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I smiled as he kissed my forehead. When I tipped my face up, he kissed my mouth, too. I put the pictures on the table so I could wrap my arms around him.

For a few seconds, I stopped thinking about everything waiting outside that room. I had him right there, kissing me like he was happy to be having a baby with me. Our kiss turned ravenous as our tongues intertwined.

The doctor knocked and opened the door as he kissed me again.

“Okay, you two. Get a room,” she teased.

“We have a room. You get out,” Justice replied.

“Justice!” I pulled away, laughing.

The doctor shook her head.

Outside, I tucked the ultrasound pictures into my purse before Justice opened the truck door for me.

I had plenty I wanted to tell Keenan. I wanted to show him the pictures and ask how he felt about being a big brother again. First, I needed him with me.

“Any news about my son?” I asked once Justice got behind the wheel.

“I still got people watching the house. He went to school this morning as usual. Aria hasn’t really left the house since Roman was supposed to come home,” he responded.

“I hate that he’s still there.”

“I know. We gon’ get him. We gotta be smart about it, Mel. We don’t know what Julian’s gonna do. Or who else might come around looking for Roman.”

“Julian has no reason to suspect me or you.”

“He will if we go right in and snatch Keenan. I need to strategize about this. But I promise you I will get him.”

I was tired of being patient. Keenan was probably checking the phone I gave him, waiting for me to tell him to pack his things. I hated knowing I still couldn’t give him that message.

Justice pulled out of the parking space.

“I got a surprise for you.”

“What surprise?”

“You’ll see.”

“Is it something I have to get dressed up for?”

He looked over at me.

“You look perfect already.”

If the surprise wasn’t Keenan, I didn’t have much interest in it. But I didn’t want to push back. I wanted my son with me but I wanted it in a way that kept all of us safe.

Moments later we arrived at a mansion I didn’t recognize. Had he bought me a house already? I wasn’t feeling that. That was too controlling and that was some shit that Roman would’ve done. Buy me something major without my input.

I tried to maintain a straight face but I was getting concerned. Did I replace one abuser with another controlling man?

He got out of the truck and opened the door for me, guiding me out. Like a big kid he was grinning ear to ear. Despite the tired in his eyes, his joy warmed my heart.

Together we made our way to the building. He rang the doorbell which was a relief. That meant that he didn’t purchase it. It was someone else’s.

Zainab opened up and there were two small children crowding at her feet, trying to see who was at the door.

“Uncle Justice!” they shrieked.