Family First

"Do you think daddy should just-"

"Don't talk to me with food in your mouth." Nicki cut Caleb short.

He looked over at Baby.

"Baby, do you think da-"

"Don't talk whenever there's food in your mouth. How about that?" Nicki interrupted again. Caleb looked forward holding eye contact while chewing the fries in his mouth. Sheldon slowly chewed while looking up at Caleb and over at his mom.

Caleb swallowed dramatically before Nicki tilted her head as he spoke up.

"Do you think daddy should just get some curls like me and Sheldon?"

"Sweetie," Nicki paused while looking over at Safaree's head and laughing. "Ain't nothing about your daddy's hair is curling."

She looked over again and laughed more. "Nothing."

Ellen leaned into her hand to cover her laugh. Nicki leaned forward laughing harder as Ellen tried to restrain her laughter.

“Daddy, your hair can't curl?”

Sherika caught everyone's attention when she roughly coughed. She rubbed her chest as her eyes watered. Nicki laughed harder at her choking. Sherika pushed her plate to the side and leaned over onto the couch.

“He said...” Nicki stumbled over her sentence. She came to a halt and leaned into Sherika's shoulder to laugh more before lifting her head again. “He said your hair can't curl.”

Safaree stared at Nicki who seemed to be tickled.

“I got curls.” Sheldon announced while touching his hair. She smiled over at Caleb while reaching out to touch his brother's hair.

Nicki snorted as Sherika squealed. Ellen snickered to herself while looking around wondering if their goofiness was the laughter of an inside joke. She glanced over at Safaree and he crunched on a chip while still staring at Nicki. India stepped over his leg and held on to the side of the table. Safaree leaned forward and pulled Nicki's plate down the table. India looked back at him and grabbed a hand full of chips when Safaree put the plate in front of hers.

“Go ahead and enjoy, India. Your mama doesn't deserve lunch.”

Caleb pushed up off of his butt and got on his knees. He leaned into the table and pointed at the game. “Daddy, it's your turn.” He picked up his sandwich and took a bite.

–

Nicki smiled at a giggling India who was fascinated with her feet as she got her diaper changed. Nicki untangled her arm from India's legs after wiping her down. India paused to stare as Nicki grabbed her ankles and leaned down to kiss the bottom of her feet. A squeal escaped India's mouth as she kicked her feet forward and grabbed her toes.

Nicki smiled as she slowly moved her feet back while staring at her. She leaned forward and kissed the bottom of her feet again, causing India to grin as she kicked them forward again. Nicki took the opportunity to adjust the diaper and pull it into position while she was no longer being kicked and tangled in the midst of foot play.

She reached around India's legs to position the top of the diaper as India refused to release her toes.

"Put my legs behind my head..." Baby's voice projected as she pounced into the bed causing a couple of bounces.

"Hey!" Nicki swung at her. "That's not funny."

Baby screamed through her laughter then rolled to her side when Nicki swung a wipe her way.

"I don't ever want to think about that. Stop playing with me."

Baby rolled over to lean on her arm. She smiled at India who was now focused on her. Nicki pulled at her feet in an attempt to get her to release her toes.

"And hit the ceiling with it." Baby quickly chimed in before rolling quick to dodge the fist heading her way. She rolled off of the bed and landed on the floor.

"Are you really gonna aggravate me all day?"

Baby pushed up off the floor to see Nicki struggling to secure the diaper as India rolled over to her stomach. She pushed her body up then crawled towards the edge of the bed.

“I can't aggravate you if you drop me off at Mina's house.”

Baby popped up on the side of the bed causing India to laugh. India looked over at Nicki with a grin on her face and looked back to see Baby was gone. She went to lean forward to look down when Baby popped up again. India squealed loud and laughed harder.

“Okay, that's enough.” Nicki interrupted. “You're teaching her bad things about the edge of the bed.”

Nicki grabbed India's legs and tugged her back. India turned to look at Nicki as she was lifted in the air.

“What's going on over Mina's?”

“Nothing. Just hanging.”

“For how long?”

“I don't know. I'll tell you when.”

“So you want me to drive you somewhere and leave without knowing when I'm picking you back up?”

“I'll ask my dad.”

Nicki picked up the dirty diaper and turned to walk away. “Well I'm going to get groceries so that gives you a couple of hours.”

India crawled up Nicki's chest to see good over her shoulder as Baby crawled behind, sticking her tongue out at her. India stuck her tongue out and splattered spit in an attempt to make spit bubbles.

“Ugh.” Nicki snapped her neck to the side and India looked up at her with her tongue still out. “C'mon because you got her doing too much with you today.”

