I reached up and touched his face, rubbing over the skin I’d missed touching every single day he was on the inside. His hair was soft, his skin smooth, everything about him felt familiar in a way that made my chest ache. He was so tall that I had to grab the back of his neck and pull his head down just to kiss him, and stand on my tiptoes to reach his lips. I, however, wouldn’t have it any other way.
“You’ve made this the best birthday I’ve ever had, Crew. I always thought I needed presents to have a good birthday, but this time all I needed was your presence instead.”
He smiled, softly, then stepped back from my embrace, suddenly dropping down to one knee.
“Crew?”
My heart started racing before my mind could catch up.
“How about you have my presence in your life forever?”
My throat tightened instantly. Was he really about to? No this can't be.
“P, the time I spent away from you and Amira was the worst part of being locked up. But the way you held me down, took care of my daughter, and kept everything together meant a lot to me. I can’t ever see myself caring about or loving anybody the way I love you now. There was a time when I didn’t know shit about being a man or a father, and I am still no expert, but I’m willing to learn every day to be better for y'all. Pernelle, you accept me for who I am, and I trust you with my heart. I’m all in, baby, and I don’t want you to ever have to question that shit again for as long as we live.”
“Crew, you’re going to make me cry.”
I covered my mouth, but it was too late. Tears were already spilling, ruining the makeup I put on for today.
“So, baby mama, Pernelle, Pretty P, will you marry me?”
“Yes. Of course, I will, baby. You know I will.”
I jumped in place, unable to contain myself, while he slid the ring onto my finger. The diamond was massive, heavy, and real, but it was the least of my worries. I leaped into his arms, kissing his lips over and over, praying on the inside that I wouldn’t wake up from this dream.
While my eyes were closed, I noticed flashing lights on us but I didn't stop kissing my baby.
When Crew set me down, and I turned around I saw that Hov, Ciara, a photographer, my brother, and his little girlfriend were all standing, smiling and cheering us on.
“All of y’all knew about this. Even you, Princeton?”
Princeton nodded his head yes with a wide smile on his face.
“Yeah, I knew, but I would never tell you about no shit like this, chicken head.”
I hugged my first baby so tightly that he had to push me away from him.
I then hugged Ciara and then Hov, who looked just as proud as his wife.
Everyone seemed happy for me, but no one was as happy as I was right now. Birthdays clearly don’t need candles or wishes to give you everything that you ever wanted. Sometimes all it takes is love from that one person you want to spend the rest of your life with. The man you met at the park one day when neither one of you knew what love really was.
Chapter 20
Crew
I woke up to a tiny hand hitting me in my face, and once I opened my eyes, the scent of bacon crawled up my nose.
“Dada, get up.” Princess pretty said, making me sit up against the headboard. When I got up, I kissed her on her cheek and threw the covers back off my body.
It for sure felt good as hell to be back home. Getting woken up by this princess was way better than the noise from other dumb ass inmates. Jail wasn’t as bad as some say. I ran shit in there and did what the fuck I wanted. Niggas knew to give me my space and not to fuck with me from the moment I stepped inside. My outside reputation had rang far and wide through Rucker’s Island. Still, that time in jail made me want to change that bad reputation for good. I see what my boy meant about having something to lose. Right now, I have people in my life who are irreplaceable.
I picked up my baby and carried her into the restroom so we could brush our teeth. I grabbed the new toothbrush P had in the pack on the counter for me, and I saw that she had a little Bluey toothbrush in the cup holder.
We started to brush our teeth together and Amira watched me, copying every move I made with my toothbrush. Kidscopying their parents like she does, is why I have to set a good example. That’s why I’m going to treat her mama with respect forever so she knows exactly how a nigga is supposed to treat her. Though I don’t want her with anybody until she’s 35, or at least until I’m fuckin dead.
After washing our face, I chased Amira into the kitchen where Pernelle was scraping eggs onto a plate from the pan.
“Good morning.”
