Allure: The Arranged Hearts Series

Chapter 18

I didn’t wantto mention it to Niko but I was beyond nervous. I didn’t know what to expect going to his parents” place. I knew of everything that had transpired and caused us not to be around in the first place. But I also knew that there had to be something deeper going on for them to act the way they were.

It had to be. I saw the yearning and familiarity in Niko’s eyes when we went to dinner at my parents” place. It was a yearning for a family he wasn’t experiencing at the moment. I wanted to tell him that my people would forever be his too but I knew I would have still wanted to bring my support to the table, so I kept it to myself.

We drove for a little while from our new home. Well, it wasn’t our home yet but it would be. I was speaking it into existence. Finally, we pulled up to a pair of large iron gates with a box to place a code. The moment Niko put the code in, the gates opened slowly and we drove down a long, wooded path until a very large home appeared behind the many trees.

I looked in Niko’s direction with wide eyes as my mouth dropped at the sight in front of me. I thought the home we had looked at was extravagant, but seeing this one made ours look like a shack when it wasn’t remotely that. It was bigger than both our places together.

I reached out and gripped his hand tightly and he chuckled, glancing at me before parking the truck.

“Baby, you nervous?” he asked.

I cocked my head to the side with my lips poked out.

“Of course, I am nervous. This place is beyond extravagant. You grew up here?” I asked.

Niko nodded with a smile before it suddenly fell at the sight of the front door opening and his father standing with an unreadable expression. I reached out and placed two fingers beneath his chin, then brought his attention back to me.

“It’s going to be perfectly fine. Ignore me. Now show me you love me,” I said, realizing I added love on the end.

This was the first time I slipped up, although I had been feeling it for a while. Niko smiled and leaned forward, slipping his tongue into my mouth, then pulling back a moment.

“I definitely do, baby. I love the hell out of you,” he said against my lips as we rested our foreheads against one another.

“I love you too,” I responded.

“That’s all that matters when we go in there,” Niko said.

I nodded as he pulled back, hopped out of the car, then walked around to my side to open the door for me. He took my hand into his own as we walked hand in hand over to where his father stood. When we got closer, he smiled at me and nodded toward the door.

“Your mother is in there waiting for you,” he said, shocking the hell out of us.

I just knew he was going to tell our asses to get back in that truck and head back to wherever we had just come from but he didn’t. It was as if he wanted to have a moment with Niko but chose to save it for later instead.

Niko nodded back and led me into the house, taking the out he was given. The moment we walked inside, his mother rushed over to hug me.

“It’s nice to see you again, Lore,” she said to me.

Then she looked over at Niko and a sadness passed, followed by relief. I knew without her having to say a word, she missed her son more than anything. I hated they went so long without speaking, but I assumed Niko was trying to prove a point even after I told him if he didn’t call his mother, I wasn’t handing up any pussy. Well, that was very short-lived. That man had the magic touch. At that moment, I decided to mind my damn business.

His mother led us into the living room, then asked if we would like anything to drink. She didn’t have to ask me twice because I was beyond thirsty. I gladly asked for water and got comfortable on the couch. When his father walked back inside, he sat on the couch opposite us. I couldn’t help but tell he was trying to figure out what to say. Niko did the same thing when he was at a loss for words.

Finally, his mother walked back in and handed me the water, then took her seat beside her husband. She reached out and held his hand, rubbing small circles. I knew then he had something to get off his chest.

“I’m just going to say it because I am not the one for dramatic silence and pauses. I fucked up by you, Niko. I couldn’t see past the life I imagined for you. Not realizing, it may not be the one you wanted. When you were younger, we would sit around and watch tapes all the time. Out of my three children, you were the only one who wanted the same dream as me. Or so I told myself.” His father started before looking at his wife, then back at Niko.

Niko’s grip tightened on mine and then loosened as his father talked more.

”After two failed attempts—first with your sister, to get her to play a sport, and then with your brother, who preferred to play basketball—I finally got to you, my third child, who latched onto my passion like a second skin. You didn”t even have to try as hard as I did to play. I know you worked hard, but man, you would just get it. All you had to do was be shown once or twice how to do something. You remember that?” he asked.

Niko looked over at him and nodded. “Yeah, every summer we would be in the back trying new things while Kole played ball on the court with his friends and Alexis hung with her friends in the house. It was just us.”

