Chapter 33 - Blossom
“Stace, you know I’m only coming to this little shindig because I love you, right? I need to be home preparing for my man tonight.”
Last week, Marshall closed on his home, and I couldn’t have been happier. I walked away from the table with a hefty commission from the sale that I split with Stacy and pure joy that I’d helped another client purchase the home of their dreams.
“I know all about the freaky shit you trying to do today.” She wrinkled her nose as she glanced over at me.
“I just want you to attend this housewarming for a little bit with me. How am I going to bag me a fine, rich nigga if I’m not in the mix?
Between JJ’s brothers and his friends, I’m bound to get into the family. ”
Shaking my head at her, I eased into the passenger seat.
At almost five months pregnant, I was exhausted.
Baby McKnight was getting busier by the day, but I was so blessed because I didn’t want for a thing.
All the morning sickness and body aches would be well worth it when he or she got here.
Placing my hand on my belly, I smiled at the small kicks and flutters.
I’m in love already.
“Are you sure you don’t want a gender reveal?” Stacy asked for the thousandth time. We’d finally made it to Mills Manor, and I couldn’t help but perk up. I just loved the houses out here. “You know we’re all anxious to know what you’re having.”
“I know, but you guys will just have to wait.” I rolled my eyes and groaned as we pulled up to Marshall’s home. Cars were lined up and down his driveway, so I knew there was a crowd inside. “That’s a moment I want to share with just JJ. He deserves that.”
The night I told JJ we were having a baby, I felt so bad that Stacy was the first one to know.
She was my best friend, so I didn’t mind sharing the moment with her, but I would have preferred it to have been him.
I decided not to have a gender reveal, letting the family know they would get the news after I shared the intimate moment with JJ alone.
I wanted to do something specifically for him and me.
“I guess I can understand that.” She pouted, throwing the car in park before turning to face me.
“Have I told you lately how proud I am of you? You’re a fuckin’ boss in every sense of the word.
Life has thrown you a lot of curveballs this year, but you caught them all and tossed them right back.
What was meant to break or hurt you, you took that shit on the chin.
This baby is going to be so blessed to have you.
” She reached over and wiped my tears as I did the same for her.
She knew this baby had me extra emotional these days, so I didn’t know why she chose to do this to me.
“Not only the baby, but JJ as well. He has one hell of a woman, and if that nigga ever goes wrong, you call me. I don’t care how big and scary he is.
We will chop that nigga down like a fuckin’ tree. I love you, sis.”
“I love you, too, best friend.” I reached over the center console and pulled her into a hug.
“With all of my heart. Thank you so much for being there for me and sticking up for me when no one else would. Ugh, look at us!” I pulled back from her and dabbed my eyes.
“You have us going in here around these people looking crazy.”
It didn’t take us long to get ourselves together after our little cry. Stepping out into the chilly air of Milly Grove, I wrapped my peacoat around me tightly. Marshall better be glad I somewhat liked him because there was no way I should’ve been out in this weather.
“This is the baddest home I’ve sold to date.” I smiled as I strode up the steps. “Marshall better do right by her.”
Watching my friend input the code on the keypad, I gave her a knowing look, causing her to grin. I didn’t know what she and Marshall had going on for her to have a code to his front door, but I was going to let her make it today.
Stepping inside, the smell of freshly shined floors and something floral filled the air.
The smell was light, maybe gardenias, and it didn’t make me gag, so I basked in the scent.
My heels clacked against the marble floors, echoing with each step I took.
The inside was just as beautiful as it was the last time I was here, but this time, it felt different.
It felt like home.
“Good evening, Blossom,” an unknown man greeted me as I stepped into the sitting room. I turned to Stacy, but she only winked at me and kept walking. “I’m Jules. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Uh, hey…” I looked around in search of Marshall and his other guests. “I don’t mean to be rude, but who are you and where is everybody?”
Giving me a warm smile, the handsome gentleman, dressed in a nice Italian suit, stepped toward me with an envelope in hand.
