Page 30 of Crown: Phase 4

Her face twisted with concern. “So, what do you have to do?”

“The engineers reviewed the site conditions and ran some new calculations. They decided we needed additional drainage and some reinforcement around that section of the foundation. I had to adjust the design to accommodate it, then sit down with the client and explain why the costs and timeline were changing before we could move forward.

Nivéa was impressed by how easily he switched from one world to the next.

“Seems like a lot.”

Crown shrugged. “It happens. The initial assessments didn’t catch it.”

“How did your client take it?”

“He wasn’t happy about the extra costs or the delay, but I told him it’s better to deal with it now than have a problem with the foundation later. Once I showed him the reports and explained what we needed to do, that nigga got it.”

“Mm, makes sense.”

Nivéa closed her eyes as he worked his hands along her calves, gently rubbing away some of the soreness that had settled there. Crown worked hard on both until she released a deep, satisfying breath. She needed this more than she realized.

“I’ll give you another one tonight.” He promised, kissing her foot.

“Okay. Remember, we have that doctor’s appointment in the morning at 11. Do you think we can still make it, or should I reschedule?”

“Nah, we’re going to that one.”

“You sure, baby? I know you have a lot going on right now.”

“I’m positive.”

“Okay.”

When he finished tending to Nivéa, Crown moved toward Nyla’s bouncer and bent over it to unbuckle her. He slipped one large hand beneath her head and the other beneath her body, lifting her against him. Nyla released one final complaint as Crown settled her against his chest, supporting her neck with his palm while rubbing the length of her back. She quieted almost instantly, her tiny body relaxing against him as if she recognized his touch and knew she was safe.

Crown leaned over and kissed Nivéa once more before walking out of the room with Nyla, leaving her to finish up in peace. Nyla would chill with him while he ate and watched television. He couldn’t remember the last time he had sat in his theater room without his phone ringing or another problem waiting to be handled. But that night, he was determined to sit down, kick his feet up, hold his daughter, and enjoy a little normalcy despite all the chaos surrounding him. Crown had just dropped about ten niggas and sat through two meetings, one at the clubhouse and another at his firm. He deserved some downtime.

∞∞∞

Later that evening, once Nyla fell asleep, Crown and Nivéa watched all their favorite classics: Poetic Justice, Boyz n the Hood, Menace II Society, The Wood, and Love Jones, while he massaged her legs.

Crown believed that as a husband, he owed his wife intimacy that wasn’t just about sex. She deserved dates, compliments, flowers, and moments where he simply just loved on her. She took care of him, their home, and their baby while hustling to make her own money. Because of all that, she deserved to be catered to, too. He understood that he had married a human being, not a fucking robot.

Despite his chaotic ass day, the night ended on some chill shit, bringing genuine smiles to both of their faces. They chatted between movies until Crown grew quiet, sipping from the double Styrofoam cup. Nivéa had encouraged him to relax, unwind, and just be free for once. So, he poured the last of his stash, fully embracing the moment.

“You okay over there? You getting sleepy on me?” Nivéa asked.

“Nah, not sleepy yet. Just got some heavy shit on my mind.”

“What’s that? Care to share?”

Crown hesitated for a moment before letting it out. “I need to change my life around. This shit I’m doing can’t earn a nigga a seat in heaven, ma.”

Nivéa tried her best not to laugh. It wasn’t a joking matter, but the look on his face made her want to crack up.

“Jesus, baby. What all are you doing?”

Crown glanced at her, sharing a knowing look before taking another sip from his cup. She didn’t know half of the work he’d been putting in on those streets. That damn syrup had stilled him, forcing him to sit with himself. He went down memory lane, recalling he’d also just lost seven brothers in one day. He didn’t even want to share that part with his wife.

“That bad, huh?” Nivéa reached over, rubbing his face.

Crown nodded.