Nicki hurriedly signaled Baby. She pushed up off of the floor and skipped passed Nicki with an accomplished smile on her face.

–

"Baby." Nicki frowned while fiddling with her seat belt to loosen it. She snatched up her ringing phone and shoved it over. Leaning forward to peer into her side view mirror, she hit the turning signal to get over. "Answer this so they stop calling. Tell them to just send me over the emails like I ask. I don't need all these mental notes when I have things going on because I'm not going to remember it all."

When half way over, she released the phone. Completely in her lane, she was caught off guard by the quickness of the yellow light that wasted no time jumping to red. Hitting the brakes, the truck came to a dramatic drag before jerking.

Ellen raised an eyebrow at Caleb's arm stretched out across Sheldon's chest to protect him in his car seat. She went to glance at Nicki while making a mental note to bring it up later. Her other eyebrow joined the other as she spotted Nicki's arm outstretched in front of Baby. Like perfected clockwork, Nicki let her guard down and lowered her arm as Caleb's arm shadowed the movement.

“Caleb.”

“Ma'am?”

“When we get to the supermarket, I need you to do me a favor and keep close. You and Munchkin can't grab everything, okay?”

“Okay. Aunt Sherika's not coming this time?”

“No, baby. She's going to meet us back at home.”

“Okay. And Daddy?”

“Yeah, Daddy will help us when we get there.”

“And India will be sleep?”

“I don't know. But you are mommy's partner today, okay?”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

“They left a voice mail.” Baby interrupted while scanning through Nicki's phone.

“Get out of my business.” Nicki glanced over really quick before turning her attention back to the road.

“You put your business in my hands.”

“To answer the call that you didn't answer.”

“You didn't let it go in time.” Baby argued while leaning towards her window to avoid Nicki's reaching arm. She laughed as Nicki grabbed at her shirt but couldn't get to the phone. Nicki waved her off and focused on driving.

“I swear Ellen when you leave, you can take her with you.”

Ellen leaned further to the side and watched Nicki reach over again. She laughed when Baby's arm shot up blocking Nicki.

“Stay on your side of the car. You're invading my space.”

“You're invading my phone.”

Nicki came to a stop sign and didn't hesitate turning in the seat to play tug of war with Baby.

“Mommy, you guys can't play in the car.” Caleb shouted over Baby's laughter. “Mommy. Mommy! It's the car rules. You can't.”

Nicki laughed as she snatched the phone from Baby who released it just as Nicki unlatched her seat belt. She settled back in her seat and looked back at Caleb speaking up again.

“You can't.”

“I know, buddy.” Nicki began driving again. “Your sister was about to get pushed out of here.” Nicki's arm flew up and swatted at Baby who was reaching to touch her face. “Stop! Why are you aggravating me today?!”

Baby leaned over in her seat and looked back to smile at Ellen. Baby turned in her seat to look at Nicki. “You're not going to pull in the driveway?”

“The street is fine. Get out of my truck.”

Baby laughed as she unlatched her seat belt and opened the door.

“Bye, Baby. See you later!” Caleb yelled.

“See you later.” Sheldon echoed. Baby leaned back in the truck and reached over the seat to high five the boys.

“Buy me a magazine.”

Caleb pulled his hand back and dodged the second high five. “That's not a deal!”

“Yes, it is.”

“Nuh, uh!”

“I'll give you back a dollar.”

“How many?”

Ellen laughed at the two going back and forth.

“Two dollars and a poptart. That's it.”

“Deal!”

“Deal!” They high fived and Baby climbed out of the car. “You picking me up in 2 hrs?”

Nicki leaned on her door looking at her phone while shaking her head and mumbling. “Leave your aggravating ass for 2 days.”

Baby smiled at Ellen as she got out of the back seat to take the front seat. Baby leaned into the door quickly and spoke to Nicki. “Pick me up when you miss me, okay?”

“Bye!” Nicki shouted while putting the car in drive. “Be ready when I'm ready.”

Baby threw Ellen a thumbs up as she walked off toward the house. Ellen got in the car and looked back at Caleb. “That was an interesting deal you made. You good at deals?”

Nicki laughed while driving off.

–

Nicki sat two bags on the island as she looked back to see Sheldon pause to look down. He checked his path before continuing into the kitchen carrying the box of cereal. He sat it on the floor then turned to leave the kitchen. Nicki scooted the bags as Sherika walked in the kitchen. She pushed the bags along side the bags Nicki sat down.

They turned at the noise as Caleb bumped the walls. Nicki sighed at him struggling to carry the bags on his arms and in his hands. She shook her head as Safaree walked in behind him with bags up his arms and in his hands as well.

"Really?" Nicki questioned the struggle of carrying the most amount of bags.

