"You're not, but I won't push. When you wanna chat, I'm always here for you. But for now, I'ma go let my man rearrange my insides, then slurp him dry because second baby where?" Chosyn tittered, then hung up.
"Are you hanging up too?" I asked, not wanting to be alone with my thoughts.
"Nope," River said, making me smile.
We sat in silence, with me eating ice cream and River typing away on her computer. Thoughts roamed my mind, and none of them were good. I didn't want to think the worst, but that's all there was. Relationships weren't meant to be lavender and daffodils. Turmoil had to plague beauty at some point, and over the years, it has. Usually, Lucian was the cause, but thefeeling settling deep in my gut told me this was different. There wouldn't be anyone to blame for the rift in our relationship. Whatever happened when he walked into this house would fall solely on us, and that wasn't something we'd ever dealt with before.
"Navy," River called out softly.
"Yeah," I answered, unintentionally matching her tone.
"I know you didn't ask for this advice, but from someone who's been through a lot in the last year, I feel I should share something that might help you, but only if it's okay with you."
"Of course, River. You're a soon-to-be Gravehart. Crown loves you, and I love you. We're family, so whatever you say is held in high regard by me."
"Don't cry! Don't cry!" she chanted, flicking her eyes toward the ceiling.
"Not you being two seconds pregnant and you're already emotional," I joked, knowing that if River started crying, I'd follow suit.
"Girl, these babies are have me feeling everything in such a crazy way that it's insane." She simpered. "But all I wanted to say was how love can be all-consuming at times. I've been in two relationships where my partner's love for me and mine for them overtook me. Of course, my situation with Sincere was my first experience being in love. But I was so in love with that man that I ignored all the red flags and blaring horns trying to warn me that he was no good for me. Shit, even after he died, it became hard for me to picture life beyond him. I want to say Crown is the reason I'm able to see everything I missed with Sincere, but it was my own doing. Crown forced me to look within myself, but it was me who fully healed those wounds that scabbed over. I struggled with accepting what Crown felt for me, consumed me with no intention of ever letting go. To cherish his love, we had to go through hard times."
"I can understand that."
"Can you, though?" she quizzed. "Our hard time steadied us and helped us to build a foundation that we can look back on and remind ourselves of a place that we never want to be again. I know nothing about you and Honor outside of how deeply y'all love each other, and if I'm overstepping, I apologize. However, whatever's happening between y'all right now will either bring your relationship to steady ground or?—"
River's gaze flew from mine. I swallowed hard, nervous about what was to follow thator.
"Or what?" I posed.
"Does theormatter when the goal is steady ground?" she hesitantly asked.
"It matters," I murmured, squeezing my eyes shut and exhaling a hefty breath. "It matters, and I need you to say it because I can’t. So please, River, just say it."
"When the ground beneath the two of you settles, one of two things will happen. Either the two of you will find solid footing and your love will grow, or the world you two fought to build will crumble, in a way where nothing can piece it back together.
"River!" I cried out.
"I'm sorry, Navy, I didn't mean to?—"
"Who's crying?" Crown's gravelly voice came through the phone full of urgency.
"I'm fine, Crown," I sniffled, gathering myself before he could stick his face in the screen.
"Nah, who did it? I've been praying for a reason to put hands on Honor?—"
"Will you stop?" River quipped. "You and your brother need to make amends before our engagement party."
"He's not invited." Crown shrugged, and River popped him on the chest. "Four, keep your hands to yourself."
"Or what? I still owe you for choking me in Gigi's kitchen." She frowned.
"Please don't start arguing because of me. Honor didn't make me cry. He's not even here. River was giving me advice, and I just started crying."
"What advice you give her?"
"Boy, don't look at me like I don't give great advice," she sassed.
"Shit, I got to. You almost let the best nigga for you walk out of your life." Crown smirked, pecking River's lips before she mushed him away.
