Page 50

Keyani

I stood at the gifts table for the twins and accepted the bag one little girl handed me.

Their table was so full that I was having to start putting stuff on the floor, and I knew Cruz was likely sneaking extra gifts in because it wasn’t even that many kids there.

That’s the whole reason why I’d stopped skating, so I could see how his sneaky ass was doing it.

Peeking in one of the bigger bags, I tried to look for a card when he rolled up and pulled me away.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop looking in their shit?” he asked, lips pressed against my neck.

“And didn’t I tell you not to buy them anything else after the hoverboards? This looks like a whole lot more, Cruz.”

“Maaaan, you see all these muthafuckas here. Everybody brought them something, and you over here tryna be the birthday gift Karen. If you don’t bring yo’ ass out here and give me a couple’s skate.

” He flashed his teeth at me as he rolled backward onto the floor, pulling me along.

“Hold my hand too, I want everybody to know we go together.”

My head fell back as laughter erupted from my throat at his silliness.

Still, I held his hand tightly as he waved for the DJ, and “Ooh Ahh” began to play.

“Cruz! You can’t play this, it’s a kids’ party!

” I shrieked, trying to send my own signal for that nigga to cut this freaky ass song off before the twins and their friends got suspended for singing it at school.

Obviously, DJ Bop was on Cruz’s payroll though, because he ignored me and kept playing it until Cruz waved again, surprisingly gaining a few groans.

This time, KC and Jojo’s “All My Life” started playing, and I relaxed.

“See girl, I got this.” He winked as we skated along, and I met him with narrowed eyes.

“That wasn’t funny,” I huffed, looking around discreetly to make sure none of the other parents were giving me the evil eye as we passed Maasai and Avery, who were laughing hysterically. Rolling my eyes, I stuck my tongue out at them.

“Not you tryna have an attitude?” Cruz tilted his head, amused by quoting the popular saying and my annoyance.

“Get over here.” Smoothly, he glided my body in front of his, holding me to him with a firm grip on my waist as he steered us around the rink.

He was a much better skater than I’d thought, but he continued to surprise me with his many talents.

Already, I’d forgotten what I was even mad about, and I relaxed against him, unafraid to let him lead.

It was becoming easier to trust him in all aspects of my life, and I enjoyed finally having my soft girl era.

I even let him attack my ears with his terrible singing, cracking up when he tried to hit KC’s high notes.

Of course, our moment didn’t last too long because the twins came and crashed the party, pulling us both in different directions, but I knew Cruz was going to find his way back over to me before the party was over.

He made sure to grab me for at least five more couple skates, which he’d clearly set up with the DJ since none of those songs were in the playlist I’d provided.

Nobody else seemed to mind either. The kids just cleared the floor and played arcade games, leaving the skating to the grown-ups without complaint.

They ended up having a ball, and we had to fill both our truck and Maasai’s truck because of how many gifts they’d gotten, but I didn’t even trip. If I was being honest, after everything, they deserved a little extra.

Even though Cruz had been the life of the party for them, I couldn’t help feeling some type of way about Javon not even sending a gift, but I should’ve expected that though.

He already wasn’t the greatest father, and the altercation at the house only gave him an excuse to be absent.

The kids didn’t seem to understand that, though, and I was worried the whole time that they’d ask about him, but surprisingly, they didn’t, so I shrugged it off.

However, I still low-key wanted my baby daddy to beat his ass again. I was still considering asking him too.

When we finally made it home and got the kids to bed, I went to take a shower and got out to find Cruz lying back with his arm propped behind his head as he flipped through channels.

He must have taken a shower in the guest bathroom because he was already in pajamas, with his impatient ass.

Just as I went to replace my towel with a nightgown, he tossed the remote aside.

“Aht, aht! Bring that ass here, girl.” He didn’t even give me a chance to move away before pulling my naked body over to him. “You know the drill.”

I rolled my eyes and got into position on my back so he could rub my cocoa butter cream on my small belly.

I wasn’t even showing yet, but he made this a nightly routine, saying he was bonding with our baby.

He’d rub and kiss my belly while talking to the baby, even though I didn’t think it had ears yet.

I’d roll my eyes, but honestly, I thought it was the sweetest thing.

The way he took such care with me was new and comforting, like I knew nothing bad was going to come my way just because he wouldn’t let it.

We’d turned into the sentimental couple that got on everybody’s nerves, but I didn’t even care or think it was corny.

I was finally getting the love I deserved, and it had been long overdue.

Wanting to savor the moment, I grabbed my phone and recorded his little nightly routine with flutters filling my belly.

It didn’t make any sense how fine he was or the effect he had on me.

The man could do no wrong when it came to my heart or my body, and the way he cared for the most important parts of me, the twins, just sealed the deal.

My eyes drifted closed, already on the verge of falling asleep. “You know, I been thinking,” he mused, stroking my stomach with the tips of his fingers. I smirked, only lifting one eyelid to look at him before closing it right back.

“Well, I hope it’s not about some other dessert topping you can eat off me.

” I squirmed, hoping that was exactly what he’d been considering.

Last time, he’d brought a bottle of chocolate syrup to bed and literally licked me from head to toe.

My body tingled just thinking about it, and he let out a low chuckle.

“You ain’t slick, Key, that’s probably exactly what yo’ lil’ freaky ass want on my mind.” He quickly clocked me, and I shrugged, unbothered.

“You got me.”

“Don’t trip bae, I already got some caramel syrup in the fridge for later, but I was thinking about something else…

something more serious.” The way the humor suddenly left his voice had my eyes popping back open with concern to find him already looking at me.

“What if we make this more official, you know, get married and do this shit the right way?”

“W-what?” I stuttered, choking on my words. That was the last thing I thought would come out of his mouth, and my heart slammed against my chest. “You wanna get married?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to…you don’t?” Doubt flashed across his face before he quickly masked it with a blank expression.

“I mean…yes, of course, I do, but?—”

“No buts. If we both want it, what’s stopping us?

” He produced a royal blue ring box and cracked it open.

Inside was the most beautiful six-carat, pear-shaped ring in a platinum setting that I’d ever seen, considering I hadn’t seen many.

I sat up, clutching my chest, once again speechless as I tried to figure out when he’d had the time to get a ring.

“So what’s up? You gone rock my last name? ”

I didn’t even need to think about it. Nodding, I held my hand out. “Yes baby, yes, I’ll marry you!” My voice cracked with emotion as I watched him slip the ring on my finger, and tears flooded my eyes. I jumped on top of him, covering his face with kisses even as I cried.

“Damn, you don’t even know you just made me happy as fuck, girl.” He looked up at me on his lap through low lids. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I continued bawling. My heart had never truly felt so full.

Cruz had come into my life and completely flipped everything I thought I knew about men on its head.

Ever since I’d met him, he’d gone out of his way to make me happy.

It was as if God had brought him into my life because he knew I was barely hanging on and he’d been exactly what I needed.

Smiling, I sent up a silent thank you for how persistent he was, even when I was fighting him tooth and nail.

Who would’ve ever thought I’d finally get my very own happily ever after?