Chapter 7

“I miss you, mommy.”

My heart breaks into a million little pieces, and I press my lips together to stop the sob from leaving my lips.

“I miss you too, baby,” I say to my beautiful three-year-old daughter.

I hear her mumbling, and some footsteps, and then my mother is back on the phone.

“She went to play,” my mom tells me. “She reminds me so much of you at that age.”

I let out a laugh. “She’s so much cuter,” I reply, picturing my daughter’s sweet face in my mind. She has my green eyes, and her daddy’s light brown hair, and cute, pink, chubby cheeks that I want to pinch all the time.

“No seas tonta,” my mother says. “My daughter has always been, and still is, very beautiful.”

A smile pulls at my lips. My mom and I had a long journey to get to where we are today. It wasn’t always easy, and it took a lot for us to finally be in a good place, but I couldn’t be happier with how our relationship is.

Growing up, I was always trying to catch up to her, always wanting to please her, to make her be proud of me, but it never worked. She always had something negative to say, a new trick to help me lose weight, or the latest diet she’d heard from a friend. She was never happy with how I looked .

It took a lot for me to finally stand up to myself and make sure she knew that what she was saying was unacceptable.

And yet, she still wasn’t completely perfect. When Aiden came over to our house to meet my parents, he was a little nervous. It was so adorable. I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time. This big, 6’6” basketball player that had the whole school in the palm of his hands was nervous to meet my parents.

He was shaking the whole plane ride there, constantly asking me questions about them, as if they were going to quiz him.

But when we finally got to my house and he noticed my mother watching us a little too closely—or not so subtly swapping out my food for healthier options—his nerves vanished.

He stood up for me, telling my mother off without ever raising his voice. That’s something I admire about Aiden, he never loses his cool or lets anger take control. He’s sweet and loves making people happy, but the moment someone hurts someone he loves, he won’t stand for it.

That was a real wake-up call for her. She finally realized how much she had been hurting me, and since then, she’s tried her hardest to accept me, no matter my dress size. So, hearing my mother call me beautiful now brings a tear to my eye.

“Ay, Dios mío,” my mother says, her voice rising. “Nova, put my porcelain plate down right now.”

The line goes quiet as she hangs up, and I let out a laugh. Nova is at the wonderful age where she wants to touch everything. And even though I love my baby girl so much, I’m kind of enjoying this little break.

I place my phone on the nightstand and lie back down in bed, turning onto my side to look at my husband. A smile tugs at my lips as I see him lying on his side, his hand resting under his head, his eyes closed, and his beautiful lips slightly parted.

My husband is the hottest man I’ve ever seen.

Not only is he a world-famous NBA player, desired by millions of girls and a role model to every guy out there, but he’s also the best person I have ever known. He’s loving, kind, and so talented that it’s almost unfair.

And he’s all mine.

Sometimes I can’t believe he chose me .

My hand reaches out, and I poke at his cheek, silently wondering if this is really real.

One of his eyes snaps open, and he breaks into a smile instantly. “Morning, baby,” he murmurs, his raspy voice sending a shiver down my spine as he wraps an arm around me, pulling me closer.

Even though I’m almost nine months pregnant and there’s a noticeable space between us filled with our baby, Aiden doesn’t seem to mind as he leans forward to kiss me.

“Were you staring at me while I slept?” he murmurs, pressing his lips against mine over and over again. “That’s kind of creepy,” he teases, a hint of a glint in his eye.

I let out a sigh, rolling my eyes. “I was not watching you sleep,” I lie. “I just wanted to see if you were awake. ”

He hums, tightening his hold on my waist. “I’ve been awake for a while,” he admits with a smirk. “Heard you on the phone to your mom.”

My eyes soften. “Shit. I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”

He shakes his head. “I’d much rather be awake right now, so I can do this,” he murmurs, pressing kisses all over my face.

I try not to laugh, but it’s impossible when he attacks me with kisses. “What the hell are you doing?” I ask, pushing at his chest as laughter bubbles out of me.

“Taking advantage of the time we have together this weekend,” he says, dipping down to kiss along my neck. “ You’re my lady, my baby, and you’re driving me crazy. ”

I blink in confusion, letting out a laugh. I can’t say it’s a normal occurrence to wake up with Aiden singing to me as he peppers little kisses all over my skin.

“Are you … singing?” I ask, my brows knitting together in confusion.

Aiden chuckles against my skin as he nods. “I’ve got to seduce my girl somehow.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m your wife,” I say. “How much more seduction could I need?”

Aiden lets out a scoff, scooching as close as he can without crushing the baby inside my belly. “Lots,” he says, nuzzling his nose against my neck and kissing the sensitive skin. My lips part at the feel of him. “You’re a very hard woman to please.”

“Must be a horror to deal with,” I reply dryly .

My husband scoffs, shaking his head. “No fucking way. It’s fun working hard to hear you admit you love me and could never live without me,” he says with a grin that makes me narrow my eyes.

“I’ll never admit that,” I say, my chest rising as my heart pounds against it.

Aiden just grins, knowing I’m lying, because we both know I love him, and he chuckles against my skin. “That just means I need to work harder for it.”

“Never,” I lie, tilting my head back when his mouth wraps around my nipple.

“No?” he murmurs, twirling his tongue around the hard bud.

I shake my head, but a moan spills out of my lips which makes him pull off me with a huge grin on his face. “Your mouth says one thing, but your body says another, baby.” He smiles, his lips stacking above mine, only an inch away. “Tell me how much you love me,” he whispers, our breaths mingling together.

A heavy breath leaves my lips, and I shake my head, pressing my lips together to stop any noises from escaping.

He arches a brow, but then his smile softens as his blue eyes lock onto mine. “That’s okay. I love you enough for the both of us,” he says, which makes me frown a little. He doesn’t usually break this easily. He tries, and tries, and tries until I’m the one that breaks and admits to him how much I love him .

“I love you so fucking much, Leila,” he says with a soft smile, cupping my face in his hand. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, baby.”

My brows knit together, seeing his eyes sparkle as he looks at me, and I can’t believe how lucky I am that he saw me one day, and wanted me. That he wants me every day. That he loves me, and our daughter.

And before I know it, the words spill out of my mouth. “Why me?”