Handing it to me, I shakily accepted. Opening it, I scanned the contents and couldn’t help but gasp.
There, in all red and bold letters, was the deed to the house, signed to me.
Tears sprang to my eyes as my hands began to shake.
The documents slipped from my fingers, scattering to the floor as I looked to Jules for answers.
“W-What? H-How?” I asked, confused. “I don’t understand.”
“I don’t have the answers, love.” Jules smirked, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Maybe he does.”
Just then, the air around me grew still. Goosebumps formed all over my body the moment I felt his presence. Turning slowly, I stumbled slightly at the sight of my man, my everything, kneeling before me.
“I bought this home for you, for us.” JJ peered up at me with eyes full of love and emotion. “I knew you were the one for me, Blossom. From the very first moment I laid eyes on you. You’re my strength, my light, my everything.”
Hearing the doors open behind me, I glanced over my shoulder as the soft strains of violins filled the air.
From what I could see, the backyard had been transformed with various flowers and balloon arches littering the space as our families and friends looked at us with love and support.
Bringing my eyes back to JJ, he’d now presented me with the biggest ring I’d ever seen.
“If you’ll have me, I’ll spend the rest of my life making you and our kids happy.” His stare was so intense as he took my hand into his. “I love you more than life, baby, and I don’t want to live another day without making you my wife. Blossom, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Overcome with passion, I didn’t trust my words. Nodding with all the enthusiasm I could muster, I smiled through my tears as he slid the ring onto my finger. As he stood to his feet, he scooped me into his arms and kissed me with more desire and admiration than he’d ever shown.
“I love you so much, baby.” I croaked, trying to get the word out as best as I could. “You really don’t know how much.”
“Prove it.” He smirked, placing me on my feet right as my father stood to the side of him. “I need you to do one last thing for me, just one favor.”
“Anything,” I answered immediately. “Whatever you want, Papa.”
“Hey! Hey!” My father pried JJ and me apart after JJ grabbed my ass and slammed me into him. “Young man, unhand my damn child. She’s not your wife yet.”
“My bad, Pops.” JJ simpered, causing me to blush from embarrassment. “That favor?” He placed his finger under my chin, dropping a soft kiss on my lips. “Marry me now. Here… Today… In front of our family and friends.”
Stunned, I said nothing as I watched him let me go and walk into the backyard.
He glided down the aisle with ease, standing at the makeshift altar with Jules.
Glancing around, I took in all the smiling faces of the people I’d grown to know and love.
JJ's parents smiled through their tears, while my mother was an emotional wreck. Her ugly cries, along with Stacy’s, could be heard over the music, and I couldn’t help but giggle.
“Regardless of what you choose to do, know that I love you.” My father palmed my face as he stared at me.
“You’ve made me proud from the moment you were born.
My greatest accomplishment in life has been witnessing you step into adulthood and do things on your terms. I can’t wait to see you conquer being a mother and wife.
What do you say, baby girl?” He extended his arm to me. “Am I giving my daughter away today?”
Looking from his arm back to JJ standing confidently and waiting for me, I couldn’t help but think about what led us to this moment.
Six months ago, I thought I would be in a mediocre relationship for the rest of my life with someone who didn’t appreciate me.
Now, I know that there was such a thing as reciprocity.
No matter how we began, no matter what trials it took to get here, I would walk that path a thousand times if the roads lead me to Jaseon McKnight Jr.
Staring at JJ, I radiated the warmth he’d given me as a single tear slid down his cheek. He didn’t care or bother to wipe it, and that made me love him even more. Peering up at my father, I looped my arm in his, kissing his cheek. His own tears formed and threatened to fall as well.
“I’m ready to do this, Daddy.” I squared my shoulders and smiled. “Take me to my man.”
It had been two weeks since I was pronounced Mrs. Jaseon McKnight Jr., and I had been living in a dream since.
I never expected the surprise, receiving the house of my dreams and the wedding before having our firstborn, but I cried every time I thought about it.
Jaseon’s love for me had no limits, and tonight, I wanted to show him that the love went both ways.