Chapter Thirty-One
Abel
January 2024
Three months later
The months leading up to this moment, have been bliss.
Emily’s death was mourned, but her life celebrated in a way that nobody will be able to forget she graced this Earth with her presence.
Our baby girl was sprouting so fast like a garden that was nourished and well taken care of. Of course she was making room for her little brother who would be here in another seven and a half months. Of course it's too early to know what she's having, but hey, a man can dream… Right?
When I told Ivy I couldn’t wait to put another baby in her, I meant it.
I’m still trying to get over the fact that Santiago is her father and how he’s inserted himself into her life. While they aren’t close, they aren’t as far apart as they once were.
As for her mother, she’s hiding something, but I’ve been too preoccupied to find out what.
It’ll have to wait until after I do what I’ve wanted to do since before Poet was born.
“Abel, everything’s ready.” Foxy says as she and Ginger step back and admire everyone's hard work. “What time do you want her here?”
“Now. Here are her keys. I haven’t told her that it was her push present yet. Ginger, I’ll leave that up to you.” I say, giving her a wink while she gives me a toothy grin. “When you bring her here, make sure she’s blindfolded. I want her to be surprised.”
“Uncle Abel, she’s definitely gonna be surprised. I did a good job keeping it a secret.” Ginger says, making me proud to be her uncle.
“Thanks, Gin. Now, you and your mom go. Everyone, thanks for all your help. Foxy is about to go and get her, I need you all gone, but we’ll definitely see you all later… Maybe.” Smiling as everyone laughs and begins to leave. Standing in the center of the building I purchased for her, I look around and love how everything turned out.
This is going to be her very own art gallery.
It was empty until I had everyone chip in to turn it into the perfect location for what I have in mind.
It looks magical in here, and I know she’ll love it.
White and cream balloons fill the open space that’s begging for my Marrone Dolce’s touch. A huge balloon heart hangs from the center of the ceiling with the words ‘Marry Me’ in the center that consists of string lights. Red rose petals line the runway red carpet she’ll walk on to come and meet me.
A bottle of sparkling wine is chilling in a bucket on the table along with some sweet treats from her favorite bakery.
Closing my eyes, I say a prayer. “God, thank you for sending your beautiful angel to me. I promise to love and cherish her until you call us home.” A chill runs up my spine, making my toes curl, but giving me a sense of peace and serenity. A gust of wind blows across my face silently saying you’re welcome.
It leaves me with a smile on my face as I hear the doors open and Ginger comes bobbing in with Ivy’s hand tucked inside hers. “Here she is, Uncle Abel.”
“Abe, what’s going on?” I love when she calls me Abe, it always makes my dick hard. Shifting from foot to foot, I rearrange myself without Ginger seeing.
“Come to me, Marrone Dolce.” Holding my breath, I wait for Ginger to guide her to me.
“Be careful, Auntie, I don’t want you to trip.” Ginger giggles, doing her best to hold her laughter.
“With your help, there’s no way that’ll happen.” Ivy says, and I just can’t take my eyes off her. She’s practically glowing and not just because of the pregnancy.
It’s something else.
“I know, I’m the best helper.” Ginger laughs, stopping right in front of me. “Alright, Auntie Ivy, Uncle Abel has it from here.” She skips off to go meet her mom when I look over in her direction and mouth, “Thank you.”
I watch them leave for a second before turning my attention back to Ivy. “Abel, what’s going on?”
“Take off the blindfold, Marrone Dolce.” Reaching behind her head, she unties the knot, letting the blindfold fall to the ground. I watch as confusion slowly drifts away when she moves her head around, looking at what I’ve done. “My Marrone Dolce, my sweet brown. I think I’ve loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you in my club. That one night we spent together, I fell for you and hard. Every moment we weren’t together, you occupied every free thought. When I came face to face with you on your first doctor’s visit, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but it was fate, stepping in and doing what she does best. The night we met, you were the distraction my mind needed to fill a void that was created by someone else, and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you because you are worth that and so much more. Marry me, Marrone Dolce, and I promise to cherish the ground you walk on, be the man of your dreams, and turn them all into a reality. Starting with this place.” Tears stream down her face as her lips quiver with joy. “Will you marry me, Marrone Dolce?”
She doesn’t even hesitate as she leaps into my arms, “Yes! A million times, yes!” She says, pressing her soft lips over every inch of my face. “I love you! I love you so much it hurts!”
“I’m the luckiest man alive.” I shout, swinging her around. Her giggles fill the air and are music to my ears. “By the way, this place is yours-”
“Just like that BMW SUV you bought me as a push present?” She asks, and I know Ginger didn’t miss the assignment.
“Sure is.” My hands circle her waist while hers wrap around my neck.
“What say we christen the place?” She stands on her tippy toes and kisses me as her way of answering.
“Come on, biker man, show me what you got.” When she says it like that, her voice going all seductive and shit, it drives me wild, and I show her exactly three times before the end of the night.