I watched her lay my nephew on his mother’s chest and felt like my body was dumped in a Jacuzzi.
Nuri allowed them mother and baby bonding time, so I helped her out of the pool. She used one of the towels to dry herself off.
“What’s his name, sis?” I asked while watching my sister and mother gush over my nephew.
She looked over at me with wet eyes. “Aziel Kairi Walker.”
I smiled, loving how similar it was to her name, then I realized what she’d said for his middle name. She laughed when she realized I’d caught on.
“Kairi is a mixture of your and Nuri’s names. Y’all have both played a major role in my pregnancy. I’m not sure I would have this healthy baby boy right now if it weren’t for you two.”
My baby came up beside me with a pout and watery eyes. A sensitive little Cancer was what she was. I tossed an arm over her shoulder, pulling her to my side.
“It’s beautiful. I love it,” Nuri cried. “It’s been an honor to walk you through the process and hold your hand, sister.”
Although I wasn’t happy about my sister becoming a teenage mother, I was proud of her strength. Aziel was going to be spoiled rotten. I could already see it. I left the room behind to gather the family. They all poured back into the parlor room as we all admired the new addition to our family.
Azani was snoring lightly on her bed. I was sitting on the couch in her room, holding my nephew on my chest. He was so tiny that I was scared to move even an inch. He already had a head full of curly hair that I kept sniffing and falling deeper in love with him.
For some reason, he kept scrunching his little face up like he smelled something sour. I sniffed my underarms just to be sure the little nigga wasn’t trying to tell me about myself, but I smelled fresh and clean, so I couldn’t be the problem.
I glanced up as Nuri came shuffling into the room. She’d gone to shower and was now dressed in a cute little lounge set. I wanted to bury my face between her breasts and made a mental note to do that just as soon as I got her alone. She went to checkon Azani and tucked her in better before she came over to plop down on the couch beside us.
“He is so precious,” she whispered.
I nodded. Glancing over at her, I said, “You were so amazing today. I always hear you talk about your work, but it doesn’t compare to seeing you in action.” She blushed, tucking her head into my armpit. I kissed her forehead before I continued. “I can’t wait to make you a mother one day.”
That caused her to lift her head. Her eyes studied my face as if she were looking for the punchline, but I was dead fucking serious. Seeing her today told me all I needed to know about the woman next to me. No one showed up as gracefully and lovingly as Nuri Symone.
“You mean that?”
I nodded, which seemed to be enough for her.
“Okay, I’ll have your baby.” She smiled happily and then laid her head on my shoulder. As if on perfect timing, my mama appeared in the doorway. I handed Aziel off to her, then stood reaching down for Nuri. She accepted my hand and followed behind me.
We held hands as I walked her down to Lake Symone. She gasped when we stepped into the clearing. There were white roses and candles in tall glasses everywhere. A walkway was created with just the petals leading to a white heart-shaped neon sign that asked the question every woman wanted to hear.
She stood there staring in shock. I kissed her cheek before releasing her. Without a word, I dropped to one knee, pulling a velvet ring box from my pocket.
“Sekai... what are you doing?”
“Will you marry me, Nuri Symone?”
“Kai!” she shrieked. “We’re already married!”
I shook my head. “Nah, I mean for real this time, under better circumstances. Marry me this time because you love meand you want to spend your life with me. I know that’s what I want, and I pray that’s what you want too.”
She held her face in shock as tears streamed down her cheeks. Finally, she nodded. “Yes!” She screamed. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I felt like the happiest man on Earth as I slid her new ring on her finger. Jumping to my feet, I scooped her up and twirled her around in a circle.
“You are going to be the most beautiful bride this world has ever seen.”
Wedding Day...
Soft kisses on my shoulder woke me up from a deep slumber. Before I could even open my eyes, I found myself smiling. In a swift motion, I turned on my other side, finally allowing my eyes to pop open. The most handsome man in the world was on the other side of the darkness, looking at me with so much love in his eyes that it made me whimper.
“Good morning, wifey,” he greeted me in a voice laden with the remnants of sleep.
