Trey "What is it, Candice?" I grit out, my patience wearing thin. "T-Trey, it's M-Mom. She's not okay," she says, her voice trembling with hysteria. My stomach plummets as the gravity of her words hits me. "What the hell are you talking about? What do you mean she's not okay?" I leap to my feet, the room suddenly feeling too confined as I pace back and forth. Kiara's concerned eyes follow my movements, but the weight of the news from my sister renders me momentarily speechless. "She was drinking a lot, and we got into this huge argument. I don't really remember what triggered it...Oh yeah, It began with something about you, and then somehow William got dragged into it. Something about him turning her sons against her. I don't know," she begins to ramble, her words a jumbled mess of distress. I clench my fists, trying to contain the surge of emotions. "Get to the point. What. Happened?" I demand, my tone bordering on a snarl. I turn on the speaker so Kiara can hear the unf
Trey The flight stretches on longer than expected, offering only a brief hour layover—a compromise I had to settle for given the urgency. Kiara throws up several more times, amplifying the worry that had already taken hold before we boarded the flight. As we navigate the airport in haste during the inconvenient layover, my thoughts are overwhelmed by the fear that time is slipping away, that Mom might pass before I can reach her. The haunting notion of never seeing her or hearing her voice again weighs heavily on my mind. Once we finally arrive at the hospital, my concern deepens. Kiara may need to be admitted before the night is over. I've never seen someone so sick, it can't just be a stomach bug. What if it's something more severe? The unbearable scenario of losing both my mom and the love of my life plays out vividly in my thoughts. In the waiting room, we encounter Candy, Jeremiah, and unexpectedly, William. Candy is knocked out, Jeremiah is engrossed in his phone, and
Kiara I enter the hospital room to discover Trey standing silently by Maggie's side, his gaze fixed upon her. He still hasn't slept at all, evident from the stubble shadowing his jawline. It's a rare sight; Trey typically shaves diligently each morning. Despite the dark circles under his eyes and his tousled hair, the stubble oddly suits him. Three days have passed since the accident. Maggie remains motionless in the hospital bed, surrounded by an array of monitors and machines. Her chest rises and falls with each breath, synchronized with the steady beeping of the monitor tracking her heartbeat. Multiple scratches mar her face, and stitches line the right side of her forehead. She appears beautiful and serene, as though she's peacefully asleep and could awaken at any given moment. There's still hope she might. The doctor explained she had to undergo brain surgery for an intracranial hemorrhage. But here's the good news: things are looking up. They've successfully stopped the
Kiara "Let's focus on you right now. If you don't eat this sandwich, it's going to get cold," I tease gently, hoping to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "The thought of food makes me sick," he replies, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "Yeah, me too," I admit quietly. "Oh well, maybe you can just eat it later then." Ten minutes pass, and he succumbs to sleep. I continue to stroke his hair, overwhelmed by a surge of love. I love this damn man so much. I'd do anything for him, even if it means bearing his pain for him. There's a soft knock on the door, and I glance up to see Candice entering the room. She settles down across from us, her expression etched with concern. "How's he doing?" she inquires. She has spoken to me a few times in the past couple of days, mostly about Trey or her mom. Surprisingly, it's made me realize that I've missed her, despite her being a total pain in the neck the last few months. But I guess this situation is bringing us closer together again. She's leani
Trey After calling Jeremiah, he and William rush to the hospital, and we all gather in the waiting room. Despite my efforts to remain hopeful, a sense of dread settles over me. Deep down, I can't shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong with Mom. As we sit anxiously, the doctor emerges, his expression stoic and unreadable. Instantly, my heart sinks. I know what he's about to tell us isn't good news. "I'm sorry to inform you that your mother's condition has deteriorated significantly. The bleeding in her brain has led to irreparable damage, and she is now in a vegetative state. In such cases, we must consider the quality of life and the likelihood of any meaningful recovery. It's a difficult decision, but at this point, we must discuss the possibility of withdrawing life support. This means that you and your family will need to decide when the appropriate time is to remove the medical interventions that are currently keeping her alive. I understand this is an incredi
TreyNow we stand around Mom’s bed deciding when we're going to take her off of life support. Jeremiah's voice trembles as he speaks, his eyes fixed on her still form. "Trey, do you think she'll wake up?" he murmurs, barely audible over the hum of the machines. I shake my head, the weight of reality settling heavily on my shoulders. "I don't think so, Jeremiah," I reply softly, my words heavy with grief. "The doctors said her condition is irreversible. Keeping her on life support is just prolonging the inevitable." As I glance at Mom lying motionless in the bed, a lump forms in my throat. It's hard to accept that this may be the last time I see her alive, but I know we can't keep her here like this, it would be selfish. We have to make the decision to let her go, to end her suffering and allow her to find peace. Kiara squeezes my hand to let me know that she's here, and not somewhere violently throwing up in a trashcan like she was when I had that complete breakdown yesterda
