Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
JAZZLYN
I leaned against the grand, white marble kitchen island that overlooked the massive backyard.
The deep blue waters of the pool reminded me of the waters Ahkeem and I dipped in while in Anguilla for my honeymoon.
It was crazy to say, but I never imagined my forever home.
My life had been so wild for so long, I always thought I would be the girl living in the luxurious corner unit penthouse with a bomb-ass view of the city.
Staten Island was different. Much slower.
Much quieter. It didn’t dawn on me until we were touring the five-bedroom home that peace used to scare the living shit out of me.
I was so used to chaos that I confused peace and happiness with boredom.
I was always on my toes, and whenever I wasn’t, I felt like something was wrong.
I was ready to grow up and accept the fact that my life was no longer what it used to be. I was safe, loved, appreciated, and successful. Life was good, and I couldn’t complain.
“How you like it? Big enough for you?” Ahkeem came up behind me before sneaking a kiss onto my cheek.
My lips curled into a smile. “It’s nice. Better than the other two we looked at.”
“Sis was right. This one was better. I thought she was just gassing it so we could live up the street from her.” He laughed at the thought of Britain.
“I mean, that is an added plus. When you get tired of my tacos and alfredo, you can walk right up the street to their house and get you a decent meal,” I jested.
“I told you already, I don’t get tired of your tacos and alfredo… no matter how many times you remix it.”
“Good ‘cause I’m making alfredo tomorrow night.” We both laughed.
We slipped out of the kitchen and were enveloped into the gorgeous backyard the home had to offer.
Off the mini bar was an outdoor kitchenette equipped with a sink and grill.
The pool area was to die for with the plush green turf and comfy lounge chairs surrounding it.
The backyard made me feel like I was stepping right into a resort to enjoy a relaxing stay.
That was what I loved about the home the most, not even the massive closet I would be getting if we closed on it.
“Be honest… you see forever here?” I looked over my shoulder at him.
He nodded his head. “This house nice. Good neighborhood, close to family, and it’s everything we’re looking for.”
“It’s big.”
“Mhm. Imagine Blue, little Jazkeem, and Ahklyn running around it in a couple years.”
I screwed my face up at the names he decided to give our future kids. “Ahkeem, I am not naming our kids that.”
“You tripping. Those names fire. I guess it’s back to the drawing board, huh?”
“Right the fuck back.” We laughed while enjoying the view. “You know if we move here, you’re gonna have to follow the rules of the H.O.A., right?”
“Them motherfuckas better not fuck with me before they end up underneath they house,” he scoffed.
I popped him in the hand. “You can’t say stuff like that. We’re joining the community, and we need to play nice.”
He peered down at me with his brow raised. “Joining the community? That mean yes? You like it?” I could hear the excitement in his voice but could tell he didn’t want to jump the gun.
I laughed as I felt his arms tighten around me. “Yes, I like it.”
He lifted me from the ground, prompting a squeal to air out of me.
Ahkeem was always thinking of what was next.
I talked to him more times than I could count about how all I wanted was stability and family, so he vowed to give that to me.
Most of the time, it felt like pulling teeth to get me to actually agree on anything, but with this house, my decision to follow my husband’s lead came easily.
Who was I to give him a hard time when all he wanted was better for me and his son? Ahkeem was the true definition of a man, and deciding to spend the rest of my life with him was the best decision I ever made.
After spinning me around, he set me down before kissing my lips and all over my face. “This gone be good for us. You trust me?”
“Of course I trust you, baby. This big-ass house is a little intimidating.”
“I see it in your face. You a little nervous about it.” He caressed my chin, steering my head to look up at him.
I let out a light sigh before looking back at all the glory of the home.
When Ahkeem told me he was gonna give me the world, I always just took what he said with a grain of salt because I always believed I could give myself the world.
The issue was, I was only thinking about material things like money, trips, shoes, and bags.
With Ahkeem, it was more than that. The world to him meant happiness, peace, security, and undying love.
He truly saw so much more for me, more than I saw for myself most of the time.
“This just feels a little surreal. Do I deserve it?”
“Whoa.” He quickly cupped my face in his hands, peering his eyes directly into mine.