"Less trips. One more round and that's it." Safaree defended his tactic.

"That's it." Caleb announced behind Safaree while dropping his bags on the floor.

Nicki looked at Sheldon walking back into the kitchen leaning on the wall drinking his juice. He stopped drinking and leaned his head against the wall. After a second, he sighed then lifted the cup of juice to drink more.

"A whole box of Lucky Charms. I can understand your exhaustion."

"Woo, I'm swamped." Ellen proclaimed as she entered the kitchen sitting two bags down that carried the eggs and bread. Nicki rolled her eyes at Ellen's dramatic mockery. Sherika leaned over the island unable to hold her laugh.

"Where's Baby?" Nicki questioned as she followed Safaree and Caleb towards the door. Her hands rested on her hips as she watched Baby sit on the porch holding India.

Before Nicki could question her about helping, she spoke up.

"I'm on ladybug duty."

"She was in the swing when I unlocked the door." She reached out to hit Baby on the arm but she darted to the side.

Nicki stumbled onto the porch swing to get to Baby. She smiled at India's laughter at the action around her. Mushing Baby's head down, Nicki leaned over and kissed India.

"Tell her unloading groceries is a man's job." Baby spoke up causing Nicki to look behind her to see Safaree walking out and towards the truck with Caleb on his heels.

"Yeah, we got it."

"We got it." Caleb repeated while flopping his arms.

"Oh okay." Nicki replied while picking up India who was reaching out for her. "Come do the woman's job and put the groceries up."

Baby went to reach for India. Nicki quickly slapped her hand down. "Nah, I'm on ladybug duty. Get on up now."

–

Nicki crawled across the couch and slowly placed her upper body on Caleb's body.

"You know you're life itself, right?" She rested her head on his chest and smiled when he wrapped his arms around her head like she did their bodies.

"Yes." He answered so simple. She laughed at the innocence of his arrogance as she stretched her arms up and got comfortable.

"Can mommy take a nap?"

"Yes." His grip tightened while his focus remained on the television. She closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeat, blocking out any sound in the background.

“Here.” Safaree's voice sounded off above her.

“I want this one.” Nicki whined when her head lifted. She gripped Caleb's body.

Safaree paused while holding Caleb's upper body as Nicki held firmly to his lower body.

“Leave him?” He asked.

“Yeah.” She leaned her head to the side as Safaree placed Caleb back in his previous spot on the couch. She laid back on his chest and closed her eyes again. “Give me half an hour.”

“Aight.” Safaree said while making a 'yeah right' face as he signaled for everyone's attention.

“I'm serious. Don't let me sleep too long.”

“Aight, babe. Gotcha.” He made another face while pointing everyone out of the room. He pointed at Caleb. “Be back.”

“Alright.” Nicki answered mistaking his words for her.

–

Nicki slowly opened her eyes and closed her eyes again when it dawned on her that she was on a pillow. She opened her eyes a few seconds later before rolling on her back and looking around. Her arm hung off of the couch as she scanned the empty room. She adjusted her head on the pillow when she heard Caleb's laugh.

“Heeeeey. What's all that about?” She shouted. She stretched then turned to lay on her side as she looked at the clock. She looked over at a hysterically laughing Caleb as he entered the room.

"Mommy, you gotta believe this. You gotta believe this."

His laugh got louder as he stumbled over to the couch. She twitched her lip as Sheldon came running in behind him.

"What do I have to believe?" She questioned with small chuckles as his laugh became contagious.

"You gotta believe this." He said again before crashing his face into the couch pillows. Nicki laughed when he looked up with a wide grin and his face changing colors from his good laughter.

"Are you gonna tell me?"

"India stepped on daddy head." He fell into the couch again. She waited to get the joke as he lifted his head again to speak a phrase she wondered where he picked up. "You gotta believe this. Then India sat down on daddy head like it's a pillow."

Sheldon stepped closer and continued laughing with Caleb who was struggling to get his story out in between laughter. Caleb held a hand up.

"Then she pooted!" He screeched as his eyes glossed up and he fell into the couch again. Nicki leaned over laughing along with the boys.

“Whaaaat?” Nicki sat up on the couch. “Why didn't you wake me, little fellow?” Nicki captured Sheldon's body in a tight hug. He laughed while holding her face.

“Daddy said you sleep until you wake up on yourself.” Caleb stood up straight while answering her question.

“On myself?”

“By yourself.”

“Ohhhh okay. That makes sense.” Nicki leaned to kiss him. “I don't know about waking on myself.”

He laughed while wrapping his arms around her neck and kissing her chin. “It's a mistake.”

“It's a mistake?” She kissed his chin.

