“Naw, it has to be for my first born. That little nigga got to be his own man. We’ll come up with something just for him. This is perfect. Thank you, McKay. I love you.”
We had said those words before, and yes, at the time it was under the pretend game we had been playing, but I’d meant it then, just like I did now as I said the words back with ease. My heart exploded knowing Burkeley loved me too.
“I love you too, baby.”
“Tellme again why you don’t have social media?” I asked while we went through the pictures the photographer Burkeley hired had just sent over for us. We had been in Austin Peaks for a week now and had just finished our maternity shoot. According to Burkeley, with a name picked and the date set for the baby shower, it was officially time for us to announce to the world that our love was growing.
And his way of doing that was me posting it all over my social media, since this old ass man of mine didn’t have one.
“Because in my line of work it works best if I’m a ghost on and offline. Now, pick one more picture so we can post it. You’re moving like you’re stalling. You’re trying to keep me and Peanut a secret still?” I kissed my teeth as I swiped between my three choices one more time. We had one of us together dressed up, the official baby bump one, and needed one more.
“For one, it’s kinda hard to keep either of y’all a secret when she has completely taken over my body and you won’t even let another man open a door for me. Trust me, the world knows about y’all. And two, you’re questioning me, but I don’t see you sending out a mass text to let the world know about your daug—oooh.” I jumped as I freed a hand to place it on the spot where I felt the baby move.
“McKay, baby, are you good? Is Peanut okay?” In true Burkeley fashion, he was on me faster than myself as his handpushed mine out the way to replace it. He dropped in front of me, spreading my legs wide to accommodate himself between them. I winced as the movements happened again, causing me to grunt. Long gone were the cute little flutters. I had entered the full blown movements and Peanut was active a lot in my rib cage. It was her favorite position today.
“Yes, do you feel her?” I put my hand on his, moving it slightly lower where I could feel Peanut moving inside me.
“Say hi to your daughter, daddy.” When he called her the name we’d picked, she moved again. The gasp from Burkeley was expected, but when he looked up at me and I saw his tears, I melted even more for this fucking man.
God, you really came through with my baby’s father.
“Oh my fucking…that’s my baby. M&M, she can really hear us, huh?” I nodded as he laid his head on my stomach and began to whisper to her all the words I only dreamed her father would say.
“Hey, Peanut, it’s daddy. I love you so much. I promise not to only give your mama the world but you too. I can’t wait to officially meet you, namesake. Can you move again for me?” I wasn’t sure if she was just active or actually knew what Burkeley was saying out here, but when she moved again, she made him yell, causing me to jump from the surprise.
“Oh shit, my bad, M&M. It’s just…my baby moved and I could feel her inside of you. Damn, I swear you’re magical, baby.” He sat there in a daze, with both hands on my stomach. He moved closer and kissed it.
While he sat there still in a trance, I picked the last picture and posted tagging our moms, Hollis, and Johnni.
From two we became three. Baby girl Berkley James is on the way.
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Burkeley
I had grown to learn that one of my favorite hobbies was watching her sleep. McKay was so beautiful and I could stare at her all day and night, even with the drool now threatening to escape her mouth. No other woman was topping mine.
I grabbed a napkin out of the glove box and wiped it up. And like a kid who’d just discovered their new toy, my hand went right back to my resting spot on her bump as I continued talking to Peanut who I was shocked hadn’t woken McKay up.
We were currently on our way home from Austin Peaks. The two weeks away on her babymoon felt like a much needed reset for us. This was our first trip together and I honestly believed it officially solidified us as a couple. And not because she had jumped off the cliff and posted pictures of me on her page without an emoji covering my face. Even though I couldn’t lie, that had me feeling all the love, like a nigga had finally made it. It was all because we had said those words for real this time.
I love you.
McKay just didn’t know I’d felt that shit back when I first said those words in front of our people, but hearing her say themback had that strong feeling in the pit of my stomach moving up my chest and giving my heart a new reason to beat for more than just me.
But the top part of our trip was the reason my smile had yet to fall since our discovery the other night.
My baby girl is moving inside of my lady and I can feel her.
That had me moving with purpose like no other. I had people who depended on me coming home at night, providing a lifestyle with no worries on their end.
A family of my own.
It only took you thirty-six years, BK, but you made it to grown man status.
More movement in her bump had me cheesing as I glanced down to talk to my baby.
