CHASE
I came from the back with pillows and another blanket to make sure Coffee was as comfortable as possible. I turned on some soft music before lying down beside her. She lifted her head, resting it on my chest. “Your heartbeat is slow and steady. I love it.”
I stroked her arm as I looked up at the ceiling. “It’s always like that, Coffee every time you're in my presence. I fucking love you to death, and I know I have my ways, but know there is nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for my family.”
I could hear her soft giggles. “I know.”
As long as you know, I want you to understand that this feeling goes beyond just having Natalie’s heart. You are your own person, and no matter what, I love Coffee for Coffee.
I looked down at her as she snuggled further into me. “You ready to tell me?”
Her head slowly lifted as she looked at me. My eyes dropped to her. I could see something in her eyes. Hell, I could feel it. “I feel it, Coffee, tell me.”
“I accepted a job offer,” she mumbled.
I smiled. “Oh yeah, that’s what’s up, baby. What part of New York?”
She cleared her throat. “It’s out of state.”
My head lifted. “What do you mean? Out of state?”
She sat up. “Chase, I know you like it here, but when Fredrick said what he—”
My body sat up, “Who the fuck is Fredrick?”
She rolled her eyes. “The man you killed.”
I nodded. “See, so he died for a reason, but keep going.”
“He was pushing up on me, and I didn’t feel comfortable staying there. He hadn’t even approved my application. I wanted to make sure I had a job, so I applied to three places, and the one that offered me a job, I took it.”
Part of me was glad because I needed to tell her we had to leave, and I knew she loved her job, so leaving would have been tough, but now it made telling her easier. “Where is it?”
“Toussaint. A place called Lexington Heights. I did my research on the area, and it’s pretty nice, actually.”
I ran my hands through my locs. “I fucked shit up with the Italians, so I guess this is a win-win.”
Her eyes widened. “Chase!”
I ran my hand down my face. “Fuck, I know, but if it were just me, I wouldn’t leave. However, I have a family to think about, and I need to make sure you guys are safe first. Gucci’s going to be pissed, but that nigga will get over it. I guess Toussaint it is,” I told her.
“Are you mad?” she asked.
I lifted her chin. “No need to worry, I’m still with the woman I love. I’ll stand by you no matter what, even if that means chasing Coffee to Toussaint.” I smiled before kissing her lips.
Her soft giggle brought me comfort. We lay back down, and as Coffee settled in as always, I had to thank the person who handed me Coffee on a gold platter. Thank you, Natalie. I mouthed as I glanced at the gold star on my tree.
I let the old tunes play softly as I held the love of my life in my arms. “Sweeter than the taste of a cherry, so sweet and I’m so proud, girl,” I sang along to the music.
Coffee giggled. “You can’t sing!” she whined.
We both laughed until we dozed off.
***
The sensation of something against my skin woke me up. When I opened my eyes, Coffee was standing over me, throwing money at me like confetti. “Merry Christmas!” she shouted.
I shot up, “Don’t be flinging money at me like I’m some bitch,” I grumbled.
She laughed from her belly. “Don’t be a Scrooge. It’s Christmas, baby!”
She reached under the tree and handed me a box. “Fuck, is this a shirt?”
She sat on the blanket next to me. “Just open it.”
I slowly opened the box to some papers. I glanced down and then looked at her. “I thought you were mad about it?”
Coffee shrugged. “I was. I was madder that you didn’t talk to me about it, but I know having Kira officially a part of our family is the only way. So, I want to adopt her.”
I bit my bottom lip. Over the past year, Kira had really grown on me.
I nodded slowly. I looked over the papers to see another set.
My eyes lifted to Coffee. My eyes started to water and shit.
She leaned forward and kissed me softly.
“It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t ask to adopt Chase Jr..
Chase, I love him so much. I know we’re married and technically he’s mine, but I want it—”
A tear betrayed me as I tried to catch it. “Fuck yeah. That boy loves you, Coffee, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I didn’t give her a chance to respond as I grabbed the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss. Peck to the lips. Another then another.
I never imagined that after losing Natalie, I would feel like this again.
I never thought I could find a love so pure and genuine, nor did I expect to find someone who would love my son as if he were their own.
Coffee was my idea of perfection, and until my last breath, she would always have my soul.