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When she obeys, I sweep her long blond hair aside to put the silver King Baby necklace on her. Gently turning her around, I straighten the word, so it rests on her breastbone.
“Chosen.” She glances down, fingering the script. When her chin rises, her lips tremble and her peridot-green eyes fill. “I love it. I love you. Thank you, War.”
“You’re welcome.” I nod and swallow the lump of emotion in my throat. Seeing her emotional gets me emotional. Every. Fucking. Time.
She takes my hand. I retrieve my coffee and thread my ringed fingers between hers, which are bare except for her engagement solitaire and her platinum wedding band.
We enter the living room together. It’s chaotic like backstage at a concert.
All my bandmates are perched on different pieces of furniture with their wives close by. Wrapping paper is strewn everywhere. The four kids are standing by the tree. Hope has a new phone in her hands. Bo has on a set of headphones.
My girls are holding their unwrapped presents. When they throw me expectant looks, I give them the nod of approval, and they tear into their boxes like little savages.
Harmony gets hers unwrapped first and holds up the new and ridiculously expensive designer outfit she requested. Spinning in a circle, she squeals and then prances over to us like she’s modeling on a catwalk.
Note to self: Stop taking Harmony to Lace’s fashion shows.
“Thank you, Mom.” Harmony kisses Shaina’s cheek. “Thank you, Dad.” Her kiss for me lands on my chin.
My heart, which I once thought was black and irredeemable, pulses brightly like a star about to go supernova.
On a bridge about a thousand years ago, I was redeemed by my woman. I didn’t deserve to be. But she saw something in me, and I completely fell for her. Every day since then, I’ve been trying to live up to that something good she sees in me.
“You’re welcome, baby.” I kiss Harmony’s head. Straightening, I see Bo move closer to Peace.
“Whatcha got?” he asks her.
“An audio subscription, a book-reading one, and this.”
She shows him the Christmas card that I put in her box last night after overhearing her conversation with Bo. She glances over at me. The gold flecks in her eyes shimmer with emotion.
“I love you, Peace.” Bo reads my words on the card out loud. “Just the way you are.” He looks at me. His eyes soften, and he gives me an approving nod.
Harmony wrinkles her nose at me. “I didn’t get a note.”
“You already know I love you.” I glance at my bookworm. “I just wanted to make sure Peace does.”
Hesitantly, Peace approaches me. I grab her as soon as she gets close and pull her into my arms, careful not to spill my full cup of coffee that I have yet to drink.
“Love you, baby.” I kiss the top of her head.
“Love you, Daddy.” She gives me a quick glance. “Thank you for my presents.” She smiles at Shaina. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome.” Shaina glows with happiness.
In moments like these, I feel like maybe I can get it right. That there really is something worthwhile for her to love inside me.
“Hey, PJ,” Bo says, and I narrow my eyes as Peace jumps to attention. “Come listen to this song.”
“Okay.” Peace heads his way.
Harmony drifts over toward him too. “Why PJ?” she asks him.
“Peace Jinkins.” Bo gives her aduhlook.
“Ah.” Light dawns for Harmony, and for me too.
“Plus,” Bo says, gesturing, “Peace was wearing those PJs last night when she read to me.”
