Page 194 of The Ninth

Tatianna poked me, “Maybe it’ll be a good thing if you’re pregnant. This mothafucka is too big for just you, K3, and K4!”

“Y’all, I’m not pregnant. I’ve been taking my pills, tracking my ovulation, having him pull out, tests. There’s so much going on, I’m just being extra careful right now.”

“Would you be upset if you were?” Devyn asked.

“No. If it happens, it happens. Ideally, I’d like for it to happen after the wedding. I think I just want one.”

“Duke wants at least three...”

I laughed as we walked up the steps.

Tatianna shrugged, “I think I’ma have five. We losing recipes, the grandmamas used to have an entire team at home!”

“Bitch, they ain’t have a choice! They were oppressed!” Kenzie yelled.

I laughed while placing my hand on the nursery door handle, “Y’all, tell me if this looks like it came with the house or not...” I pushed it open and they all gasped.

The room always smelled brand new since it went untouched. The window with the reading nook allowed the moon to shine through its sheer curtains. On the floor laid a cream colored rug, right in front of the light brown, wooden crib.

The cutest touch was the ABC blocks that sat on top of a toybox that was the same wood as the crib and dresser. He or the previous owners made sure there was a changing pad and even a rocking chair. Tati ran her hand over the books in the small bookcase. Devyn softly spun the mobile hanging inside of the crib.

The room was absolutely gorgeous. Gorgeous enough to pass off that it was modeled for the next buyers. It just felt a little too much like my style. Over the past couple of days, he’s caught me standing in here a few times. Each time he had an evil ass smirk on his fucking face!

“What a dream...” Devyn smiled. We all got lost in the baby fever.

“FUCK IT, I’M DOORDASHING FOUR PREGNANCY TESTS!” Tatianna pulled her phone out.

“Quickly...” the three of us agreed.

Kenzie hugged me while laughing, “Cassie, you too fucking small to have a big ass K3 in your stomach. That nigga is huge!”

“K3 be in my stomach every night, baby!”

“Okay, the Dasher is right around the corner. We’ll have it soon.”

We left the nursery and moved onto K3 and I’s room. The walk in closet had a long ottoman in it, so we all sat down, eating our cake. While they buzzed, nervous about the tests, I just smiled and took in the smell of my man. I found myself shocked at random times that he’s actually home.

“Did y’all know the nigga that was in the coma woke up?” Tati asked. “The one who drank from the cup?”

We all fell silent before answering together, “No...”

“He’s still halfway, but the streets is saying he’s off the vents and shit. They pulling him out.”

For some reason, we all fell silent again. None of us said anything. The look shared between us said a million words. Shit was finally looking up for each and every girl in this closet. The last thing we needed was that shit coming up.

“I told y’all one of my old niggas was a nurse,” Kenzie stood. “We could’ve had him smothered with a pillow!”

I chuckled as Devyn shrugged, “I mean...obviously what we tried to do was a fail if he does remember. There’s no way he’ll think it was us that set them up. Right?”

“Kenzo brought it up to me casually. He said it was picking up...”

Devyn stood, shaking her head. “We should be celebrating! Not worrying!”

Her phone rung as Tatianna shook her head slowly. How uneasy she looked started to make me feel uncomfortable. Devyn answered, walking out and leaving the three of us. I nudged Tatianna, staring at her until she spoke up.

“I don’t think this shit is going to end well...” she confessed. “C’mon, the tests are downstairs.”

We walked out of the closet silently and passed Devyn. She was no longer on the phone but was texting someone back to back.