Page 42 of Sugar Baby

“To think, this time next year, my bakery will be up and running and you’ll be retired from the streets. We’ll be traveling and living our best lives.”

“And engaged.”

“Engaged?” I repeated.

“Yeah. Or do you want to be engaged now?”

“That’s not how it works, Cassius,” I said after smacking my lips. “You don’t even have a ring.”

He set the blunt down and shifted slightly. I turned to look back at him just as he pulled a ring out of his pocket. When I tried to get up, his arm gripped me.

“Cassius,” I whispered, eyes watering all over again.

“I been had this, but I’ve been waiting on the perfect time.” We both stared at the ring before our eyes connected. “Maybe there is no perfect time to solidify what we already know is going to happen.”

Cupping my cheeks, I didn’t even bother trying to hold back my tears. I was already an emotional wreck from earlier. Him proposing was going to have my heart as soft as soft serve ice cream.

“Maybe what makes it perfect is simply the fact that I’m proposing to you.” He lowered my left hand and ran his thumb over my ring finger. “Sugar Baby James, you’ve made my life softer and sweeter from the moment you entered it. Your personality and spirit are just as big as your heart, and I want to spend the rest of my days loving and being loved by you. Will you make an honest man out of a real nigga by becoming my wife?”

Giggling, I nodded. “Yes,” I whispered, sitting up straight on his lap. “Yes!”

“Yes?” he asked, as if he was actually surprised.

“Duh. I’on know why you acting surprised.”

“Truthfully, I don’t either. I knew you were my wife. I guess I’m just shocked we’re finally making the shit official,” he expressed, sliding the ring onto my finger.

Once it was secured, he kissed it, then me. Suddenly, the sunset wasn’t the most beautiful sight of the night. Suddenly, the most beautiful sight of the night was the man that had me wrapped tightly in his arms.

One Year and One Month Later

Tonight,we celebrated the passing of the torch. Cassius was officially retired from the streets, and he’d handed the keys to his kingdom over to Rhakeem. It was important to my fiancé that he be completely legit before we got married, so our wedding was planned for next spring. March to be exact, to commemorate our two years of being in each other’s lives.

It was only fitting that I throw a party in his honor. I rented out the most popular event space in The Hills and we turned up in true hood royalty fashion. By the time we left, Cassius was cross faded, and he was higher and drunker than I’d ever seen him. Even with him being under the influence, he was still aware enough to handle himself and take care of me, which was one of the main things I loved about him.

We got comfortable in the back of the chauffeured Rolls Royce I’d rented us for the evening, and he wasted no time popping a new bottle of champagne. As he poured a glass, he looked at me with a frown.

“W-what?” I asked nervously.

“I ain’t seen you smoke or drink all night. You pregnant with my baby?”

“W-w-what?” I repeated, pulling my straightened hair behind my ear.

This was not how I wanted to tell him that I was pregnant, but I was. I’d intentionally made myself busy tonight so he could enjoy himself and not pay too much attention to me. Every time someone handed me a drink, I’d just walk away and set it down or give it to someone else.

The slow smile that spread his lips made his eyes almost seal shut. I laughed as he set the champagne down in the cupholder along with his glass.

“Suge, please don’t play with me right now. I’m too fucked up for this. Are you pregnant?”

“I wanted to tell you in a cutesy way,” I whined, “but yes. I’m preg—ah!”

The growl he released as he pulled me onto his lap was so cute. He buried his face in my neck and held me close. Held me tight. When I felt wetness hit my neck, I gently tugged his hair as my eyes watered.

“Bae,” I called as he sniffled. “Cassius.”

When I tried to lift his face, he shook his head and held me tighter. “I need a minute,” he muttered against my neck, voice breaking.

“Okay. Take all the minutes you need.”

I kissed his head and ran my hands up and down his back, willing myself not to cry. I wasn’t sure how he’d express his happiness when I told him the news, but I didn’t think there was a chance he’d cry. That made the moment even more special, and I didn’t care that I didn’t have the chance to plan something cuter.

It seemed fitting that this was the way he found out I was pregnant after the way he proposed. We showed up for each other faithfully, consistently, in big ways and small ways. That was what I loved most about us. He may not have been the most romantic man daily, but he was considerate, intuitive, and intentional, and he gave me everything I wanted and needed, and I couldn’t wait to see what else we’d acquire in the future. Though I could honestly say now that I had him and our baby on the way, I couldn’t ask for anything more.

The Beginning

Because True Love Has No End