Page 37 of You Deserve Good Things

“I think I already know why you are here,” he said, calm as ever.

I nodded once, leaning forward. “Yes, sir. I’m here to ask for your permission to marry Shaniya.”

His eyes never flinched. “Go on.”

So, I did.

“I’ve been in love with your daughter since before I even understood what love was. I ain’t just wanna kiss her. I wanted to protect her joy, hold her pain, dance with her shadow and still see the light. She’s not just my heart, Mr. Stiles. She’s myheartbeat. And I won’t spend another day on this Earth without making her my wife.”

He listened. Eyes still. But I wasn’t done.

“If she wants the world, I’ll spin it on my damn finger. If she wants peace, I’ll fight whatever war to bring it to her doorstep. And if she just wanna be loved out loud, every single day for the rest of her life? Then I already got that covered. I wake up with her name in my mouth like a prayer.”

His jaw ticked. Still not speaking. But I could feel it. He was hearing me.

“I’m gon’ love her past her fears, past her silence, past the ghosts that still whisper in her ear at night. And if anybody ever think they can snatch that happiness away from her?” I tilted my head. “They gon’ have to fight God, the devil, and me. In that order.”

That man smirked. The tiniest twitch of his lips. But it said a lot.

Then he leaned forward, eyes sharper than glass.

“You know,” he said, voice low, “Silas told me something before he passed.”

I sat up straighter, my breath catching.

“He said, ‘Daddy, I ain’t gon’ be around forever. But Jacory? He got her. He gon’ take care of my baby sister. He gave you hell because he knew you were good enough for her. His overprotectiveness of his baby sis had him aggressive as all get out, but he was always rooting for you nonetheless, son.”

That shit hit me like a bullet made of love and grief. Silas had seen me when I didn’t even see myself yet. And that? That damn near broke me and built me at the same time.

Samuel exhaled, eyes glinting.

“You always been good to her,” he said. “But now? Youbetterbe better. You get my blessing, son. Now go make her yours.”

I stood up, my heart a thunderstorm, my hand steady as I shook his. Respect was heavy in that grip. Legacy passed between our palms.

Now it was time for the magic.

“Boy, are you really tryna marry my baby for real?” Shari gasped, already dabbing at her eyes with a tissue like she was auditioning for a Tyler Perry scene.

“Duh, Mama Stiles.” Daniale grinned, braids swinging as she leaned across the table. “He tryna shut the game down, lock it up, throw away the key, and engrave his name on the lock.”

I laughed, the tension breaking a little. “I want it to be perfect.”

Shari sniffed. “You already got her heart, baby. Everything else is just glitter.”

“Glitter and a dramatic-ass entrance,” Daniale added. “Let me know how extra I can go. I’m tryna pull up with doves, a drone, and Beyoncé vocals if you let me.”

Chase walked in, leaned against the doorframe. “Y’all talking about locking in?”

I nodded. “You already know.”

He smirked, eyes flicking toward Dani for a second too long. “Took you long enough.”

“You next,” I shot back.

He choked on his drink. “Nigga, mind your business.”

We all cracked up.

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