that?"I asked dryly and calmly..

She put her phone to her side.."BITCH WHAT! I KNOW YOU AIN'T TALKIN' TO ME, WHY THE FUCK YOU EVEN HEA' AROUND MY DAUGHTER!?"

I laughed tossing my hair back.."Why aren't you here with your daughter is what you should be asking?"

"Excuse me BITCH LETS GO!"

"Stop it! Just stop it! What you plan on doing calling the police and telling them he doing what he do.. he has things on you too both of y'all going down! And before I let my little friend get taken by the system you better believe EVERYONE GONNA FEEL IT!"

"This ain't got NOTHIN' to do with you HOE! Who you post to be his new girl?"

"No, I'm supposed to be Kai Preston.. Joshua is a dear friend and your daughter in there right now has a special place in my heart! So if you want Joshua back by any means bust it wide right now for him for all I care, he's yours honey you got that!But what I won't allow!"

"What you WON'T ALLOW!??This hoe can't be real!"

"You heard what I said, what I WON'T ALLOW. Is for another woman, my sista' from God to stand out here and make a fool of herself in front of all these white folks look around you sis.."

"I don't give a damn about these people!"

"I know you don't. But see this whole thing is it's bigger than that. Your daughter is in there asking for YOU! TUH, you know what I don't even know why I'm explaining myself.. I got people in high places so you can try to bust Joshua out all you want to.. but he'll be right out the next day untouched.. So you'd be waisting your time..I'm not gone fight you I got too much class for that..Now you're on private property so I suggest you turn right around and go on about your day.."

She stared me down for a long time as I sat on the steps unbothered.."FUCK YOU FAT BITCH, THIS ISN'T THE END OF THIS AT ALL!"She said stomping off down the street.."Bitch got me tight!"She picked up her phone"Meet me at the Ruckers! AND HURRY UP!"

I shook my head..What have I gotten myself into?..I mean compared to the shit I used to face with Desmond this was NOTHING!And for some reason I just knew that quick that no matter what I'd always be here for Marina..I felt so sad for her, and I would never force myself on her but I'm always here to pick up her little heart when she's down..

I gathered myself together and went back in..I took a deep breath and exhaled deeply..Kai should you have done that?Oh well the damage is done, the milk was spilled and cleaned!I held my head high and went back into cleaning Joshua's face and cuts on his knuckles from Melissa's punch and him punching the brick wall..He went upstairs and I made everyone's plates..I heated up Marina's plate and put in on a tray as I sat down me and Joshua's plate..

I came upstairs with Marina's breakfast, fruit and apple juice expecting that I would have to cheer her up..But just like the amazing father Joshua was he had on a glittery hat singing to a princess wand along with The Cheetah Girls to Marina as she laughed and cheered him on like nothing ever happened..

"When I was just a little girl my momma use to tuck me into bed and she'd read me a stoooorrrry!It always was about how princesses in distress and how a guy would save her and end up with the GLOOOORY!I'd like and bed, the rest of the words something about girl what's the tea!Hee hee HA, blah blah blah..Fairytales and goat CHEESE.."

I laughed from the other side of the door hearing him singing in a low raspy tone as I bust in and pushed him out the way handing him the tray..Move aside..I mouthed to him as he stuck his tongue out..

"I don't wanna be like Cinderella sitting in a dark cold disturb cellar, waiting for somebody to come and set me free..( Come and set me freee)*Joshua mimicked*I shook my head laughing as I continued..I don't wanna be like someone waiting for a handsome prince to come and save me all I will survive unless somebody's on my side don't wanna be NO NO NO ONE ELSE! I'D RATHER RESCUE MY SELF!"

Here came Joshua interrupting.."I can SLAY MY ON DRAGONS I CAN DREAM MY OWN DREAM, MARINA'S NIGHT AND SHINING ARMOR IS DADDY!!!"

I busted out"SO I'M GONNA SET ME FREE.."We went on like this until the song was over..I laughed as me and Joshua were pitifully out of breath, pausing the movie..

"YAAAAY dat was FUN!"Marina said as I smiled..

"I'm glad you happy little mama.."

"Yeah baby girl, now tell the truth who did the best?"He said smiling all wide and goofy pointing at himself..

"Daddy!"She said as I smiled.. "NOT YOU!"Marina said as I bust out laughing..

"Now pipe down and behave I was just telling you, you make my ears hurt Daddy! Kai sound pretty!"I smiled twirling and bowing..

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU  PLEASE NO AUTOGRAPHS.."I said doing the miss America wave..

Marina giggled.."Ms. Kai you so silly!Daddy I hungry.."She said looking over at him pointing at the tray..

"And, what I'm posta do with that info?!This mine go get ya own scrub!"He said grabbing a piece of her pancake..

"Daddy, I think you is a sword loser like Auntie Nisha always tell Jordy!"She said giggling..

"It's called SORE LOSER, get ya English up nerd!"He said sticking out his tongue.

I just shook my head.."Just a sad sad case!"

Marina walked over to her little Hello Kitty table and pulled it out sitting down in front of the TV.."Now sit my stuff down DADDY DIRTY DAN!"

