11. Aspen Webb
The enticing aroma of something cooking greeted Aspen when she woke up from her nap.
She didn’t remember falling asleep. The last thing she remembered was talking about the baby shower with Mahari while he massaged her feet.
She’d been out with her mother all day, getting things for the baby shower and setting up her registry, so she was exhausted.
When Mahari asked to come see her, Aspen didn’t hesitate to say yes.
It had been one week since they professed their true feelings for one another, and things had been going extremely well.
To Aspen, it was if nothing had changed except for how often she saw and spoke to Mahari.
He was still the sweet, loving, and attentive man he’d always been while showing more affection here and there.
Aspen didn’t believe she’d ever get enough of kissing him. The night of his birthday, when she was falling asleep, she kept pressing her lips together because they were tingling. If she wasn’t exhausted, Aspen would’ve spent the entire night lip locking with Mahari.
The pain shooting through Aspen’s legs had her confined to the couch.
She tried sitting up, but help was needed.
After all the walking she’d done earlier, Aspen knew she would be no good for the rest of the day.
Everything was becoming a chore to her, even the small things.
She wasn’t sure how much longer she’d be able to work before going on maternity leave, but she didn’t think she had much longer left.
As if he could read her mind, Mahari appeared with his phone glued to his ear. Aspen held her hands up and pointed to the bathroom. She was happy he’d come right on time, or she would’ve started crying from feeling confined.
After she relieved her bladder and washed her hands, Aspen opened the door to find Mahari had waited on her.
Pecking her lips, Mahari questioned, “How did you sleep?”
“So good. I don’t even remember falling asleep.”
“Yeah. We were mid conversation when you started snoring. Mouth open and all.”
Aspen giggled. “I’m sorry. Being out all day has me tired. I could honestly go back to sleep, but the smell of food woke me up. What are you cooking?”
“I called a friend in to come prepare something for us. I figured since you were tired, and I needed to get some work done, it would be easier for a chef to whip us up something. He’s almost done.”
“That’s so thoughtful, Mahari. Thank you. What did he prepare?”
“Cajun chicken Alfredo and homemade garlic bread. Something simple but filling.”
“I think the girls will like that.”
The chef poked his head around the corner and informed them dinner was ready.
Mahari told Aspen to wait for him while he went to wash his hands.
Aspen jumped when the lights in her apartment turned off except for the one in her dining room.
The smirk gracing Mahari’s lips when he exited the bathroom was a dead giveaway that he was up to something.
Hand in hand, they walked to the front where a beautiful candle lit dinner was set up for them.
Aspen blushed as Mahari kissed her cheek and led her over to the table set for two.
Rose petals were sprinkled over the table along with small pieces of paper that were folded up.
Two small gift bags set next to the sparkling juice that was chilling on some ice.
Aspen thanked Mahari and the chef as he pulled her chair out for her.
“This is a lovely surprise, Mahari. Thank you.”
“No thanks needed, Bunny.”
The chef brought over their plates and poured them both some of the juice.
He offered to stay and serve dessert, but Mahari declined and thanked him.
Once the chef was gone, Aspen gave Mahari her undivided attention.
Being in such an intimate space with him felt different.
It felt good, and she couldn’t stop smiling.
“This is nice,” Aspen admitted. “And not just this setup but being here with you like this. It makes me feel better than I have in a long time.”
“You and me both. I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting to share this type of space with you. It’s crossed my mind on more than one occasion.”
“Mine too.” Stabbing her fork into the pasta, Aspen made sure she got everything on it from the chicken to the peppers before stuffing it in her mouth.
She moaned from the delicious, spicy flavors and didn’t come up for air until her plate was clean.
Her eyes met Mahari’s, and she frowned. “Why are you laughing?”
“You must’ve really been hungry, because you just fucked that pasta up.”
“Shut up!” Aspen picked up her spoon and threw it at Mahari. He dodged it, laughing harder at her. “If I wasn’t so full, I’d get up.”
“And I’d poke you until you pissed yourself.”
“Oh, that’s cruel.”
“That’s love, baby.”
Their laughs slowly faded into a comfortable silence as their gazes lingered on one another.
Aspen wanted to pinch herself. It was crazy how things changed in such a short time.
