“Sure thing.”
“Privately,” I say before I turn to look at the steps where Deshona is in an upstairs bedroom taking a nap.
“Oh.” The word hangs on her lips as she nods before I assist her with going out to the back deck.
While Deshona hasn’t given me all the intimate details of her upbringing, I know enough to realize the importance of this conversation.
“What’s on your mind?” Mrs. Roslyn asks once she sits and gets comfortable in one of the lounge chairs.
I sit across from her with one eye on her and the other on the sliding doors so I can ensure this discussion isn’t intercepted by Deshona.
“I want to marry your daughter. But I need something from you.”
A small smile upturns Mrs. Roslyn’s lips seconds before she speaks.
“For all of her life, I have made Deshona eat my bad decisions as it pertains to men. I have pushed my bullshit on her and never once considered how hard I made things for her. You want to know what happened as a result?”
“What?”
“My only daughter up and moved out of her hometown to a place where she didn’t know a soul. A piece of my soul hit the highway with her, and it was my son who made me see the error of my ways. I pushed her away simply because I was unhealed. But you want to know the moment I knew I didn’t ruin her?”
Again, I give a one-word reply as I hang onto her words, interested in where she’s going with her spiel.
“The day she walked into my hospital room with you. I saw the love in her eyes before she opened her mouth to confess her feelings for you. You not only healed my baby’s heart but apiece of my soul as well, Alijah. I’d be a fool to stand in your way. You have my blessing.”
“Did you hear me, bae?”
I turn away from the window, and joy springs in my heart when I look at my wife. Deshona and I got married six months after I proposed to her because I didn’t want or need a long engagement. Our wedding was an intimate one that brought together the few Edmonds family members with my large Dawson tribe. It was beautiful, and I can’t wait to share it with our future grandchildren. Deshona was jaw-droppingly gorgeous in her cream wedding dress, and I shed tears that will definitely be omitted from the recount of our special day.
“I’m sorry, mama. What did I miss?”
“People are asking where you are. Did you forget that we have a backyard full of people?”
“Kinda.” I grin and make my way to her, and my hand automatically lands on her small pudge.
Deshona is four months pregnant, and although she’s barely showing, I know her body and can see the changes. I’m obsessed with touching her body as my son or daughter grows inside of her.
“You ain’t right. The least you could have done was bring me with you.” She shakes her head as a lazy grin forms.
A light whimper sounds once we leave our master bedroom, and Deshona immediately halts our forward progress.
“What was that?” Her wide eyes search the empty hall, and I chuckle lowly before I take her hand.
“It’s the second part of my surprise for today.”
I lead her to what used to be an empty room next to ours and turn the knob as we enter.
“Oh my God. A nursery? Oh, wait, you got me a puppy.” Deshona’s eyes bounce from the carrier with the dog inside tothe room, where it’s been transformed into the living space for our unborn child.
“Yes. To both. I wanted to gift you something special for today. The little dude is for our baby. But for now, you get to babysit until he or she is able to do so.”
Deshona turns to me with water in her eyes, and I shake my head because it doesn’t take much for her to cry. I’ve learned to simply go with the flow when it comes to Deshona Dawson.
“Aw, you’re so sweet. This is why I love you.”
“You don’t have a choice but to love me. Hell, I need to receive some type of compensation for the torment you put me through.”
Deshona laughs before she rubs her stomach as her eyes sparkle. “You already have. Now, let’s get back to this gathering before they send a search for us.”
