Page 77 of Certified Pressure 4
I was four months pregnant, and the glow on my skin wasn’t just the pregnancy, it was peace. It was family, love and it felt like everything in my life had finally come full circle.
Prestyn was almost eleven months now, and he was every bit of his daddy’s child. He had the same walk, the same mean smirk, and that look in his eyes that said he already knew he ran things. When he stood up and wobbled from one couch to the next, the whole room clapped like they were watching a royal coronation. His little curls shined under the light, and his skin was a rich brown just like Pressure’s. He had on a tiny white shirt with “Prestyn” written across it in gold letters, little designer shorts, and his diamond chain glistened against his chest. The boy already had swag. Every time he moved, it was like he had rhythm in his bones, and Pressure couldn’t take his eyes off him.
Pressure stood across the room with Prestyn in his arms, laughing with Kay’Lo and Renza. His voice carried over the music and had that tone that made people turn and listen without realizing they were doing it. Every now and then he tilted Prestyn in the air just to hear him laugh. It was enough to make every woman in the room melt.
Abeni had been fussing over me since the morning, making sure I didn’t lift a finger. She had her arms around me now, whispering little things about how proud she was of me, how beautiful everything looked and how happy she was to see me smiling. Somewhere along the way, she had become the mother I always wanted but never had. She was gentle but powerful, graceful but strong, and she saw me for who I really was. When me and Pressure argued, she called him and told him about himself. When I needed someone to talk to, she was the first person I called.
Kojo was across the lawn, dressed sharp as ever, holding a cigar and talking to his brothers, Kwame and Asa. They were all laughing about something. Kay’Lo’s mama Treasure was helping Toni and Renza’s mama, Nyroi with the food setup, making sure everything looked perfect. The women moved with class,their laughter floating through the air, and for once, I felt like I belonged among them.
Zurie was playing with the other kids near the fountain, her rose gold dress puffing out every time she ran. Seeing her so free made my heart full. Pressure had officially adopted her last month, and she was glowing from it. She had a family again. Every time she called him “Daddy Pressure,” when speaking to someone else about him, his whole face softened.
When the music switched to a softer song, I felt Pressure’s eyes on me. I didn’t even have to look up to know. He walked over, tall and smooth with Prestyn in his arms, and that smile on his face could have made the sun jealous. He leaned down and kissed my cheek, his hand sliding over my belly.
“You look good as hell,” he said low enough for only me to hear.
I smiled and brushed my fingers across his hand. “You always say that.”
“‘Cause it’s true,” he said, smirking. “You carryin’ royalty, woman.”
The time came for the reveal, and the music dropped low. Everyone, including Pressure’s Mahmáh started crowding around as the setup crew brought out a huge glass box covered in gold wrapping with the wordsPrince or Princess?across the front. Pressure was holding Prestyn in one arm and had his other hand resting on my back. My uncle Lionel and aunt Deanne were right behind us, smiling like proud parents, and Abeni stood beside Kojo with her phone out recording every moment.
The moment felt surreal. The energy, the laughter, the luxury, the love, it was all real. And it was ours.
Pressure looked down at Prestyn, then at me, and grinned. “You ready, Mama?”
I nodded, holding my belly as he counted down with everyone.
“Three, two, one!”
Blue smoke exploded into the air, glitter flying everywhere as confetti rained down over us. The crowd went wild. Renza was shouting and laughing, his voice echoing across the lawn. “Another boy? Oh, you done started a whole lil army!”
Kay’Lo slapped Pressure on the back. “That’s two lil’ Princes, nigga. You locked in now.”
Pressure couldn’t stop laughing. He lifted Prestyn high in the air, both of them surrounded by blue smoke, and kissed the top of his head. He turned to me, shaking his head with a smile that melted every part of me.
“I guess God knew I wasn’t ready for no girl,” he said, still laughing.
“You wanted one though,” I teased.
“I did, but I’m not mad at this. My boys gon’ be strong as hell,” he said proudly. “Both of ‘em.”
Abeni was standing covered her mouth, laughing with tears in her eyes. “Two boys! Oh my goodness, this family just keeps getting stronger.”
Mahmáh smiled and put her hand up like she was proud. Kojo nodded with approval, his deep voice cutting through the noise. “The Mensah legacy runs through blood and loyalty. Another son means the crown keeps shining.”
I looked at Pressure then. He was glowing. The man who once moved through darkness now stood here holding light in both arms. When he finally leaned in and kissed me, the whole crowd clapped and cheered. His lips lingered on mine, soft but full of that love I could feel all the way in my soul.
Zurie came running up, hugging me, and Pressure leaned down to her level. “Look like you gon’ stay my only princess,” he told her with a grin.
Zurie giggled and hugged him tighter. “I don’t mind. I like being special.”
He smiled and kissed the top of her head. “You always gon’ be special, girl.”
As the night went on, the lights glowed against the estate’s marble walkways. There were servers passing out plates of jerk lamb chops with tamarind glaze, roasted garlic mashed yams, coconut curry shrimp skewers, and honey-butter cornbread muffins served on silver trays. Bowls of roasted vegetables and wild mushroom medleys added color to the tables, and crystal glasses shimmered with hibiscus champagne and fruit-infused wine. The band played soft Afro-soul, and everything felt like heaven. The women danced barefoot in the grass, the men laughed loud, and Prestyn sat in Pressure’s lap the whole time, babbling words no one understood except Pressure.
Pressure finally pulled me aside near the balcony. The night sky was clear, and the candles around the pool flickered against his skin. He looked down at my stomach and rubbed it gently, his eyes soft but proud.
“You ‘bout to give me another boy,” he said. “Another me.”
