Me.
And somehow, he still kept showing up for everybody.
The kitchen slowly filled with the smell of bacon and butter. Normally that would've made me happy and comforted because it reminded me of mornings waking up with him and Melo.
Today it just made me emotional.
I plated the food quietly before carrying his over to him. "Here you go, handsome."
His eyes dropped to the plate before lifting back to me with a soft smile. "This looks good, babe. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He reached for my hand when I tried to move away. Gently, he tugged me between his legs. "You're not eating?"
"In a minute."
His hands rested on my hips while he looked up at me quietly. "You're still in your head."
I looked away. "I'm trying not to be."
"Gianna."
That tone always made me fold. My eyes came back to his reluctantly.
"I don't know how many times I gotta tell you that you don't have to carry everything alone until you believe me." His thumb rubbed slowly against my hip. "I need you to understand that."
Emotion climbed back up my throat so fast I almost hated him for being so good to me.
Because the more he loved me, the more terrified I became of what this situation could cost him.
"I know," I whispered softly.
He held my gaze another second before finally letting me go. "Memorize that. Now sit down and eat with me before your food gets cold."
I nodded and grabbed my plate before sitting beside him at the island.
I forced the food past the tightness in my throat and tried to pretend that everything was normal. Just another Saturday morning with me and my man eating breakfast together while sunlight poured through the windows.
That was the hardest part of this situation because I could feel it in the air that we both knew that this shit was far from over.
Chapter 45
Me and Gianna spent Saturday figuring out a plan for her move.
I was able to secure her a moving company to go in Monday and pack everything for her and Ronnie and take it to storage. She needed her best friend though, so they decided to get a suite for the week while they apartment searched.
Of course I offered for her to stay with me, but she didn’t want to leave her friend. I understood that. Ronnie was her confidant and I wasn't going to intrude on that. She knew that whatever she needed I was there.
Sunday, I followed her to the hotel where Ronnie was waiting. Once I paid for their suite and made sure they were good, I headed out to go pick up my son. While driving, my eyes kept flicking to the dark bruise at my temple and the swelling around my lip.
It wasn’t the worst. The blow to my abdomen felt and looked worse than my face. Still, because of my complexion it was noticeable and my family would be worried. I hated for my son to see me bruised, but it wasn't much I could now. Just had to face the music.
When I pulled up, I gave myself a final glance in my mirror. Pulling the fitted hat lower on my head, I got it out, footsteps heavy as I walked up the steps. I could hear my son's footsteps.
"Daddy here's Pop-Pop!"
I smiled, using my key to open the door. Melo barreled right into me. "Hi, Daddy!"
