Page 171 of Us Defiant Few

They’d simply smile, keeping the truth for themselves.

Their love defied all odds.

And forever would.

Because he was her end, and she was his beginning.

41

There’s nothing more to explain.

What’s left of this story, is for me to obtain.

Two Years Later

“Will you stop fidgeting already?” Serene reprimanded.

“I’m sorry.” Khalani stopped patting her leg, trying not to glance out the back door again. “But what if he hates it?”

“He’s going to love it,” Serene insisted. “You could serve that man worms for dinner, and he’d still tell you it’s amazing.”

Khalani opened her mouth to argue, but a little cry echoed from the second bedroom. She immediately raced over and scooped up the baby standing in the crib, reaching for her.

The little girl had black curls, dimples, and the greenest eyes. She was the most beautiful thing Khalani had ever seen.

“Come here, darling. Don’t cry.” Khalani pulled her daughter into her arms and kissed her cheeks. The sweet girl let out the cutest laugh, her tears drying up as Serene swept into the bedroom.

“There’s my precious niece!” Serene cooed, leaning forward to kiss the little girl’s belly. “You know who your favorite auntie is, right?”

“You’re her only auntie, Serene.”

“Don’t listen to her, baby Elise,” Serene continued. “I’m your favorite person, I just know it.”

Baby Elise giggled in her arms, truly the most loved girl in the world.

“You know,” Khalani said with a smile, “you might have to work a little harder to be her favorite. She laughs the most with Brock.”

“Ugh. That’s because he knows how to get on her level mentally.” Serene rolled her eyes. “He shows this brutal side to everyone else, but at home? He acts just like a kid, I swear.”

“And you love it.”

A flaming red color crept up Serene’s cheeks.

“Lord help me, but I do. At first, I wasn’t sure how moving in together would be, but he’s so attentive. He doesn’t want me doing any work around the house. And at night.” Serene fanned her face.

“I know.” Khalani laughed. “We can hear it.”

“You do not!” Serene gasped, slapping her arm. “We keep the windows shut.”

“I still hear the walls bang sometimes.”

“Okay, and what about you?” Serene exclaimed. “I swear, last night I heard screams coming from this house. I almost jumped up and came to check on you, but Brock laughed and pulled me back into bed.”

Khalani blushed, remembering exactly how Takeshi had her tied up last night. He was true to his word that anyone who knew what they were doing would make her scream with pleasure.

The front door jingled open, and Winnie’s voice rang out.

“Khalani dear!”