“Yeah.”

“Okay. Everybody makes mistakes.” She scooped them both up hugging them as she climbed off of the couch. The boys turned and ran off down the hall with her following. She got to their room door and smiled at them sitting on the side of Safaree who was sprawled out on the floor laying on his back. India grabbed roughly at his shirt and pulled her body up. She lifted a leg and sat it on his chest. He continued playing the game while not being bothered by being made a jungle gym. She moved her leg back to the floor then took a step to the side. She stood up straight and stuck her fingers in her mouth before grabbing the side of his head and turning. Nicki snickered as she slid down to take a seat upside his head.

Nicki leaned against the door and watched him continue his game. Caleb and Sheldon looked at each other before laughing after India passed gas.

“She did it again!” Caleb yelled while falling backwards.

India's gas sounded off again and this time Safaree reached up grabbing her arm. He guided her off of his head and sat her beside him on the floor. She squealed while snatching up the toy she had. It held her attention for a brief second before she sat it down and turned to grab at Safaree's clothes again. This time she pulled up and followed his legs. Climbing over one leg, she plopped down and took a seat. Nicki stepped into the room.

“Why didn't you wake me?”

“You needed sleep.”

“Where's Sherika?”

“Home. Ellen's with Baby. Sleep good?”

“How long has she had gas?” Nicki dismissed his question with her own question as India's gas sounded off again very noticeable. She paused when she felt his grip on her ankle. “Yeah, I feel well rested.”

He released her ankle and she went forward with picking up India.

“Why you treating daddy like he's part of the floor, girl?” Nicki spoke softly to India. “Hmm?”

“We're going to get a booth for happy hour.” Caleb filled Nicki in.

“Really? Who said that?”

“My daddy.”

“Why are we going out daddy?”

“Easy day.” He handed the controller over to Caleb and scooted up. “And the boys want to show Ellen the happy hour experience.”

He stood up and hovered over Nicki. He snickered while looking down at Nicki and India looking up at him.

“Easy day?” Nicki blinked while staring at him.

“Mmhmm.”

She pinched his shirt and tugged him along as she backed out of the room. “Sit with me.”

–

Nicki rocked her feet from side to side while staring at her phone. She looked over her phone to see Safaree drop his arm over her legs that were stretched across his lap. She glanced at the tv tHat he was watching then back to her phone.

"I did it."

She continued scrolling on her phone awaiting Sheldon to get closer so she could see what his announcement was all about. He made his way around the couch and spoke up again.

"Mommy, I did it."

Nicki slowly turned her head to the side then jerked up in a shock. Safaree snapped his head in her direction as she fell into his lap then climbed up him before pushing up off of him. He helped push her up as she spun around in a panic with her hands on her head.

"Okay! Bath time!"

Safaree looked down at a confused Sheldon standing next to where Nicki had been lounging. Safaree's nose scrunched up as his eyes fell on the stained tissue in Sheldon's hand.

"But I did it."

"Bath time. Put that in the toilet then stand by the tub and wait for me."

“And my bubble bath?”

“Yeah, baby. Whatever bubble bath you want.”

“And my toys?”

“We don't need toys, baby. Just soap. Lots and lots of soap.”

–

"It's for kids, Papa."

Caleb looked up at the hostess. "But we're my mommy and daddy kids."

Baby chuckled while reaching out and ruffling Caleb's hair. "It's okay, kiddo. It's the thought that count."

"C'mon." The hostess gave in. "You're a good brother. 3 meals?"

"Okay! I'm buying some dinner for me, my brother, and my sister." Caleb counted out on his fingers before sitting $3 in front of the hostess. She rang him up ignoring the shortage for tax. She handed him a receipt and reached behind the counter to pick up 3 snap wrist bracelets. "Thank you!"

Caleb spun around with the bracelets and handed one to Sheldon then held one up to Baby.

"Let Pie wear mine."

Caleb turned to face Nicki. His head snapped down when Sheldon clasped his bracelet on his wrist. Caleb paused to clasp his bracelet on then stepped up to Nicki.

"Okay. Wear this India, okay?"

Nicki held India's arm out. India stared at the bracelet on her wrist before wiggling her arm. Her other hand swiped Nicki's hair as she moved her arm around Nicki to touch the bracelet that wasn't coming off of her arm. She wiggled her arm again causing Nicki to laugh.

Safaree asked for three adults then nodded his head as he and the hostess were on the same page. She rang him up for 4 adults and smiled when Caleb turned back around.

"You pay for you, mommy, and Ms. Ellen?"

"Yeah."

The hostess laughed as Nicki stood up while watching India continuously shake her arm then look up at her before repeating the action.