Page 120 of His to Have
I chuckled.
For the last month, she’d been working nonstop trying to fill the void Gianni’s family had left, searching high and low for a competent replacement. She’s been handling these fragile men with grace, when she could. But sometimes she had to show people why she was in the position she was in.
I’d never met a more unhinged woman in my life, and I loved it.
“You’re not late. Tasha just got here too.”
“Oh my gosh, Yanna. I’m so glad you pulled this together. I really needed a day of relaxation,” she sighed, walking toward the veranda with familiar strides.
When she saw Tasha, already well into her first glass of wine, she leaned down to hug her then eased into the chair next to her.
“So, what you ladies been up to?” She exhaled through a small smile. “Well, mainly you Tasha. I know what this one been up to.” She pushed her thumb toward me. “The both of them... just nasty. I’m surprised I haven’t gotten news about having a niece or nephew in the incubator.”
I was quiet for a moment, looking out at the fresh blooms in the garden, because how did she know? I’d just found out myself, that I was expecting. Last week, when I couldn’t seem to keep my favorite meal down, and one of the scents I normally loved on Teo any other day, was suddenly unbearable, I knew something was up. After peeing on several pregnancy sticks and a trip to the family doctor, I found out I was six weeks pregnant. Which lined up perfectly with our trip to Italy.
We had a lot of sex during those two weeks, and I do mean a lot.
And I wouldn’t change a single thing. The news of expecting a little legacy thrilled me, but the news hit Teo differently. The sheer pride and then gratitude in his eyes when I told him about the baby made us both emotional. He made slow gentle love tome that night. Thanking me for being his. Praising me for giving him the greatest gift of all. And celebrating every moment I allowed him to love me.
We hadn’t intentionally kept it a secret; it just hadn’t felt like the right time to share with everyone yet. But it seemed like my sister-in-law intuition had beaten us to it.
When I still hadn’t said anything after what seemed like a long minute, Tasha’s eyes widened. “Yanna,” The excitement in that one word was unmistakable. “Are you pregnant?” She was already standing up, and heading toward me.
When Sophia’s loud and enthusiastic, “I knew it,” followed right behind, I couldn’t hold the smile that broke across my face.
“How far along? Does my brother know? Oh my gosh I can’t wait to spoil my little niece or nephew?” Sophia rushed over and wrapped me in a tight hug, practically bouncing with excitement. “This is the best news ever! Really made my otherwise BS day go straight from shit to the highlight of my whole week.”
“Girl mine too. I can’t wait to buy my god baby all the cutest outfits and toys,” Tasha added, joining in on the embrace.
The two of them were practically vibrating with excitement, when the French doors burst open. Bash strode through first, followed by Keem, and finally Teo, all three of them looking like they were on a mission. Bash and Keem’s focus initially seemed to be on the treats sitting next to the wine, but Teo’s eyes were locked on me.
“What’s all the screaming about?” Bash asked curiously, scanning our faces. “Y’all sounded like a bunch of screaming high school girls,” he joked. Still looking at the food arranged meticulously on the platters, but then his eyes landed on Sophia when she was still screeching.
Her hand was at my stomach, laying there gently, while Tasha bounced on her heels like a child in a candy store. It took all of two seconds for it to click.
“Oh shit,” he breathed, his eyes bouncing from me to Teo. “Yooo... for real?” Bash’s face broke into a wide grin, when I nodded.
In two long strides he crossed the terrace and pulled me into a bear hug.
“Congratulations, sis.”
I was so overwhelmed with joy. “Thank you,” I croaked, my voice thick with emotion. “And you better not tell Mama before I can.” I dabbed at the corner of my eyes, filled with a happiness I couldn’t put into words.
This life — married to Teo, carrying his baby, surrounded by family and friends who loved us — it felt like a dream. Growing up, I’d always imagined myself with someone safe, someone predictable. Even when I craved Teo. Wanted him the ways a woman wants a man, but knew I could never be fully his. He was the future Don. And I never saw myself as the wife of a Don.
But standing here now, feeling Teo’s protective presence next to me, I realized I’d been wrong. Teo’s world might be dangerous, but he was my safety. He was home. He was everything I’d been too afraid of wanting because I thoughtthis was impossible.
I wiped away the last of my happy tears and focused back on my brother, who was grinning and congratulating Teo. “No seriously,” I warned him playfully as he turned to pat Teo on the shoulder, “keep your mouth shut. Mama will kill me if she found out from you instead of me.”
He chuckled. “I got you.”
Teo moved closer to where I’d been sitting, and dropped down next to me. His arm slid around my waist pulling me closer to him.
“We’ll tell both our parents tonight,” he murmured, tenderly nuzzling my neck making me lean into him.
“So that’s why y’all came up here?” Sophia asked with a raised eyebrow, changing the subject. “I thought you boys’ was in themancave.” Her tone was mocking at that mention of her brother’s game room.
Keem sucked his teeth. “Man this where all the good shit is at.”
