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fifty-eight

. . .

“What we got coming, Stay?” Eden asked, riding shotgun with Maximus’ hand on her thigh.

“Few brands are coming back to the table – including Vibrance. They still want you on the cover. I’m not sure how we feel about that yet.

Maria&Marie for sure want back in. Heavenly Linen is sending over an outline for creative direction.

BlkArtCo. wants to do a Trae Way collection with you and Max from the first photoshoot y’all did together.

Fatima invited us out to her restaurant opening in uptown, that’s tomorrow night.

And I wanted to run one more thing by you. ”

“What’s that?” Eden buzzed, drinking the water Maximus all but forced down her throat.

“Now that Mac'Roy has been indicted and MRA is no more, how do you feel about an agency of our own. You know, without the orgies and the trafficking. It’s going to get to a point you’re not going to be able to do all of these.”

“How are we going to go about talent and funding?”

“We have two investors we can reach out to. Rolani being one. He mentioned it when I was in GH. He also introduced me to Indigo Sims. He and his family relocated from LA to LO with a magazine, and they need fresh models. I’m not saying we need to hop on it right now, I just say we should think about it.

Diversifying our portfolio so that at any time you want to be a full-time mom or take a break, we have streams of revenue. ”

“I like that. Let me get through this appointment and first show, and we’ll come back to the table and talk about it. Cool?”

“I’m with it. Send me pictures of my baby. Love you!”

“Love you,” Eden hummed back before hanging up.

Maximus smiled proudly. “You and Staysha doin’ that shit. I love it.”

“Yeah, I think she's growing up in front of my eyes, and I don’t want to blink.”

Maximus laughed at Eden poking her lip out as if she wanted to cry. “You did a good job raising her.”

Eden snickered. “Hopefully, the baby I actually made doesn’t put me through what the one I didn’t make did.”

“You excited?”

“Nervous, kind of. Excited, in disbelief. All of it,” Eden hummed before finishing her bottle of water. “You?”

“I’m really starting to believe you’re one of God’s favorites ‘cause ain’t no way a nigga like me supposed to be bringin’ life into the world.”

Eden reached out and massaged the nape of his neck. “Your Garden of Eden, babe. Your paradise. Your covering. Your friend. Your lover. Your hype man. Regardless of what you did before me, everything now is covered. That’s your blessing for sitting down. Heard me?”

“Heard you,” Maximus grunted, squeezing her thigh.

“Good. Gimme kiss.”

Obliging her, he leaned over and pecked her lips. Inside the doctor’s office, Eden sat on the table while Maximus rummaged through the drawers.

“Could you stop it?” Eden gritted, while he stuffed gloves, Q-tips, tongue depressors, and other supplies into his pockets. “We literally just said you were rehabilitated.”

“I was a reformed Trae Way nigga until they handed me that bill to pay. At this point, all of this shit is mine. A grand to rub a wand over your belly and some jelly shit. How much you pay for the first couple of visits?”

“Oh, you missed the first appointment when he put the wand inside of me,” Eden teased, earning her a spin and a narrowing of the eyes. “What?”

“Eden, stop playing.”

“You tripping, he puts his fingers inside and all of that.”

Maximus closed his eyes, groaned, and vibrated. “I’ma have to kill this nigga.”

“Anyway, back to the first bill. If I tell you, you’re going to demand they put your name on the building. We’re paying for the privacy and top-of-the-line care.”

“We’re paying for all them cars in the parking lot,” Maximus huffed. “The damn receptionist had a Rolex on her wrist. All this shit is mine. You think I can take this home too?”

Eden cut her eyes at the machine, then back at Maximus, who was actively trying to unlock it and roll it toward the door. “What is wrong with you?”

“How much they gon’ charge us to push the baby out? We can do that shit at home,” he continued, and Eden fell out in laughter. “He already charging me to put his hands all over you or that shit free?”

“You laughing at me, but I’m serious. I can catch my boy my damn self.”

Eden rolled her eyes and popped his hand. “Cut it out and sit down, fool.”

Maximus frowned and rubbed the back of his head. “What I tell you about that? Ain’t that’s how you got pregnant?”

“Mmm,” Eden buzzed. “I can’t remember. There was a club, a camera, a blunt, and some rain. Maybe before that.”

A knock sounded against the door before the doctor entered. Maximus quickly shoved a bottle of gel into his pocket and nodded. He threw a nod, picking up Eden’s neatly folded clothes and placing them on his lap.

“Oh! Dad made it in today. I’m Dr. Gomaku,” he smiled politely at Maximus as he extended his hand for a shake.

Maximus offered him a handshake and then turned to Eden. “Good thing I came in today.”

