Page 121 of His to Have
He said it as if they didn’t have their own goodies down there.
While Keem and Sophia went back and forth about the snacks, and Bash and Tasha talked quietly between themselves I felt Teo’s large hand drop to rest gently on my still-flat belly. Something he’d been doing almost instinctively since he found out he was going to be a father.
“You feeling alright, Amore?” he murmured close to my ear, his fingers still tracing gentle circles against my navel.
“Mmm,” I hummed, feeling the effects of the soothing sensation of his touch. “Perfect.”
“Good. And you’re going to stay sitting right here and let Rosa handle the rest of the evening?” His tone was tender but firm because he knew how I’d been running around all morning. And how if he wasn’t out here I’d likely been up and down, and in and out the kitchen all day just to make sure we were straight out here.
I loved Rosa, and even had relinquished some of the things I‘d normally do for myself to her. But this was my get-together and my friends. I wanted to be a good hostess.
“Teo, I can—”
“You already made the cookies this morning, and cut up all the fruit. And any other little thing you don’t want me to know about,” he squinted, then chuckled when I looked away.
Because he was right… a little bit. I‘d done a few other things, even after he had been on me to take it easy. But, if I left it up to him I’d be on bed rest.
“Rosa can handle the evening. Just relax with your girls.”
I started to protest but he pressed a gentle kiss to my temple. “I know you want to help, but that’s what we pay Rosa for. You don’t need to do everything yourself.”
The tenderness in that simple touch and subtle command shut whatever protest I had down. Besides, fighting it was a losing battle, and honestly, I no longer had any interest in fighting him on it. He wanted me to rest so I would take it easy.
I sighed, then nodded, finally conceding to one of his ways of protecting me.
“Alright, I won’t lift another finger.” I raised my finger into the air and did my version of the Scout’s Honor gesture.
He caught my fingers midair and brought them to his lips. “Thank you.”
With that, we all settled into the evening. What was supposed to be a girls’ night, quickly turned into something even better — family and friends laughing and joking together on our terrace. It was one of those rare, quiet, drama-free nights. No faction talks or discussions about people stealing territory. No business calls interrupting dinner. No security concerns or threats lurking in the shadows.
Just us. Being normal.
Teo’s hand never left my stomach, his thumb traced gentle circles as conversations continued to flow around us. Bash and Keem argued about the best player in the NFL, with Teo chiming in every so often. They couldn’t agree for shit. And I loved seeing them this way.
Free.
I could tell that Tasha and Sophia would grow close, and our sisterhood would soon become three. The way they clicked over shared ambitions and dreams was inspiring.
Rosa quietly refilled glasses and replenished the appetizer trays without being asked.
We were happy.
And as the sun began to set, lighting up the garden I’d created, I looked around at the people I loved most in this world. My husband, my brother, my best friend, my sister-in-law, and the tiny life growing inside me that would complete our family.
This was everything I never knew I wanted, and everything I’d been too afraid to dream of having. But somehow, against all odds, it was mine.
All of it was finally, perfectly mine.
Epilogue
Ayanna
Five Months Later - Atlanta
“Do you like it?”
I could hear the anticipation in Teo’s voice as I stood in the circular driveway, rubbing my now protruding belly as I took in the stunning mini estate spread out before me. It wasn’t as massive as our New York home, but it was perfect—gated and private, with gorgeous manicured green lawns that seemed to stretch forever.
