“You good?” Maximus asked, kissing her face. “He’s eating again?”

“I think he thinks I’m his milk on demand. I’ve fed him like five times since you left. I think he’s just sucking because he can. Like his daddy.”

Maximus chuckled. “He is, and you’re mine too. Ain’t gon lie, your milk and your nectar sweet as hell. You need more help dropping that supply?”

“You can’t get no cookie, so milk is the option?”

“That and sucking on your toes. How many weeks we got left? I’m trying to see what that cookies and milk hittin’ like.”

“Two more weeks, so relax, enjoy head in the closet and the bathroom during nap times,” Eden chuckled silently.

Teddy was lying by Eden’s side on the floor, watching over her and the baby.

“I will, but I’m not tripping. You pushed out my big ass baby. Not gon’ lie, I was scared as fuck. For a minute there, looked like you were about to tap out.”

“Because he was tearing me up. Give me a couple of years before we have another one. Hopefully, they stitched me back up tight. So, talk to me, what’s going on? I feel like I’ve been walking around and sleeping with him attached to me, or sleeping.”

“Mom is loving when you hand him over.”

“She comes in here and takes him from me twice a day, makes me eat and sleep. I don’t get him back until you come back home. How’s the restaurant and shops?”

“Good. Actually, can’t keep the product on the shelves. We teamed up with Waynesville County to do a rehabilitation program. Gang members or otherwise coming out of jail get placement at BGCs or the t-shirt shop, or the corner store shop and do a post-work release.”

“Oh, I love that. I knew you were up to something.”

“It was your pioneering. You said we are Trae Way, we got to take care of it. And now that little man is here, I want him to know his pops was more than a gang banger and a rapper.”

“He’ll know. Speaking of which. Staysha and I met about some things. BGCs photoshoot, I hired a model to join in, just in case I’m not up to it. This body is new to me, and I’m still trying to figure it out.”

“Baby, you look good,” he encouraged.

“You don’t mind I’m not a size eight anymore?”

“Nah, this size twelve is doing it for me, but I want you comfortable. So tell me how to support you.”

“I will, even if the means we can’t go to Midnight Munchies anymore.”

“We’re going to Midnight Munchies. Matter of fact, I’m going to have Mom watch him tonight to get you out of the house.”

“I actually need to see outside so I don’t let these hormones win.”

“Exactly. What else is going on?”

“Model agency launched, got another script, and Poppi’s Place is now the Trae Way House. So, while you transition our people back into the workforce, we will transition them back into the real world, and guess who the on-site counselor is going to be?”

“Ma?”

“Mhmm. We agreed that it would be the best fit for her.”

“Damn,” Maximus blew, receiving his son after Eden handed him over. “Mommy really loves us.”

Eden scooted off the bed and shuffled into the bathroom. “Yes, I do. Do I need to change?”

“I got you something in the closet. Take a shower without MJ needing you.”

“Okay, give me a few minutes.”

“Nah, take all the time you need.”