"Yeah ight Pinhead Larry.."Joshua said moping out the room..

I laughed.."Is it still warm Marina?"

"YES MAM!"She smiled digging right on in..

"Good I'ma go cheer up your dad okay.."

She nodded.."Ms. Kai?"

"Yes mam?"I turned back around facing her.

"How come mommy not come say Hi.."I looked back at the door as Joshua instantly fell hurt and confused as if he had no idea what to say or where to begin.I gave him a nod like I had this..

"Well Marina, she did actually she wanted to give you this money."I said handing her a 20 dollar bill..

"WOOOOW FOR ME!"She said as I gave it to her and she examined it..

"Yup all yours.."

"Well why she was screamin' about stuff?"She said getting sad again..

"Well she had a real important meeting to go to and she was mad cause she just didn't have time to stop in.."

"Really!?"Marina said with eyes..

"Yup. I said nodding.."

"Okay.."She said as I nodded about to turn the movie back on for her..She put the money in her piggy bank and sat back down..

"Okay now I'm gonna feed your Dad do you need anything else before I go.."

"No thank you.."I nodded.."Um, Ms. Kai?"

"Yes beautiful?"

"Thank you for my million dollars.. I know mommy not happy her need help, dats what daddy tell me..I know mommy love me she just gotta get better.."She said smiling continuing to eat.."Mmmm, these some good pancakes Ms. Kai.. can I watch the rest of the movie now?"

I gave a slight smile.."Sure, anything you need my lovely."After I turned it on I felt emotionally drained walking out of the room..I was faced with Joshua who was at the doorway as I looked up at him fighting off tears..But I couldn't help but feel for Marina.. So smart, so strong. And here I am making up non-sense forgetting the main thing, kids ALWAYS KNOW.You just can't sugar coat anything and say anything..And there went the tears..I was abused everyday for a long time so I know abuse when I see it..And how Marina's mother does her is a form of abuse whether she feels so or not..Joshua wiped my face and peeked in the door then he came back out..He nodded his head towards the stairs..

"Follow me."I nodded as he held my hand to the kitchen..I grabbed his plate to heat it up.."HEY HEY HEY RELAX! I'll get my plate and yours too, I got you just comere'.."He said grabbing my hand and cornering me by the kitchen island...

He picked me up outta no where "AHHH!"I said as he placed my on the island marble top counters..

He laughed caressing my face..."I'm sorry Kai."

"For what you didn't do anything.."

"I'm sorry you were crying, me and Marina aren't your baggage and you shouldn't even be in this mess.."

I smiled tugging at his beard.."Joshua you and that baby up there could NEVER be baggage.. more like a prime necessity that I feel I will need by my side to get by for a long time."He just stared at me.."No matter what I always got you and Marina's back, no matter what.. and that's why I'm crying because my heart's breaks for that poor baby.. she's way too intelligent, kind, selfless, and beautiful and she's only 4.. it sucks to know that this cold world could steal that and all I want to do is shield her from it all.. She has the world on her shoulders already but thank God she has you to bare the weight of all things crazy.."••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Eyes of Joshua:

The way she cared for me and my seed in no amount of time.. the way her smile was big and heart even bigger.The way she talked with so much passion..The way she handled herself as a woman..The way she made me come back to earth and get a level head outside earlier was magical and mystical..I wanted to kiss her lips..But I didn't wanna confuse anything..I grabbed her hand towering over her as her feet dangled from my island..I kissed her hand instead..I held my lip there to honor the queen I never knew could exist the queen she was, the queen I wanted Marina to be..

"What was that for?"She asked shyly..

"For just being you.."I let her hand go.."I'm sorry about Melissa, she.."

She put her hand over my lip.."I handled it, I'm just sorry if I over stepped my boundaries.."

"Shit! No tellin' what woulda went down without you by my side, word life!"I said grabbing some pineapple chunks going in on them..

She smiled.."She'll try to throw jabs here in there and start drama we can't stop that.. But as far as her coming here and threatening to get you knocked, it's not happening Joshua. Yet and still that is Marina's mother and I must respect that so try to continue to be the bigger person even though I know it's hard, it'll help to pass time."

I winced a little.."I don't know Kai she's.."

She put her hand over my lip.."Trust me! I got this."She said as I nodded..She could've been anyone, but something said it's okay to trust her and so I did..She told me exactly what went down..She handled that with so much class and grace..I smiled wrapping my hands around her waist..

"You know eventually you gone be my lady right?"

She laughed shooing me off.."Yeah okay, just go heat up your plate.."

"I'm for real! When Method Man said:nothin' make a man feel betta' than a woman, queen wit a crown that be down fa whateva'..He meant you.."She smiled eating some fruit.."You look good in them sweats by the way."

"Thanks Marina picked them out! She said these are your pants you wear when you're being a bum.."

I laughed eating some more fruit.."Well she ain't wrong.. I'ma pass them down to you now.. May the bum forces be with you."I said bowing to her as she bowed back..

Too.Be..Continued...