“Don’t ever question if you deserve anything good that comes your way.
Lovey, you deserve this and more. I meant what the fuck I said when I told you I’m gone give you the world.
You been through a lot, and I want to prove to you that none of that shit was in vain. ”
My heart swelled as I felt tears scorch the brim of my eyes, ready to spill. I always battled with myself about crying, and Ahkeem was always there, encouraging me to let my tears fall. He wrapped his arms around me before rubbing my back.
“I know you don’t believe in happy endings and shit, Lovey, but this gotta be close.”
“It is,” I cried lightly while resting my head on his chest.
We stood in our future backyard for a moment, just basking in the blessing we were welcoming into our life. “I’m hoping those are happy tears,” the realtor, Veronica, popped her head outside to ask.
After the thorough guided tour she gave us, she allowed us to take some time to walk through the home on our own. I giggled while Ahkeem wiped a few tears from my face. “My baby just a little emotional, that’s all. She loves the house, though. Ain’t that right, Lovey?”
“Yeah, I love it. Can we put in an offer?”
Knowing she was about to score a huge commission, Veronica’s green eyes perked up. “Of course! I’m so happy you guys love it. We can get started on putting in an offer today.”
“‘Preciate it, Veronica. I need to get my baby in this house ASAP. She looks good in it, don’t she?” Ahkeem lifted my hand above my head before twirling me around.
“She looks absolutely gorgeous in it!” Veronica squealed in excitement.
For a few hours, we talked numbers with Veronica, and she advised she would get back to us once she heard back from the offer we put in.
Instead of leaving the neighborhood, we went down the street to Priest and Britain’s house.
Their driveway had a few cars in it, and Britain stood at the door with her hand resting on her belly, in conversation with the delivery guy who was showing her an invoice.
My girl was in full out nesting mode as Eden had dropped and was ready to make her debut.
“My husband is gonna kill me when he finds out I went over budget… again.” She set her hand on her head while stressedly sighing.
Ahkeem scoffed as we approached them. “For a nursery, sis? The baby not gone remember－“
My girl’s hormones were raging, so the lethal eyes she gave Ahkeem shut him right on up. “I carried this heavy-behind girl for nine months. I deserve to put together whatever damn nursery I dreamed of.”
Ahkeem quickly put his hands up, letting her know he wasn’t on that. “You God damn right, sis. I’m just gone shut the fuck up. Where Priest at?”
“He should be in his man cave. Don’t tell him I went over budget again,” she warned him.
Ahkeem zipped up his lips before giving her a hug and slipping past her to head to the man cave. Britain signed the invoice before directing the woman up to the nursery. Based on the tired sigh she let out, I knew my sis was over being pregnant.
“Brit, you have to chill. When’s the last time you sat down today?”
I took her hand and led her to the family room, where we both eased into the plush couch. Britain always had to be touching someone, so she got comfortable with her head in my lap, prompting me to chuckle.
“I went over to Jadey’s and Kaymen’s house to help her with the twins. I just got back and completely forgot that they were delivering Eden’s nursery stuff today.”
A few days ago, Jadey had her scheduled C-section for the twins and welcomed baby boy, Onyx, and baby girl, Jade.
They were so precious, they even brought Kaymen’s mean ass to tears.
I admired the way they took their time to have children and really got the chance to enjoy each other as husband and wife.
They were the perfect example of not following everyone else’s timeline and still being happy.
After a few days in the hospital, they were allowed to come home, and Britain insisted on helping her best friend.
“I’m assuming Priest is pissed at you because you’ve been up all day just moving around. Usually, he would be in your skin.” I giggled.
“Yup. We went at it. He claims I’m doing too much, but if I don’t get this nursery together, who will?”
“Your husband,” I scoffed, knowing her question was bullshit. “Wherever you fall short, Priest is right there. Sorry, sis, but I’m with PJ on this. You did this while pregnant with Genesis, and he just doesn’t want anything to happen to you this time around.”
Although Genesis was born a healthy and strong baby, his delivery had everyone on their toes.
His heart rate dipped a few times, and Britain also had some concerning postpartum bleeding.
Thankfully, they were both okay, but Priest was stressed and was ready to turn the whole hospital upside down in Italy.