Chapter 34
HAPPILY: SIX MONTHS LATER…
“Can you say, daddy?” Pretti asked Ethan as he sat in her play area at her new shop in New Jersey, rolling a ball back and forth with her stepson.
After they took Ethan for his hearing aids a month prior, he had been the happiest kid, being able to hear.
However, they couldn’t get him to say a word.
He was in therapy, in preschool, and they were doing what they could for him at home, but he hadn’t progressed yet.
But seeing him smile made them know he was at least happy and comfortable in his new life.
With his condition, he wasn’t even supposed to be smiling, and here he was, spilling his emotions to Pretti.
“Okay, Papa. I’ll leave you alone for now. I have clients, but you’re going to say your first word. I see it in you, silly boy.” She tickled Ethan, and he laughed away.
Pretti stood up and sighed. Not only was she taking care of Ethan full-time while Dexz continued to get better and run his car lot with Burner, but she was also seven months pregnant with a baby girl that was wearing her body down.
“Mumma,” Pretti heard Ethan say under his breath as she started to walk away to her station that wasn’t too far away from him. She was shocked, so she turned around quickly, hoping he would say it again.
“What did you say, baby? Did you say Momma?” She smiled and went to pick him up.
He smiled. “Mumma.”
Pretti began to cry. She knew Ethan wasn’t her son, but she had been caring for him like he was since Dexz’s aunty helped him get full custody, and she planned to adopt him and become his real mother.
After she found out Ethan was with Dexz’s aunt, she started going over there to help her with him and got attached.
Dexz was granted full custody, and Pretti was now looking to adopt him.
“Oh my God, let me call your dad! He is going to flip out!”
Right when Pretti walked over to her station for her phone, Dexz walked into her shop on crutches. He was supposed to be home resting. It was his day off, but he was such a busybody. He always popped in around lunchtime.
“What’s up, babe? I ordered some seafood for lunch. It will be here soon,” he said when he walked up to Pretti.
“Okay, but guess what you just missed?” she said, sounding slightly anxious.
“What?” He raised his eyebrow.
“Ethan said Momma, twice.” She smiled.
“Damn, that’s what’s up. I guess that’s why he didn’t want to say daddy first. He was trying to say, Momma.”
“Yup. I know I didn’t birth him, but I’m glad he sees me as his mom. It made me so happy. I’m never going to leave these babies like my mother did me, no matter what.”
“We’re going to speed up those adoption papers so Kayla’s family can’t touch him. Her mama been calling me about coming to Cali and bringing him, but I’m not trying to do that. You’re going to be a great mom tho’. You already are.”
“Thank you, baby.” She kissed his lips.
“Let’s walk to your office and bring Ethan. I want to talk to you about something.”
They headed to her office and closed the door. She set the baby on the floor, and he started playing with the toys in her office.
“I wanted to have some private time to let you know how much I appreciate you. You’ve held me down all these years and really have been my most loyal friend, but I’m ready to take things further. I love you and my kids. I want us to be an official family.”
When he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box, she covered her mouth with her hands because she already knew what he was doing. He opened the box and revealed a beautiful diamond engagement ring.
“I would’ve got down on one knee, but you see, I’m fucked up. I’m asking you to marry me. We can tie the knot wherever, and however you want, babe. As long as you say yes.” He smiled nervously, but he had nothing to be worried about because she had been waiting for the moment.
She wasted no time putting her hand out so he could slide the huge diamond on her finger.
“Yes, of course I’ll marry you. I’m going to start planning like yesterday!” She laughed and then jumped into his arms.
“Ain’t no budget either. Just send me the bill,” he assured her.
“Congratulations, bitch! You’re about to get married! I know for a fact I’m the maid of honor!” Storm said when she and Burner burst into her office with balloons and presents. Dexz had already told them and planned their lunch celebration.
Their food showed up just in time, and they ate in the shop while celebrating. That weekend, they had an engagement party with family and friends, and everyone was happy to finally see them together.
Pretti was so happy she was going to marry Dexz after crushing on him for so many years. They both had been through a lot as best friends, but their lives were finally complete…