Page 66 of Betrothed To Love

“What’s wrong with her bedroom?”

“With the one at the house, nothing. It’s the one here. We’re going to make it hers. Get ready for hot pink,” I say and he just smiles.

“You two handle that. Just tally the bill for me.”

“I’m doing this for her. Me. I got this. Go check on Shuga.”

“I’ll grab y’all something to eat and bring it back first.”

After lovingly pinching his trimmed beard under his chin, I say, “Baby, I can fix us something or just order. You get to Shuga and call me as soon as you get there and see she’s fine.” Holding his chin, I pull his face to mine. “She’s okay. So, go. I love you.”

“I’m going and I love you too,” he says before kissing me.

When we walk out of the kitchen, he checks on Niya and kisses her forehead. Then he grabs his keys and phone from my porcelain and gold trimmed bowl on the small table by the door and leaves. I say a quiet prayer that we are all overreacting about Shuga then Niya and I get back to looking at pink bedrooms. After about five videos, I get a general consensus of what she wants: the side wall as her painting wall, two pink furniture pieces from Goode, a cute, tall dresser with a clothes rack, an adorable vanity table set with a crown-shaped mirror and touch-activated, three-color LED lights, and hot pink bedding and drapery. The bathroom will be decorated with this cute Black girl princess with wings complete set we found online.

“Whew! I’m tired,” I say exaggeratedly, then dramatically fall back on my sectional.

“Me too!” she exclaims, mocking me, and we both laugh.

Just like her daddy has captured my heart, so has she. I adore everything about her— her creative side, her curiosity, and especially her own little personality. She’s still very much a four-year-old girl but she has attributes of someone older. I had the same. Being around grandparents a lot does that. I was raised by mine so I see those same nuances in her. If she wants to know something, she asks, and she picks up on everything. She’s truly a little ball of joy and I’m so blessed Quintus trusts me enough to have me in her life.

“Are you hungry yet?” I ask.

“Yes,” she says while nodding.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Pancakes and strawberries,” she answers quickly.

“I have the stuff for pancakes but no strawberries. Let’s make a grocery order and you can pick some things you like to eat.”

“Oh, can I have legs?” she asks excitedly. This little girl loves crab legs.

“We can get some,” I say with a smile.

“Can we keep on our jammies?” she asks.

“Absolutely. Jammies are my favorite,” I tell her.

“Mine too,” she gushes.

TWENTY

Most of my ride back to my city is spent on the phone with my brothers. I spoke with Deuce first, then Shiro and Tre because they are both at the shop. I’m talking to Ace now.

“Maybe I should head over there too,” he says.

“Nah. I’m almost there now. You sound half asleep anyway.”

“Shit, ’cause I am. I didn’t leave the warehouse until almost ten last night. The time I was locked set a nigga back for real. Sade did what she could, but we are behind on a few cross-state moves. Plus, I’m pausing Mexico right now,” he says and I understand. “Keeping Canada though, for now. But honestly, we’re straight if I let that go too.”

“You gotta do what’s best for you and yours,” I assure him.

“Already,” he says.

“But stay home. I’m just exiting and will be at Shuga and Asali’s in ten. Hopefully, we’re stressing over nothing and she needs a break. I’ll hit you back once I know.”

“Bet. I’ll be here.”