Page 26 of Dr. Bell

“So, do something about it. We standing right here.”

The tense stare-off between me, Alli and Hakeem only lasted a couple beats.

“What you here for?” he questioned. Marco side-eyed his boss. Although he kept his expression neutral, Marco was clearly bothered by Hakeem’s lack of animosity toward me.

“My wife and son… Just in case my message wasn’t relayed, they’re off limits. If I for one second think anyone is even sniffin’ their way… My reaction will be swift and final.”

Hakeem smirked. “Yo’ wife, huh? I hear she’s fine as fuck.”

“She is,” I confirmed.

He tipped his drink to his lips and nodded. “We cool,” he stated reluctantly. “Although his relation to you is keepin’ his ass above dirt, tell that lil’ nigga I would’ve done the same shit.”

This time, Marco turned his complete attention on Hakeem. There was no side-eye, but blatant confusion was written all over Marco’s face.

I kept my eyes on Marco and said, “I don’t know one nigga that would’ve let that shit ride.”

He simply glanced back at Hakeem.

While Hakeem said that we were cool, Marco was another story. I didn’t trust that nigga for shit. As Alli and I left out of Platinum Ink & Smokes, he chuckled.

“Never a dull fuckin’ moment wit’ you, bruh,” he said.

Arriving home, I was pleasantly surprised to find Pretty in the kitchen with the boys. The twins sat at the table on their phones, Humble was at the sink washing dishes, and Peace was next to Pretty at the island preparing the food Pretty was about to cook. Tonight, it looked like steaks.

Quilo came into the kitchen, observed what was going on, briefly glanced at me, then walked back out. It was a good thing that Pretty didn’t see him standing there. His energy would’ve wiped that beautiful smile off her face.

“Are you going to stand there and stare, or are you going to pitch in?”

Pretty’s voice drew my attention. She wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes were on the onions she was chopping up. Still, the small smile playing on her lips said that she was talking to me.

Peace snickered. “Not tryna be funny, Miss Pretty. However, there’s a reason Granny comes to cook for us most nights.” Everyone thought that was comical.

I grilled Peace. “You supposed to have my back.”

He pointed to Pretty. “I gotta have her back, too, Pops.”

Shit, I couldn’t argue with that. Plus, it made Pretty’s smile stretch across her face. So, I shut my mouth, joined Humble at the sink to wash my hands, then found my place at the island and helped prepare dinner.

The next afternoon, One Bell Place became the center of attention. Many of my family members and associates were present to witness me exchanging nuptials.

“You look fly as hell, Pops.”

The face I made at Kalm cracked him and Bragg up. I wasn’t going to rag on my boys. Whether they knew it or not, their presence settled me. As this day approached, I became increasingly nervous as fuck, which was completely out of my character.

Pretty had me out of character, though. We’d already been deemed husband and wife by the court. Today was for my bride. Anything she wanted, she would have. Including this impromptu wedding. Impromptu didn’t mean half-assed. My mother was the queen of getting shit done with little to no time and this wedding was no exception. Of course, there were no expenses spared. Not for the lady who would be mine forever.

“Thank you, son,” I finally answered.

“So, Pops… After today, what should we call Pretty?”

Inwardly, I smiled. Whether or not Pretty knew it, these boys were going to love her forever. Having a mother was something they’d desired before they came to live with me. I was happyto be offering them a part of their childhood that they’d been hoping for, for some time.

“Whatever makes you comfortable, baby.”

They both grinned. “Mama Pretty, it is!” they exclaimed in unison.

Chuckling, I said, “Now get outta here so I can finish getting ready.”

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