7. Aspen Webb
Kisses being peppered all over Aspen’s face woke her up.
She smiled and slowly fluttered her eyes open to see Lance standing over her.
With her nose scrunched, Aspen stretched before Lance assisted her in sitting up.
She didn’t realize one hand was behind his back until he produced the most beautiful bouquet of red roses Aspen had ever seen.
Hesitantly, she took them from him and questioned, “What’s going on, Lance? Should I be concerned?”
“For what?” Lance laughed and pecked her lips. “I can’t show my woman some love?”
“You haven’t been for months now, so the change in behavior has me suspicious. I can’t remember the last time you got me some roses, but they are beautiful, so thank you.”
“That’s only the beginning. Breakfast is on the way up. You and the twins enjoy while I make sure everything else is in order. I’ll be back up to check on you.”
Lance kissed Aspen’s lips, then her stomach, before disappearing out the room.
For a moment, Aspen sat there, stuck. She was trying to comprehend what just happened.
The way Lance was acting was out of the ordinary, and she wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it.
Many assumptions ran through her mind. When breakfast was delivered, Aspen got situated and video called Lavender.
“Good morning, baby mama. You’re up early for an off day,” Lavender answered with a towel wrapped around her body. “What are you up to?”
“I had to call you to make sure I’m not tripping.”
“About what?”
Aspen turned her camera around to show Lavender the roses and breakfast in bed before turning it back on her. “Lance did this.”
“Lance? As in the man who is never home, Lance?”
“That one.”
“The one who puts work before home?”
“That one.”
“The on—”
“Lavender!” Aspen playfully snapped and snickered.
With her palm up in surrender, Lavender apologized. “My bad, bestie. I just needed clarity that we were talking about the same person. What has gotten into him?”
“Girl, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. He’s being too sweet, and it’s been like this for a few days. Since Mahari snapped on him that night, Lance has actually been putting in effort. I don’t know if it’s out of guilt or what, but I’m iffy about it.”
“You know it’s damn guilt. I honestly think it’s competition too. The way Mahari has been stepping up and being present, one would think he’s your man and not Lance. Sometimes, I think you locked in with the wrong cousin.”
Aspen wouldn’t admit it out loud, but she often thought that too.
She valued her friendship with Mahari, but she couldn’t act as if the thought hadn’t crossed her mind on many occasions.
The traits Mahari possessed were the ones she wished Lance had.
They were polar opposites in many ways, and Aspen wondered how it would be if Mahari were hers.
Stuffing a forkful of breakfast potatoes and eggs in her mouth, Aspen thoroughly chewed before speaking. “He’s up to something, Lavender. I don’t know what it is, and I don’t know if I should be happy or not.”
“It’s okay to be happy about it, if that’s what you’re feeling. If he’s putting in the effort, bask in it. I say drain him for everything he’s been neglecting you of. Time will tell if this is a phase or for show. Whatever the reasoning is, take advantage of it for you and the girls.”
“See, that’s why I called you. I knew you’d make it make sense to me.”
“That’s why I’m your best bitch.”
The besties talked while Aspen ate her breakfast. She cleared the plate and wanted to go back to sleep, but Lance came back with a gift bag and instructed her to get ready for the day.
To Aspen’s surprise and happiness, Lance had gotten her a new dress with the shoes and jewelry to match.
The colorful dress was giving island vibes.
After handling her morning hygiene, showering, and moisturizing her body, Aspen melted into the dress.
The expensive fabric felt amazing against her skin, and it was beyond comfortable.
Ten minutes after she was finished getting herself together, Lance’s team came in to do her hair and makeup.
Aspen tried prying information out of them, but they held the secret in.
The last time Lance went out his way like this for her was their first anniversary.
They’d been together for three years, and she hadn’t received such special treatment since, only for his appearances.
“Oh, wow. Y’all hooked me up,” Aspen admitted, staring in the mirror.
Her makeup was minimal, but it brought out her syrupy eyes and pregnancy glow.
The ringlets in her hair were big, hanging down her back, with the front pinned out of her face to show off the yellow gold diamonds in her ears and on her neck.
“Damn, Aspen. You look pretty as hell,” Lance complimented, walking up behind her and lacing his arms around her waist. His hands went to her belly, and one of the twins kicked.
“Are you saying hello to your daddy?” Aspen giggled. She turned around and draped her arms on Lance’s shoulder. “I would kiss you, but I don’t want to mess up my lip gloss.”
