Page 27 of Stolen Moments with a Bad Boy

She walked over and grabbed a bowl of potatoes with two knives. Gigi handed me a knife. I dug in and grabbed a potato and started peeling it.

“First, let me say how proud I am of you, Erie baby.”

I smiled. I hadn’t heard that nickname since she passed away. Chills danced along my skin. It felt so good to see her again.

“You gave me a promise, and you followed through with it, honey, but it’s time for you to let me go and live your life. Gigi done lived her life.” She reached for another potato.

I grabbed another one too.

“Gigi, I got a fella.” I smiled broadly at my admittance.

“Oh, I know, and he fine as hell too.”

We giggled like schoolgirls. “Sweet Pea, you’ve blessed that man in more ways than one. He needs you. Gigi is fine here,” she said, nodding her head to Nat King Cole’s “Fascination.”

“They don’t make music like this anymore, Gigi.” I smirked, peeling another potato.

“No, they don’t, sugar, but stop changing the subject.” She tapped her feet to the music.

When I reached for another potato, they were all gone, and I looked at her.

“Time is up, my precious.” She walked over to me and placed her delicate hands on my stomach. “They need you, sugar.”

“They, Gigi? Like, it’s more than one?” I quizzed in amazement.

“Try more than two.” She giggled.

“Three! Oh no. Gigi, I can’t do this without you.” I cried.

“Sweet girl, you got more help than you know. Now, it’s time for me to go. I got to make sure your grandpa ain’t got into nothing up here.” She laughed.

“Gigi, please don’t leave me,” I begged her.

“We will meet again, sweet girl, but not anytime soon. Take care of my babies. I’ll always be watching over you all.”

A gentle breeze sailed by, and I closed my eyes.

Present Day

When I opened my eyes, The Temptations played softly. There was an old record player crooning out the bluesy tunes. It belonged to Gigi. I had it stored in my apartment. How did it get here? Where was I? The whirring from the machines seemed like the background music.

I looked around until my eyes landed on my handsome man. Janeiro’s shoulder was pressed against the wall. His brows were furrowed tightly like something heavy weighed on him. He stared out the hospital window with his hands inside of his jogger pockets.Whoa, wait. Joggers?This was the first time I’d seen him so dressed down in the public.

Janeiro was a classic man, so he dressed to impress. He did own a tailor shop after all. It was nice to see him in relaxed clothing.

He sported an all-black, designer hoodie with the white logo stretched across his broad chest and the black joggers to match. The latest model of VaporMax brought his outfit together. My eyes trailed over the sprinkles of salt in his dark waves and beard. The white hairs were the only accessory he needed, but his gold watch was always present. My man looked so good yet sad. I looked around at my surroundings. I was laid up in a hospital bed. Now I understood why my man looked so gloomy.

“Don’t tell me another woman’s got yo’ attention. Why you staring out that window so hard?” I teased. My voice came out raspy.

Janeiro’s head snapped in my direction.

“Bella!”

He raced over and kissed my lips, face, and neck.

“You’re woke. Thank God! Thank God!” he cheered.

He rose and kissed over my hands.

---