Epilogue
Armond Davis
THE WAVES CRASHED AGAINST MY ankles. My pants were rolled up just enough to not get wet until I was ready. The heat of the day was a bodacious contrast to the cool water rippling against me.
I walked a few steps behind Brandy, taking in the sun’s glow against her skin.
Her bikini left little to the imagination, and if this wasn’t a private beach, then she’d surely be covering that plump, sexy ass.
Thankfully though, this was the view I was blessed with.
Those long legs kicked along the sand while she made videos with her phone.
She was like a personal content creator who posted nothing at all, only capturing the moments for herself.
She turned to face me and I gave her a knowing smile.
It was only a matter of time before that phone turned my way.
She licked her lips as she lifted her eyes from the phone.
She was taken by my shirtless attire and swimming shorts.
Maybe the sun was treating my body right too, I didn’t know, but mama was looking like she was ready to pounce on me at any moment.
“Mama, what’s good?” I urged.
If she kept that lip tucked in her mouth any longer, I was going to break, cuz, fuck.
My baby was always working it. That light blue against her skin just accentuated her sexiness and I wanted nothing more than to take her back to the villa and devour her.
I hated that it would have to come much later since I was hosting our family.
We were walking along the coast of Ravenna, Italy.
The place I’d called home for more than half of my life.
The bright water and white sand were exactly what we needed after the few months we’d endured.
I didn’t want us in the bustle of the beach where umbrellas were lined up in rows and people walked over each other.
No, we deserved privacy and owning a section of Ravenna Beach was something I boasted about.
Probably the only thing I’d boasted about in life.
“Sis, you gotta take a picture. This is probably the only time he’ll ever let me bury him in sand,” Chardonnay called out behind us.
I chuckled at the thought and turned around to see Arlando’s head sticking out of a sand pile shaped to look like a woman with huge breasts. I laughed and Arlando sucked his teeth. Brandy quickly took the shot before Arlando wiggled himself out then popped up like he got bit by a scorpion.
“Why the hell would you give me titties?” Arlando griped.
Chardonnay laughed hard and went to hug him, but he shoved her off while attempting to swipe the sand away. She pouted then shoved him playfully. He joined in her laughter and I shook my head. Those two would always get a laugh out of me.
Brandy was snapping away, turning every which way to capture the moments.
You would think photography was her profession the way she couldn’t stop herself at times.
Whenever I looked at what she captured, I got captivated by the angles.
She never took a picture straight on or how you’d perceive it to look.
I could only imagine how crazy she’d go once our babies entered the world.
“What’s on your mind, baby daddy?” Brandy said as she wrapped her free arm around me and settled into my side.
I looked down at her and smirked before brushing loose hair from her face. I was so caught up in her beauty that I forgot she’d even asked me a question. I licked along my bottom lip slowly and her eyes got low as she stared at my motion.
“I want to take you all over the world and watch you capture it in the way that only you can,” I finally said.
That made her blush. She bit her lip then tucked her hair behind her ear.
When she looked up at me with those big round eyes, I found myself getting lost in them.
I was drowning in her waves and needed to pull myself back before my brother called me a simp or whatever these young cats were saying these days.
“I’d love to explore the world with you, Armond.”
Her words were soft and assured, causing me to get right down on one knee and hold onto her hand for dear life.
I had already done this with her, yet this time it felt so real I was about to choke on my words.
I looked over my shoulder and took a deep breath.
Our parents were close enough to catch on to what was happening and my sister and niece were right beside them.
Arlando nodded at me and I damn sure needed it.
I was nervous as fuck and didn’t understand why.
It was now or never because Brandy had tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Armond, what are you doing?” Brandy whispered.
“Let me get myself together for a minute, damn,” I joked.
She giggled then adjusted her stance as she quickly took a photo of me. I shook my head and smirked then licked my lips one last time before speaking.
“Brandy, this year with you has been a whirlwind I didn’t expect and a journey I didn’t realize I needed to go along.
I’ve spent a good portion of the year trying to show you why you belong with me, yet I never expressed why I needed you.
From the moment I saw you approach that bar in Puerto Rico, I knew I’d found my one.
I couldn’t comprehend the shit to save my life but the second DiMarco stepped to you incorrectly, that pang of jealousy I felt let me know you were special.
Deserving of so much more than petty conversations and a quickie.
I wanted to be that man who deserved you.
Who fought for what he wanted. I just hoped my quest wouldn’t be taken lightly. I mean, you being here shows me that.”
I was rambling and doing too much. I brushed my hand over my hair and chuckled before putting my eyes back on Brandy. Her hand was over her mouth and she was patiently waiting to end this embarrassing ass show. I let out a deep sigh then found the rest of my courage to finish my statement.
“I love you with every ounce of my soul, Brandy, and I’ve been damn lucky to have you in my life.
So lucky that you trust me to be the man who will love and cherish you with no ill intent.
I don’t take that lightly. Not even a little bit.
Every moment you display that trust just shows me I’m doing good and I’m deserving.
So, with all that being said, you gon’ fuck with me the long way, honeybee? ”
She brought herself down to me and wrapped her arms around my neck.
She didn’t care about the ring I was holding or the fact that everyone was around.
Her lips met mine and she put so much pressure on me I couldn’t help but fall onto the sand.
She climbed on top of me and kissed me once more before saying yes.
“Alright now, that’s enough with your fast tail,” Persephone said as she pulled Brandy off me.
We laughed and she wrapped her arms right back around me when I sat up.
“I love you, Armond Davis,” she said softly in my ear.
“And I love you, Brandy Noel Davis. Now and always.”
The family crowded us in celebration and we took pictures for the professional photographer a.k.a Amelia.
After a while I pulled Brandy to the side and pulled the ring she’d been wearing off her finger then placed the new ring on.
Though she loved her pear-shaped ring, it wasn’t customized and I wanted my baby to have something exclusive.
Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at the perfectly-sized, emerald, pear-shaped ring.
I spun her around and placed the necklace I got her in Puerto Rico on her slick neck then put the bracelet on as well and slid the original ring on her right hand.
“Armond, this is too much,” she whispered through the tears.
“Naw, this is what I should’ve given you a long time ago. I was just waiting for the perfect moment.”
I shrugged it off but I knew I was doing a lot. I wanted her to finally feel me completely, and by the look on her face, I knew we were all the way in there.
“Do these have trackers too?”
“You know it.” I laughed.
“Yeah, I figured. Thank you, baby. You always know how to make me feel safest with you.”
“Always will.”
“Good cuz our daughters are going to need just as much protection when they arrive.”
“Girls? Both of them?”
“Both of them.”
I smiled widely then heard Chardonnay screech like she’d been all in our conversation. Brandy turned to her and they started jumping around all silly.
Moments like this made this journey worth it. I found the love of my life and she found her way back to herself. I was just lucky to be along for the ride.