Her brothers chuckled, and her daddy stated, “That’s my girl. Always emotional.”
Baby pulled back and looked into my eyes. She was still crying but managed to speak through the tears. “Thank you, bae. Thank you so much. What did I do to deserve such a good man?”
“You’re deserving of the best of everything. You’ve always given so unselfishly to others, and you continue to give of yourself. I noticed that you give the leftover foods at the end of the day to the homeless man that comes by, although you’re not supposed to according to city code. You gave both Mimi and Naina, two single mothers, jobs when they had no skills to offer and others were more qualified.
“You took a chance on Javar, who learned his skills in prison, and was fresh out of there when he was looking for a job. Thenthere is Hollis, who you have taken under your wings, and you’re teaching him about business management when he’s supposed to be cleaning your bakery. You are such a good person, Baby, and you deserve all the best that life has to offer you.”
Her family and friends crowded around her, wishing her a happy birthday and kissing her, until her mother rushed everyone off and reminded us that we still needed to get to the bakery.
“You had me fooled all this time. You and my mother were working together on this?” she asked as we drove to the bakery.
“Yep. She did want us to hurry up and be on the way, but she couldn’t say that. She knew that you were probably listening to the call, which is why she pretended to fuss at me.”
“How did she know that I’d be listening?”
“Everyone knows that you keep the volume on your phone at max. I can be sitting on the other side of the room and hear the person on the other line.”
She laughed and replied, “Fine. I’ll keep my volume on low now.”
“You do that,” I replied, kissing her fingers that were clasped in mine. “You like your birthday gift?”
“I love it. This is the best birthday. You didn’t have to do all that.”
“I’m your man. Let me take care of you.”
She smiled sweetly at me and replied, “Okay. I can do that.”
We pulled up to the bakery fifteen minutes later, and everyone was there already partying. People greeted her with hugs and kisses as we got out of the car. We took our time interacting with everyone until we made it inside the bakery where three tables were set up that held her presents.
“Oh my goodness! All of this for me?” she asked, looking around as her eyes welled with tears again.
“Must be old age that’s got you crying all day,” Easy teased.
“Boy, shut up.” She laughed.
“Easy, if thirty makes her old, what does that make you since you’re three years older than her?” their mother asked.
Everyone laughed, and Baby opened her gifts before she finally cut the cake that Javar baked and Thérèse decorated. She gave a short speech on how she couldn’t be more blessed than to have a loving family, supportive friends, a new community, and a loving, generous man in her life. She never expected to be here by her thirtieth birthday, but not only had all her dreams come true, but so much more.
We partied for a few more hours with the other business owners, staff, and patrons before it was time to head out. We went back home where we showered and changed before we headed out to Black Diamonds. It was an upscale club that some of the celebrities frequented. We rented out the entire VIP space to celebrate Baby’s birthday.
I held her hand tightly as we walked into the club decorated in silver, black, and blue. The music was loud, and people were having a good time all around. I had my head on a swivel at the same time my eyes were pinned to my baby.
She wore a sheer, high-neck, floral-embroidered Christian Dior minidress. The fitted waist enhanced her natural curves, and her thighs were shining with some glittery, gold lotion she had applied. The pink Dior heels that she wore lifted her ass and made everything bounce and pop. She paired her dress with minimalist jewelry to create a captivating, elegant, and sophisticated look.
I held her hand as we climbed the stairs to the VIP section where our siblings, friends, and their dates waited. The music was blasting, and the drinks were flowing.
As soon as we stepped into our section, Palmer and Courtney danced to us and grabbed her hands. Palmer shoved a drink inone of Baby’s hands, but I snatched it and took a sip. Afterward, I handed it to Baby.
Palmer’s lips were twisted, and she rolled her eyes. “You’re being extra tonight, Harlem!” she shouted over the music.
“Nah, just making sure my girl is all good.”
My sister rolled her eyes and shouted, “Come on, girls!” as she and Palmer tugged my woman away from me. The three of them moved to the middle of the room and twerked on each other, dancing and having a good time.
“Wassup, G?” Eli greeted me, dapping me up before I did the same with Baby’s brothers.
“Chilling.”
