Chapter 13
Chapter
Thirteen
STORMI
Stretching and wiping the sleep from my eyes, I reached beside me and felt something unexpectedly hard, smooth, and definitely not a pillow. My fingers brushed over the petals of a bouquet of deep red roses laid out carefully on the bed.
I pulled the small note tucked inside, reading:
Today is all about you. Go get pampered.
115 14th Court, Suite 9.
A slow smile spread across my face as I inhaled the scent of fresh roses. Seth always knew how to make a girl feel seen, even in the smallest moments.
I slipped out of bed, showered, and dressed with a lightness I hadn’t felt in days. The house was too quiet, too damn quiet, especially with S3, Jo, and Shiloh usually filling every corner with noise and life.
Heading downstairs, I spotted Jo and Ms. Serena in the kitchen, chatting quietly over coffee.
“Hey,” I spoke, trying to keep my voice casual, “Where’s Seth and the boys?”
Serena looked up with a knowing smile. “He took them early this morning. Said he had them ‘til tonight and just needed us to watch ‘em then.”
Jo shot me a look. “That man’s got something planned. So, don’t argue. Go enjoy the peace and quiet, baby.”
I laughed softly and kissed them both on the cheek. “Alright, I’ll try.”
I grabbed my purse and walked outside, only to find Josh already behind the wheel, waiting.
“Thought you might need a ride,” he teased with that easy grin.
“You’re my driver today?” I asked, sliding into the front seat since Shiloh’s car seat and S3’s booster took up the back.
Josh grinned, hands on the wheel. “Driver, and the nigga who’s about to kill anybody who fucks with you. Husband orders so you already know.”
I laughed, feeling the warmth of that protection like a shield.
Just then my phone rang. RJ’s name lit up the screen, and my heart jumped.
I missed him so damn much. The few calls and Face Times during the week weren’t enough used to seeing him every damn day before he took off to Africa for that medical mission.
“Hey bestie!” I almost screamed into the phone as soon as I answered.
“Baby mama,” he chuckled, “You sound refreshed like you ain’t got no newborn crying all night, an active kid running you ragged, and a horny husband on your ass.”
I smirked. “Got some much-needed rest last night. Now I’m off to get pampered.”
“Seth set that up for you, huh? We all know you don’t know how to rest.”
“Maybe,” I admitted. “But enough about me, how you holding up? When are you coming back? I miss you.”
“We all miss you,” Josh shouted from the driver’s seat.
I laughed. “And Josh too? He’s my driver today.”
“Should’ve known Seth wouldn’t let you out by yourself,” RJ joked. “Everything’s good though. I’ll be back in a few months we extended the stay a little.”
“How’s Ari feeling about that?”
“She wasn’t happy, but she’s coming up next week. Gonna spend the rest of the time here with me. She’s got work she can handle up here, so it’ll work out.”
“Glad to hear it. Love her for you. Last thing I want is work coming between you two.”
“I’m trying, man. Trying to be like my baby mama by next year.”
“Marriage and kids on the horizon?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna propose while she’s here. Got something planned.”
“I hate I’m gonna miss it.”
“I’ll FaceTime you.”
“Thanks. Let me get my suit ready; you know I’m the best man.”
Josh raised an eyebrow from the driver’s seat. “How you the best man, Stormi?”
I smirked. “I’m the groom’s best friend.”
We all cracked up as Josh pulled into the spa from the note Seth left me.
“Speaking of Ari, she’s right here,” I said, spotting her hopping out of her car.
“Ari!” I called, hopping out and catching her attention.
“Stormi,” she smiled, pulling me in for a warm hug.
“Talking to your man now,” I teased, handing her the phone so she and RJ could see each other.
“Knew you hung up on me just to call Stormi.” Ari laughed.
“You coming into the spa?” I asked.
“Hell yeah,” Ari said, eyes lighting up. “Your husband called me last night, asked if I wanted to join you for a girls’ spa day on his dime. After seven twelve-hour hospital shifts? I said hell ya. Exactly what I needed.”
I smiled. “Okay, let’s enjoy today.”
I hung up with RJ, and we walked inside, greeted with glasses of champagne and fresh fruit. The receptionist led us to change into robes before the day’s pampering began facials, mani-pedis, massages, waxing. Four hours later, feeling like new women, we sipped wine and nibbled finger foods.
“What you about to do after this?” I asked Ari as we gathered our things.
“My bed.” She laughed. “And I gotta pack leaving next week.”
I sighed, the weight of goodbye heavy on my chest. “I’m really gonna miss you both.”
“We’ll FaceTime every day, like we already do. Hopefully this time flies.”
I nodded, feeling the bittersweet mix of love and distance that seemed to be my life lately.
“You ready?” Josh asked as he hopped out the truck, pulling Ari into a quick hug and making sure she got safely to her car.
I slid into the back seat this time. The car seats had been moved, replaced by a mountain of flowers and gift bags filling every inch.
This man… I smiled to myself, spotting the card tied to a bouquet of white roses.
Meet me for dinner tonight. Everything you need is in these bags.
I grinned and started pulling things out first, a sleek spaghetti-strap, black satin dress, then a box revealing a pair of black and gold YSL heels, size 8.
Small velvet boxes followed, holding diamond earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, and even an anklet.
I shook my head, amazed. He was right everything I needed for tonight was right here.
Josh merged onto the highway, and I pulled out my phone, hitting Seth’s FaceTime.
