"Yasss!" her mother shouted.
"Aight. I'll hire a service to handle your moving. Just get here, and we'll take good care of y'all."
"I must say thank you, Zeus."
"Really, it's no problem. I love your daughter and want the best for her. I'm gonna give her the very best."
"Thank God. I don't wanna have to kill you." Mr. London and I busted out laughing. I talked to him for a few more minutes, ironing out any questions he had.
Twenty minutes later, I was loading the washer when Pen’s phone rang again. Baby was knocked out, so I answered Naomi’s call.
“How you gon’ tell my parentsmysister is pregnant before me?” I’d never heard Naomi’s voice so high-pitched, I had to check the screen to make sure it was her calling.
“Cousin-in-law, it wasn’t on purpose.”
Naomi smacked her teeth. “Whatever, with yo’ big head ass. Where’s my sister?”
“She’s sleepin’.”
“Go wake her up!”
“Naomi,” Sin’s voice sounded from the background.
“She’s not feeling good, and I just got her settled.”
“Okay. Well, I’m about to come over there.”
“No, we’re not,” Sin spoke. “The man just said she’s not feeling well. Take yo’ ass a nap, and we’ll go over later.”
Their wedding was a couple short weeks away. Sin had his hands full with Naomi just like I had my hands were full with Pen. Neither one of us would have done this shit any different, though.
The line was quiet for a few beats before Naomi said, “I’on like y’all.” She hung up in my face with me shaking my head.
The rest of the day I spent holding vigil over Pen and thanking the Lord that he'd sent me such a woman. Now she was giving me my first child. Cloaked in the cover of a steamy hot shower, I cried. No matter how dysfunctional I was, God still saw fit to bless me in ways I could have never imagined. Love and contentment had never been on my radar, but they found me.
One week later, my one-day in-laws arrived. In the midst of me caring for Pen, I readied the cottage for their arrival. Mr. London had a check he kept trying to offer me, however, I refused. Sin, Brooklyn, and I had made enough money to last our families for generations. The least I could do was make sure my future wife’s folks had the best, as would she.
CHAPTER 13
BRIANNA
This morning when I rolled over, a single rose was in bed next to me instead of Brooklyn. Smiling, I brought the beautiful flower to my nose, inhaling its scent. Underneath the rose was a small white card.
I’m in love with the most beautiful woman in the world. You’re all I see. It’ll never change.
Tears clouded my eyes at the simple but profound note. Brooklyn touched every part of me so simply. All he did was be there for me and allow me to trust him without reservation.Pulling the pillow he’d slept on last night close to my face, I inhaled his scent and hugged the plush pillow to my bosom. I laid here for a few more minutes before I rolled out of bed, taking my card and rose with me.
While I got ready for the day, I propped the card and rose on the mirror. As I brushed my teeth, my eyes stayed focused on Brooklyn’s gesture. We’d professed our love for each other, solidifying what we had together. With Brooklyn, even on my bad days, he made shit so much better.
The object of my thoughts strutted into the bathroom.
“Good morning, Baby.” He kissed my forehead then my cheeks.
“Mornin’,” I spoke around the toothbrush.
“We have a long day. Are you ready?”
Nodding, I finished up brushing my teeth then spit it out.
