Epilogue

D ejvi

November

My first month being married to Enjell went by like a cool breeze. She'd found a building for her restaurant, and I found a building for my studio. Business was growing for her, and peace had been consuming me. The chain that was around my mind and heart daily fell the day I stopped chasing forgiveness in fires that held memories of Theo.

Cooper had found the perfect home for us, and we were set to move in within sixty days. We agreed to wait until after our first year of marriage to have a baby, but we were looking into getting a puppy when we moved. Our families and friends were doing well and flourishing, and I hadn't heard from Robin. Her mom did reach out to let me know she had returned to Chicago. Before she left, she shared she was stressed and under pressure because of how her relationship ended.

She hadn't told me that her man had cheated and gotten another woman pregnant, and I think that was why she was so dead set on having a baby from me. At this point, all I could do was wish her well. My birthday was one week away, and the gift of peace and having Enjell as my wife was all I needed.

I trudged through the loft in search of her and found her in the kitchen, like always, going over her Thanksgiving menu for our family gathering and catering. We both agreed to put business aside and focus on the holidays two days before Thanksgiving. I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her neck. She melted against me, and the act made me feel as good as it always did.

"Can I help?"

"I'm just about done, but you can be my taste tester. I am going to make a few dishes today."

"Just me? I don't want you to invite the little one and I have to share."

She laughed and turned on the bar stool to face me. "I'm sorry, baby, but I've already invited Aspen. He's on his way." I sucked my teeth and tried to walk away, but she wrapped her arms and legs around me. "Why you acting like that with my brother?"

"You know that mane greedy, and you always give him more than me."

"I do not!"

"Yes, you do."

"Well if you share and play nice, I have an extra special dessert for you." She slid my hand between her legs.

"I think we can arrange that."

I kissed her, but before we could get too deep, the doorbell sounded off. My groan made her laugh as I pulled away to let my brother in. When I opened the door and mugged him, he pushed me away with a laugh.

"Fix ya face, nigga. You act like you ain't happy to see me," he teased.

"I'm not. I literally just saw yo' ass yesterday. You need a fucking wife so you can leave mine alone."

"Yeah, yeah. You know you love when I come over, big brother. I'on know why you playing."

All I could do was chuckle and shake my head because that was true. As annoying as he was, I loved having the close bond we had… and the one he was building with my wife. The doorbell sounded again, and this time, I had no clue who it was. Turning, I returned to the door to let a seething Malaysia in.

"What's wrong, and how can I fix it?" I asked.

Her frown turned into tears, and this was the first time I'd ever seen her cry. Even when she was excited over the wedding, Malay didn't let her tears fall. She slid down the wall, prompting me to call Enjell. Aspen followed behind, and I could tell by the frown that covered his face he was just as ready to go to war as I was.

"What's wrong, sissy?" Enjell asked, kneeling in front of Malay and pulling her into her arms.

"He lied, sis. He brought that bitch in our house, talking about she was his cousin and didn't have anywhere else to go with her baby. But he lied! That wasn't his cousin. It was his side bitch. And that was his damn baby."

She cried harder, and me and Aspen looked at each other with widened eyes.

"I tried to beat both of their asses, and this nigga had the nerve to swing on me. He picked me up and put me out the house. All I had was my fucking phone to Uber here."

"That nigga put his hands on you?" Aspen confirmed, pushing Enjell out the way and lifting Malay to her feet. "Take me to him. Now ."