Page 31 of Dom 3
Her expression shifted from playful to curious. “Hell yeah.”
I took a slow deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”
O’Shynn froze for a second, blinked a few times, and then stared at me like she thought I was joking. “You lying.”
“I wish I was,” I muttered softly. “I found out right after the shootout when Ramon died. I’ve been trying to keep it quiet until I was sure everything was okay.”
Her mouth dropped open, then formed into a big grin. “Bitch, you for real?!”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Yeah, for real. I’m serious”
“Carmen!” she squealed, smacking my arm. “Oh my God, you pregnant byDomRoyal?The Miami King done knocked up the boss lawyer.”
“Keep your voice down girl,” I hissed, half laughing, half serious. “The driver doesn’t need to know my business.”
O’Shynn covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laugh. “Girl, this is crazy. You really out here carrying the heir to the throne. You gon’ be a mama.”
“Don’t start with that,” I said. “I still have court dates, cartel audits, and now prenatal vitamins to juggle. My life is chaos. I don’t know if I’m ready.”
“But you love him,” she said.
I paused, letting the words hang there. “Yeah,” I admitted proudly. “More than I meant to.”
She nodded slowly, still smiling. “He loves you too. You the only one that ever softened him up without breaking him.”
I gave her a faint smile. “We’ll see. This world doesn’t let you get too comfortable.”
The driver turned onto the long road that led to the Royals’. The security gates were already opening up ahead. The sky above the house glowed with warm lights, and palm trees swaying slowly in the wind.
O’Shynn leaned over, whispering like she was ready to give me some good gossip. “You think Ma gon’ scream when she find out?”
“She better not,” I quietly laughed. “I need peace, not another family explosion.”
“She’s gon’ scream and cut up,” O’Shynn said, chuckling as she fixed her lipstick in the mirror. “She might cry too. You know she’s been wanting grandbabies. Dique gave her one and now Dom? That’s big.”
“I’m not telling her tonight,” I said quickly. “Not yet. I just want to enjoy being in that house without a whole announcement.”
“Girl, that isn’t how this family works, and ma always knows.”
We both laughed again as the car slowed at the circular driveway. Security waved us through like always. I looked over at O’Shynn and smiled softly. “Thanks for not freaking out.”
She smirked. “Girl, please. I been ready for this. Now I just gotta find out if it’s a boy or girl so I can start buying outfits.”
“Not yet,” I said, shaking my head with a grin. “One step at a time.”
The car came to a smooth stop. The driver opened our doors, and the warm humid air instantly hit me. Inside the mansion, I could already hear my mother in law’s voice floating through the hall, laughing about something… probably Dique.
O’Shynn adjusted her jacket and turned to me, with her eyes shining. “You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” I smiled, smoothing my dress and taking a deep breath. “Let’s go see what kind of storm we’re walking into.”
The second we stepped through the front doors. The good kind full of warmth and joy that made you feel good about being family was felt. It was the kind that made a house feel like a home even if it wasn’t yours. The air smelled like soul food and mixtures of perfumes cents and candles. You heard Mrs. Darlene before you even saw her.
“Lord, look who the wind done blew in!” she shouted from the living room as soon as we appeared. “My lawyer baby and my quiet one! Come here and hug me, girls!”
O’Shynn and I both broke into smiles. She walked ahead, with her hips moving, while I followed behind trying not to laugh at the way she had already started waving her hands like she was giving directions to a marching band. She looked like she always did when company was over with her fancy robe, heavy jewelry, and perfect hair. She opened her arms wide and hugged us both tight, smelling all good.
“My babies are finally home!” she shouted. “Dom said y’all were coming but you know I don’t believe it until I see it.”
