Page 17 of Marshall: The Manny

“I love you,” Denver replied, looking up and into my eyes.

I wasn’t expecting that, so I couldn’t respond. My eyes watered as I chuckled with joy. I used his head to pull him close and hugged him to my chest. Closing my eyes, I pulled in a deep breath.

“Mar-cho love me.”

“Yes, Mar-cho loves you,” I repeated, voice cracking as it filled with emotion.

Demi sat on my lap and wrapped her arms around me. As I held him, she held me.

“I hope you know I ain’t going nowhere,” I warned her.

Demi lifted my head and kissed my lips. “Good, because neither of us want you to. Thank you for loving my son.”

“You don’t have to thank me for doing something so organic for me. That’s what this is—” I looked down at Denver as he drifted back to sleep. “It’s organic loving him.” My eyes returned to hers as I added, “And you. I’m falling in love with you, Demi.”

Demi rested her forehead on mine as she smiled. “I’m falling in love with you too.”

13

Demi

One Month Later

Marshall frowned as he stared at me. It took everything in me not to laugh. My mouth opened slightly as I scratched my nostril and avoided his eyes. By the time Marshall woke up this morning, I’d already taken Denver to my parents in preparation for our trip. Marshall wasn’t making a big deal about his birthday, and I couldn’t have that. Birthdays had always been special to me, and his would be too.

“Where my baby at?” he questioned, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Good morning to you too.”

“Demi.” His stern voice made me cackle.

“Babe, he’s with my parents.”

“Why?”

“I’m taking you out of town for your birthday.”

“Oh.” With a grin, he walked over to me. “You don’t have to do that, love. I would have been completely content having dinner with you and Denny.”

“I know, and we can do that when we get back to Memphis, but for this weekend, we’re going to see your favorite rapper and have a good time.”

Jeezy was performing this weekend in Chicago, and I knew we were going to have a good time. Chicago was one of my favorite cities, and Jeezy was cool too. I listened to rappers like him when I needed to feel motivated. Most times he made me feel like I was a drug dealer.

“We going to see Jeezy?” he asked, wrapping his arms around me.

“We are. Now tell me good morning.”

“Good morning, love,” he said finally, picking me up and setting me on the counter. “Thank you. What did I do to deserve you?”

“You came into me and my son’s life and made it better.” Wrapping my arms and legs around him, I gave him a quick kiss before saying, “Happy birthday, baby.”

In Chicago

I was sohappy watching Marshall enjoy himself. He had a time at the concert. I wouldn’t say he danced but he bopped around with the swag of a hood nigga as he drank and rapped along to every song. My pussy throbbed when he beat his chest and flexed his muscle before patting his bicep. I didn’t think there was a version of Marshall that I would enjoy more than him with my son… but seeing him truly enjoy himself with no cares or concerns was a very close second.

After the concert, we grabbed a couple of Italian beef sandwiches and pigged out before heading from one lounge tothe next. By the time we made it back to our hotel, I was good and drunk. He wasn’t on my level, but he was definitely tipsy, and it was so cute seeing him in an inebriated state for the first time. As tipsy as he was, he remained aware and alert and made sure we made it to the hotel safely before we both undressed and fell into bed. I was so out of it I didn’t even try to shower.

As I lay on my back, Marshall made his way on top of me. He held me close as he muttered, “This was the best birthday ever. Thank you.”

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