Page 34 of Betrothed To Love

“That’s some crazy shit.”

“I know what I saw,” I say, then take the final sip from my glass and place it on the nightstand.

“What else did you notice? How big and loud we are?” he asks.

“Big? Yes. Loud? Not at all. It was nice. Growing up, I envied people with big families like yours. I could only imagine always having somebody to talk to and share things with. It was just me and my grandparents. Don’t get me wrong, I loved them and loved my upbringing, but siblings would have been nice,” I admit.

“I mean. I get it. I didn’t need friends because I had my brothers, but there were times I wished I was an only child. Those times were rare though. I guess both situations have their advantages, but I do want Niya to have a brother or sister.”

“You want more kids?” I ask.

“Yeah. She loves being around our family and she doesn’t like being alone. A sibling is a friend for life and helps balance a child. I want two more children really,” he admits. “What about you?”

“I definitely want the whole family. I always saw myself as a mother; my career just took center stage but I have a little time. I’m only thirty-two.”

“Thirty-two?” he questions.

“Yes. I know you didn’t think I was older,” I snap playfully.

“Calm down,” he says while grinning. “I thought you were a little younger than that, closer to my age.”

“Oh God! How old are you?” I ask and hold my breath. Lawd, please don’t let this man be a toddler.

“Thirty. I guess I like older women.”

“Whew! I thought you were going to say something crazy. Two years is nothing and it definitely doesn’t make me an older damn woman. Two years, sir! Just two.”

“You got that,” he concedes. “I like talking to you, but I don’t want to be selfish, at least not yet. I’m going to let you get some rest. I’ll check on you tomorrow. It’s going to be a big day.”

“Especially after The Chronicle announcement.”

“Agreed. I’m just going to nip it in the bud with my team and tell everyone in our morning stand up.”

“But what about Niya? What have you told her?”

“Nothing yet. I just told her that you were my friend but she’s smart and intuitive. I’m sure she picked up on some things over dinner. After work tomorrow night, I’ll take her to her favorite spot and tell her as simply as I can,” he says and sighs.

“Sorry.”

“For what?”

“Bringing her into this and possibly disrupting her little life.”

“You’re not disrupting anything. I wouldn’t allow it anyway. She’s my everything. Plus, I don’t know what you did to my baby girl but she really likes you. You’re all she talked about until I got her to bed,” he says and I beam.

“She really is a doll, so full of personality. She’s a sweetheart; I just don’t want her negatively affected in any way,” I admit.

“I like hearing that. Thank you,” he says and I yawn. “See, you need your rest. Good night, my wife.”

“Good night, my husband.”

“See. Practice helps,” he says before ending the call and I grin.

I’m still smiling as I place my phone on the charging pad, turn on my television and switch the volume down to three as I get comfortable on my pillows. Today and tonight have been fun. I truly enjoyed meeting him and his family. Prayerfully, our news doesn’t cause too much chaos, especially for little Niya.

Has it been the chaos I envisioned? No.

But did the announcement spread through the courthouse like wildfire? Yes.