18. Kingsley #2
Before Treasure could respond, Uncle Storm said, “This is beautiful and all, but I wanna know why we didn’t get to taste those strawberry cheesecake cookies? Why you holding out, Treasure? I thought we were better than that.”
Treasure bit her bottom lip, trying to restrain her smile. “I’m sorry, Uncle Mayor. That was my test run, to make sure I could do it without my mama’s assistance.”
“A’ight. I’ma let you make it since he was your test dummy. I’ll be waiting for my personal batch.”
“I got’chu, Uncle Mayor.”
I rolled my eyes and slowly shook my head.
Kane and Kambel joined us, and Uncle Jasper hugged him.
My heart hurt for my brother. When I saw him hug Uncle Jasper back and break down, I knew he was going to tell him.
Instead of doing that in front of us, he took Unc into the front room where he and Kambel had come from.
“Aww shit. More bullshit that Crew left behind, I assume,” Uncle Storm said as Uncle WJ gave him a pointed look.
“Man, I ain’t five. You don’t have to look at me like that. That muthafucka was a menace right under our noses, and nobody but Kane, Ryder J, and Kambel knew it. Jasper can barely grieve that nigga, because he finds out something that nigga did almost every week.”
“Well, congratulations, daughter-in-law. I’m gon’ be gaining a ton of weight. Everybody that frequents the diner gon’ be popping in there to see what you have. That was brilliant thinking, Marcus,” my dad said, going back to what we were celebrating.
Treasure handed my dad the plans, and he nodded. “The cement from the diner’s patio will lead right to the bakery. That’s perfect. We gon’ have to do free diabetes screening monthly.”
I chuckled, and Treasure did too. I knew that was my dad’s way of changing the subject.
I was glad he did. Uncle Storm could truly get out of pocket when he was upset, and I could see this shit with Crew and everything he was doing had pissed him off completely.
He and Uncle Jasper were the closest, like best friends.
So, I knew seeing Uncle Jasper’s pain and anguish affected him as well.
“Food’s ready,” my mama said, then went back toward the kitchen.
Thank God.
“First of all, this gon’ be popping.” Seven glanced behind him, then continued.
“All the most eligible bachelors in this area getting locked down. Money flowing, business right, and finally . . . knock on wood, all the haters out the way. It’s the best time to push the documentary.
Uncle WJ gon’ discuss it with the family while we’re here.
Then they may wanna pitch a reality series.
That shit gon’ be running through eternity. ”
I slowly shook my head. Seven was already on my nerves.
He needed to pop the question so Treasure and I could leave.
Having her in my house on the weekends was a beautiful thing.
We literally made love for half of the day and fucked the other half.
I loved how she was able to relax with me and trust that I would never hurt her.
I believed she knew it all along, but she was allowing her trauma to make her doubt that.
I wanted her to be in my house every day, but we would eventually get there.
Having her there on the weekends was a huge step.
Once her bakery was built, I was pretty sure she would be at the house full time.
I was ready to spend my life with her. She was doing amazingly well.
Being around us Hendersons would definitely test that. We always had shit going.
Seven stood from the table and winked at us, letting us know he was about to pop the question.
Maui changed the music to play “Give You the World” by Steve Lacy.
My eyes met Treasure’s because we listened to that song a lot.
We had deemed it our song and danced to it a couple of times. To hell with Seven.
I stood and went to her, pulling her from her seat with my cousins and some of their wives and significant others.
We backed away from the table, and I stood behind her and wrapped my arms around her.
I closed my eyes as I always did, and we swayed to the music.
We disappeared into each other’s auras. There was no talking whenever this song was on.
We drowned in the lyrics and our love for each other.
We didn’t stop until the music did. I opened my eyes just as everyone started screaming. Treasure giggled, then looked up at me and puckered her lips. When I laid my lips on hers, she rested her hand at the back of my head. We parted when Seven started talking.
“Man, you been mine for a long time, even before you knew it.”
Iesha rolled her eyes playfully as everybody laughed.
“When we finally got our shit together, this thing became explosive. I love you so much, man. I don’t even think you realize just how much I do.
It’s scary that I could love someone as much as I love you.
You sparked a change in me, teaching me how to love you the way you wanted to be loved.
After I finally listened, we’ve been locked in ever since. ”
Everybody laughed again. Seven was an entire fool and sometimes, an idiot.
“Iesha, I’ll give you the world, baby. I promise to be more patient with this, because if you say yes, I’m gon’ be ready to get married tomorrow.
Hell, I can get Reverend White here tonight.
The point is, I’m anxious to spend the rest of my life with you.
If you feel the same way, baby, say you’ll marry me and accept the great name of Henderson to be yours. ”
She rolled her eyes again and huffed as Aunt Tiffany hollered, “The Hendersons is where it’s at, niece!”
Everyone laughed, and when they quieted down, Iesha said, “Hell yeah, I will. Hendersons don’t fuck around.”
Seven slid the ring on her finger and picked her up, spinning her around.
“That’s my fucking daughter-in-law!” Uncle Storm said.
They had Iesha as crazy as their rowdy asses.
I slowly shook my head as Treasure giggled.
I lowered my gaze to hers as the song started over.
I glanced to where the music was and saw Maui standing there.
She was staring right at us and winked at me.
I smiled at her, then lowered my face to Treasure’s.
She gently grabbed my diamond-clad earlobes and gave me her tongue.
I was lost in her love. Could have sworn we were the ones who had just gotten engaged.
When she pulled away, she said, “You made me love you. I don’t regret a thing about that. I love you so much, King, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.”
“I already know where. I’ll wait on you to catch on. I love you forever, King’s Treasure.”
The End
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