“Hey, Mr. Romantic,” I greeted as soon as his face appeared on the screen.
“Enjoying your day?” His smile warmed me instantly.
“I am. But I’m missing my boys,” I admitted.
Without missing a beat, he flipped the camera around. S3 was at a trampoline park, bouncing his heart out like a little ball of energy, while Shiloh lay peacefully in his stroller, soft snores filling the air. My heart swelled these three were my whole world.
“Oh, and look who just popped up,” Seth chuckled, showing Jo walking toward him, hand full of snacks.
“Hey, Stormi,” Jo smiled at the camera before placing the snacks down and running off to join S3.
“I can’t wait to see you tonight,” I said, my voice low with anticipation.
He gave me that devilish grin I knew too well.
Since that night in the shower, Seth hadn’t kept his hands off me. We were like teenagers on a mission. Quickies during nap time, sneaky moments whenever family helped out with the boys.
“I’ll see you in a few hours. I love you,” he said just as Shiloh started to stir and cry. Seth knew I was ready to switch into mommy mode, so he ended the call, letting me soak up the last few moments of my alone time.
Seth’s hands lingered on my waist as he pulled out my chair, his voice low and teasing.
“We might not make it through dinner.”
I smiled, feeling that familiar heat rise in my chest.
We were at Rooftop, secluded in the private rooftop section Seth had rented just for us.
The whole space was ours; just him and me under the stars.
Soft candlelight flickered, casting gentle shadows, while rose petals lay scattered across the table and floor.
The moon hung bright, adding its own glow to the perfect night.
“Thank you,” I said softly, my eyes meeting his. “I’m loving this.”
He grinned, that mischievous glint lighting up his eyes. “You deserve nothing less.”
The waitress came right away, bringing us wine and taking our orders. It felt good to have my husband to myself. We needed this alone time.
As he sat down, I caught the way he looked at me like I was the only woman in the world, and tonight, there was no one else that mattered.
Seth reached across the table, his fingers lacing with mine as the waiter poured wine into our glasses and left us alone again under the moonlight.
For a moment, we just sat there, the soft clinking of silverware and the gentle hum of the city beneath us filling the silence. It wasn’t awkward. It was comfortable.
“You know,” he said, swirling the wine in his glass. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately.”
“That’s dangerous,” I teased, raising a brow.
He chuckled; eyes locked on me. “Nah, I’m serious this time.”
I leaned in a little. “Okay, I’m listening.”
He exhaled slowly, his voice softer now. “You do everything. For the kids. For me. For this family. You hold it all down. But I started wondering… what are you doing for you?”
I blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
“I mean… Stormi the wife, the mother I know her. I saw her. I love her. But what about Stormi the woman the dreamer?” He pulled something out from under the table, wrapped in soft blue tissue paper. “I got you something.”
I unwrapped it slowly, my heart already thumping. Inside was a smooth, leather-bound folder. When I opened it, I found a thick blank architectural blueprint pad and a gold embossed pen tucked inside.
I looked up at him, confused. “What is this?”
Seth leaned in, eyes deep with sincerity. “Your dream. Whatever that looks like. I want you to build it. From the ground up. Dream house. Dream businesses. Dream life. Whatever you want, put it on paper, and I’ll bring it to life.”
I stared down at the blank pages in disbelief in what this man was saying...
“But we already have a big enough house,” I said quietly. “Everything we need is in that house.”
He shook his head. “Nah. That house is enough for us, yeah. But what if you want more? What if that house was just the start? I don’t want you shrinking your dreams to fit into something I built. I want you to build something for you for us but with your vision.”
I was quiet for a long moment, fingers brushing the smooth paper. Emotions welled up in my throat. “I… I don’t even know where to start.”
“Then we start with a question,” he said gently. “If you could do anything in the world, Stormi, with no limits… what would it be?”
I swallowed, hard. “I used to want a wellness center. Somewhere women could come and heal. Not just physically, but emotionally, mentally. Especially women who’ve lost themselves to drugs, life, pain, and trauma.”
He nodded slowly. “So why can’t you have that?”
“Because…” I started, then stopped. “Because I never thought I had the space. Or the support. Or the time.”
“You have all three now,” he said, eyes never leaving mine. “I’ll make sure of it.”
My chest tightened with emotions I’d been dodging for years—the parts of me I buried under fear and settled, the dreams I gave up when playing it safe became survival.
“I just—” I started, eyes glossing over. “I don’t want to seem ungrateful. I love our life. Our kids. You. I love what we’ve built.”
“I know, baby. And I love you for that.” He stood up and walked around to my side of the table, pulling me up gently.
His hands cupped my face, thumbs brushing the corners of my eyes.
“But just because you’ve built something beautiful doesn’t mean you stop building.
You are the dream, Stormi. But you still get to have dreams too. ”
Tears slipped down my cheeks as he kissed me slowly...
“I don’t just want to be your husband,” he whispered against my lips. “I want to be your investor. Your protector. Your biggest supporter.”
“You already are,” I whispered back.
He smiled, pressing his forehead to mine. “Good. Then write it all down. Every idea. Every brick. Every color on the wall. Every name on the sign. I want to see what Stormi Knight Greene builds when nothing’s in her way.”
I looked down at the blueprint pad again, the pen shining under the candlelight like a key to the next version of me.
“I guess it’s time I start dreaming again,” I said softly.
“Damn right,” Seth said, pulling me into him again. “And this time, we build that shit together.”