Chapter 19
Today was going to be different for Emon and Blake.
Different in the best way possible. The couple had been blossoming, and there was no denying it.
Anyone who saw them together knew it. These past few months had shown Emon what real love looked like: waking up to her every morning, celebrating birthdays and holidays together, building their life piece by piece.
What really got him was how natural it all felt, like every moment since that first night had been leading to this one.
Watching her sleep this morning, he’d been sure of two things: she was it for him, and today was the day he was going to make sure she knew it.
This morning had proved that again. Blake had turned to him in bed and muttered, “Let’s go to church.
” It had been on her heart heavily to get back to the Lord’s house because if this wasn’t God’s unchanging hand moving, she didn’t know what was.
This was the type of favor we all prayed for.
Even though she felt undeserving, she felt so much joy knowing that God still showed up for his children, even when they were distant.
He was gentle, gracious, and faithful like that.
He tilted his head back and looked into her eyes because he was moved.
“Yeah, let’s do that. I’d like that.” Neither of them had been in a while, but it felt right today and maybe moving forward. Living together these past months showed them how much better life was when they faced it together and adding their heavenly father in would only make it better.
She’d been a member of Greater Praise Missionary Baptist Church for years.
It was Taylor’s church also and where she’d been baptized many summers ago.
She’d missed being in the house of the Lord, and she was done making time for everything and everyone else but Him, when he was the reason for it all.
Blake chose a tan wide-leg jumpsuit that made Emon’s mouth water.
She was dressed modestly enough for church but still killing it.
Her soft curls framed her face, and her minimal makeup let her glow shine through.
He watched her get ready, taking in how natural this felt, them preparing for Sunday service together, and how Blake wanted him for who he was, even the parts he was still working on.
Who was he to deny what God could do? Especially when the ring in his pocket felt like it was burning a hole straight through his hands.
He’d picked it out weeks ago, a three-carat oval diamond that he knew she would love.
Well, at least he hoped. He’d had some help from Paige and Taylor and believed they hadn’t steered him wrong.
“Baby, you ready?” she called out from downstairs.
Four months of living together and her voice still made his heart skip.
Their home, because that was what it had become, was filled with evidence of their shared life: her medical books spread across the office desk, her candle obsession displayed in every room and corner, their photos from ViceAnne’s cookout displayed proudly on the walls.
Greater Praise was a small brick church with a spirit bigger than its walls. When they walked in, hands clasped together, Sister Bradshaw’s eyes lit up seeing Blake.
“Don’t act like that. I see you all the time.
” Taylor’s mom was about as dramatic as her daughter, but she loved them both tremendously.
Taylor’s parents had stepped in and helped take care of her father’s and mother’s funeral services.
They prayed with her mother and the family and even checked on them afterward.
“Lord, look who the cat done dragged in!” she exclaimed, pulling Blake into a hug before eyeing Emon. “And who is this fine young man?”
“This is my Emon,” Blake said proudly. The ‘my’ made the ring feel even heavier in his pocket.
“Nice to meet you, Emon. Y’all go on in. Taylor’s up front.”
“Same to you. I’m looking forward to service,” he replied.
Blake and Emon slowly made their way to the front, and Taylor was so surprised that she jumped up to hug her friend, almost knocking her over.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“Mission accomplished. Sit. Service is about to start. Look at God.”
The service moved them both in unexpected ways. When Pastor Bradshaw spoke about divine timing and building foundations on faith, Emon squeezed Blake’s hand. She’d been his foundation, his something to land on, his peace.
Back at their home, the aroma of Blake’s baked chicken, mac and cheese, greens, and dressing filled the air as their closest friends and family filtered in. She’d insisted on cooking, saying it was about time she hosted properly in their home. The word ‘their’ still made Emon smile every time.
“Damn, sis, you went all out,” Brooks said as he walked through the front door. Taylor walked in behind him, and though they tried to play it cool, everyone caught their subtle glances at each other.
“It’s my first time hosting, so I wanted to make sure I did it right and there was enough food.”
“Well, sis, you did good. Proud of you and Emon.”
“It’s time you get your shit together with Taylor, no? This could be y’all.”