Kiara "How are you feeling today, Ms. Black?" My OBGYN, Dr. Meadows, asks in a kind, sympathetic tone as she steps into the exam room, her eyes scanning my weary face. "Like complete shit," I confess bluntly. "Even with the Zofran, I can barely keep food down. I feel weak and exhausted all the time, and my breasts hurt so much, it feels like they're on fire." Taking a deep, frustrated breath, I continue, my voice trembling with emotion, "We just buried my fiancé's mom a month ago, and he's barely eating and sleeping a lot when he's not at work, so I'm trying to be there for him while also hiding the fact that I'm pregnant by pretending I have some kind of virus. Of course, he's worried about me and I want to tell him the truth, but how the hell can he possibly be happy about a baby when he just watched his mom die right in front of him?" By the time I finish talking, the words sound strangled in my throat as tears relentlessly stream down my face. The image of seeing Maggi
Kiara "When are you going to tell him?" Candice's voice comes through the speakerphone, filled with excitement. "You know how hard it has been to keep a secret this long? I've already bought some cute, little booties for my niece or nephew." I roll my eyes playfully. "I told you I don't want my baby to be bougie." "I promise I shopped at a local baby store." "Okay, fine. Show them to me." She holds up a tiny pair of cream-colored booties in the camera. "Oh my gosh, those are so fucking cute!" I can't help but squeal. The thought of my baby wearing those in just eight months from now fills my heart with a profound sense of joy. I can do this. I have the support. I know at least I have Candice and Trey. Strangely, maybe even William. He's become a constant presence since Maggie died, stopping by almost everyday to check on us, and of course gets a free homemade meal. As for my parents, I'm not sure how they'll react parents will react, but I'll tell them after I tell T
Kiara I take her tiny hand in mine and lead her inside the house. When she sees Trey, she runs to him. "Grandpa, I missed you!" "VioletPie!" Trey responds with equal enthusiasm, scooping her up and swinging her up into his arms. I smile at the adorable interaction, my heart warming at the bond they share. I thought Trey couldn't get sexier as a chef, but watching him be a father and grandfather is everything. He is so kind and patient with kids, you'd never think he used to be a menace in high school. As I glance at the clock, I realize that TJ, his husband, and two daughters should arrive soon. Winston and his wife recently welcomed a baby, so we're giving them space to adjust to their new family dynamic. Candice and Cassie will probably be late, but they always show up eventually. As for Jeremiah, who now lives in Texas with his wife, we won't be seeing him today, but he'll most likely come down for Christmas. William peacefully passed away in his sleep five years ag
Kiara "Cupcake, they'll be here soon!" Trey's voice calls from downstairs where the delicious smell of food permeates the house. "Shit, I'm coming!" I shout back, quickly submitting my manuscript to my editor—the sixtieth and final book of my writing career. I decided that it's time I retire and enjoy some well-deserved adventures with my husband. Next week we're going to Hawaii for our thirtieth-year anniversary, and the idea of peace and relaxation fills me with excitement. As I walk through the hallway towards the stairs, I can't help but glance at the wall adorned with a collage of photos of our family. Trey and I have faced many obstacles together, but despite it all, we've achieved so much. What did Maggie used to call us? Oh yeah...a power couple. Yeah, I think we've lived up to that nickname. Each photo on the wall serves as a testament to our resilience and everlasting love that has carried us through every twist and turn of our journey together. My eyes
TreyThe remainder of the night unfolds beautifully. Following dinner, Kiara and I take to the dance floor for our first dance, swaying to "You Are The Reason" by Leona Lewis and Calum Scott. After we return to our seats, everyone starts running to the dance floor. Meanwhile, Magnolia peacefully sleeps in Kiara's arms as we watch them dance. I can't help but smile as a sense of contentment washes over me. The room is filled with laughter and smiles and infectious energy of people just reveling in the moment — exactly what I had hoped for. "Can I hold her?" Williams asks eagerly, reaching out for his granddaughter with a twinkle of adoration in his eyes. Kiara beams. "Of course. We're about to go dance anyway, right Trey?" I nod. She made sure there were multiple songs in our playlist that we could line dance to. After carefully passing Magnolia into his arms, ensuring not to disturb her sleep, Kiara seizes my hand. "Let's go, Candice!" she exclaims, her excitement
