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“Ohh, that golf gangsta look, I’m liking it,” Eden crooned as Maximus strolled into the bedroom. “You took Mr. Rich’s money?”

Maximus smirked. “And Lucci’s, bought them lunch and gave the old man back his chain. We’re doing a golf tournament, though. You gon’ be my caddy?”

“Mm, what’s in it for me?”

“Another baby,” he joked. “Whatever you want.”

“I don’t want nothing. Just you. I’m happy you had fun.”

“You good?” Maximus asked, kissing her face. “He’s eating again?”

“I think he thinks I’m his milk on demand. I’ve fed him like five times since you left. I think he’s just sucking because he can. Like his daddy.”

Maximus chuckled. “He is, and you’re mine too. Ain’t gon lie, your milk and your nectar sweet as hell. You need more help dropping that supply?”

“You can’t get no cookie, so milk is the option?”

“That and sucking on your toes. How many weeks we got left? I’m trying to see what that cookies and milk hittin’ like.”

“Two more weeks, so relax, enjoy head in the closet and the bathroom during nap times,” Eden chuckled silently.

Teddy was lying by Eden’s side on the floor, watching over her and the baby.

“I will, but I’m not tripping. You pushed out my big ass baby. Not gon’ lie, I was scared as fuck. For a minute there, looked like you were about to tap out.”

“Because he was tearing me up. Give me a couple of years before we have another one. Hopefully, they stitched me back up tight. So, talk to me, what’s going on? I feel like I’ve been walking around and sleeping with him attached to me, or sleeping.”

“Mom is loving when you hand him over.”

“She comes in here and takes him from me twice a day, makes me eat and sleep. I don’t get him back until you come back home. How’s the restaurant and shops?”

“Good. Actually, can’t keep the product on the shelves. We teamed up with Waynesville County to do a rehabilitation program. Gang members or otherwise coming out of jail get placement at BGCs or the t-shirt shop, or the corner store shop and do a post-work release.”

“Oh, I love that. I knew you were up to something.”

“It was your pioneering. You said we are Trae Way, we got to take care of it. And now that little man is here, I want him to know his pops was more than a gang banger and a rapper.”

“He’ll know. Speaking of which. Staysha and I met about some things. BGCs photoshoot, I hired a model to join in, just in case I’m not up to it. This body is new to me, and I’m still trying to figure it out.”

“Baby, you look good,” he encouraged.

“You don’t mind I’m not a size eight anymore?”

“Nah, this size twelve is doing it for me, but I want you comfortable. So tell me how to support you.”

“I will, even if the means we can’t go to Midnight Munchies anymore.”

“We’re going to Midnight Munchies. Matter of fact, I’m going to have Mom watch him tonight to get you out of the house.”

“I actually need to see outside so I don’t let these hormones win.”

“Exactly. What else is going on?”

“Model agency launched, got another script, and Poppi’s Place is now the Trae Way House. So, while you transition our people back into the workforce, we will transition them back into the real world, and guess who the on-site counselor is going to be?”

“Ma?”

“Mhmm. We agreed that it would be the best fit for her.”

“Damn,” Maximus blew, receiving his son after Eden handed him over. “Mommy really loves us.”

Eden scooted off the bed and shuffled into the bathroom. “Yes, I do. Do I need to change?”

“I got you something in the closet. Take a shower without MJ needing you.”

“Okay, give me a few minutes.”

“Nah, take all the time you need.”

With Eden in the shower, Maximus tended to his son before his mother swooped in and took over. She had all his clothes, diapers, and bottles restocked, cleaned, and stationed, making it easy for the new parents to maneuver. There hadn’t been a second that Eden wasn’t grateful for her.

An hour later and a good cry to settle her postpartum emotions, Eden was downstairs, hair curly and dress flowing just right. She found Maximus and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I love it, thank you.”

“I wanted you comfortable. You look good, you smell good. Mm mm. Unhand me before I break the doctor’s orders. Ain’t gon’ have your little boyfriend cussing me out. You ready?”

“Yeah, where’s MJ, lemme kiss him.”

“Uh uh nope. Ma got him, he’s good, sleeping. You and I got a date. You can hold him when you get home.”

“Okayyyyy,” Eden drug out, dragging her feet toward the garage.

Shotgun in the drop top, Maximus and Eden were falling back into their little bubble before the baby. Midnight Munchies and jokes, and then a trip to the lake.

“What are we out here for? Is this how I die? Full? Dickless? Without kissing my son?”

Maximus kissed his teeth. “Girl, don’t play with me.”

He opened her door and started walking with her down the lit path. “How you feeling now?”

“Better, I cried in the shower. But I am so good now. Can we do this like once a week?”

“Whatever you want, you got it. You know what I want, though?”

“Tell me,” Eden hummed, surveying the rose petal-covered ground, then at the open, well-lit area. A heart-shaped neon sign with flowers decorated around it, reading ‘be mine’.

“You said you were going to love me forever. What I want to know is, if you’re going to be my wife forever?”

Eden gasped before punching his shoulder. “I knew you were up to something. Are you for real?”

“I’m always for real about you, E. You make my world turn, girl.” He lowered himself to one knee and pulled out her ring. “So I just need to know, are you going to love me?”

“I am.”

“You gon’ be my wife?”

“I am.”

“Forever?”

“Forever,” she cried, holding her hand out to receive the diamond ring. Maximus stood and kissed her slowly and deeply before Staysha started screaming.

“That’s how you do it!” Staysha shouted, running out of her hiding spot and tackling Eden.

“Girl, be careful with my niece in here!” Eden returned the energy, hugging and rocking Staysha.

“Lemme see this ring again,” Staysha cheered, taking Eden’s hand.

“You little sneaky bitch.”

“I had to make sure my sister was right. Oh, I’m so happy for you!”

“Thank you for riding with me.”

“You’re my best friend, I’m always going to have your back. That’s on everything.”

The group celebrated. Brody picked up Eden and spun her around, earning a pop across the head.

They shared a bottle and toasted to the good life.

Sure, life in Trae Way was rough, but throughout the trials, they learned together, and they could make it anywhere.

But Trae Way was where they planted their love, and that’s where it was going to grow.

The end