Page 34 of Finding You

Raven studied his eyes, wondering if he was being honest. It was possible because she had felt the same way, and it hadn’t been just because of the twins. She and Zion truly had connected on a special level that night.

“How about we continue this conversation over food?” he suggested, and she agreed.

After they made their tacos and loaded up their plates, Zion filled Onyx’s food and water bowl before joining her at the table.

As they ate, they talked about everything and nothing, careful to stay clear of their time in Vegas and dating. Their conversation flowed easily, and she was totally comfortable with him. It felt normal to be sitting at his kitchen table sharing a meal, as if they did it every day.

They discussed the babies even more, laughing at some of her trials and errors that took place when she first brought them home from the hospital. Reading all the books in the world hadn’t prepared her for the enormous responsibility of caring for twins. She could laugh now, but she had shed more than her share of tears back then.

“I don’t know if twins run in my family, but do they run in yours?” Raven asked as she enjoyed the meal.

“Yeah, they do. My father is an identical twin.”

Surprise jolted Raven. “Really?”

He nodded and smiled. “Yup. They look exactly alike, except my uncle has a scar near his left eye. Other than that, it’s almost impossible to tell them apart unless you get them to talking. My uncle is a gangster,” he said on a laugh. “Or at least that’s what I call him. He has no fear of anything. He’s been married threetimes with three sets of kids. Interesting enough, everyone gets along. Blended family at its best.”

“Wow. He sounds like a character.”

Zion chuckled. “Oh, he is that and more. I look forward to introducing you to him one day.”

One conversation led into another. He even shared some of his cop stories. Though he loved the job, he mentioned again that he might go into private security. He’d said something similar at dinner the other day, but it sounded like he was thinking more about it.

“Did you ever go and see your aunt?” he asked after there was a slight lull in the conversation. “I remember you saying that was part of the reason you were visiting, to check on her and let her meet the twins.”

Raven was slow to speak, not really wanting to discuss her aunt, but she and Zion were trying to get to know each other better. She might as well tell him what her aunt thought of him before they met. There was no doubt in her mind that Aunt Nancy was going to want to meet the father of the babies.

Raven gave Zion the short version of how the visit went, hoping he wouldn’t take offense at her aunt’s comments about him. She even told him about what Aunt Nancy had said about Maximus. Raven made it clear that she didn’t agree with anything her aunt said.

“The only thing I like about him these days is his grandfather. It amazes me the two men are related,” she said, telling him a little about Christopher. Anything to take the focus and conversation off Maximus for fear Zion would say something stupid, and she’d get mad at him.

She had talked to G-Pop the day before, and he sounded good. She didn’t tell him that she was planning on relocating. That was something she’d tell him face-to-face right before she made the move. Raven would have to make sure he didn’ttell Maximus. Then again, it wouldn’t matter. He’d find out eventually. Still, this was a conversation to have in person.

“I didn’t realize Maximus asked you to marry him. When was that?” Zion asked, surprising her by the question. What did it matter that he proposed? Especially since she’d said no.

“He sort of proposed shortly before we broke up. That’s if you call someone saying, ‘We’re great together. We should get married,’ a proposal. I didn’t take it seriously, but during my aunt’s last visit to Houston, he mentioned to her that he had proposed. Of course, she thought I was crazy turning him down. I told her she didn’t know the real him.”

Zion nodded. “Just like she doesn’t know me. I might not have planned on having kids yet, but I’m embracing fatherhood now. I’m looking forward to proving her wrong. She’ll soon learn I always take care of my responsibilities, and I always go after what I want.”

He stared into Raven’s eyes when he said that last part, and she found she couldn’t look away. Was he saying he wanted her? Did he want her for more than just a body to warm his bed? Because that’s the only way she’d consider anything with him beyond co-parenting.

Time will tell.

“I have a proposition for you.”

Raven studied him as her heart rate inched up. If he was going to propose they sleep together again, she’d have to say no, even if she wanted to say yes. She wasn’t the one-night stand type despite what happened between them. She wanted forever with a man.

“And that is?” she finally said.

“We get my parents and sisters to take care of the babies while I go back to Houston with you. I’ll help you pack up everything and move you to Chicago.”

Raven’s mouth fell open, and her body stiffened in shock. Startled by every part of his suggestion, she didn’t know what to say. Instead, she just looked at him as thoughts ran wild through her mind.

Of course, he’d want his children in the same town as he, but to offer to help her move to Chicago? That was huge and unexpected. Though the offer was tempting, she couldn’t accept, mainly because of her babies.

It would only take a good two days for her to clear out the rest of the items in her apartment. But she couldn’t imagine leaving her kids. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust his family. No, they had already earned her trust, and she knew Zion trusted the kids with them. It was just that she didn’t know if she could be away from them for more than a day, and that’s what she told Zion.

He countered by pointing out that it would be a lot easier to pack without worrying and taking care of the babies. By the time he was done with his speech, she had to agree. They’d fly there, pack, and have everything shipped to Chicago before flying back. The idea of not making the long drive appealed to her.

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