Page 72 of Betrothed To Love

My husband, a defense attorney who never gives up, feels defeated. All his confidence that I love has disappeared from his face. He’s really hurting and I honestly don’t know what to do or say. So I press my forehead to his, caress the sides of his face, then move my arms to his shoulders. When I wrap my arms around his neck, he embraces me. His eyes close and we just hold each other. We remain like this for a while then I kiss him.

“There’s nothing you can do but follow Shuga’s lead. I know Asali is your father but that’s her husband first. He’s been her husband for a long ass time, so naturally she’s hurting. You’ve got to let her deal with that. All you can do is be there for her when she allows, follow her lead,” I say and he nods as I speak.

“What about the girl? She’s innocent and I don’t even know if he’s taking care of her or took care of her.”

“If Shuga told you about her then she knows about her. Trust me; she knows. Again, she just may not want to talk about it right now.”

“You really think Shuga knows?” he questions.

“Baby, yes,” I say and he sighs.

“This shit is just crazy.”

“I know, but from what I’ve seen of Shuga, she’s going to get through it. She’s strong,” I say, speaking the truth. Shuga is feisty, funny, and definitely strong. She raised five big ass men who love her and one who loves the hell out of me. That says a lot.

“She’s been with him since she was seventeen. Her whole life has been taking care of him and us. I know she’s sixty-one, but she’s never looked her age until today. Shuga shrank in my arms and that shit fucked with me. Hell, it’s still fucking with me. I’m worried about her.”

I peck his lips then say, “Of course you do. That’s your mother; it’s natural to worry about her, but know that today, you caught her in a vulnerable moment. She’s going to have that. Shit, she’s probably going to have a lot of those, but she will bounce back.”

His hold on me tightens and I caress his head as we embrace. Silence develops between us and we live in it. I don’t interrupt either. This is obviously what he needs and I’m going to give him just that. If he wants to hold me like this all night, I’ll let him. I love him; he’s hurting and I just want to love that pain away. We remain like this until Niya’s little voice enters the room over an hour later.

“Daddy, you sad?” she asks and he looks up and I glance over my shoulder. She’s standing on the other side of my ottoman, rubbing her eyes. She’s so intuitive and connected with her father. I adore their relationship and bond.

“Nah, baby girl. I’m okay,” he says.

Because she’s obviously concerned about her dad, I move out of the way. After pecking his lips, I climb off his lap and sit on my cushion and she walks over to him. He picks her up and she hugs him.

While hugging him, she asks, “Are we spending da night again?”

With our schedule, on Sunday nights they usually head back to the house in Diamond Falls. She has school on Monday and they have a routine to get her ready for school. I normally stay here, then head over there Monday after work. Under these circumstances, I decide to change the plan.

“No, baby. We’re going to the house and I’m coming too. Go start putting your things in your book bag,” I say and he thanks me with his eyes. She has some things here in her room but she only has one iPad and little items that she transports between both locations.

“Can I keep these on?” she asks, about her pajamas.

“Yes. It’s still jammies day. I’m wearing mine,” I say and she beams. She climbs off his lap and practically runs to her room.

“So you’re wearing these outside?” he asks with knitted brows. “Ass jiggling everywhere? That’s a no.”

“My ass does not jiggle.”

“Yeah, okay,” he says dismissively and I laugh.

“I have a robe with this set. I’ll put it on,” I say and he smiles. He leans over and kisses me lovingly. “Thank you for coming tonight.”

“Don’t thank me, baby. You’re mine and you need me. Case closed. I’m going to help her so we can go. It’s getting late and we need dinner and to get her to bed on time.” I stand, then lean in to kiss him. “After that, I’m putting you to bed,” I say, then wink before heading to Niya’s room.

“You got it?” I ask as soon as I walk into her room.

“Got it!” she says enthusiastically, but I see her Apple pencil on the bed.

“Let’s check for everything. You check the bed again and I’ll check the bathroom.”

“Okay, but my purse?”

“It’s in the living room,” I tell her.

She finds the pen and I grab her new bigger bonnet for her braids. Because I have a nice selection of clothes and shoes at the house, I only grab my work bag and the handbag I’m going to carry for the week. Give me a cute tote by a Black designer and I’m all in. My latest find is the Curves bag, so I’m rocking the chocolate one this week. I even got two mini totes for Niya.