Page 12 of Rhyot & Nyelle (D-Ville Projects #6)

One Year Later

A year passed and Nyelle’s life had done a complete one eighty. There had been a lot of sleepless nights and it seemed like all hope was lost until Rhyot resurfaced in her life, giving her a love she never expected.

The trio was on their way to park for some well needed quality time.

Highland Park was one of the places Rhyelle wanted to go to and Rhy, who never wanted to tell her no, made it happen.

Rhyelle had been yapping since before they hopped in the car.

She was filled with excitement. She and Rhyot trying to hit the high notes to Elsa’s “Let It Go” had Ny damn near doubled over in laughter.

“Daddy, you can’t sing!” Rhyelle cackled, smacking her tiny hands against her thighs.

“Man, I sound better than Elsa. You bugging, baby girl,” Rhyot shot back, turning around while driving with one hand and rubbing Ny’s small, protruding belly with the other. “Babe, back me up,” he begged with his bottom lip poked out.

Nyelle side-eyed him from the passenger seat. “Rhyot, you sound like nails on a chalkboard and that’s the nicest way I can put it. You better listen to her.”

They made it to the park in no time and Rhyelle beelined to the sprinklers with Rhy chasing her, picking her up and spinning her in his arms before setting her down.

Rhyelle did a dizzy stumble while still laughing.

Nyelle sat on the blanket she laid out while watching the loves of her life run around in bliss without a care in the world.

The visual alone made Ny feel warm inside.

Before long, the water works were making their way as a set of tears fell from her eyes.

“Babe, what's wrong? You constipated or something?” Rhy questioned as he walked over to Nyelle, giving her a concerned look. Ny laughed while shaking her head. His concerned look made her feel lucky to have a man like him.

“Look at her,” Nyelle whispered, leaning back against Rhyot’s chest as his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. “She’s so happy. Thank you so much for all of this.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Rhyot murmured, brushing a kiss against her temple. “And hopefully you and my junior are happy too.”

Nyelle's heart swelled at the thought of her pregnancy. “I can only imagine him turning the house upside down. He had me sick the whole damn first trimester.”

“And that’ll be alright; he’ll be following our baby girl. You gotta be a little crazy to be in the Battle household.” They shared a laugh before she grew serious.

“I can’t imagine sharing a family with anyone else.”

“And you won’t have to. You’re stuck with me, Boogs.” His tone was playful, but his gaze was serious when she turned to look at him.

Rhyelle stumbled back toward them, soaking wet, and plopped herself right between them, tugging their hands together. “Group hug!” she demanded as they groaned but obliged, letting their daughter have her way.

After, she turned to Rhy who had his arms wrapped around his lady. “Daddy, I want ice cream.” Rhyelle pouted, folding her arms.

“So how do you ask for ice cream?” he quizzed with one brow arched.

“Pleaseeeeee?” she begged, and just like Ny knew he would, he got up and grabbed her hand as she led them in the direction of the ice cream truck.

Rhyot returned moments later, Lil Rhy in tow, licking her chocolate kiddie cone. He turned to Nyelle with a soft smile and a cone already waiting in his hand.

“Vanilla. No sprinkles. Just how you like it,” he said, offering it to her casually, like it was nothing. But the look in his eyes made her pause.

Nyelle took the cone and was about to take a bite when she noticed something shimmering.

Her breath got caught in her throat. Her eyes darted from the cone to Rhyot, who was now slowly dropping to one knee right there in front of their giggling daughter.

“Rhyot…” she whispered nervously, her hand trembling but she still held it out.

“I know we already a family,” he began, voice steady despite the emotion in his eyes. “But I want to make it official. You held me down when I was lost. You gave me a reason to come back, to be better for you, for Lil Rhy, and Junior.” His hand grazed her belly. “I want forever with you, Ny.”

Rhyelle bounced beside them, grinning from ear to ear. “Say yes, Mommy! Pleeeeeease say yes!”

Nyelle wiped her eyes, a laugh caught in her throat as she pulled the two carat princess cut diamond ring from the cone, her heart already screaming what her mouth was about to say.

“Yes,” she said softly, then her confidence grew louder. “Yes, Rhyot. I want forever too.”

He slid the ring onto her finger and pulled her into his arms, lifting her just enough for her feet to leave the grass.

Rhyelle clapped with delight, hugging both of their legs they kissed and embraced, Ny sobbed from happiness. Her heart was full, her soul was at peace. She finally had the love she once thought she wasn’t meant for.

But this time around, she knew better.

The End.