Page 84 of Don't Kross Me
Kross could hear the stress in her voice, which made him secure his arms around her tightly and begin to rock side to side. “Chill out, love. Everything gonna be perfect.”
“How are you so damn calm all the time? It’s your grand opening,” she asked him.
Kross shrugged. “‘Cause God doing everything right in my life right now. If shit go bad, then oh well. As long as I got my lady, my son and baby girl, I’m good.”
Remedy’s heart swelled at his words. Loving Kross was the easiest thing she had ever done. He was a man who was all about his family and made sure they never wanted for anything. Remedy liked to say he evoked her soft side out of her. He made her feel comfortable enough to let her guard down and not bein defense mode so much. She could finally breathe and just exist. She no longer needed to brace herself for impact or think the good life they were building together was just temporary. He told her he loved her every single day. He appreciated her, and he respected her, even when she wasn’t around. He knew what type of woman he had, and he wouldn’t trade her for nothing in the world.
“I love you, papa.” She grinned widely.
He chuckled at the pet name he absolutely abhorred but she insisted on calling him. “I love you too, mama.”
Remedy ended up getting both Kross and Aniyis right with her clippers before finally getting herself and Demi dressed. The grand opening for Bar Remedywas highly anticipated, and Remedy was honored that Kross had actually named it after her. He felt like she embodied the vibe and experience he wanted to give his patrons, and her name spoke for itself. She was the remedy to all his problems just like his spot would be the remedy for all his patrons’ stress and worries in their day to day lives.
“Mhm. You look so handsome.” Her hands smoothed over the front of his tailored double-breasted suit. He was fine as hell, and him being put together in a suit was always a sight to see. No matter how debonair he looked, he was always going to find a way to add his own swag and finesse. In addition to the navy-blue Tom Ford suit and the Prada shoes, he had his bottom gold grills in to pull everything together.
“‘Preciate it, love. You look sexy as hell.” Just by the way he bit down on his bottom lip, Remedy knew he was going to have his hands all over her the entire night. She couldn’t blame him, though. She even shocked herself in the black strapless leather Rick Owens dress. She was only one month postpartum, and her body was still banging. She put on a few extra pounds; however, they served her well. Kross loved each and every inch of her. Hewrapped his strong arms around her as they stood in front of the grand mirror in their living room.
“Thank you, baby. We need to take a picture.”
She was all about capturing the moment for memories. She always earned a groan or two from Kross or Aniyis whenever she had them take pictures, but the boys always gave in and made sure to smile. Today was no different. Kross followed her lead and let her snap as many photos of them as she wanted until she was satisfied. She proceeded to take a bunch of photos of the kids, which Demi didn’t cooperate for since she would rather cry for her father than serve cuteness for the camera.
Once they were in the car, Kross drove the entire way to the restaurant with his hand fused with Remedy’s.
The grand opening was a huge success. Kross brought out the entire Paper Chase Crew, along with his family and Remedy’s family as well. He exceeded everyone’s expectations with how lovely everything turned out. Bar Remedy was both fun, yet posh, serving the South Beach community with a great spot to turn up on a night out or impress someone on a first date.
“This shit nice as hell, bro. I’m proud of you!” Ezekiel exclaimed as he bopped his way over to his brother with a cup in hand.
Kross chuckled as he dapped his little brother up. “‘Preciate it, Zeek.”
“You and Remedy killing it, man. First, her with rebranding and expanding the shop. Now, you with this restaurant. I’m trying to be like y’all when I grow up.”
A few months ago, while seven months pregnant, Remedy managed to close down her father’s shop in Liberty City and reopen it on Biscayne boulevard. With a new location now calledEden Studios, Remedy elevated her father’s legacy completelyand turned the barbershop into a unisex salon that serviced both men and women. Kross supported her with everything she needed and enjoyed watching her thrive in the business world.
At the mention of his lady, his eyes gravitated right over to her. She was in the middle of the restaurant with Demi in hand while dancing alongside Aniyis. The smile that casted on his face couldn’t be contained as he gazed at her with eyes full of so much love.
“We just doing what we can,” he said as he shrugged humbly.
Kross heard the music cut off before Noonie could be heard on the microphone. “Who the fuck gave this nigga the mic?” Kross chuckled with a shake of his head.
Noonie stood tall on one of the chairs so he could garner everyone’s attention. “Check this out. I need everybody to put they hands together to give my homie and baby cousin Kross his motherfuckin’ flowers! A year and some change ago, this nigga was locked up in FDC. Now, he out here opening Michelin star restaurants and shit!” Noonie slurred into the mic, clearly lit off a few drinks, but Kross appreciated the praise regardless. Noonie prompted everyone to give Kross a round of applause for the amazing turn out. Kross thanked everyone around him, appreciating all the love.
“Come do a speech, nigga!” Noonie flagged him over. The entire restaurant filled with everyone chanting and encouraging him to get on the mic to give a speech.
Kross laughed while making his way over to Noonie to take the mic. Looking around the room, Kross just knew he was exactly where he needed to be in life.
“First, I wanna say I appreciate everybody for coming out to celebrate this moment with me. It means a lot that y’all took the time out of y’all’s day to show up for a nigga.” Kross smiled as he rested his hand over his heart. “Big shout out to my family for just believing in a nigga. I know shit started off a little rocky, buty’all held me down through every step of my journey. My baby boy Aniyis and my baby girl Demi, I really do this for y’all, and I want y’all to be as proud of me as I am of y’all.”
“Last but not least, shout out to my lady, Remedy. Come up here for me.” He extended his hand for Remedy to join him in front of everyone.
Remedy handed Demi over to Raquel before joining Kross. She sat her hand in his, prompting him to lift it and sit a kiss on it.
“You look good as hell,” Kross boldly complimented her on the mic, earning a few laughs.
“Aye, fam. Chill! That’s my sister!” Melo warned with a playful glare. Laughter dispelled out of Kross as he waved Melo off.
“I really couldn’t end the night without giving a special thank you to my lady. Remedy, you been through more than most, but you don’t let none of that shit define who you are. Having you by my side has been a blessing. I don’t think I could’ve made it out of the darkness I was in after losing Cassie and Los in the same year if it wasn’t for you. Then you blessed me with my baby girl Demi, all while being the most loving mother figure to Aniyis. You support me through and through, no matter how fucking crazy I get with my ideas. You really keep me going, and I just want you to know how much I love, appreciate, and honor you,” Kross expressed openly, causing Remedy’s face to heat up. Their family and friends rejoiced in a wave of awes as Kross pecked Remedy’s lips.
“With that being said,” he said while reaching into the inner pocket of his suit and extracting a red velvet box. Remedy’s eyes widened as she watched Kross get down on one knee in front of everyone. Her mouth dropped and hung agape as she looked around at everyone who was cheering for them.
