“I love my ring.” Nivéa made clear, gazing down to admire it once more.
The 6.2-carat emerald-cut diamond sat in a platinum setting, its long, glass-like facets flashing beautifully. Hell yeah, she loved her ring. His personal jeweler had understood the assignment.
“Then what? You changed your mind. You want a big wedding?”
“No, it’s just…you didn’t ask me, baby.”
“Ask you what?” His brows furrowed in confusion.
“My biggest fear. You didn’t ask me.”
Crown looked at her, narrowing his gaze, trying to figure out why the fuck that was so important during a time like this. In his mind, she didn’t need to fear shit. She had him. He handled whatever needed handling.
Still, he went along.
“What’s your biggest fear, ma?”
“Losing you to the streets and raising two kids on my own.”
His brows furrowed in confusion. “What you mean two kids?”
She snickered at the puzzled look on his face. “I’m pregnant,”
“Word?” His eyes dropped to her stomach as if he could already see what was still too early to show.
“Yeah, baby. Plan B didn’t work.”
“Fuck,” He pulled her into his arms, hugging her so tight that she could barely breathe. She literally felt the excitement oozing from him. “This shit just made me so fuckin’ happy. Real talk.”
She broke into soft laughter as he kissed all over her face, damn near knocking her out the chair. “I’m glad you happy.” She told him.
He pulled back, looking her in the eyes. “You not? I know this ain’t what we planned but—”
“I am. But I’m a little scared, too.”
Crown took her hand and guided her to stand between his knees as he sat back in his chair. He locked in on the changes as she stood in front of him. The fullness that settled into her hips and ass, and the new thickness in her thighs. Now it all made sense to him.
“Why you scared?” He leaned forward and kissed along her stomach.
When his mouth brushed her cesarean scar, her insecurities slipped out, tightening her chest. She couldn’t believe she had put herself in this position again.
“I’m only twenty-five. Two kids, two different fathers. Nyla is still so young. Granted, I should’ve thought about all of that before we made the decision to stop using condoms. But—”
“Shh,” Crown pulled her down on his lap, pressing his finger to her lips. “Don’t be scared. I’mma do whatever I gotta do to make it back home to y’all. You won’t be raising my kidsalone. I get your fears, but what I told you? I got y’all. Calm that shit down, baby. This ain’t that. I’m ‘bout to marry you. Congratulations to us.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Nivéa took a slow breath, then smiled. “You’re right. Congratulations to us.” She repeated.
Crown spoke low against her ear. “A man’s greatest investment is the woman he chooses to spend the rest of his life with. I choose you. You glued to me. We stuck. I’d die for you. Kill ‘bout you. Protect you wit’ my muthafuckin’ life.”
Nivéa melted into him, kissing along his jaw, his cheeks, his neck, because she knew he meant every word. He’d proven that more than once. Just a month ago, Crown had put hands on more than a few niggas over her.
“Let’s get the fuck outta here.” He said, reaching into his pocket and dropping a bankroll onto the table for their waiter.
He was feeling too damn good that day.
∞∞∞
“I see my baby as I step inside.