“Taylor needs to get her shit together with me, ya dig?” he said, following the woman he had been chasing for months as she moved through the living room.
“Yall, the house looks good as hell,” Paige admired, taking in how Blake had transformed Emon’s bachelor pad into a proper home. Her touch was evident everywhere, from the artwork she’d carefully selected to the plants bringing life to every corner.
“That’s all your cousin,” Emon said proudly. “I just move furniture where she tells me or buys what she tells me.”
“More like arguing about moving furniture,” Blake corrected with a laugh.
Gio watched them with longing. “Man, how you get so lucky?”
“Good question,” Paige said, turning to the newest face in the mix.
“Wasn’t luck,” Emon replied, watching Blake move around their kitchen. “It was kismet. Divine timing.”
“It’s time to eat. Wash y’all hands and make y’all plate.
” Blake instructed as she finished making Emon’s plate before everyone else.
She was proud of herself and the spread she’d made.
Emon’s mom had sent over a Million Dollar Pie and Carmel Cake.
It was way too much food, but what a blessing.
The table filled up, and they all broke bread like family.
Blake hadn’t realized what she was missing until today.
“You ready for graduation?” Paige asked Blake. She couldn’t believe it was almost time for her to walk across the stage with her degree. She’d worked hard, stayed focused, and did her best.
“You have no idea. I’m tired of school. Looking forward to a break.”
“Yeah, I’m tryna take my baby around the globe and hav—” Blake kicking him from under the table stopped him from finishing the rest of his sentence. No one wanted to hear the bent over the balcony part. “My bad, baby.”
Taylor and Paige laughed because they already knew what was up. The laughter around their dinner table was interrupted by Emon’s phone ringing. His face turned serious as he listened.
“I’ll be right there.” He stood up, already reaching for his keys. “Someone tried to break into the pantry. Glass everywhere.”
“I’m coming with you,” Blake said, but her tone was sharp.
“Ok, but it’s cool if you need to stay back with the family.
I shouldn’t be gone long, and the police are already there.
” He didn’t want to stop the night. They’d been having a good time vibing and eating.
Plus, she’d worked hard on her dinner. From the look on Blake’s face, he could tell she wasn’t with being left behind and that was cool too.
“Why can’t I go? Are you not telling me something?”
“What you mean? You for real right now?” His voice was low but sharp. She’d fired off with accusations, so he fired back, wanting her to hear how she sounded.
“People don’t just break into community pantries, Emon.” The words came out before she could stop them. “Unless there’s something you ain’t telling me about what’s really goes on there.”
The room went silent. Even Brooks felt she was out of line. Emon’s jaw tightened, but he kept his voice steady. “You trying me, for real, but we can discuss what you got going on in that head of yours later. Right now, I gotta handle this. Bring ya ass on if you coming.”
The ride to the pantry was tense and quiet. Her doubt cut deeper than he wanted to admit. He never wanted to have to check her like that, but she had him fucked up questioning his integrity.
When they pulled up, it was just four kids. Not criminals or people retaliating. The oldest kid couldn’t have been more than fifteen, trying to explain to the police why they’d broken in.
“Our lights got cut off last week and we don’t have any food,” the boy was saying, his sisters huddled behind him. “We haven’t eaten in three days. I had to feed my sisters.”
Blake watched Emon’s face soften as he approached them, and her attitude vanished.
“Mr. Dowlen, these are Pilar’s kids, and we can take them down to the station and handle it. Ain’t the first time we caught them stealing.”
“Officer, I’m not pressing charges. Matter of fact...” He pulled out his wallet to see how much cash he had on him. “Let me get these kids somewhere safe and fed. I got it.”
“Mr. Dowlen, are you sure? You give ‘em a pass once and we’ll be back here.”
Blake, Emon, and the young man looked at the officer with distaste. The cop didn’t know who he was talking to. They didn’t think the same and certainly weren’t going to react the same.
“Officer, I don’t think I stuttered, and I’m positive. I’m not about to ruin this young man’s life over something that shouldn’t be perceived as a luxury. I’ll handle it from here.”
The officer shrugged and carried his ass on, and that was best. Emon massaged his temple, thinking about how bad this could’ve been. What a night, he thought.