Page 83 of Breaking the Rules
Noble guided the car out of the community onto the highway. “Bathe me, huh?”
“Mmhmm.”
“I can say the same, actually.” He reached over and squeezed her thigh. “It’s us against the world. Ridin’ forever.”
“Damn right because I am not dying and I need snacks.”
Nobe pointed to the gift bag at her feet. “Already two steps ahead of you.”
“Ohh, you do love me,” Savanhi cheered, picking up the bag. “So Zay is going to be home in five, a halfway house for a year, and three years’ probation.”
“Kymber has six years. I want to make sure she’s set up when she gets home.”
“Same.”
“Tell me what to do, I’ll make it happen,” Noble replied.
“Same goes for you,” Savanhi replied.
“You’re helping raise her daughter. She’s forever grateful for that.”
“It takes a village.”
They enjoyed the ride down the coast, listening to music, her hair tied back in a silk scarf. This moment with just them was rare, and they sucked up every second of it. Noble eased the car through a sleek driveway through a gate.
“Who lives here?” Savanhi asked out of complete curiosity. “This house is beautiful.”
She took in the Tuscan-style modern home with the city serving as the backdrop. The manicured lawn, the uplighting,the fact that she rambled about her dream home, those nights they fell asleep on the phone when he was away, all stirred something inside of her. She didn’t get her hopes up. She just followed his lead up the steps. When inside, she was met by more flowers, Areli, Remi, and Lawryn.
Areli greeted her with a bouquet of flowers. They must’ve rehearsed this because Areli didn’t say anything out of turn. There had to be a bribe on the line. Remi was next with an envelope and then Lawryn with a box.
“Sassy, Deucey gave you flowers because you deserve them,” Areli said proudly and looking at Noble for a nod of approval.
Remi chuckled and added. “He wrote you a little because he gets tongue tied with it comes to you.”
Lawryn playfully rolled her eyes, then smiled brightly. “And a box that holds your forever.”
“Oh, this is so sweet. Do I read the letter before the box?”
“Yeah, go ahead,” Noble spoke evenly, trying to disguise the jitters.
Savanhi placed the flowers and the box down to open the letter. She skimmed it to make sure its contents were child-appropriate. Once confirming, she inhaled. “Savanhi Day, you were the lone star that shone so brightly it reminded me that God was real. The offerings you give let me know that heaven is a place I want to call home. Not anytime soon, though, but eventually. You’ve brought balance, love, light and joy into my world at a time I was ready for it to overtake me. You don’t even know you saved my life. Every day I get to hear your laugh, your smart mouth, and words of encouragement is another day that I know I’m where I need to be. The way you love Areli and I cannot be explained, but my heart triple times when I see you with her. I can’t even imagine the ways I’m going to burst when our child comes into the world. Welcome to your home, where I plan on building with you, crying, laughing, loving, and going higherup with you,” Savanhi read and flipping the page over. “There’s nothing else.”
“I know cause I wanted you to hear it from me,” Noble stated, coming into her view and lowering himself down to one knee. “This house isn’t home without you, and it’s not complete if you’re not my wife. I’ve sat with this since I saw you. You’ve ruled my mind and my being. We’ve lost so much time, and I don’t intend on going another thirty years looking for what I dreamed of. Sassy, will you marry me?”
She dabbed the tears from her face and nodded. “Yes. I will.”
Noble pulled the ring box out of his pocket he’d been crying around for weeks and opened it. Adorning her finger with it, he kissed the palm of her hand.
“Clock that teeeaaaaa,” Areli cheered as if she’d been holding it in all day.
Savanhi laughed before salaciously thanking Noble.
“You better stop it,” Noble grumbled against her lips, palming her ass and keeping her in place.
“That’s why your belly is going to get fat. All that smooching!”
The group laughed loud and hard. Mere months ago, laughter was a rare quality of life.
