Page 340 of When a Soul Cries

"TWO!"

Sugga grabbed my free hand, squeezing it hard enough to make me glance down at our joined hands before looking back toward Sol.

"ONE!"

Sol closed the scissors.

The ribbon fell.

The crowd erupted around us, applause and cheers filling the space while cameras flashed toward the entrance.

Halo screamed, "MAMA!" again, nearly climbing up my chest in her excitement.

And I laughed.

Not because anything was funny.

Because there was too much in my chest to hold.

Six months ago, I married her.

Today, I watched her open doors for women who needed somebody to remind them that the worst thing that happened to them didn't have to become the rest of their lives.

And in three months, God willing, I'd be holding Roman Devereaux Jr.

My son.

Sol handed the scissors back to the coordinator, wiping beneath one eye as people continued applauding around her.

Then she started toward us.

I didn't make her come the whole way.

I shifted Halo securely against my side and walked through the crowd to meet my wife halfway.

My arm went around her waist the second I reached her, pulling her carefully against me as Halo immediately stretched one little hand toward her mama.

"You proud of me?" Sol whispered, tipping her face up toward mine. There was something vulnerable underneath the smile on her face, like despite everything around us, she still needed to hear the answer from me.

I looked down at her and tightened my arm around her waist.

"More than you know."

Her eyes filled again.

I brushed my thumb underneath one of them before the tear could fall. "Don't cry."

She laughed, leaning into my hand. "I'm pregnant. Leave me alone."

My hand moved from her face to the curve of her stomach.

RJ kicked beneath my palm.

I froze, my eyes dropping immediately.

Sol's face brightened when she saw my expression. "You felt him?"

"Yeah," I murmured, keeping my hand right where it was.