Chapter 63 Vincent
Vincent
My phone buzzes relentlessly.
My people had been letting me sleep in knowing my body is still readjusting. But if Bob, my publicist, is calling me this fuckin’ early, I know it’s something important.
I slip out of bed, careful not to disturb Ari. In the bathroom, I close the door and dial him back.
“What’s goin’ on?” I say, rubbing my eyes.
“Sir…somebody’s shopping pictures,” he stammers. “Of you and Ms. Williams. On the beach. Does that ring a bell?”
I stop moving. “Pictures of what?” I ask, even though I have a sinking feeling I already know.
“It looks like it’s aerial photos. Someone probably took them not realizing what they had until now.”
“You’ve seen ‘em?”
“Yes, sir.”
My jaw clenches. “Spit it out, man.”
“You appear to be…having sexual intercourse.”
“Fuck!”
“Apparently there’s a bidding war.”
I slam my hand on the counter. “Nah. Whatever they offering, top that shit. Once we got them bitches in our possession, have them muhfuckas locked the fuck up. Handle this shit, man. That’s what I’m payin’ you for.”
“I’m on it,” he says.
I hang up and shake my head. It feels like it’s always something. Just had a perfect night with Ari just for this bullshit to pop up.
And of course, I woke her up. She’s rubbing her eyes when I walk back into the bedroom.
“Morning, baby,” I say, painting on a smile. I don’t wanna burden her. Not today. Not ever. “You hungry?”
“Of course. But first, I need to pee.”
“Alright. Let’s get you up.”
I help her to her feet and wait outside of the bathroom in case she needs me. When she comes out, I kiss her, then bend to kiss her belly.
We go downstairs. I order breakfast and we eat together, laughing over little things, enjoying the moment. But all I can think about is those pictures. If Bob don’t take care of this shit, that smile and all that happiness I see in her is gonna evaporate. I can’t let that happen.
But for now, I live in the moment.
“I wanna marry you,” I say.
She swallows a bite of pancake. “Are you asking?”
“Nah. Just telling.”
She smiles.
“I wanna marry you before the baby comes.”
“Why the rush?”
“Why would we wait?” I ask, my voice soft but firm.
“Well, I’d need to plan the wedding,” she says, setting her fork down. “I don’t know what kind I’d want, but I know I don’t wanna be big and pregnant in my dress.”
I reach across the table and take her hand. “I hear you. But I just feel like…” I trail off, caressing her fingers with mine. “After everything we went through, I feel like we shouldn’t wait to do what we want. Tomorrow ain’t promised.”
She looks at me, her eyes bright and sparkly. “That actually makes a lot of sense.”
“I know.” I move out of my seat, dropping to one knee, heart pounding. “Ariana Monae Williams, will you marry me?”
She laughs through her tears. “Of course I will.”
I lean up to seal that with a kiss. “Obviously, you’ll get a ring. A fat one.”
“Obviously.”
We kiss again, then she pulls away. “Let me go get dressed.”
I check my phone. “Yeah. JR’ll be here in an hour.”
While Ari’s getting dressed, I text Bob.
No response.
Avery shows up right on time with JR. My lawyer thought it best if handoffs went through a third party for now, and Shemari agreed. My aunt volunteered.
“Hey, Little Man.” I press a kiss to his cheek. “Hey, Auntie. Thanks for bringing him.”
“You’re welcome.” She hugs me and kisses my cheek. “I gotta run, but tell Ari I said hey.”
“I will.”
We walk her to the car, then head back inside.
JR looks around with a curiosity I’ve only seen kids have. “Daddy?”
“Yeah, man.”
“Is this you house?”
I kneel to get to his eye level. “It’s Daddy’s new house. With my new friend.”
I take his shoes off, then his backpack. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Cookies?”
I laugh at that. “Maybe later.”
I grab his hand and lead him upstairs. Ari is just finishing up, looks like. She turns around and smiles so wide at my son, I feel like I just won at life.
“Ari, this is my baby boy. JR, this is Ari.”
“Hi JR!”
He waves.
“And this,” I say, putting a hand on her belly. “This is your little sister.”
His eyes go wide. “I have sister?”
“Not yet. She’s still in here.”
He walks up to Ari and stares at her belly.
“Wanna feel her kick?” she says. “She’s moving.”
JR looks at me.
“It’s okay.” I take his hand and press it to Ari’s belly. It takes a few seconds, but the baby kicks, making JR laugh hysterically.
“Do you think he understands?” Ari asks under her breath.
“Probably not,” I say. “Did you feel that?”
“What’s in there?” JR says with a giggle.
Me and Ari exchange looks. Then JR throws his arms around her belly, and I can practically see the moment her heart melts. She reaches down to hug him back as she pokes her bottom lip out at me.
That’s my family.
Nothing else on this earth matters more than this.
My phone buzzes.
It’s a text.
From Bob.
PR Bob
I’m so sorry. They’re out.
There’s a link.
I click and my jaw drops, my stomach twisting itself into knots.
It’s us.
Naked.
On the beach.
Fucking.
I glance up from my phone in time to see Ari and JR playing pattycake, and I know I’m about to destroy it all.