Page 187 of Save Room for Us

“I been wanting you for a long ass time, and for a minute, I ain’t think the shit was gon’ happen. Had I known you wasn’t happy where you was at, I would’ve madethisshit happen a lot sooner.

“Anyway, I’m in love with you, girl. You bring me a lot of fucking peace, and I never knew I would meet a woman that wasn’t family, that would be so trustworthy and loyal. I would give you anything and do anything for you. Like I told you from day one, no other nigga would be willing to go to war for you like me, and if he did, I promise I would be the last muthafucka standing.” I got onto my knee, making my sisters-in-law and everyone else screech loudly with excitement as Anastazia’s eyes widened. I couldn’t read her expression, but she’d better say yes. “I only wanna do this ‘til death do us part shit with you. I know what I want, and I want you, forever, so will you marry me?” I revealed the ring from my pocket, lifting the top of the velvet box.

“That shit is huge!” a woman yelled.

“If she don’t say yes, I will!” Bambi called out. I recognized her voice by this point. As always, her comment rendered laughs from the crowd, even Anastazia who’d been frozen up to that point.

“Yes, of course,” she finally said, nodding. “I don’t think you even needed to ask.” She giggled as I slid the ring onto her finger.

Standing to my feet, I hugged her body, lifting her up so we could be face-to-face for a kiss. After a while of being watched while kissing, I put her down so my brothers could come up and congratulate me, while the ladies surrounded Anastazia to look at her ring.

“Damn, man, you really out the game,” Unique joked. “Nah, but I’m happy for you. I actually like,love, all the females y’all chose. I honestly can’t see you with nobody else.”

“I appreciate that.” I nodded before Lequay came in to slap hands and then hug me. The rest of my brothers followed suit before we chuckled, listening to Analicia and Scotland explain to my fiancée how they would help with wedding plans.

Once the ladies all came to hug me, the party went back into full effect well into the night.

Afterward, I kicked all of them muthafuckas off, took Anastazia to the master bedroom of the yacht, and enjoyed the fuck out of that in denial ass pregnant pussy.

ONE WEEK AND A HALF LATER…

Sophie had dozed off in the middle of our fourth watch ofMoana, and I was thankful. The fucking songs were in my head, and I was sure one could guess that a hood nigga walking around mumbling “How Far I’ll Go” didn’t look right. I’d body a nigga if he witnessed that shit.

My phone buzzed on the couch cushion beside me, but I didn’t recognize the number. Just as I was about to hit the lock button to silence it, something told me to pick the shit up.

“Hello?” I sank into the couch, enjoying the smell of whatever Anastazia was whipping up.

“Hello, is this Asif St. Thomas?” a chipper woman asked.

“Who’s asking?”

“This is Danielle from Hillside Memorial. I’m calling in regard to Nori McDaniel-Davies.”

Sitting up, I asked, “What about her?” Silence hung in the air, so I said, “This is Asif.”

“Well, Asif, I am sorry to tell you, but she suffered from a stroke last night. Her husband brought her in, and though we’ve been monitoring her, things aren’t looking good for her. I was advised by her husband to give you a call, in case you wanted to come see your mother.”

“Umm, right.” I stood up, wondering why I even gave a fuck. “Yeah, I’ll come down today.”

“Okay. Just check in at the front and let them know who you are. See you soon.” She hung up.

I stood there for a beat, pondering and wondering if God was punishing a nigga for how I’d treated Nori. I said a silent prayer that she recovered, despite what them niggas were saying, and then ventured to the kitchen.

“Aye, baby, Nori is in the hospital, so I’m gon’ go see here.”

“You want me to come?—”

“Nah, I’m good. Plus, Sophie is finally asleep.” I pulled her in and kissed her face. “I’ll be right back.”

She nodded, so I left out, hitting my father up on the way. To my surprise, he agreed to meet me there, which brought a nigga a little bit of comfort.

When I got to Hillside Memorial in Torrance, I waited out front until I witnessed my dad’s custom Maserati pull in and park.

“She gon’ be aight, Sif,” he said to me once he got close enough, walking alongside me into the hospital.

We checked in, and once I explained that he was my father, they allowed him up. The floor of the hospital she was on smelled like death, making me queasy as fuck as we approached her room. Brian stood outside of it looking distressed as hell.

“You came.” His head popped up upon hearing me and my pops’ footsteps.

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