Page 201 of My Only

Love.

When Hassani first brought me here, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

I couldn’t believe that ever since we had returned from our honeymoon in 2017, he had been quietly sketching his own version of the Saint Lucia villa we had stayed in.

It seemed neither of us had wanted to forget our time there.

And instead of wishing and hoping to return, we now had it.

Our summer home—a perfect replica of the Saint Lucian villa, complete with an infinity pool that offered the illusion of it spilling into the lake.

Lifting my camera again, I moved it around, searching for my next shot.

Incorporating photography lessons into my preschool curriculum this past school year had been one of the best decisions I had made.

My babies at school had loved it.

Every morning, as soon as their little feet stepped into my classroom, they would ask if we could start taking pictures.

I already missed them.

School had only just let out, but I was already making mental notes to include photography in my curriculum again next year—right before I left for maternity leave.

I was so excited to be a mother.

Sunni had already put together a gift registry for me and was planning my baby shower.

She told me to leave it all to her.

I wouldn’t.

But I loved knowing she was there for me, like always.

She had been one of the people who had encouraged me not to be afraid of love.

And I was so grateful to have such a solid sisterhood with her.

I watched as the clouds shifted over the water, a soft, lazy dance against the sky.

Then, in a whisper, I spoke into the quiet.

“Life is good.”

And with that, I pressed the shutter button.

I caught sight of Hassani as he stepped out of the house and walked over to one of the lounge chairs, sinking into it with a sigh.

Smirking, I lifted my camera, aimed it at him, and pressed the shutter button.

He playfully struck a model pose, making me laugh.

I thought back to when we were just teenagers at Garvey High in Long Island—how I used to photograph him while he trained for his track meets, just because.

And now, here I was, photographing him again. Only this time, as my husband, while carrying his firstborn.

Life.

So damn beautiful.

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