Page 87 of A Don & His Doll

“I was, but I ain’t want you walkin’ down them steps by ya’self,” Monroe said sweetly, kissing the side of her forehead.

“Thank you, baby,” Promise appreciated pulling him forward for another kiss, this time on the lips.

“Mhm,” Monroe said, his eyes mischievously roaming her body. “Yo’ ass betta stop kissin’ me like that. Gon’ fuck around and make me dig in that pussy, and say fuck them people downstairs waitin’ for us,” he whispered, flashing her a smile knowing just how to make her weak for him.

Promise bit down lightly on her bottom lip, while Monroe chuckled, watching the effect he had on her body as her pupils dilated and her nipple hardened. Monroe switched the lights off, and minutes later, Monroe and Promise entered the living room, and the look of surprise on everyone’s face was impossible to miss.

“Promise!” Jazira squealed.

“Missy! I know you fuckin’ lyin’,” Rae shot with squinted eyes as a slow smile crept upon her face.

“This what we doin’ now, fam?” Truth said with a smirk.

“Promise Montgomery,” her mother called, the happiness in her tone was impossible to miss. “How far are you?”

Everyone in the room had so many questions, Monroe and Promise didn’t know which one to answer first. They had anticipated this exact response, but as they stood in the moment, all they could do was laugh it off. Life had been lifing, and they’d have to give them grace because they weren't about to relive the storm they’d weathered again. Moving forward was the mission.

Promise cleared her throat. “I’ll be seven months next week.”

“What?!” Rae blurted.

“Six months where?” Jazira asked.

“We just needed a little time to sit with it before sharing with everyone,” Promise said, squeezing Monroe’s hand gently.

“Six months is a long ass time, Missy,” her mother said, giving Promise the side eye.

“Now why y’all so surprised?” Mekhi, Promise’s stepdad asked. “Y’all know how private they are. Let’s just celebrate with them, and be glad we know now,” he shrugged, lifting his half-filled glass of cognac.

“See,” Monroe said, pouring himself a glass of Henny. “I knew we connected for a reason.”

“This nigga, yo,” G said, cracking up, but his eyes were glued to Jazira. “I got five bands that say my nigga gon’ have a girl.”

Promise immediately looked at Monroe and smiled because they had just had this same conversation hours prior, now their friends and family were betting on their predictions.

“I agree,” Jazira stated with a smile, unconsciously making G’s heart smile in a way he never thought possible.

“Hell naw,” Truth chuckled, looking at Monroe. “Sis gon’ give my mans’ a boy, watch.”

“Baby, I’m wit’chu when you right and wrong… but yes indeed, Sis is having a boy. I can tell by the way she’s carrying. What’chu think, ma?”

“That’s gon’ be Monroe Black III,” Promise and Rae’s mom said, looking at Monroe with a smile. “He’s gone look just like you and his grandfather,” she predicted.

“Hol’ up! I need in on this bet too,” Syn said.

The whole room erupted in laughter.

“Nigga where the hell you came from,” Truth said, turning around.

Amor looked up at the sound of Syn’s voice, trying not to make it obvious that his voice still moved her, still made her body respond. Love like they had didn’t magically disappear, not even after being divorced for over a year.

Mitch laughed, holding his phone in the air. “Y’all know we can’t do this shit wit’out Syn. “Let ‘em know what it’s gon be, son.”

“I got ten bands, it's gon’ be a girl,” Syn confidently stated.

“Aw, hell naw,” Mitch shook his head. “My nephew havin’ a mu’fuckin boy. Word.”

“I guess we gon’ just have to wait and see,” Monroe spoke up, wrapping his arms around Promise from behind as Jay-Z’s BAM pulsed through the surround sound speakers.