Page 7 of Love Me Now: Adrian & Kwamé
“Shiiitt,” he dragged. “The babies got you actin’ a lil’ off already. Ain’t no fuckin’ way you think that’s how shit works.”
Cackling at his concern for my mental state, I said, “There’s nothing wrong with me, crazy.”
“There is if you think you’re about to be livin’ anything except a soft life. Fuck I look like letting you handle problems when you got me? You must want my mama to beat my ass. That’s what this is?”
By now, I was bent over laughing and Jessie, of course, thought that was funny. Adrian put her down, and she took off past me into the living room.
“Mama! Loon! Loon!” she shouted excitedly.
Taking my eyes off Adrian, I turned to see what my baby was talking about. Walking into the living room, I was surprised to see dozens of royal blue balloons littering the living room. Along with balloons were a plethora of royal blue bouquets of roses. A lone black gift bag sat on the coffee table.
“Open ya gift,” Adrian prompted.
Still lost on what the hell was going on, I hesitantly walked to the coffee table to see what was inside the bag. It was two jewelry boxes, the name on them causing my eyes to round. With trembling fingers, I opened the square box, first. Inside was a ring that could easily rival any million-dollar mansion.
Adrian took the box from my hand and retrieved the exquisite, princess cut diamond ring. He took my left hand and gently placed the ring on my left ring finger.
“When I look at you, I see royalty. Your sophistication drives me crazy as fuck. And I wanna give you the life of luxury you deserve. Not just things and stuff either. I wanna give you the luxury of having peace, security, and the knowledge that I’m locked in wit’ you forever.”
I didn’t realize I’d shed tears until his fingers wiped them away. He bent to kiss my lips, and my eyes closed to savor this moment.
“So, what were you sayin’?” he asked between kisses.
“Nothing,” I whispered.
“Nothing,” he echoed. “Will you be my girl?”
“Yes,” I answered too quickly.
His hand circled my throat and pulled me a little closer for another kiss. I loved the way he bit into his bottom lip as he peered down at me. Then, he smiled and let me go. His hand dipped inside the bag to retrieve the other box. He opened it and revealed a tiny diamond bracelet. Jessie, who was in her own world playing with the balloons, giggled when he scooped her up.
“Put this on our baby,” he told me.
This time when my fingers trembled, it took me a second to close the clasp on the bracelet. It fit Jessie’s pudgy little arm perfectly. She was just as fascinated by the expensive piece as I was.
Adrian tweaked my chin. “Ain’t nothin’ hard about the life y’all will have with me. Understood?”
I nodded and replied, “Understood.”
Hell… I was going to listen to this man.
As the sun set over the farm, I stood out on the patio with a glass of fresh lemonade and peered at Jessie as she rolled and played in the grass. One of her favorite toys was a brown teddy bear Adrian bought her. By the time she finished dragging the poor thing through the grass, it would need a good washing.
In the distance, Deck waved at me, so I waved back. The Big Three were finishing their day, leading the horses back to the stables. I couldn’t wait to get Jessie acclimated with the farm animals. If I had my way, she’d know how to collect eggs, feed ducks, and ride horses in no time.
Adrian joined me on the patio. He came up behind me, wrapped me in his arms, then settled his hands on my belly. When his chin settled on the top of my head, I chuckled.
“I’ve started dinner,” he said.
“Mm, what are we having?”
“Cabbage, cornbread, rice, gravy, and fried chicken. I figured you’d want something like that after the drive.”
My stomach spoke, already tasting the food. “Oh, you’re reaching for my heart, Adrian.”
He kissed my neck and replied, “I am. I’m not wasting any time either.”
For a few more minutes, he held me. Silently, we watched Jessie allow her imagination to run free. She was so carefree that it brought tears to my eyes. Every kid should feel that way. At her age, I was bouncing from home to home. I didn’t know love until Gion and Margarite came along. I didn’t know stability until they stepped in. With every breath in my body, I would give my girl the very best life a mother could.
