Page 86 of A Don & His Doll

No matter how many times Monroe felt his baby greet him with hard kicks through Promise’s belly, that shit would never get old. It was a love language that he and his unborn child shared naturally. It was like the baby knew Monroe’s touch, knew when he was near, and was determined to acknowledge him.

“What’s good, young king?” Monroe said with an infectious smile that made Promise’s heart smile.

“How you know it’s a boy?” Promise asked, pressing her lips together tightly.

“I can tell by how hard that lil’ nigga be kickin’ my damn hand,” Monroe shrugged. “Ain’t no lil’ girl bringing that type of force.”

Promise squinted her eyes, and shook her head at his reasoning. “You may be on to something, but I still wanna be surprised,” she said, standing firm on her decision to wait until the baby was born.

“I’on need a test to confirm what I know. It’ll come out soon though,” Monroe said, lifting the lid off the tall pot. “Damn, them greens smell good as hell.”

“They taste good as hell too,” Promise said with certainty.

Monroe chuckled. “Greedy ass lady,” he said, used to Promise getting full while she was cooking. “Everybody should be pullin’ up soon. I’m ‘bout to get in the shower. You good?”

Monroe and Promise had agreed that it was time to reveal the pregnancy to their immediate circle. They’d be pissed but it wouldn’t last long because everyone knew how private Monroe and Promise were. It wasn’t done out of spite, it was just who they were.

“Give me five minutes. I’ll meet you up there,” she seductively stated.

“Say less, ma,” Monroe said, loving the way her already high sex drive had shot through the roof with this pregnancy.

Two Hours Later…

Promise sat at the foot of her bed watching Monroe from behind as he sprayed himself down with Tom Ford. His deep navy blue designer slacks, white-collar dress shirt that remained open at the top. His silver Cuban link chain, diamond-encrusted Patek, and two iced out rings that shone under the light.

“You such a beautiful woman, but carryin’ my baby is most definitely a good look,” Monroe complimented, turning around to face Promise. “You ready?”

“Thank you baby,” Promise replied, amused. “You know they gone cuss us out right?”

Monroe chuckled. “Hell yea. They’ll be a’ight tho,” he said as his phone vibrated against the mahogany wood dresser. It was a text from Tru.

Aye bruh, which floor y’all on? We downstairs.

I’m on my way down to get y’all.

Bet.

“Don’t change nothin’,” Monroe stated, kissing Promise’s forehead. “I love everything about what I see. I’ma text you once everybody get comfortable in the livin’ room so you can come down a’ight.”

“Sounds good to me,” Promise shrugged her shoulders, and absently smoothed her hand across her belly.

While Monroe jogged down the stairs, Promise rose to her feet and admired her reflection for what had to be the tenth time within the last hour. Her body was changing so fast her head spun trying to keep up. She was fascinated by every stage of her baby's development, often wondering whose eyes he or she would have, if the baby would have Monroe’s complexion, and her smile. She thought about their parents, her niece and nephew, and all she could do was smile because it really didn’t matter as long as her baby was healthy. The mysteries of God didn’t always need to be analyzed, sometimes simple appreciation and acknowledgement was the only thing necessary.

A dusty pink, satin asymmetrical blouse draped effortlessly over her growing belly, paired with matching satin pants and heels that complemented her radiant glow. Diamond and gold accessories adorned her wrists, ears, and neck, while her naturally long, thick hair cascaded well beyond the middle of her back in soft waves. She was gorgeous, but the peace she walked in defined her beauty more than anything else. Her joy had been restored.

Promise hadn’t just stumbled on this version of herself by chance. Every ounce of joy she now carried had first been purchased with tears. It had come only after she had suffered. It had come after questioning whether every sacrifice she'd made, and every dream she'd entertained had all been in vain. It had come after choosing to believe when doubt seemed easier. This place of contentment, and wisdom had come with an understanding that all things worth having was worth fighting for. It was with a realization that real love never has to find its way back because real love never truly leaves.

Sometimes life interrupted it.

Sometimes pride buried it.

Sometimes pain disguised it, but when love was genuine, it remained... waiting for the right season to bloom again. As she viewed herself in the mirror, her heart was so full. Peace looked better on her than pain ever could.

The sound of Truth’s laughter carried through the home as their family and closest friends stepped off the elevator. A smile spread instantly across Promise’s face, and she couldn’t wait to share her good news with them. When she heard the music come to life, she knew it was time to count down the time until her grand arrival. Walking over to the mirror, she sprayed herself a few times with Byredo’s Bal d’afrique, it had become her latest obsession. The scent was so satisfying, and brought her so much comfort. Monroe had purchased her a dozen of the largest bottles because he too never wanted her to run out of it because it paired so well with her body chemistry.

“Come on, Doll,” Monroe said, reentering their room. “We gon’ make they heads spin with this reveal.”

Promise laughed. “I thought you were going to text me,” Promise said, placing her perfume back down on her dresser.