Mahari Creed
Six months later . . .
Blessed was an understatement.
Mahari stood over Brooklyn’s and Mayvin’s cribs, watching them sleep peacefully. He was tired from fighting to get them down for their naps, but he wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.
Being a father was the biggest blessing and life change Mahari ever had.
The way he loved his girls was an indescribable feeling, one he wanted to experience over and over again.
He’d been hinting to Aspen about wanting another child, but he would wait until she was ready.
It was her body, and Mahari respected her wishes.
Life for them had been nothing but amazing.
Aspen and the girls had moved in with Mahari shortly after they were released from the hospital.
At first, Aspen thought they’d be able to live separately, but Mahari refused to be away from the girls and her.
If he wasn’t at her apartment, she was at his house.
Since the rent had been paid for a year, Mahari told the leasing company to bless the next person who moved there.
With them being home all the time, Mahari mainly worked in his underground studio so Aspen would have easy access to him.
He didn’t want her feeling alone or as if she had to do things by herself.
Most of the time, Mahari was the one changing the diapers, doing the feedings, and getting up with the girls in the middle of the night.
Aspen always fussed at him about not waking her up to do it, but Mahari let it go in one ear and out the other.
Gently kissing Brooklyn’s and Mayvin’s chubby cheeks, Mahari went to look for Aspen.
He found her in the kitchen in her favorite pajamas, dancing to music while she cooked dinner.
She was in her zone with her hair piled into a messy bun on top of her head as she sang along off key.
Mahari stood back, taking her in. The life they’d created together was one he never wanted to go without.
Reaching in his pocket, he opened the velvet box and closed it. He gave himself a pep talk before shoving it back in his pocket.
There was a part of Mahari that hated how things played out, only because of the rift in his relationship with Lance.
To Mahari’s surprise, Lance reached out to him last week, asking to meet up at the studio.
After talking to Aspen and getting her advice, Mahari agreed.
If he and Lance could start the journey to repairing their relationship, Mahari had to be receptive.
If Aspen could forgive him, so could he.
When the song ended, Mahari called out to Aspen. “Bunny?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I tell you about this dream I had?”
Aspen reached over and paused the next song on her phone. She gave Mahari her undivided attention. “Yes, I’m listening.”
Mahari made his way over to Aspen and wrapped his arms around her waist. They shared a kiss before Mahari questioned, “Do you believe your deceased loved ones come to see you in dreams?”
“Yes. My daddy does at least once a month.”
“Well, Heaven came to see me, and we had a good talk.”
Tears welled in Aspen’s eyes as she reached up and palmed Mahari’s cheek. “That’s so sweet. What did she say?”
“She told me that you were my wife and to make sure I treat you well.”
“Wait, are you serious?”
Mahari bobbed his head, feeling a lump form in his throat that he quickly swallowed. “Very serious.”
“Aspen Creed,” Aspen said in between sniffles. “That does have a nice ring to it. Is that something you’d been thinking about?”
“Every day since I told you how I felt. Even before then, I could see a life with you. Having this life with you has only solidified how I’ve felt. I guess Heaven sensed I needed some direction.”
“If you were to ask me today, I’d say yes with no hesitation, Mahari. I love you. You’ve made me happier than I’ve ever been. I feel complete with you.”
“So, let’s do this.”
Before Aspen could open her mouth to speak, Mahari pulled the box from his pocket and opened it.
A sharp gasp filled Aspen’s lungs as she eyed the four-carat diamond ring.
The kitchen was filled with Mahari’s hearty laugh when Aspen wasted no time taking the ring out the box and putting it on her finger.
“Wasn’t I supposed to do that?” Mahari asked, still laughing.
“You were taking too long.” Standing on her tiptoes, Aspen slid one hand down Mahari’s basketball shorts and nastily tongued him down. In between moans, she confirmed, "Let's do this. I’d want nothing more than to be Mrs. Mahari Creed.”
“And I want nothing more than to have you bent over this counter if you keep playing with me like this.”
“We can do that too.”
Mahari cupped Aspen’s chin and gazed into her eyes. “Thank you for giving me a second chance at a life I thought I’d lost forever. You and the girls are my entire world, and I’ll go to the ends of the Earth for y’all. It’s forever over here, Bunny.”
“And I thank God for allowing me to be the one to give you a second chance. It’s weird but having Heaven’s approval means more to me than I can explain. I mean, she was the Mrs. Mahari Creed, so for her to pass that to me fills my heart with joy. I love you, Mahari.”
“And I love you. Now, bend over before the girls wake up cock blocking.”
At Last.