37. Saint
I ran my fingers through Blessing’s soft, silky hair as she slept on my chest, mouth slightly ajar, soft snores spilling from her lips.
She was in such a deep sleep that she didn’t feel me repeatedly pecking her lips before untangling our limbs so I could get out of bed.
I couldn’t help but snap a picture of her.
After taking care of my hygiene, I made my way to the kitchen to start breakfast.
My phone buzzed on the counter as I removed the bacon from the skillet and placed it on a paper towel. Seeing it was Chanel, I instantly answered.
“What’s up?”
“Hey, Moo. Is she up yet? Taryn and I are on our way over there.” She said.
“Nah, I’m making breakfast, and I’m going to wake her up once I’m finished. Y’all can just set everything up while she eats.”
“Um, I hope you made enough for everybody.”
I chuckled, “Yeah. I made enough for y’all, too. The door will be unlocked.” I ended the call and finished breakfast. By the time I was plating the meal, Chanel and Taryn were walking through the door.
“Thanks for coming. I can’t lie, I’m nervous as hell.”
“Don’t be, she’s going to love this.” Taryn gushed, sitting at the island.
“Right. Everything is going to go perfectly, don’t trip. You got this.” Chanel said and sat next to Taryn.
“Aight, help yourselves to anything in the kitchen. I’m about to wake Bless up.
They should be here soon. Make sure she picks the nails she had on her Pinterest board.
” I instructed before grabbing the tray and heading to the bedroom.
Blessing was still asleep. This time, she was on her back, her hand across her stomach, and her mouth wide open, drooling.
I laughed and set the tray on my side of the bed.
“Bless baby,” I said, shaking her. She stirred and pushed my hand off her.
“Stop.” She mumbled.
“You gotta get up, baby. Look,” I brushed her hair from her face and kissed her soft lips.
Her eyes popped open as she pushed me away and rushed into the bathroom. She closed the door behind her, so I sat on the edge of the bed and waited for her to return. After a while, she emerged.
“What’s wrong? You had to shit or something?” I asked, pulling her into me.
“Oh my gosh. No Saint. Ooo, breakfast in bed? What’s the occasion?” She smiled, climbing into bed and pulling the tray into her lap.
“No occasion, just wanted to spoil you for the day. Chanel and Taryn are downstairs. I have that black-owned travel salon you were talking about coming over in a few, so eat and get changed.
“You’re so romantic, Papa. I love you.” She gushed and picked up the thick envelope I’d stuffed with money. “What’s this for?” She asked, thumbing through the stack.
“Shopping money. We’re going out tonight. Get something sexy and white. Chanel is going to do your hair after you go shopping.”
She squinted and pointed her fork at me. “What do you have up your sleeve?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “Nothing Bless. Just wanna show you how much you mean to me. Can I do that for you?”
“You can,” She blushed and giggled. I sat next to her, and we talked as she scarfed down her breakfast like it was going to run away from her. Once she finished her food, she went into the closet to get dressed.
“Aight, I gotta go handle some business. Enjoy yourself and let me know if you need anything.” I said, pressing my lips against hers a few times before walking into the garage.
After pondering for a moment, I decided to drive the new Tahoe I purchased a few weeks ago.
As soon as I started the truck, a call rang through the speakers.
“Wassup Ren?” I answered when the call connected.
“Your mother is tripping. I swear I can’t wait to graduate and move out!” She yelled into the phone.
I sighed, running a hand across my face as I drove towards the barber. “What’s going on now?”
“She’s accusing me of being pregnant!” She sniffled. “Moo, I promise I’m not this time. I haven’t been having se-”
“Aight Ren. I don’t wanna know that shit. I’ll talk to her. Her ass just trippin’. What even made her accuse you?”
“She claims she was dreaming about fish again. She tracks my every fucking move! When do I even have time to get pregnant? I just.. I need my space from her. I can’t deal with the accusations when I’ve done nothing. I’m seriously considering going no contact with her when I go off to college.”
“Look, just go to your room and calm down. You can come over tomorrow and stay til you feel like going back.”
“You have a family now. I don’t want to disrupt when y’all have going on.”
“Ren, you know we don’t care if you’re there. You and Journey act like y’all can’t be away from each other anyway,” I joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.
“I’m sorry for calling you with my mess. I know how important today is for you. I’m so proud of you, Moo. Ugh, I love this for you.”
I chuckled, pulling into the parking lot of Noir Cutz, “Thank you, Mookie.” I knew calling her by her childhood nickname would make her laugh. She hated it and begged us to stop using it. “Imma call you later. Love you.” I said and ended the call.
I pulled the door to the barbershop open and stepped inside. The scent of sandalwood and cigar smoke invaded my nostrils.
“Wassup, Moo,” The owner, Ryan, greeted. “I’ll take you in the private booth. You want anything to drink?”
“Wassup Ryan. I’m good for no.” I dapped him up and followed him to the private booth towards the back. Dru and Messiah were already there.
“Bout time nigga.” Messiah scoffed.
“Nigga you were supposed to be here an hour ago,” Dru complained.
I shrugged and sat in the chair. “Had to make sure my lady was straight before I left.”
“Surprised she’s even talking to your ass after that shit with the kitten,” Dru said, with a chuckle.
