Page 63 of Embrace

Mama and Mama Ashley watched us with twinkling eyes. When the song ended, I went to grab a water out of the cooler. I gulped down the bottle in a few seconds, then I grabbed a napkin to wipe the beads of sweat that accumulated during my performance. As I walked back into the main room, our mothers were talking to Blaze. I wrapped my arm around his torso as I joined the discussion.

“The love y’all have and show each other is too cute,” Mama Ashley said in a gentle tone.

“Every moment we witness with you two is a breath of fresh air. Young folks these days don’t know what love is, but the two of you are the perfect definition,” Mama added.

Blaze grinned. “It’s easy to love my best friend. She understands all of me and accepts all my flaws. I’m not the easiest person to love, but Suvi makes it seem effortless.”

Tears welled in my eyes, so I looked away and cleared my throat. “I ain’t trying to start a stream of tears in the living room. Please stop all the mushy talk.”

“Well—”

“Ow!” All eyes went to the sound of the yelp. My father was on his ass, holding his head.

“What happened?” I asked as I watched Papa Brandon help the old man up onto his feet.

“This old geezer thought he could still hit the moves like he used to do back in the day. That old man pride a mothafucka, ain’t it, Morris?”

Daddy waved him off. “I still got it.”

“You gon’ get a broken hip if you don’t sit down somewhere, Morris!” Mama warned.

“Sorry, honey.” Dad rubbed his back and limped over to his wife. “I’m going to need some damn Bengay on my back.”

I wrinkled my nose because even the word had the strong scent entering my nostrils. Bengay was a pain relief cream my daddy used on his back since I could remember. The medicinal and mint scent would always scorch my nose hairs.

“You’ll be sleeping on the couch if you put that on your back,” Mama informed him. She pulled him down to sit on the couch beside her. “Please sit down and relax.”

“You see how she treats me, Blaze? Get ready.” Daddy crossed his arms over his chest.

“They never grow up,” Mama stated. “They think they’re twenty-something well into their damn sixties.”

“And you gon’ love me regardless.”

“Well, yes.”

My parents were cute as hell. Their relationship molded my wants and needs in my own relationship.

“It’s getting late,” Mama Ashley stated. “Let’s get the gifts opened and all that good stuff.”

“Yes!” I cheered. “DJ, cut the music. We’re about to open gifts.”

Blaze rubbed his hands together. “Oh yeah! Bring on the gifts to the king!”

I shook my head and pulled a chair over to the gift table. For the next ten minutes, I read the name on the tag and passed him boxes and gift bags. Blaze was spoiled. Everyone bought him shoes, watches, and clothes. Things he loved to buy himself.

The closer we got to my gift, the more nervous I became. I lifted the large bag, filled with meaningful items.

“I saved the best gift for last,” I announced into the microphone.

“Aw shit! C’mon then,” Blaze cheered. He took the bag out of my hands and set it in front of him. He removed the wrapping paper and pulled out a customized Houston Rockets Jersey.

“Damn, Su! This mothafucka nice as fuck!” Everyone went silent as they read the name on the back of the jersey. Blaze turned the shirt around and his eyes widened. “Daddy…”

I placed my hand on my stomach and grinned. “Baby Snow brewing.”

Blaze jumped up out of his chair and ran to me. He lifted me in the air and spun me around. His excitement made the whole room ignite in chatter.

“Suvi’s pregnant!” several people exclaimed in unison as the realization coursed through the room.

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