“I’m good, baby. I’m glad you’re here.”
He lowered me to the ground and kissed me senseless. The boarding call cut our kiss short.
“Time to get on the plane.”
“Ready?” He smiled down at me and then grabbed my carry-on.
“Yes!” We walked down the corridor to the business class section, settled into our seats, and Darren asked for wine. Staring into each other’s eyes, we clicked our glasses together.
Nikki
“Why do I need to learn math? I’m just gonna play music anyway.” Bria furiously erased an equation that, according to her tutor, was wrong.
My baby hated math, which drove James, the numbers-loving accountant, crazy. He was holding out hope that JJ would take up the helm, but JJ seemed to concentrate more on banging drums with Davey than counting numbers.
“Sorry, Bria-bree, but rules are rules. You want to travel the world with Mama, you’ve got to keep up your studies.”
“No fair. Daddy doesn’t have to study.”
“Daddy’s been in school longer than most since he received his master’s, and then Daddy paid the bills, kept you clothed and fed. Daddy gets to do whatever the heck he wants.”
“Darn straight.” James smacked me on the lips. “Now I get to be Mama’s trophy husband.”
“And you’re doing a wonderful job, babe.” I laughed. He was doing more than that. In fact, he’d taken over the duty of becoming my manager, which thankfully worked out for us. He’d studied the music industry and helped me avoid the many pitfalls that plagued new artists. James also had a network of fraternity brothers in the industry who helped us out when were out of our depth. My man was a shark and I loved it. Even Mama helped out and took the kids for a few weeks when they needed a break from the road. It was truly a family business.
“Two more shows and then we’re done.” James looked at the calendar on his phone.
“I. Can’t. Wait. I’m not leaving home for at least a month.” I sipped on my strawberry banana smoothie.
“Well, you have to do The Tonight Show in a few—”
I placed a finger over his lips. “Shush. Let me dream.”
“It’ll be a quick trip. We can make a fun weekend out of it. Just me and you. Your mom said she’ll stay with the kids. My frat brother Jake is out of town that weekend and will let us stay at his condo on the beach.”
I smiled. “You’re going with me?” I knew he loved going home as much as I did, so I figured with the quick TV gig, he’d stay at home with the kids.
He grabbed me close and whispered against my lips, “I already told you, Nikki. Where you go, I go.”
He kissed me amongst the symphony of ewws from our kids. We ignored them as usual.
“I love you, James.”
“Not as much as I love you, Nikki Grayson.”
Sienna
I cut the red ribbon and stepped back. The crowd around me clapped and whistled.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of this momentous occasion. The streetcar expansion project has always been a dream of mine, and I’m so pleased that we can offer this option to Metro Atlanta residents. My husband and I,” I pointed to Chris, “have had the awesome opportunity to ride the streetcar, and I encourage everyone from tourists to residents to check it out. Thank you!”
Chris stepped beside me and steered me away from the crowd. “Great job as always, Madam Councilwoman.”
“Thank you, First Man,” I replied with the nickname he’d given himself since I was in public office. “Ready for that surprise?”
“Yes. I’m still mad I couldn’t seduce the surprise out of you.”
My body flushed as I remembered the sexy French words he’d whispered in my ears while bringing me to orgasm. “Sorry, but it’s too important.”
I grabbed his hand and guided him to the flower section of the community garden where we’d planted two red tulip flowers right after we were married.
Chris had proposed one month after we reconciled, and we were married two months later. He didn’t want a long engagement and neither did I. We were ready to start our lives together as husband and wife as soon as possible. “Check out our flowers.”
“Looks like something else has been planted and it’s sprouting. Who the hell planted something in our plot?”
“I did. For us.”
He lowered himself for a closer look at our plot, then looked at me. Understanding dawned in his eyes.
“You’re . . .” He stroked the soil.
“Pregnant,” I finished, nodding.
My breath caught at the emotion swirling in his eyes.
“Baby, I’m so happy.” He rushed to me, then stroked my belly, and lowered himself to his knees. “Salut, mon precieux. Je suis ton papa.”
He stood and gave me kisses on my collarbone, cheek, and then lips, whispering “je t’aime.”
“Je t’aime you, too,” I whispered back.
“Aussi.” He jokingly corrected my French, which I often botched for his amusement.
“Let’s go home.” I gave our community garden one last look, thanking God for my journey. If it hadn’t been for my friends insisting we resume our Mastermind group, I would’ve been married to the wrong man, stuck in his shadow. I lifted my face, and the sun’s rays caressed my cheeks. Happiness took courage. The path to happiness had been a series of twists and winding roads, but it’d been worth it because I found love—most importantly, love for myself. If I were any happier, I’d burst.
I took Chris’s hand and rested the other on my stomach. “If we have a girl,” I whispered, “I’d like to name her after your mother.”
The look my husband gave me made the happiness that nearly burst at the seams grow even more.
My mistake, I had room for just a little more.