Page 62 of Crown: Phase 4

“I bleed for you?”

“You giving birth to my baby.”

“You’re so sweet.” Nivéa blushed, finally catching on to what he meant. “Why didn’t you take me with you?”

Crown chuckled as she stomped her foot, poking out her bottom lip.

“It was a surprise, ma.”

“Surprise my ass. I want one.”

“Aight, I got you.”

“Promise?”

“Promise I’ma take you after you heal from the baby.”

“Okay.”

Nivéa was all smiles now. She was so over the moon that her heart went from racing to dancing in her chest. This had made her day. Every day was a movie with Crown. They stayed like that, savoring the moment, until she shattered the silence that had grown between them.

“I’m so happy you’re home. When you’re away, I feel a tad bit scared.” She admitted softly. “But somehow, when you’re here, I feel safe again.”

Crown lowered his chin against the top of her head and held her tighter.

“You ain’t gotta ever worry about shit. Not only do you got me, but you also got a whole club behind you, ready to go to war if need be. Niggas that’ll take a bullet for you just because of who you belong to.”

“I believe that.”

Nivéa lifted his hand and gently kissed the leather of his glove. The simple gesture hit her harder than she expected. Another tear slipped down her cheek as she stared at his hand. That glove had been wrapped around her neck when he held her protectively. It had touched her skin and held her close during moments when she gave herself completely to him.

But those same gloved hands belonged to a man who lived a life she didn’t always understand. Hands that had done things she probably never wanted to know about. For a second, she wondered how many times he’d put those gloves on before doing something he could never take back. And somehow, she loved him anyway.

Crown noticed the tear and gently wiped it away with his thumb. “What’s wrong now?”

“Nothing.” She smiled through it. “Nothing at all. Tears of joy.”

They grew quiet. The music she had playing filled the silence between them. Without thinking, they started swaying together, her body pressed against his.

“This my song, baby.” She said.

“Every song yo’ song.” Crown shook his head.

“Whatever.” Nivéa laughed. “You love it too.”

“Who told you that?”

“You do, big man. It’s okay. I can tell.”

Crown looked down at her with a small smile as they continued moving slowly to Cosmic Love. She was right. He had to admit Monaleo’s voice sounded dope. There was a certain soul to it on this record that he liked. He had never heard of it before that day, but he fucked with it.

It had him moving. Crown was the type who didn’t like dancing. He was too laid-back to groove, but the odd thing was, he actually could. They let the beat carry them. Nivéa slid her arms around his neck while Crown held her by the waist, taking the lead. He rocked them slowly to the rhythm.

“Look at you.” She teased.

“Don’t start, ma.”

“You can dance, baby. Big, fine ass.”