Page 79 of Mister President

Smiling, I lifted the blunt to my lips. “Relieved that she’s not pregnant but also sad. I’m glad we have the chance to do this right, and that’s all that matters to me.”

Straddling my waist, she wrapped her arms around my neck. “I know you wanted a baby, and I’m sure, even with you and her being done, a part of you was happy. I’m sorry, baby.”

My hands slid up and down her back before gripping her waist. I didn’t respond immediately. Instead, we shot gunned and passed the blunt until it was gone.

“Today made me realize just how important it is to me that we do this right. You’re the only woman I want as the mother of my children, and I really want you to be my wife. I know we just got back together, but this scare gave me more urgency when it comes to our future.”

“What does that mean?” she asked quietly with a smile.

“It means, next year, me and EJ won’t be the only ones in this house to have my last name.” She played with the collar of my shirt like she always did when she felt shy. “How does that sound?”

“It sounds good,” she cooed, moaning and giggling when I leaned forward and kissed all over her neck.

What she’d said was true. I was happy and sad about the baby. Now that I knew there wasn’t one, I was relieved and hopeful that she and I could add to our family soon…and the right way. But even with that desire, it was important to me that I gave her space to step into her purpose with The Masterpiece Mission. So even if it didn’t happen next year, just knowing it would happen eventually was enough to give me peace.

The Christmas Auction

As I expected,with Fiona’s connections, this year’s auction pulled in the highest profit inN.E. Arthistory. To thank her, I planned to gift her with flowers and three gift cards to her favorite designer stores. I didn’t think we needed to see each other in person, and since Neko and I were writing the gifts off as business expenses, we were going to use our courier service to deliver it to her right after Christmas.

My eyes scanned the room as Neko announced the ninth recipient of the business scholarship. As soon as they landed on Amanda, I smiled. She looked stunning in a formfitting gold dress that made her look like royalty. Her hair was pulled up into a curly bun, and spirally pieces of hair framed her neck and face. I didn’t think I’d ever seen her look as beautiful as she did tonight.

“And the final recipient of the inauguralN.E. Artbusiness scholarship is…” Neko said, pausing for dramatic effect. “Oh wait. I can’t read the name on this.”

I leaned forward to look, knowing who it was already. Gripping the mic, I took the card and studied it for a few seconds.

“I know who that is,” I said, looking at my brother.

“Who?”

“The woman who stole my heart the moment we met. The woman who blessed me with my son. The woman who will soon be my wife. The founder of The Masterpiece Mission…Ms. Amanda Renae Jones!”

When the red drape was pulled off the large paper check, Amanda dropped her champagne flute. Her hands lifted to her opened mouth and covered it as her body swayed. Everyone else had gotten one hundred thousand dollars, but she got five. Who was gon’ check me?

“Congratulations, sis!” Neko cheered, lifting his glass.

As everyone around her clapped, Amanda’s head shook as her tears fell. Fred, her father, helped her take small steps toward the stage, while Tammy looked on and wiped her own tears. Their relationship was still a work in progress, but Tammy had been intentional with the words she used when talking to her daughter, and that was the only reason I told her she could come tonight. If I felt like anyone was going to rain on my baby’s parade, I wasn’t going to let them in, and I didn’t give a fuck who it was.

Her hand trembled as she put it in mine.

“Congratulations, bae. I told you this is only the beginning.”

“Thank you.” She sobbed. “Thank you both. OMG, I’m so happy!”

Her laugh mixed with continuously flowing tears as we hugged. We waited until she was composed to take a picture of the check. When we were done, the party continued, but we slipped out the back so we could have a private celebration of our own…

Epilogue

Amanda

Christmas Eve

We allowedEJ to open one gift tonight, and he somehow was able to pick the newCall of Dutygame. What was supposed to be a family night of baking cookies and watching Christmas movies turned into Elias and me doing it ourselves. I didn’t mind that. I loved providing my baby with the desires of his heart because he was such a good kid.

“You wanna open a gift too?” Elias asked as I sipped my spiked eggnog.

“Is that a real question?” I asked, to which he laughed and stood.

I smiled at the sight of him in his pajamas that matched mine and EJ’s. It took a lot to convince him to put them on, but every time I looked at the pictures we’d taken earlier, it was worth it. I dreamed of the day we’d be doing this cutesy shit as a family again, and it was finally here.

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