I laid my head against his shoulder, knowing he needed every bit of comfort I could provide him.

“Yeah, I thought you would be the one who would truly take the Lockwood name to new heights. I mean, you did for all intents and purposes. In my opinion, the best running back to ever do it. Then when you come in saying you’re turning down a hefty contract and then getting married to a woman none of us had ever met, I just knew you had lost your mind. It was unusual behavior for all of us, mainly me. But that’s because I couldn’t see anything more than you throwing away our dreams. I should have been more focused on your dreams. I messed up and I apologize. I hope I haven’t lost you forever,” he said.

I glanced between them, and Niko kissed my forehead before standing, then walking over to his father. He stood and they hugged it out. His mother was crying and so was I. I never expected that big-ass man to apologize, let alone express himself the way he had.

It was tough being a parent and I couldn’t imagine knowing how to handle a situation as unique as Niko and I’s. We did get married in a very unusual way if you asked me. Just then, the doorbell rang again and his mother stood to get it.

Niko’s father looked in my direction and smiled.

“I hope it’s not too late to show you who I truly am and welcome you to the family,” he said.

“I’m big on second chances, sir. I hope I can make a good impression on you too,” I responded.

Niko smiled down at me, then up at his father. I could tell that all that had been going on with his family had been taking him through the works emotionally. When his mother came back into the living room, his sister was behind her with her husband. But this time, she had a slight pudge to her stomach. I ignored it, not wanting to be rude. When I looked up, she smiled in my direction.

“Yes, I am. Also, it’s nice to see you again,” she said.

I smiled and stood to hug her.

“Congratulations,” I told her.

She looked down and rubbed circles against her stomach. Niko gave her a hug as well after dapping up his brother-in-law.

“I guess I’m getting ready to be an uncle,” he said.

Alexis nodded, with a few tears falling down her cheeks.

“Sorry, my emotions are all over the place. But yes, just in time. I’m happy for you and everything you’ve been doing. Did y’all catch him on So Sports these last couple of weeks? I’ve been watching in awe and super proud,” she said.

I loved the amount of respect and love they were showering my man with. He needed every bit of it.

“Is everyone hungry? I cooked and I think the chicken should be done, so head into the dining room,” his mother mentioned.

“Can I help you with anything?” I asked.

She nodded toward the kitchen so I followed her. She walked over to the stove, then grabbed the mitts to grab the hot pans. The smells coming from the oven had my stomach growling loud. She lifted a brow in my direction with a smile, then waved me over.

I followed her direction and stood in front of the pans.

“So, Lore, when are you going to tell my son that he is going to be more than an uncle?” she asked.

My mouth dropped at her declaration. I didn’t know what she was talking about. She looked up from the pan of chicken and smiled.

“You didn’t know yet, huh?” she asked.

I thought back to the last time I had my period, noticing it was long before my wedding and our honeymoon. I hadn’t paid it any attention with everything going on. We had to do that damn press conference, then adjusting to living together, and then the new jobs for both of us. I didn’t have enough time to think of anything else.

“You think so?” I asked her.

“I know so. When I was pregnant with Niko, I tended to be thirsty all the time, and honey, you have the most beautiful, glowing skin. All the signs lead straight to it. When you take the test and you share the news with him, let me know if I was right. I’m sure I am. But I can tell how happy you make my baby boy, just by this short amount of time of being in your presence. Thank you for being serious about the process. I know it had to be you who convinced him to call. These Lockwood men are hardheaded. They get it from their father and he has it double time,” she mentioned.

I smiled and nodded as I rubbed circles over my stomach. I made a mental note to grab a test as soon as possible or at least schedule a doctor’s appointment.

“He wanted to fix this, he just needed a push. Just as much as everyone over here did. I hope we can continue to build a solid relationship, especially if I really do have a baby in here. I want my child to be surrounded by nothing but love. It’s more than enough hate outside the walls of our homes to invite it inside,” I told her.

She smiled and nodded. “We will, honey. Grab the salad bowl for me.”

She pointed to the bowl behind me and I followed her into the dining room. As the night progressed, I saw my husband break free of the weight that had been dragging him down since the situation with his family started. I smiled, thinking about the fact that just maybe, we had created life together. This year was truly filled with so many blessings I couldn’t thank God enough for.