FIFTEEN #5
They passed another stretch of homes, and Nina noticed the way some of the gates displayed family crests or initials.
One house had a plaque near the driveway that read Campbell House, est. 1968.
Another had a stone marker with Hightower carved across it.
A third sat behind a row of oak trees, it captured her eye and made her ask him, “Do people ever sell here?”
“Barely.”
“Why?”
“Where they going?”
The answer was so simple that she laughed. “I mean eventually.”
“Eventually, somebody’s child is going to move in or their niece, nephew, cousin. It may end up with the grandchildren. If they do decide to sell its quiet like family to family.”
Every community had a temperature and there was a certain type of energy created by the people who lived there and the values they held close. It was why some expensive places such as the house she grew up in felt cold no matter how beautiful it was.
The Bluff was warm. It was where she wanted to be.
“I want one.”
“A house?” he clarified.
“Yes, with a porch and a big backyard.”
“In the Bluff?”
“Yes, babe.”
He didn’t tease her or call her ass spoiled. Nina’s family probably owned a house in the Hamptons already, but he’d never be welcomed there. He nodded once, as if she had just told him they needed milk from the store.
“Okay.”
Nina looked over. “You can’t just say yes to everything.”
“I can when I mean it,” he said seriously.
Nina could see their summer house vividly already.
Weekend mornings on the porch with coffee and books.
Jio up early making the grits that he’d finally mastered.
Ephrem visiting with books in tow.
Danyelle falling asleep in a guest room after swearing she was just resting her eyes.
Peaches showing up loud and underdressed for whatever elegant event Nina had planned.
Maybe children one day, running barefoot across a lawn, belonging to a place before they understood what belonging meant….
The thought came so suddenly that Nina placed a hand on her stomach without realizing it again.
His eyes dropped to her hand for the briefest second before returning to the road.
He didn't say anything, but he was going to keep his promise.
He had sworn he wouldn't bring up the pregnancy test again after she threatened to throw the entire unopened box at his head. He’d kept his promise verbally, but his actions were the opposite.
No wine.
No champagne.
No smoking.
No heavy bags.
No sushi.
No undercooked eggs.
No caffeine after a certain hour because he claimed it made her anxious, which may have been true but was still none of his business.
He watched her on the stairs like she was ninety years old.
Opened doors before she reached them. Made sure ginger ale appeared everywhere she went.
He treated her like porcelain and had the nerve to act confused when she accused him of treating her like a baby.
The worst part was that she was loving it all. Things had silently changed between the two.
Finally, they approached the estate where the wedding was being held.
Nina saw the gates before anything else.
Black iron framed by stone pillars, both topped with lanterns that hadn’t yet been lit.
Beyond them, the driveway led them through a manicured lawn lined with the most gorgeous bushels in blue, white, and purple.
When the house became visible, her breath was snatched by its beauty.
Nina straightened in her seat.
“Oh my Lord.”
Jio had saved the best for last. He took that route on purpose, knowing that their final destination was beyond breathtaking.
It was the kind of home that seemed built for generations of summer weddings, holiday brunches, cousins sleeping three to a room, and older women saying grace over meals that began as lunch and ended somewhere near midnight.
Beyond the main house, Nina could see glimpses of the water glittering through the trees.
All types of cars lined the circular driveway.
Black trucks. Vintage whips and foreign convertibles were all she saw.
People moved across the lawn carrying garment bags, flowers, welcome baskets, and bottles of champagne. Nina nodded, “We’re going to have the best weekend ever.” She felt it.
“Yes, we are baby! I’m ready to get out. I gotta shit!” he told her.
A young man in a black polo opened Nina’s door. “Welcome to the Gotti Estate.”
Nina looked at Jio because he’d clearly forgotten to inform her of the most important fact.
He took the paper bag from her lap and grabbed her tote from the back seat although she reached for it first.
“I can carry my own bag.”
“You can do a lot of things you not doing today.”
“I’m not handicap,” she said with an attitude.
Jio looked down at her stomach then back at her face.
She didn’t want to argue but the way she said his name was a warning to tread lightly. “Jio….”
“I didn’t say nothing.” He held his hands up to show her that he didn’t want no smoke.
She poked his chest. “You thought it.”
Nina took a deep breath, which warranted Jio to check in with her. “You nervous or nauseous?” With her, he could never be too sure.
“A little of both,” she openly admitted.
Jio leaned down and kissed her temple. “Don’t be.”
“You’re mine. That’s all they need to know.”