Chapter 9
9
Clinton
I thought I’d heard Mona say she was pregnant, but I must have misheard or misunderstood her. It wasn’t that I didn’t think it was possible because we’d been beyond reckless. I was more surprised by how long she’d waited to tell me.
“You’re what?” I asked for clarification.
She lifted her head from my shoulder, and our eyes locked. “I’m pregnant.”
“How long have you known?”
“Since yesterday.”
“Yesterday?”
She nodded nervously. “I took a test because I’ve been feeling sick for a few weeks, and I threw up.”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but—”
“It’s yours, Clinton. I haven’t fucked anyone else since New Orleans, and before that, it had been close to over two years.”
“You were drinking mimosas while carrying—”
“No, I lied because I didn’t want you to get suspicious.”
“We were about to have a serious problem. So, you’re about three months?”
“I haven’t been to my doctor yet, but that would be my guess.”
I took a moment to process our conversation, and a sense of joy overwhelmed me.
“You’re having my baby?” I smiled as I waited for her to respond.
“I am if God sees fit.”
She couldn’t hide the sadness in her eyes as she looked away from me.
“Hey.” I lifted her chin with my index finger and turned her face toward mine. “I’m sorry if my initial reaction wasn’t what you expected. I didn’t want to get too excited and—”
“I know, and I understand. You did nothing wrong.”
“Then why the sad face?”
She sighed. “I’ve never carried a baby to full term. I’ve had two miscarriages.”
“Damn, baby. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you, but I’m fine. In hindsight, it was probably for the better. Having children with my ex would’ve made it harder for me to leave him or, at minimum, tied me to him for the rest of my life. If I never see him again, it will be too soon.”
“That’s how you feel now, but I’m sure it was difficult at the time.”
“It was, but I made it through, and after the second loss, I never had unprotected sex with him again. I didn’t want to risk getting pregnant, amongst other things.”
I shook my head as I thought about Winston and his shenanigans while they were married. I’d never seen him with another woman, but he mentioned his conquests more than he mentioned his wife.
“Speaking of protection… we’re well beyond the time for that conversation.”
“Ya think?”
“Should I apologize?”
“Are you sorry?”
“Not in the least. Are you?”
She released another sigh and didn’t answer immediately. “No, I’m not sorry, but I am a little nervous because I miscarried at about this time for the other pregnancies.”
I reached underneath her shirt, forcing myself to bypass her pussy, resting my hand on her stomach.
“That’s understandable, baby, but remove all negative thoughts from your mind. You’re going to carry our baby to term and deliver a happy, healthy boy or girl about six months from now.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you believe there’s a reason for everything and God don’t make no mistakes?”
“Yes.”
I kissed her forehead. “Then no worrying is allowed, just praying for a positive outcome.”
“Okay.”
“Now, unless you want to get fucked again, you should probably get up.”
She giggled. “I can’t believe your dick has been semi-hard this whole time.”
“He stays ready so he doesn’t have to get ready, baby. Do you need a reminder?”
“No, I’m good, but I have another idea.”
About twenty minutes later, we were settled in her jacuzzi tub. She sat between my legs with her back against my chest while bubbles surrounded us. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d soaked in a bathtub, and there damn sure were no bubbles involved.
“You don’t take baths?” she questioned when I shared that it had been a while since I last sat in a bathtub.
“What my big, grown ass look like sitting in a tub surrounded by bubbles?”
“Like a man enjoying the soothing effects of a bath. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Baths aren’t my thing, but I take it you enjoy them.”
“I do, and you will, too, if you stick around long enough.”
“How does forever sound?”
She tilted her head and looked at me. “Forever?”
“That’s what I said.”
She looked straight ahead again. “Clinton, you don’t have to make empty promises just because I’m pregnant. I’m fully cap—”
“Empty promises? I realize we’re still getting to know each other, but I need you to understand something. I don’t make empty promises. If I say it, I mean it.”
“Like you said, we’re still getting to know each other. How can you promise me forever when you don’t truly know the person you’re making the promise to? I’m still a work in progress and—”
“And so am I. Everyone breathing should be a work in progress. But, baby, if you don’t change a single thing, I can still see myself being with you forever.”
She tilted her head again. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
My hand glided up her body until I reached her neck, gently gripping it.
“I am, but I told you in New Orleans that I would wait until you were ready.”
“Waiting until I was ready… Is that what you call texting me daily?”
I smirked before pressing my lips against hers momentarily, then releasing my hold on her neck.
“I had to let you know you were on my mind, and I wanted to see you again. You don’t seem to believe this is where I want to be, but I have a question for you.”
“I’m listening.”
“Would you have reached out if you weren’t pregnant?”
I was lowkey annoyed by how long it took her to respond.
“I don’t want you to take my response personally.”
“Damn, are you about to hurt a nigga’s feelings?”
“No… I mean, I hope not, but I want to be honest.”
“Speak your truth, baby. I’m a big boy.”
“When I saw you in New Orleans and you reminded me of who you were, I thought about fucking you just to get back at my ex.”
“That’s cold-blooded,” I said, trying to sound hurt.
She turned around and straddled me. “It was only a passing thought and not the reason I decided to take it there with you. I have no regrets, either.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Are you mad?”
“I’m heartbroken, but I’ll be okay.”
She looked at me with her eyes squinted for several seconds before she realized I was kidding.
“You play too much. I had to stop myself from responding every day.”
“You have a lot more restraint than I do. I kept telling myself I wouldn’t text you again until you responded. Clearly, that didn’t work.”
“It was hard, especially with the flashback I had. I broke two of my vibrators.”
“No shit?”
“I’m serious. I thought about calling to ask you to replace them.”
I laughed. “The only replacement I got is this dick, and I’m not a cocky nigga, but I’m almost sure it’s better than any vibrator you could ever have.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. Vibrators can’t give you what I can.”
“You’re sounding pretty damn cocky right now.”
“You ever gotten pregnant by a vibrator?” She smacked her lips and rolled her eyes. “Exactly, and I guess this case is closed.”
“Whatever, but speaking of your super sperm, do you want a boy or a girl?”
“That’s a good question. I’ve never given it much thought. I’d love to have a miniature version of you to spoil rotten.”
“For some reason, I believe your daughter would be spoiled rotten.”
“I’d have a hard time denying her and her mother of anything they asked.”
She smiled. “I like the sound of that.”
“What about you? Do you want a boy or girl?”
“After having two miscarriages, a healthy baby is my hope and prayer.”
“I agree, baby. I’ve been saying a prayer of my own. You wanna hear it?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll whisper it in your ear while you ride this dick.”