Page 56 of This: Blake & Emon

Blake heard what her friends were saying and felt the same. She wanted to be on some eat, pray, love ish, but with Emon included. She wanted to sleep in, curl up for a few days, and catch up on her shows. She wanted to go on vacation and she wanted to say I do.

“I guess we should join the party,” Blake mentioned. Truthfully, she didn’t want a party. She wanted to curl up with a blanket and fall asleep with the TV on. She’d been so tired lately that all she wanted to do was sleep if she could. Her family loved her, so she played along, knowing this day meant something to more than just her, but she was tired and ready for folks to go home.

Back downstairs, Blake set out to find her honey. She wanted to tell him that she was ready for the party to be over. He’d clear the house out in an hour hearing that. Blake found him reclining in a lounge chair out back. The spring air was perfect for stargazing, and they loved to chill outside if the weather permitted. She had to thank Lauren for their enjoyment in stargazing. Blake couldn’t remember the last time she’d stopped and gazed at the stars, the vastness, the beauty, the wonder. Now they often took the time after a long day to look up and see the beauty in creation.

“You good, bae?” she asked, sitting beside him.

“Yeah, perfect. Just reflecting and appreciating life. You?”

“Yeah, just thinking about you. I’m going to do something with the building one day, but not right away.”

“Ok, I respect that because I been rolling Blake Bishop-Dowlen, Blake Michèle Dowlen off my tongue all day. I’m ready to make that name real. What you think about that?”

Blake smiled at the sound of her future name. “Yeah, I like the ring that has to it. Big or small?”

“Intimate but extravagant. I don’t need anything but you.”

“Just me and you?”

“If that’s what you want. Blake, I don’t care. I’ll call a minister and offer his ass a stack right now to pull up curbside service and make you my wife. I don’t need to wait.”

“I love you,” she whispered, knowing he was dead serious.

“I love you more,” he replied. “No take-backs.”

Blake laughed, the sound carrying into the night air. “No take-backs needed.”

Above them, stars dotted the sky like glitter scattered on black velvet. The party continued inside, but out here, in their own little world, time seemed to stand still.

“You ready to go back in?” he asked, though he already knew the answer.

“Nope.” She settled deeper into his arms. “Let’s just stay here a minute.”

Emon smiled, knowing his woman. She hadn’t said it, but he knew. “Why you ain’t tell me you didn’t want a party?”

“How’d you know?” She laughed, thinking he would breeze over her wanting to stay outside longer.

“I always know. Not much you can get past me. It’s been my mission to learn you from day one. Now why didn’t you tell me you didn’t want a party?”

“Because everyone else was so excited about celebrating. I love a good party, too, but this is all I want to do tonight. I didn’t know how to say that without disappointing the people that have been in my corner.”

Emon looked at her and stood up. He swiped his face and walked back into their home to be the bad guy, but he didn’t give a damn. Slowly but surely, he let the few people in attendance know that they didn’t have to go home but they did have to get the hell up outta there. Blake watched on as people waved and got ushered out. He smiled, coming back to the door.

“Come on, it’s just us. Popcorn and sweet tea?” he asked. Blake nodded. Together, they walked into the kitchen. Blake sat on the island and wished she could pour herself a glass of wine. Emon made the popcorn, seasoning it how she liked: butter seasoning, salt, and pepper. Blake climbed on his back, and he carried her to the living room. On her feet, Blake took all the pillows and made them a padded area on the floor, and turned the TV on.

“Can’t believe a dice game led to this,” Emon joked, causing Blake to swat at him. “My bad, my bad.”

Blake laughed. “And you stole my couch and left a note. Ghetto.”

“Best decision I ever made.” He kissed her temple. “That couch got me the baddest nurse in the game.”

“You ain’t neva lied.” But she couldn’t hide her smile. That day had changed her life, and she wasn’t ashamed to admit. She couldn’t wait to tell her grandkids the love story.

Emon’s hand drifted to her stomach and landed on the small bump she now sported. They hadn’t told anyone yet, wanting to keep this joy to themselves a little longer. The baby growing inside of her was the reason she was so tired and honestly not in the mood.

“You think it’s a boy or girl?” Blake asked, covering his hand with hers.

“Don’t matter. Long as they got your heart and my hustle, we good. They’ll be good.”

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