“And I don’t want it on my lips.”
“Are you going to tell me what all this is for?”
“That would ruin the surprise, baby. You ready to ride out?”
Aspen nodded, and Lance led her downstairs to the front where his driver was waiting for them.
The drive to their destination, Lance’s undivided attention was on Aspen, and she felt as if she was dreaming.
One-on-one time had been lacking in their relationship.
She’d been feeling so lonely, so the smile she wore felt like a permanent attachment on her face.
They gave one another updates on their lives, and Aspen couldn’t believe how much they’d missed out on.
A private jet caught Aspen’s eye as the vehicle slowed down. Her brows lowered. Looking back and forth between Lance and the jet, Aspen tried coming up with her own conclusion as to what was going on.
“Uh, are we about to go to one of your shows or something?” Aspen asked.
Lance turned his body toward Aspen’s, cupped her face, and gently kissed her lips.
“Nah. This is all about us, baby. I know I haven’t been as present as I should have been, and I gotta apologize for that.
I’ve just been so focused on my goals that I didn’t realize how it was affecting you, so I figured we could get away for a little without the distractions of the world. ”
“Are you serious?”
“Doesn’t it look like it?” Lance chuckled and palmed her stomach. “We need this before they get here.”
Aspen giggled. “You’re right. I know it’s going to get hectic once they come, but I’m excited. Are you?”
It didn’t sit well with Aspen how Lance tried distracting her with another kiss. He failed to answer her question and got out with his hands out. She shrugged it off but made sure to keep it in the forefront of her mental.
The jet was filled with everything they would need for the flight.
It didn’t take long for sleep to find Aspen after they were safely in the sky.
By the time she woke up, they were landing.
A sharp gasp parted her lips at the sight of beautiful, clear waters and sand off in the distance.
She glanced over her shoulder at Lance, who was deep in his phone with a scowl etched on his handsome face.
His fingers were moving at lightning speed.
Whoever he was texting had his attention, so Aspen soundlessly enjoyed the view and waited for whatever their trip would bring.
“Oh, Lance. This place is so beautiful.” Aspen gushed as they walked hand in hand to their villa.
The vibe on the island instantly changed Aspen’s mood.
They stepped off the private jet and were greeted by their driver, who handed them glasses of champagne and sparkling grape juice.
A tour of the island was given as they headed to their destination, and Aspen couldn’t get over how stunning the place was.
Huge palm trees.
White sand.
Clear, blue waters.
Beautiful green forests.
They were far away from home, and Aspen planned on enjoying every second of it.
“Isn’t it?” Lance agreed, kissing the back of her hand. “This is exactly what I needed.”
“You needed?”
“Don’t get me wrong, baby. I know it’s what we needed, but personally, I need it too. I’ve been overworking and stressed. This is going to be the perfect remedy for us and me.” He nudged Aspen with his elbow. “You can’t tell me you haven’t been stressed with working and nursing school too.”
Aspen sighed and nodded. “I have.”
“Exactly. So, selfishly, this can be good for you too.”
In a way, Aspen could see Lance’s point, but it still bothered her a bit. It made her feel he did everything on a whim for himself more than them. Either way, she would find ways to heal herself and become stress free, even if it wasn’t for them.
Changing the subject, Aspen asked, “Why is this villa so big if it’s only the two of us?”
“Well.”
As if they had heard Aspen, Justin and Lavender appeared at the front door.
Aspen couldn’t even be upset. Seeing her best friend instantly lifted her spirits.
She released Lance’s hand and wobbled as fast as she could to get to Lavender, who met her halfway.
Lavender wrapped her arms around Aspen, giving her a tight squeeze before grabbing her hands and looking her over.
“Damn, baby mama. You look so good.”
“That’s all you with your sneaky ass.” Aspen swatted at Lavender. “Your ass played like you didn’t know a thing.”
“I know, I know. It was hard as hell, but I didn’t want to give the surprise away.”
“And you!” Aspen jabbed her finger in Justin’s chest as he made his way over with his arms outstretched. “You could’ve given me a head’s up too.”
Justin chuckled and pulled Aspen into him, kissing the top of her head. “Nah, I couldn’t have. Hell, this was as big of a surprise to us as it is you. Lance hit me up last minute, but you know I wasn’t about to turn down a free trip.”
“Hell, me either.” Lavender agreed.