Chapter 24
A Month Later . . .
“Can you stay forever, Ms. Kyelle? I want to keep you, and then you can become my bonus mom.”
Mica’s words cause me to freeze against the wall where I’m waiting for Kyelle to finish the new bedtime routine between the three of us.
Mica has allowed me to resume reading her bedtime stories, but now Kyelle’s mantra is the last thing that happens before she goes to sleep.
Watching Mica cling to Kyelle since our relationship got back on track is a flex I never knew I needed.
Knowing that God not only gave me a replay in love but also sent that same person to give Mica the unconditional motherly love she’s been craving has me grateful beyond measure.
“I’ll stay as long as you want, Cupcake,” Kyelle says, bringing me out of my brief thoughts as a smirk forms at hearing her call Mica by the nickname I use.
“Yay! Then forever it is.” Mica’s eyes and face glow as she wraps her arms around Kyelle’s neck.
My chest warms, and my heart skips a beat at seeing the loving affection between my two favorite girls.
Over the last thirty days, Kyelle and I have been forging and solidifying our bond by spending as much time with each other as my schedule permits.
Not to mention that Kyelle has also been spending time doing girl stuff with Mica, which Mica has been eating up.
Sharing my woman with my daughter has been challenging because Mica loves Kyelle as much as I do.
Watching the two of them laugh, color, or Kyelle paint Mica’s feet has been the highlight of my life lately.
I’m grateful that dating me means including Mica for Kyelle, because women in the past have only cared about pleasing me.
“Alright, Cupcake. Good night, and don’t let the bed bugs bite.”
“Good night. I love you, Ms. Kyelle.”
“I love you more.”
My eyes water at the exchange between Mica and Kyelle as I quickly turn to wipe away the lone tear slipping from my right eye. I have never experienced anything more beautiful than this moment. Loving me is one thing, but loving my child has me ready to give Kyelle the world.
“I love you too, Daddy. Good night,” Mica says, and I suck up the emotions welling within me and turn back toward them.
“I love you, Cupcake. Best of sleep. Good night.”
Kyelle smiles, walking toward me, and I fight my reaction in front of my baby as heat crawls up my neck the closer Kyelle gets to me.
Extending my hand, my lips upturn when Kyelle slips her hand inside mine.
With one final glance at Mica, I lead Kyelle out of the room before pulling the door closed.
“I hope you know I’m kidnapping you for the night.”
Kyelle came over after her workday ended, but I didn’t let her know what my plans were for her.
Today’s practice and this week’s game prep ran later than expected, so Kyelle had prepared and fed Mica dinner by the time I got here.
While Kyelle and I handled Mica’s bedtime routine, Jaleel has been putting the finishing touches on what I’m hoping will be a memorable evening.
“Oh. Are you? What if I don’t want to spend the night? I don’t even have a spinnanight bag with me for this forced stay you’re attempting.”
“I got everything you need, my baby.”
“Let me find out you stole some of my clothes when you were at my house.”
Low laughter escaped my mouth, vibrating through my body upon seeing Kyelle’s hiked brows and pouty lips when she halted our steps to look at me.
“You’re about to find out. Come on, I’ve got plans for us.”
Alright, my baby… I’ve planned something memorable for you.
There are clues hidden and at the end, there will be a special gift tailored just for you.
To start, the first clue is where I keep a spice or two!
“Ooh, this is gonna be fun,” Kyelle says after reading the card and heading toward the kitchen with me following behind her.
I have never done anything like this, but a few of my teammates put me up on game, and I thought it would be an excellent idea for Kyelle and me.
“Oooh, I found it. Let’s see what’s next,” Kyelle says, smiling after opening the spice cupboard and grabbing the next clue.
Damn, you found me. Now go to the place where things get lost.
We like to sit in front of this while coloring with Cupcake.
Wordlessly, Kyelle grins before speedwalking toward the living room as I laugh at the back-and-forth motion in her arms as she heads to the next destination.
My heart rate is increasing as my eyes stretch with open amusement at Kyelle’s merriment.
A boisterous laugh falls from my lips when Kyelle charges the couch in the living room, flipping over the pillows until another clue surfaces.
“I’m good at this,” she says before reading the next clue.
I might be making this too easy or you’re that smart… I’ll take smart as a…
The next clue is in the garage.
“Oh my God! Did you buy me a—” Kyelle’s eyes stretch wider than saucers as she runs toward the door for my attached garage.
More laughter escapes me because my poor baby is about to be so disappointed.
“What? Where’s the bow? These are the same vehicles that are always here.” Kyelle groans after looking in the garage and seeing my usual vehicles. “Hm. I don’t even know if I want this next clue.” Pouting, Kyelle walks to the car where the next clue is sitting on the hood.
