She and Mozzi were home for the night and supposed to play cards and hang out with Inari and Moose, but now she was changing her mind. Already uncomfortable and irritated, Coast paced the kitchen in a pair of Mozzi’s boxers, a sports bra, and her belly out. She’d been to the doctor twice since coming back from vacation, and as of this week was only a few centimeters dilated. She was over this pregnancy, but also anxious as hell about what came next.
Days after they got back, word got out that Sipes was dead. What was left of him, which just happened to be his left hand, was sent to his sister, Shalice, to identify. Coast hated to admit it, but there was a sense of relief knowing he was out of the picture and couldn’t bring any harm to her or Iara.
“Coast, I didn’t want to be the one to say this, but?—”
“You mean as fuck!” Moose yelled in the background.
“Moose, shut up!” Inari hissed.
“Fuck you, Moose! I see how it is.” Coast sneered.
Mozzi chuckled, seated on his island counter, swinging his legs as he sipped a bottle of cranapple juice.
“Until you drop my niece, I ain’t fucking witchu, sis,” Moose added.
“Coast, I love you… but babyyyy, you been on ten! Like that baby got you possessed. She gon’ be something else.” Inari cackled. “So, yeah, we’re staying in. Hopefully this time next week you’ll have pushed our little Rara out.”
“Whatever. Fuck both of y’all!” Coast yelled into the phone before hanging up.
Mozzi threw his head back and laughed.
“What is so damn funny!” she snapped, a frown crowding her face.
“You. Crazy.”
“Well, you’re not doing anything to help me, Moses!” She slammed her phone on the counter and huffed. “Remember the doctor said sex can help induce labor.”
A sexy smirked toyed with his lips. He’d been scared to touch her voluntarily lately because she was easily irritated. So, he stayed ready for when she wanted it, which was at least a couple times a day. She’d been nesting most of today, though, arranging everything ten times in the nursery before deciding on where she wanted it. After that, she washed all the baby clothes and folded and hung them up before putting the bedding in the crib. Shewas telling herself she was prepared by doing all this, but it only seemed to make her even more erratic.
Mozzi leapt off the counter and moved toward her, playful and confident. Coast didn’t match his energy, though, so Mozzi paused and tossed his head back.
“I’m trying, Trouble, but you moody as fuck. A nigga been on eggshells all week ’cause I don’t know when you’re going to blow up.”
“I’m being serious.” She peered up at him.
“Shit, I am too.”
“You don’t know what it’s like. Everything hurts. I can’t sleep. I feel like I’m going to literally pop at any minute now, and you want to sit around cracking jokes.”
“Aight. My bad.” He grabbed her stomach. “What can I do?” He kneeled to kiss her lips, but Coast turned away.
“We’re having a whole child here. Any day now! Do you get that?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
“What you want me to do? Panic?”
“I want you to act like it matters. Because, right now, it feels like I’m the only one carrying it.”
Coast rested her hand on her stomach. She wasn’t just talking about the baby. Ever since the wedding, she’d had her doubts. Everything moved so fast. She didn’t want to catch whiplash if Mozzi ever switched up on her.
“What’s really on your mind?” he pried.
“I would not be able to take it if you ever left me. You’ve been my rock through this entire pregnancy.” Coast sniffled. “I know that having kids changes things between couples. You see it all the time. One day you look up and they are bitter and hate each other. I don’t want that for us.”
“Ain’t no way I’m letting anybody step in and try to fill my shoes with you or her,” Mozzi vowed, stepping forward so that her bump rested against his lower torso. “When a nigga die, yougon’ have to come with me or something, Trouble. I swear to God a nigga gon’ turn into some Insidious shit and follow you everywhere you go.”
She managed to laugh through her tears. Something else had been nagging at her. Since Marina was back in town, she’d spent a little time with her, mainly to get to know Sailor, who she was growing to love with every passing day.
“What if I’m not good at this?” she questioned, eyes on her basketball sized stomach. “What if I’m the one that messes this up by turning into her?”