Weeks ago, she was in bed, sulking over her relationship ending with Lance.
Now, she was basking in the unspoken love she’d felt for years.
A love so pure she didn’t understand how she couldn’t see it at first.
Breaking the silence, Mahari questioned, “What’s on your mind?”
“Us.”
“What about us?”
“I just . . .” Aspen leaned back and rubbed her belly. “I can’t believe we’re here. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I wasn’t happy unless I was with you.”
“And I feel the same way. You became my light in the dungeon of grief. After Heaven passed, you were the first person to bring a real smile to my face. I’ve always known you were special. You’ve been my person for as long as I can remember, but that solidified it for me.”
“Why did we wait so long, Mahari? Why did we hold our feelings back and allow all this time to pass. All these things to happen to where if we’re together, it’ll be frowned upon.”
As happy as she was, Aspen couldn’t act like others’ opinion of them didn’t matter to her.
Being with Mahari was like a dream come true.
There was no doubt in Aspen’s mind that he’d continue to treat her the way he had been, but she worried how outsiders’ opinions would affect them if they were to officially take the next step.
There were so many factors that would easily make their relationship inappropriate to the eyes of others, with the biggest one being Aspen being pregnant by her ex-boyfriend who is Mahari’s cousin. She could hear the whispers and see the headshakes in her mind.
Mahari got up, picked up one of the gifts, and walked over to Aspen. “Open this.”
“Are you going to answer my question?”
“Of course, but I want you to open this first.”
Playfully, Aspen snatched it from Mahari.
It was a small box with a pink bow on the top.
A gasp parted Aspen’s lips when she opened it to see a diamond tennis bracelet that she was sure cost a pretty penny.
Mahari took it out the box and snapped it on Aspen’s wrist. She admired the way the diamonds glistened, even in the dim light.
Aspen whispered, “You remembered.”
“When it comes to you, I don’t forget much.” He reached over and picked up the other gift. It was the same size as the other box, so Aspen giddily took it from him.
“No you didn’t.”
“Now, you know I couldn’t leave the girls out.”
To someone on the outside, the bracelet was just a lavish gift. For Aspen, it was confirmation that Mahari truly listened and clung to her words.
Years ago, when Heaven was pregnant, Mahari was trying to find the perfect push gift for her. He wanted to go all out but wasn’t sure if what he had planned would suffice, so he called Aspen.
“Hey, Mahari. What are you up to?”
“I have a question.”
Aspen smiled. “I’m listening.”
“If you wanted a push gift, what would it be?”
“Oohhh!” Aspen cooed. “Are you already looking for Heaven one?”
Mahari walked around the car he’d been eyeing for Heaven. He thought it would be the perfect one for her to consider to be her mom car, and he couldn’t wait to fill it up with one or two more little ones.
“I am, but I’m not sure if I’m on the right track.”
“Well, for me, I’d want a diamond tennis bracelet, one matching with my baby. My dad did that for my mom after she had me, so it’s something I’ve always desired. Most women want a new car or something that’ll be essential for them and the baby.”
Mahari swiping his thumb over Aspen’s wet cheek brought her back to the present. “I’ve thought about that conversation since you first told me you were pregnant. I knew exactly what I wanted to get you. It might be a little early, but I couldn’t wait.”
“Early or not, I’m grateful. Thank you.”
“No thanks needed.” Mahari pulled out the chair next to Aspen, picked up the bracelet, and put it on her wrist. “As far as your question goes, the timing of everything is out of our control. Could we have been real and spoken up? Absolutely. Was it the right time? Considering this is where God has us now and not then, I’m guessing not.
I believe timing is everything, and while this may not seem like the best time, it’s our time. ”
“You’re right. I just need to get out my head.”
“That’s why I want us to continue going with the flow. I don’t want there to be any pressure, and if you ever feel like there is, let me know. I’m not switching up on you, Bunny.”
Aspen motioned with her fingers for Mahari to come closer. She placed a soft peck to his lips and smiled. “You never have, so I know you never will. You’ve always been you, Mahari. Please, don’t ever change. I don’t think my heart will be able to take it if you do.”
“I feel the same way. If we stay on the same page, we should be good.”
“And we will be.”