Eden rolled her eyes. “You got to forgive him. He’s nervous and stressed and working on my nerves.”

Dr. Gomaku chuckled. “I understand. Having a baby is a big deal on top of the health of your ...” His words lingered as he looked at Eden’s ringless hand.

He proceeded and continued to tease Max, hoping to release the scowl on his face.

“Beautiful woman and no ring. Come on, man. Don’t let her get snatched up.

I’ve been looking for a pretty lavender marriage.

You know they’re out here snatching rights away left and right. ”

Eden snickered, already knowing what the deal was, but getting to watch Maximus’ face unwind made her throw her head back. “See, that’s what you get.”

“You should’ve led with that shit,” Maximus spoke, relieved. “My bad, doc. For a moment there, you weren’t about to walk up out of here.”

Dr. Gomaku laughed. “I saw it. Almost had me nervous. She told me last time you don’t play about her. I asked if she wanted any in-uterine testing.”

“Oh, nah, we ain’t doing that.” Maximus refused, shaking his head. With his lip poked out, he grumbled. “We not gonna be poking around with neither of them. Not with needles, fingers, or wands, heard me.”

In a sing-song voice, Eden hummed, “I told you.”

“You know him. Spot on,” the doctor laughed. “So, Ms. Eden, bloodwork, we’ve got to get you some more vitamin D.”

Maximus smirked. “I told you.”

“Not yours, fool,” Eden huffed.

Dr. Gomaku snickered. “I suggest do that as long as you’re comfortable physically. But I meant the actual vitamin. Add it into your diet. More sun, more red meat, keep up with your water.”

“Eat more than a muffin on set,” Maximus added.

Dr. Gomaku looked up at Eden. “You definitely need more than a muffin on set.”

“I promise. I promise.” Eden looked over at Maximus, squinting. “You a snitch.”

He shrugged in response.

The appointment went on, the heartbeat flooding through the room, the alien-like fetus moved around, refusing to turn over to expose itself to the camera.

“Already stubborn like his mama.”

Dr. Gomaku laughed. “I think it’s equal parts. Everything looks healthy and on target. Here, Dad, you get the honors of wiping her stomach.”

Maximus jumped at the opportunity.

“Let’s get you back in here in a month. Hopefully, Dad can make it.”

Eden winced. “I don’t know, I think he’ll be in some city promoting and touring.”

“I don’t know, leaving us unsupervised might be dangerous,” Dr. Gomaku joked as he removed his gloves and assisted Eden sitting up. “Eden walks in here head high, shoulders back like she knows exactly who she is. That’s my type of girl.”

Maximus nipped a smile. “She is and does. Y’all be in here cutting up?”

Eden smiled innocently. “Now, why would I do that?”

“That’s why he costs so much,” Maximus grumbled. “You know what, doc, you cool. So, I'm going to give you back your gel. I’m keeping everything else, though. This shit high as hell.”

Eden smacked her lips. “Boy.”

Dr. Gomaku watched Maximus pull out the unused bottle of gel and place it on the counter. Shaking his head through a laugh, he said, “I got to walk out of here like y’all didn’t become my favorite. Good meeting you, Maximus. Eden, I’ll see you in a month. If you need me before, call.”

“I will.”

“You got his number? Maximus questioned.

“Yeah, office and both cells,” Eden said, making Maximus pick the gel back up.

“I changed my mind.”

“Put his stuff back.”

Dressed and making plans for lunch, Eden and Maximus walked out of the room and toward the receptionist desk.

“Steakhouse. You didn’t hear that man? He said you need red meat and some D.”

“Vitamin D,” Eden corrected, before stopping in her tracks.

Maximus looked down at her and then at the receptionist desk where Natavia stood. “You good?”

Eden licked her lips and nodded. “Yeah, I’m good. Actually.”

Natavia stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Eden. There was nothing in her eyes but sorrow. Sorrow, she attempted to mask with pride, but Eden saw straight through it.

“Eden,” she spoke, as if she were surprised to see her.

Eden offered her a soft smile. “Natavia.”

“You’re...pregnant? Congratulations.” Natavia’s words were edged with loss.

“Thank you.” Eden wasn’t in the business of catching up. She might’ve forgiven and moved on, but her memory wasn’t shot. “Well, we have plans.”

“Eden, wait,” Natavia started, before taking a deep breath.

“Life without you has been…rough. I’m not asking to be friends again.

I understand what I did. What I allowed Rico to do to you is despicable.

With everything happening around me, I’m coming to grips that I was very much the problem.

And I’m sorry for all of that. Everything I did.

Every time I tried to snuff out your light or make you small, when everyone knows and sees how big you are.

I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. ”