Page 85 of A Beast Captured My Heart

Remaining on one knee, he held his hand out to me. I made my way to him with water and soapsuds falling all over my carpet. I felt a spark soon as we locked hands, and when he started to talk, it sealed our fate together.

“Kayori… I don’t do this mushy shit, and I’m still learning how to be really romantic with you. I know you deserve it, plus more. When Praise first laid eyes on you, let me correct that baby. When I first laid eyes on you, I wanted you. There was a story behind those beautiful brown eyes that I wanted to know. I felt a calm come over me when I demanded you to look me in the eyes. I tried to fight that shit. I was in a fucked-up place. We both were, but you pushed me into a better place. You took my daughter in and treated her like she was yours before I could even make you mine. I watched you each day with Mattea, and I wished you were her mother. Now, you are. You never judged me; we both know we live in a world full of judgmental muthafuckas. Yet, you took your time to get to know all of me, including all these personalities I got. When you embraced me as Beast, I fell deeply in love with you. I never knew anyone to accept me on the level that you did.” He cleared his throat and then reached up to wipe some of the tears that were falling from my face.

“I fear every day that I might somehow lose you, but I know it’s just my mental fucking with me. I’m a man of my word beyond that, and when I feel like I’m slipping up and fucking up, I just want you to trust me and know that I’m gon’ always get right for you and the kids. Y’all are my world and mean so much to me. I don’t really know how to break my love down for you because it goes so deep. Probably a lil too deep, but if you allow me to, I want to love you until I take my last breath. Nah, fuck that ‘cause when I do take my last breath, I’m still gon’ love you after death until I get to be with you again. I want you to be my wife, Kayori. I want us to keep learning each other and making this shit work with each other. I know we are meant to be. I feel that shit even when I’m not face to face with you. So, with all that, even though it’s more, I can say to you… just answer this one question and make me one of the happiest niggas on earth. Juicy, will-”

“Yes, baby! I’m ready to be Mrs. Brownston,” I squeaked out in pure joy. He struggled to stand up and remained on his knee.

“Baby, I need you to go in the closet and get daddy's cane.” He chuckled as he made his voice sound like an old ass man, causing us to both fallout and share a good laugh together.

“That shit ain’t funny, Juicy. You made a nigga a cripple.” He chuckled as I walked out of the walk-in closet with his cane. He slowly lifted himself off the floor and sat down on the bed, rubbing his knee as I gave him a big kiss.

“You’re my sexy crippled man, though, forever now.” I smiled.

“You damn right.” He slapped me on the ass as I walked away, staring at my beautiful ring. I was about to finish my shower and fuck and suck the shit out of Beast.

Chapter Forty-Six

BEAST

Kayori and I pulled up to Leandra’s crib the next day and parked in the driveway. For me, it was time to face the music and see my mom. I needed to see how her energy towards me would be. I also told myself no matter how disrespectful she got, I vowed to remain respectful. Leandra had a way of bringing the monster in me out, but like Kayori and Stone kept saying to me that it’s okay to let some shit fall off my shoulders and that I only get one parent.

I looked at Kayori and smiled at how she couldn’t keep her eyes off the diamond ring I had purchased her. It cost me a hefty penny, but it was worth the look on her face and the way she tried to fuck me clear into the morning. I was supposed to have her walking funny, which I’m sure I achieved, but the shit wasn’t player to have me walking differently. My back and my knee were killing me. I had to pop pain relievers before we left out the house.

“Come on, let’s get this shit going,” I huffed as I opened my door.

“I wasn’t coming in, babe. My pussy is sore as fuck, and I ain’t tryna be walking funny in front of your momma.”

“Oh, okay.” I rubbed my chin hairs as I smiled up at her.

“I guess you're too sore to get your push gift today, too,” I murmured and stepped out of the car.

“Wait, baby, what gift? I thought this was my push gift.” She held her hand up, showcasing the ring.

“Nah, you deserve that and so much more, baby…Before it’s all said and done, I’m gone give yo pretty ass the world.”

Puckering her lips up, she gave me a juicy kiss, then placed her dark shades over her eyes. It was sunny today in Gardena, CA. When the sun was out, Kayori had to cover her eyes. It bothered her slightly swollen eye a lot, so I bought her some nice Gucci frames to cover them when we were out so the sun wouldn’t irritate her.

Making my way to her side of the door, I opened it and helped her out while I admired her curves. Today, she wore a white Fendi dress with the logo on the front with matching sandals and purse. They tried to play my baby every time we went shopping, I wanted her in high-end clothes, but they never had her size because she was a size twenty-four. It was nothing for me to buy two of them bitches and have my seamstress create magic. All the plus-size chicks would stop my girl every time we were out in public just to ask her how the fuck she was rocking certain name-brand clothes that didn’t accommodate their size, and she would proudly tell them. My baby had the best of the best, and I made sure of that even when we weren’t together. If I had it all, then so would Kayori, my kids, and anyone attached to me that I cared for.

Walking up to the door hand and hand like some high schoolers deep in love, the door opened without us having to knock. My mom looked like she had lost a couple of pounds, and I frowned at that, but I didn’t plan on pressing her about it. All that mattered now was her being in a better place. If being with the kids more often helped her, then I thought about offering her a position to be one of the kids’ nannies.

“I was just stepping out here to have a smoke break. The kids are sleeping. Y’all can head on in. I was gon’ call and ask if I could keep them one more day, so I could cook Sunday dinner for y’all tomorrow.” She smiled lightly. I looked at Kayori and winked as she smiled.

“That’s fine with me, Lee,” Kayori said, a little too happy. My mom smiled at the nickname Kayori had given her.

“I see the glow already, honey. Y’all working on some more kids?” My mom chuckled as she put the flame to the end of her cigarette and inhaled.

“Sometimes, I wish I had more kids…that ship has sailed, so y’all try to have as many as y’all can to keep me busy. I’m going to need it,” she sadly stated.

Kayori embraced her on the porch, then excused herself to probably go check on the kids. I stayed planted in the same spot watching Leandra take a seat in her rocking chair. She looked out onto the street and waved at some neighbors that were driving by. I decided to break the awkward silence.

“I’m sorry for everything, Ma. I could’ve been the bigger person and helped Michael out sooner, so I understand if you’re upset with me. Even though our relationship was on some hate and love type of shit, I love you even when we're angry at each other ‘cause you’re my momma. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here.”

It took a lot to humble myself, my pride, and my ego. I looked down, then back up at her. She smiled at me and then put her cigarette out in the ashtray.

“Shhh, you have done enough blaming yourself for my poor parenting skills, Praise. I was wrong, and ain’t no other way to sugarcoat it. I’m no longer making excuses for my poor choices or Michael’s. I love my baby boy a lot, and I can’t lie and say I’m not hurt or bothered by his death. I just realized that I also have to be here for you and your family. I looked at my beautiful grandkids and saw I have a second chance to make things right.”

She stood to her feet and walked right into my arms. We hugged each other tightly as she wept into my chest. She needed me like I needed her. Most of the time, I’d be too prideful to say it, but now I didn’t give a fuck. Leandra was a damn good grandmother, and I was happy we were getting shit together for the sake of our relationship and the kids.