With his arm around Aspen’s shoulder, Mahari said, “I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting you to order food up here a few times today.”
Santana winked at Aspen. “I got you, boo.”
They went their separate ways. Mahari did his rounds, speaking to other producers and artists who were already there, before leading Aspen to his office. She got comfortable on his couch while he went to his desk and powered on his computer. He needed to answer a few emails, prepare for a meeting, then head into the studio where he would work some magic.
“I’m so proud of you, Mahari.” Aspen broke their silence and got up. Running her hands over her stomach, she walked along his wall, observing his many awards. “Do you remember when you told me this was what you wanted in life?”
Mahari leaned back in his seat and smirked. “I do. We were chilling at the basketball court one day, and I heard a fire ass beat coming from somebody’s speakers.”
“And you immediately replicated it by beating on the table. I wouldn’t have dared told you then, but I was so impressed. You’ve always had an ear for music, and to see everything you dreamed of and worked hard for come to fruition is so inspiring.”
“Thank you, Bunny. You know the road wasn’t easy, but we made it.”
“Youmade it, Mahari. You put in the work and built this from the ground up. I understand you had some help along the way, but in the end, it was you who had the dream and hustled for it.”
Aspen’s words warmed Mahari’s heart. He never wanted anyone who helped him to feel discredited, so he made sure he acknowledged everyone whether their help was big or small. Any contribution put him ahead, and Aspen had contributed many times over the years.
There were nights she would stay up with him all night as he was breaking down beats and reconstructing them. She’d give him advice and lift him up whenever he was too hard on himself. As always, Aspen had been the best friend he needed, and for her to give him praise meant everything to Mahari.
Sliding back in his chair, Mahari got up and took long strides over to where Aspen was standing. His eyes traveled to the picture she was looking at. It was one he’d never remove, one he held near and dear to his heart. He had many copies of it to always have with him.
“Did you know y’all were having a little girl too?” Aspen asked barely above a whisper.
Mahari scrubbed his hand up and down his throat, trying to clear the lump forming in it. “I did, and like you, Heaven didn’tbelieve me. She had her heart set on a baby boy, but something in my spirit told me it was a girl.”
“I remember the gender reveal and the way she looked at you. I know how she feels now.”
“I miss her so damn bad, Aspen.”
Aspen’s arms locked around Mahari’s waist, and he laid his head on top of hers.
Heaven Lancaster.
The love of Mahari’s life. His fiancée, his best friend, his everything. Four years with her wasn’t enough for him, but God had other plans. Losing her was one of the hardest things Mahari ever had to go through. He went through the darkest phase of his life, almost giving up his career and everything around him. If it wasn’t for his parents, sister, cousins, and Aspen, he would’ve completely spiraled.
Heaven passed away while giving birth to their baby girl. The shit was so traumatic that Mahari often had nightmares about it and never told anyone but his therapist. He would never admit it, but Aspen being pregnant scared him. It brought back memories he’d buried in the back of his mind. When she first told him she was pregnant, he had to have an emergency meeting with his therapist. The thought of losing her the same way he did Heaven plagued him, but he kept a strong face and stuck by Aspen’s side through it all.
Aspen squeezed Mahari tight, holding back her tears. “I know you do, Mahari. Just know she’s always with you, and she would be so damn proud of what you’ve built.”
“I think so too.”
The pair held onto one another longer until Mahari felt a kick to his stomach. He broke free from Aspen and looked down at her belly before they both started laughing.
“Well, damn. Just tell me to move next time. I can bet that was baby B. Her little ass is going to be the troublemaker, watch.”
“Why do I feel the same way? I’m going to have one calm baby and one wild one.”
“Have y’all thought of names?”
“I have, but anytime I try to talk to Lance about it, he’s too busy.” Aspen rolled her eyes and sighed before tipping her head to the side. “Tell me something, Mahari.”
“What?”
“Has he still been bringing other women here?”
Not wanting to answer, Mahari turned on his heels and walked back to his desk. When it came to Aspen and Lance, he tried to stay out of their mess, even though it was extremely hard for him to do. Lance may have been his cousin, but he held his relationship with Aspen to a higher standard.
The feel of Aspen repeatedly tapping him on the back made Mahari stop in his tracks and turn around to face her. She rested her arms on her stomach with a hiked brow. Mahari could sit and stare at Aspen all day. His favorite feature of hers were the freckles crossing over her cheeks and nose. He reached out to touch them, but she hit his hand, and he poked her.
