Javier had been roped in by Aleesa to have his nails painted blue. But he’d only agreed to having one hand painted, and only after quietly asking me if my mother had nail polish remover so he could take it off right after.
I sipped my wine, watching as he sighed and waited for her to finish. Once she was done, he stood and said, “Great. I need to run and get something from the car. I will be right back.”
I watched him go, mildly confused. Aleesa made her way to me and grabbed my hand. “You want red, Tava?”
“Oh, no, baby. I already got my nails done. See?” I wiggled my fingers, and she observed each one carefully. Then she released my hand and made apfftnoise, as if to sayfine, but you’re missing out.
“So do you want a boy or girl?” I asked Deke. I knew Davina’s answer. She didn’t mind the idea of either.
“Honestly ... whatever God gives me, I’ll take it.” Deke sat on the sofa, his back against the arm of the couch and one leg up. Davina sat between his legs, with her back resting on his chest, and held on to the arm he had wrapped around hers. “Whether it’s a boy or girl, they’re gonna have to know how to ball, though.”
Davina laughed. “What if they don’t want to be athletic?”
“Well, they better get into it.” Deke placed a hand on her stomach. “You hear that, little Bishop? Get into it.”
Everyone in the room broke out in laughter.
The front door opened, and Javier entered again. His cheeks, as well as the tip of his nose, were slightly pink from the cold. He walked into the living room and took a look at everyone.
“Is now okay?” he asked, focusing on Davina and Deke.
Confused, I looked from him to my sister and brother-in-law, who both nodded with warm smiles.
Javier drew in a breath, eyes turning to me. The fireplace was going, so his eyes seemed to sparkle as he approached me.
And then he did something I did not expect.
He dropped down on one knee and took one of my hands in his.
My heart started beating faster. “Javier, what are you doing?”
“I am asking you a very important question,” he said with a boyish smile.
He squeezed my hand with one of his while his other dug into his front pocket. When he took out the ring box, my breath hitched. Aleesa started for her dad, but Mama swooped in and picked her up.
“Octavia, the time I have spent with you has been incredible. I wish I could put into words just how you make me feel, but ... I am not a man who is very good with words.” His mouth quirked. “As you know, English is not my first language.”
My eyes began to water. “I know. It’s okay.”
“But what I am good at is providing facts. And I know for a fact that I love you—no, I amin lovewith you. I love that I get to come home to you, and I love that you are there for me and Aleesa. I also know that if I do not act on how I feel right now, there is a possibility that you will slip through my fingers, and I refuse to let that happen. So ...”
He flipped open the ring box to reveal a princess-cut diamond ring that caught the light of the fire and glistened magnificently.
“If my plan is to hold on to you and our love, and to work on us every single day—if my plan is to make sure you are happy,safe, and loved, I do not want you to have any doubts.” He pursed his lips as he shook his head. “Ay, I am no good at this.”
A laugh bubbled out of me. “No, baby. You’re doing great.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. I promise.”
“You’ve got this, Valdez,” Deke called.
A boyish smile took over him. “Octavia Klein, you are an amazing woman with a very beautiful heart. Not only do I want you in my life forever, but I want you to be in Aleesa’s as well. So ... will you marry me?”
“Hell, yes!” I breathed, throwing my arms around his neck.
A deep chuckle filled his throat as he hugged me below the ribs.