Gotcha! The previous clue said I’d take smart as a… whip, but I never said I was gifting you one.
Anyway, here’s the next clue… I love you and I think you’re swell,
Go to the place where I like to sit and dwell.
“Humph. I guess.” With less enthusiasm than before, Kyelle reenters the house heading toward the spiral staircase, climbing the steps without rigor or passion, causing me to smirk.
“Good things come to those who reach the end, my baby.”
“Whatever. I’m not sure I want to play anymore.”
Less than five minutes later, Kyelle walks into the bathroom and returns with another clue that was resting on the closed toilet lid. Her mediocre tone increases the smirk I’m wearing as she reads the next clue.
Cheer up, my baby… in fact, this next clue is in the place where you look to get rid of hunger.
Or need something to quench your drying lips.
“Really, Kaeden?”
Shrugging, I extend my arm without saying anything as Kyelle rolls her eyes and heads back out the door and down the steps.
The burn in my calves when I descend the steps reminds me of the burpees and squats I did during my post-practice workout.
Without a word, Kyelle snatches open the refrigerator door, pulling out the bottle of wine where the next clue is attached.
You’re good at this, my baby.
Now take this bottle with you as we’re gonna need it at the end.
The next clue is on the shelf below…
“Okay, I see you, babe.” Kyelle’s soul-stirring smile returns, and my dick twitches at the knowledge that the end is fast approaching.
Kyelle pulls out the white bakery box from the fridge and walks to the island to set down the bottle of wine.
Her smile widens when she lifts the lid to see the pink and white chocolate-covered strawberries inside.
Her nose twists, and wrinkles spread across her forehead before she nods and holds the box up to see the clue taped to the bottom of the container.
“You’re way too good at this, mister.” Carefully, she pulls the card from the bottom without shifting the box too much before reading aloud.
Let’s go, my baby… this is the final clue and we’re in the home stretch.
Our destination is in a place where warmth can be obtained even in the dead of winter.
But don’t forget that bubbly… and bring these berries too.
“Ooh, it’s the firepit out back.” Kyelle’s face glows, her cheeks heighten, and her eyes twinkle as she grabs the wine, carrying it and the strawberries in each hand before heading toward the backyard.
With every step I take in following her, my throat dries, my blood pressure increases, and the hairs in my beard tingle.
This is it. The moment where everything comes together.
Kyelle’s steps come to a stop after she exits the open door leading outside.
A gasp escapes her mouth as she turns to look over her shoulder at me.
Tears are brimming in her eyes, and intense astonishment fills her face.
“Ka-Kae—”
“You can’t stop here, my baby. You’ve got to complete the hunt.” My voice is husky and full of longing as I gently nudge Kyelle forward.
“But bae . . .” Kyelle’s words trail off as I take the items in her hands and walk around her, hoping she’s following me.
My patio area has been transformed to be an intimate oasis with tealight candles. White lights hang from the cabana as the firepit glows and sparks from the fire warming the area. The backyard is lit up with letters that spell out It Will Always Be You For Me.
“Aw, Kaeden.”
After setting the strawberries and wine on the small table, I extend my hand to help Kyelle sit down. Instead of my usual patio furniture, there are two large cushion pillows surrounded by more tealight candles and rose petals.
“You deserve this and so much more. I don’t want you to ever think I don’t appreciate you for loving me. For loving my daughter. You are a gem that I’ll never get tired of treasuring.”
“Aw, baby. Receiving this lets me know that I can trust you to reciprocate the love I have for you. What’s next?”
“You and me eating these berries and sipping this girly wine while enjoying whatever movie you want us to watch. I just want to savor the moment I have with you.”
My chest stretches as my heart thumps wildly as I stare into Kyelle’s watery eyes before pulling her closer and kissing her lips. Fireworks burst in my mind at our connection as I get lost in our lip-lock.
“Anything?” Kyelle asks when our lips disconnect a few minutes later.
My mind is foggy from our kiss, so I’m unsure what Kyelle is talking about and need clarification. “What are we talking about?”
“Do you really not have any objections about the movie we watch?”
Chuckles fall from my lips at Kyelle’s smirk and the merriment colliding with teasing in her eyes.
“Nah. Hit me with your best sappy movie, my baby. I can handle it.”
Kyelle smiles, instantly warming my soul from the action as I fall deeper in love with her in this moment.
“Love Jones.”
“Say less.” Picking up the remote for the projector I have out here, I go about getting things set up for our movie and chill night.
A sigh of contentment escapes my mouth when I turn to see Kyelle opening the bottle of wine and pouring it into the glasses waiting on the table.
Bottomless peace and satisfaction flow through my body as I revel in admiration for this beautiful woman.
My mood is energized as I marvel in the happiness, because I feel more alive than I’ve ever been before.