“Man, she was never mad at me. She just wanted her petty ass brother gone. She gone get the damn kitten back in a few weeks. She’ll be alright.”
Ryan chuckled and began cutting my hair.
“Nigga gettin’ fly. Bout to crease them shoes, huh?” Messiah joked.
“Shit I been ready since the first day I laid eyes on her. God put her in my life at the perfect time. A nigga ain’t been this happy in a minute. I ain’t expect to fall in love and become a step daddy this soon.”
“You better be sure this is what you want. You my dawg, but that’s my sister. My niece is attached to you, calling you dada and shit. Ain’t no turning back after you place that ring on her finger. That shit is a death row contract.”
“On my daddy, I’m positive. Blessing is the love of my fucking life. My girls mean everything to me. If I didn’t want this, I wouldn’t be proposing.
“Aight nigga.” Messiah dapped me up before leaving to get the girls from his grandmother’s house. Once Ryan was done with my haircut, Dru and I went to the tailor to pick up my suit for tonight.
“Let me see the ring again,” Dru said, folding his arms across his chest.
I pulled the ring from my glove compartment and handed him the box. The ring was gorgeous. An oval-cut diamond sat in the middle, and the band was filled with smaller ones. It was identical to the one she had pinned on her Pinterest board.
Dru let out a whistle, “This shit is hard nigga. I gotta come ten times harder for Chanel.” He put the ring back in the glove compartment.
“When you going to make that happen?” I questioned.
“Soon. Imma let y’all have the moment. Ain’t tryna take your shine. I got a meeting with this recording label that saw one of my freestyle videos on YouTube. You think you can put me in touch with a manager? Let ‘em know money ain’t an issue.”
“I got you. I’ll call Zoey on Monday. I’m proud of you, Dru. Look at us. Two young niggas from the westside being what we were destined to be.”
“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” Blessing blushed, looking down at her plate.
“I can’t admire my lady?” I asked, reaching over to caress her hand.
She wore a silky white one-shoulder dress that hugged every single curve.
There was a soft ruching slit on the side that slightly rose with every step she took.
The white Christian Louboutin heels she wore made her appear taller than she actually was.
She looked so fucking good. “Did you enjoy the food?”
“It was amazing. I need the recipe for whatever this sauce is on these lamb chops. I’m stuffed!” She rubbed her small stomach. My mind immediately pictured her with a belly full of me. After our wedding, that was the next goal. I need a house full of little feet.
I waved our waitress over to pay the bill and left her a nice tip. While we waited for the valet to bring my truck around, Blessing had me record videos of her. The sway of her hips had me so mesmerized that I could barely focus on the recording.
“You can’t post this shit.” I joked as I opened the passenger door for her. I helped her inside before getting into the driver’s side. “You wanna ride with me to the new house, or you wanna go home?” I asked, pulling out of the parking lot, hoping she would pick the right answer.
“I’m sooo sleepy, but I wanna see the house, so I’m going to ride with you.” She responded. I grinned and started towards the house.
“Ooo, this is my shit.” She grinned and turned the radio up. Ironically, Alicia Keys’ Un-thinkable had begun to play. “I know you were sent to me, this is exactly how it should feel when it’s meant to be.” She sang, reaching over to run her fingers along the side of my face.
I glanced over at her, smirking. Little did she know. I grabbed her fingers, kissing every single one of them. The closer I got to the house, the harder my heart pounded in my chest. I could feel the shit in my ears.
“Why are all the lights on?” Blessing asked, face full of confusion.
“I had the contractors leave them on.” I got out and went around to help her out.
“You okay?” She questioned as I grabbed her hand, intertwining our fingers. I nodded, knowing damn well I wasn’t. I was nervous as fuck, but there was no turning back now.
As soon as I opened the front door, Beyoncé’s 1+1 flowed throughout the house. The floor was covered in red rose petals leading towards the patio door. Our family members stood on either side, holding roses. Blessing paused and gasped when she realized what was happening.
“Saint..” She mumbled, turning to face me. I nudged her forward, placing a hand on her lower back. She collected roses from our friends and family until she reached the patio door.
My hand trembled in my pocket as she stood in front of the heart-shaped Will You Marry Me sign. I dropped down to one knee just as she turned around. I cleared my throat and stared up at her.
“Blessing.. I told you I would do whatever it takes to make you mine. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew this was meant to be—you were meant for me.. I prayed for peace. I was patient until God sent me you. I don’t care what we go through; I’m choosing you every time.
In every life. You came into my world and showed me what real unconditional love is.
Loved me regardless of my bullshit. Forgave me when I didn’t deserve it and blessed me with a daughter.
I love y’all more than I love myself. I ain’t perfect, but I swear to God I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to be the man you deserve.
Bless baby, will you marry me?” I licked my lips and opened the box.
Blessing stood there for a moment, tears streaming down her face.
She sniffled and nodded, using her right hand to wipe her eyes.
“Hell yeah.” Cheers erupted around us as I slid the ring onto her finger.
A few moments later, fireworks exploded behind us.
I stood to my feet and picked her up, not caring about the others behind us as I kissed her passionately.
I held her tighter as the fireworks lit up the sky behind us. For once, everything felt perfect.