Denver was running out the door before Mahari had time to finish explaining. If it wasn’t for Justin stopping Denver, he would have gotten to Lance. The two went back and forth for a minute. Mahari understood Justin taking up for his brother because Denver was doing the same for his sister, but Lance deserved to get popped for what he did.
“I need everyone to chill out!” Aspen yelling caught everyone’s attention.
Mahari watched as she laced her fingers with his and led him over to where Lance stood. It was taking some serious restraint for Mahari to keep his hands off Lance. Anytime he thought about what he did to Aspen, Mahari got the urge to choke him out. He guessed Aspen must’ve sensed his anger rising because she stepped closer to him and rubbed his arm.
Her touch was soothing, allowing him to simmer down. That, and the way Lance kept gritting his teeth as he tried avoiding eye contact with them. The thought of rubbing it in his face crossed Mahari’s mind, but Aspen speaking stopped him.
“What are you doing here, Lance?”
Lance wet his lips and gave Aspen his undivided attention. “I came here to apologize for putting my hands on you, Aspen. I was wrong, and that shit has been eating at me. The truth sent me over the edge, but it doesn’t warrant my reaction.” He paused and looked into her eyes. “I truly am sorry, Aspen. I know it’s fresh, but I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
The sincerity was evident in Lance’s tone. Mahari knew his cousin well enough to know he meant every word, and Aspen did as well.
Her reply was a simple, “Thank you.”
Aspen tugged on Mahari’s hand to follow her back inside, but he pulled her into him and threw his arm around her before looking at Lance. He’d be crazy not to address him.
“You know I should beat your ass again, right?” Mahari started, and Aspen slapped his chest.
“Not here, Mahari,” she whispered.
“Nah. We need to have this conversation,” Lance said. “If you’re going to do something, do something.”
“I’ll do it for you, Mahari,” Denver stated from behind.
Mahari thumbed his nose and ran his tongue over his top row of teeth. “I have too much respect for my woman to show my ass the way I want to.”
“Mane, Mahari. I don’t want any beef with you. Shit between us won’t ever be the same, but at the end of the day, you’re my family. We do great business together, and we’d be stupid to allow this to stop us from getting money together. I know how you are, and you know how I am. We need time to let all this shit die down and talk it out.” Lance ran his hand down his face,sighed, and turned back to Aspen. “Once again, I’m sorry. If the girls are mine, I’ll step up and be the father they need.”
“No need in all that. They’ll be good with me,” Mahari expressed.
Lance didn’t respond. He backed away and got into the car, accepting defeat. When he drove off, Aspen peered up at Mahari and released a hard breath before smiling.
“You good, Bunny?”
“I’m more than good. I honestly didn’t realize how badly I needed that apology until now. It’s like I can finally move on and not dwell on it.” Aspen placed her hand on Mahari’s cheek and smiled. “With you, I know I’m always safe, loved, and cared for. So are the girls. We’re blessed to have you. I love you.”
“I love you, baby.”
An event that could’ve easily turned sour didn’t. The remainder of the baby shower was filled with love and laughter. Mahari looked forward to spending the rest of his life showering Aspen with it all. There was no doubt in his mind that she was his wife, and he couldn’t do anything but thank God for another chance.
Finally.
Aspen couldn’t contain her excitement as she wiggled in the passenger seat. She and Mahari were on the way to the hospital to finally bring Brooklyn and Mayvin home. After seven long agonizing weeks, they were being released. Aspen had been crying off and on the entire morning, thanking God for what her life had become.
Between her babies coming home and her strong, healthy relationship with Mahari, she couldn’t believe what her life had become. She almost felt as if she was living in a fairy tale, and Mahari was her Prince Charming who saved her from the dungeon.
Ever since Aspen’s surprise baby shower, things only seemed to get better. There were no more nightmares, no more secrets. Well, except for one. Aspen had been holding onto it for a good week, and as they pulled into the hospital, she decided it was time to reveal it.
Mahari killed the engine and rubbed his hands together. “You ready to go get our girls?”
“Beyond it, but first, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Silence lingered between them as Aspen went into her bag and pulled out an envelope. Last week, she received the DNA results for the twins. She’d been anxious to open it, but she wanted to wait until the big day before they did. Many times, Mahari had made it clear that he didn’t care what the results were, but it didn’t stop Aspen from feeling all the nerves.
Handing the envelope to Mahari, Aspen took slow, deep breaths. She watched as he turned it over in his hands before gliding his finger underneath the seal to open it. When he pulled the paper out, he glanced over at Aspen.
“No matter what, right?”
