Averi wasn’t sure why she smiled as she read his government name on the card. Justin that was who she needed. Blak could stay far away from her. It was then she realized that she didn’t want the street life anywhere near her child. Since Blak was working on growing up, he needed to start there.
The flowers were beautiful, but she wasn’t ready to call him and say thank you. She didn’t care to see him or talk to him at the moment. Averi went back into the bedroom to finish getting ready for the day. One of the things she loved about her job was the flexibility. Since being pregnant, she learned that her energy was highest in the morning after a long night’s rest. After she ate something and drank water, she could function for a good three hours before fatigue began to set in. The plan was to go to the grocery store, start dinner, then get some work done before she took a nap.
Ten minutes later, she was dressed and ready to go. When Averi opened her door, she jumped at the presence on her porch. When she realized it was Blak, she placed one hand on her chest in an effort to calm her racing heart.
“Blak, the way you pop up at my home without permission is crazy. I’m going to need you to stop.” Boundaries had to be set.
Blak didn’t respond with words. Instead, he got down on one knee, and Averi’s heart started up again. She knew good and wellhe wasn’t about to do what she thought he was about to do. Averi could feel her heart pulsing in her throat.
“If these past few months have taught me anything it’s that I need to grow the fuck up. I never been in love before. This shit was trial and error for real, but I miss you. I’m sorry for everything that you went through because of me, and I want to make it up to you. I’m sorry you lost the baby, and I need you to know that I’d do anything for you. I want us to get married. I’m gon’ leave the streets and turn into a real square ass nigga. And once I prove myself, maybe you’ll give me the honor of being your baby daddy.”
Tears spilled over Averi’s lids. She wanted to close her door in Blak’s face, but she couldn’t. He was rough around the edges, but he was trying. She had to give him credit for that. He accepted accountability and knew what he needed to do different. Averi appreciated the effort. Despite the thoughts running through her head, she couldn’t find words. They were tangled in her throat.
Blak wasn’t deterred. He flipped the lid on a box that she hadn’t even seen him holding, and the beautiful pear-shaped diamond made Averi’s stomach quake. The ring was absolutely stunning. Sniffling, she swiped tears from her cheek.
“When you say you’re going to leave the streets how soon do you mean?”
“Give me six months, and I promise, I’m done. My cousins already told me they’ll give me a job. Since both of them are in sports, I might start a sports management company. Hire one or two people that know what they’re doing and use the business to wash my drug money.”
She nodded, and he grinned while sliding the ring on her finger. Blak stood and used his body to push Averi inside her home. He cupped her face in his hands and tongued her down.Something he’d been wanting to do for the longest time. When he finally pulled back, Blak rested his forehead against hers.
“It’s embarrassing how sick you had a nigga. I couldn’t function not knowing where you were or how you were.”
“You don’t think people will find it strange that you were just standing at the alter with Naomi and now you’re engaged to me?”
“Fuck nosey ass people and what they think. It’s not any of their business.”
“I have to tell you something.” Averi cleared her throat and took a step back. As she inhaled a deep breath, she noticed the intense look on Blak’s face. He was expecting bad news.
Averi walked over to the couch and sat down. “I didn’t lose the baby.”
“Huh?” Blak looked confused.
“I didn’t lose the baby. I thought I would. The doctor even tried to prepare me for the fact that I would. Even though I didn’t get shot anywhere near my uterus, I lost a lot of blood, and my body went through a lot in a very early stage of my pregnancy. Every day I went to the bathroom expecting to see blood. It never came and the last time I went to the doctor, I heard the baby’s heartbeat.”
Blak stood stumped. Averi still being pregnant had never even crossed his mind. Finding out that she hadn’t miscarried had him overwhelmed in a good way. Blak leaned against the wall and looked up at the ceiling. It was Averi’s turn to be confused. She had assumed that he’d be jumping for joy.
“Say something.”
“I feel like I’m either blessed or that God is setting me up for failure. I’m sure I’m not one of his favorites. Miracles don’t happen for people like me. I’m just kind of scared to get excited.”
His words made Averi chuckle. “Trust me, I felt the same way. Each day that I didn’t miscarry, I felt it was cruel. I didn’twant to carry my baby for weeks and months and then lose it. But I’m still pregnant. I can only assume that our baby is strong, and that he or she was meant to be here.”
Blak remained against the wall, but he turned his head to face Averi. “We can get married whenever you want to, but I’d like it if my uncle was there.”
“He’ll definitely be there because I’m not walking down anybody’s aisle pregnant. The baby also has to be at least three months old before the wedding. I have to give myself time enough to lose weight. You’re also going to have to have private jet money because I’m not leaving my baby. He or she is coming with us on the honeymoon, but I’m not taking a newborn in an airport full of germs.”
A lazy grin spread across Blak’s face. “Any more demands?”
“Yes.” Averi stood up and walked over to him. “I’m not with the shits. There will be no talking to me crazy. There will be no keeping crazy ass hours. When the baby is born, you will be hands on. I’m not doing everything alone. And if you cheat, that’s the ultimate deal breaker. I’m not forgiving that shit not even one time so if you do cheat, she better be worth it.”
Blak reached out and grabbed Averi’s arm. He pulled her into him and wrapped his arms around her body. “What else?” he asked with his face just inches from hers.
“That’s all I can think of right now.”
Happy to be back in her good graces, he leaned down and kissed her lips. After weeks of turmoil, all was now right in his world. Blak felt like he could breathe easier. Shit, he felt like he could conquer the day. A good woman was all he needed to balance out the craziness. He made a promise to himself to do whatever was necessary to make sure he was the man that his Uncle Tech had taught him to be. It was time to get on his grown man shit.
CHAPTER TWENTY