Trey "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," the minister declares, his voice ringing through the chapel. We had planned to get married before our daughter was born, but at twenty eight-weeks pregnant, she tried to come early, and Kiara was put on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy. It was a rough ass time for her, but of course, my amazing wife managed to get through it and successfully deliver our healthy nine-pound baby. For someone who didn't let her Mama eat much without throwing up, she sure weighed a lot. Hand in hand, surrounded by our family and guests, we stroll down the aisle, cheers mingling with the soft patter of rice raining down on us. With 'Lux Temptations' on the same block as the chapel, we decided that everyone would walk there together. Of course, It only made sense for us to have the reception at our restaurant, the best in Virginia. My staff volunteered their time and effort today to cater my wedding as l
Kiara I feign a pout at the command. "But I want to make the demands tonight." He smacks my ass as I move into position, causing me to giggle, "Okay, okay. I'm sorry, Chef." Trey's fingers softly graze over my skin, making me shiver in anticipation as he trails all the way from the nape of my neck to my pussy. Then, I feel him spit on my asshole, and I moan as I feel it drip down. He hums as if he's contemplating something. "Are you sure you can handle me fucking you hard tonight, Cupcake?" Always. "Yes, Sir," I whimper needily. He smacks my ass again. "What? I didn't hear you." "Yes, Sir!" I say louder. Hoping it makes him lose control, I wiggle my ass for him. Obviously it works because he grips my hips and impales me with his cock. He grabs my ponytail tightly, using it as a reign as he pounds into me. "H-Holy...holy...s-shitttt," I stammer, my fingers clawing at the sheets as he demolishes my pussy. There's something about pregnancy that makes sex so much more amazi
Kiara I needed this. His touch brings back the peace that was disrupted when we went to my parents house. I expected a bad reaction, but nowhere as explosive as my mom was. There's a chance she may not want to be in our lives after today, but honestly, I think I'm okay with that. I'm tired of trying to live up to her expectations just because the life she chose to live wasn't fulfilling to her. I won't make the same mistake. I know for certain that even if she doesn't show up for me and my daughter, I have people that will. Once we return downstairs, the aroma of pizza fills the air. William, Jeremiah, and Candice are sitting at the table, engaged in conversation and laughter. Candice waves us over with a smile. "Hey guys, we were just talking about a weekly game night or something, at least until you have the baby," she suggests enthusiastically. I smile. "I love that idea. What do you think?" I ask Trey. He smirks in response. "Hell yeah, but we're not playing S
Kiara I'm rendered speechless as we step into the house, marveling at all of the changes they've made. Despite the remodeling, Maggie's home still exudes the same cozy warmth it always has. When Trey mentioned he had a surprise for me, one that would be revealed once it was completed, I suspected that it was a house or something. Never did I anticipate that it would be Maggie's. Yet, I'm so damn happy and grateful that it is. It somehow makes me feel even closer to her knowing we'll live in the same space that she raised her children in. Soon, we'll be raising our own children here. "You guys did this yourselves?" I ask, pausing in the dining room, my eyes resting on Maggie's table, the very one I've eaten countless meals or sat talking with Maggie. "William, J, and I did all the hard work," Trey beams, "and, of course, Candy did all of the interior decorating." Candy slaps her brother's arm. "Just so you know, that was hard too, asshole," she laughs, shooting him a pl
Trey "I love my girls so much," I murmur, feeling a lump form in my throat from the overwhelming rush of love and pride bursting from my chest. Kiara sniffles, her voice thick with emotion. "We love you too." Suddenly, my phone vibrates, breaking the tender moment. Glancing at the screen, the text says, "it's done." I kiss her passionately, savoring her lips before I pull a blindfold out of my pocket and reach over to cover her eyes, gently tying it behind her head. "What's this for?" she asks, grinning. "Time for the surprise you've been waiting so impatiently for," I say, my voice brimming with excitement as I pull out of her parent's driveway. My heart races, imagining how she's going to react when I reveal the long-awaited surprise. I really hope she loves it. It's not long before we pull up at a familiar address, although the house has been completely transformed in the past four months. "We're here," I announce, swallowing hard as I step out of the car. The
TreyAll eyes shift to Kiara, a thick tension growing in the room as they wait for her to speak. Her mouth opens and closes, but she seems unable to form the words. Glancing up at me, her face flushed with distressed, she screams for help with her eyes. I squeeze her hand to let her know that everything's alright. Clearing my throat, and stand up. Who knows why; maybe it's because I'm accustomed to making announcements this way at my restaurant. "We're having a little girl together," I say proudly, unable to contain my grin. Although I can hardly believe it myself, I've heard her little heartbeat and watched her suck her thumb at the last ultrasound. To say I'm over the moon is a fucking understatement. I feel the peace in the room pop like a bubble. Her father stares at us in stunned silence. The color drains from her ex's face and he looks as if he may be stick to his stomach that it's with me and not him. Meanwhile, her sister bursts out laughing, the sound echoing through t