Page 147 of Smoke

“You could still get hurt on the pony, Korri. No going fast until you fully learn to ride.”

I nodded. “I agree with mommy. If you wanna go fast, you can ride with me. How about that?”

“Deal.”

Romi shook her head. “You spoil her.”

“’Cause she’s my baby. Right, KoKo?”

“Right.” She looked at me curiously. “Mr. Devin?”

“What’s up?”

“You call yourself Juri’s daddy, but you aren’t really her daddy, but you take care of her. You take care of me too, so should I call you daddy?”

My eyes glanced over at Romi. She was looking at me just as hard, waiting for a response. I set my fork down.

“Well, Korri. I know I’m not yours or Juri’s biological father, but I think of you as my own children. Mr. Alec isn’t my biological dad, but he’s always been a second dad to me. He loves me and Uncle Maceo, and he’s never treated me any different. That’s what I want with you and Juri. You don’t have to call me daddy, but if you want to, I’d be happy to answer to it.”

Korri tapped her chin for a moment. “How about I call you Papa Devin?”

I grinned. “I’m cool with that, lil’ bit.”

“Are you cool with that, Mommy?” she asked.

Romi swiped a tear from her eye and nodded. “I think it’s perfect.” She reached out and cupped my face, then kissed me. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too.” I grabbed her hand. “Since we’re giving each other different names, I wanna ask you something.”

I stood and pushed back my chair before dropping to one knee. Romi gasped.

“Devin…”

“Just hear me out. I know we haven’t been official long. I know there is still so much we have to learn about each other, but I love you. I love you, and I love these girls, and I want y’allwith me… always. I’m not gonna drag this out, so I just have one question.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the box, presenting her with the three-carat, princess-cut diamond ring.

“Will you marry me?”

She looked down at the ring, then at me. “You… you mean it?”

I chuckled. “Of course I mean it, woman.”

She looked over at Korri, who was grinning from ear to ear.

“Say yes!” she whispered loudly.

Romi giggled. “Yes,” she said, nodding. “Yes.”

I pulled the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. She threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly as she cried. Pulling back just a little, she kissed me passionately. Off to the side, Korri was jumping up and down, cheering. Juri was just looking around, oblivious to what was going on.

“Oh… my… God,” Romi whispered, looking down at the ring. “We’re getting married… We’re really getting married.”

“I told you I was giving you my last name.”

“You did… You really meant that.”

“I mean everything I say to you. Haven’t you learned that by now?”

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