We made it back to my house in no time? We grabbed dinner on the way and sat at the breakfast table to eat. We didn't exchange too many words and it was on purpose. I wanted to make sure we had an uninterrupted environment set in place.

We showered and readied ourselves for bed.

I noticed my shirt on Diri. It wasn't unusual for her to wear my shirt, but it was what was underneath it that struck my attention. Her growing stomach poking out made the shirt rise.

She had on panties, but from this angle with them tugging on one side, I could visibly see her bareness as she climbs in to get in bed.

I needed to focus because I deadass want to be inside her.

The ride home actually gave her time to cool down some from the earlier events.

I still feel like shit from how I responded to Chelsea. I genuinely owe Adira an apology. I'm not a dummy. Us kissing and being around each other is not something I want to take for granted. I need her to know the truth tonight.

"You remember I talked with your dad." She nodded. "I told him how I feel about you. I think by the end of the conversation, he was mainly worried about us getting too involved. Especially since we have nothing concrete. He told me to be careful, and if I didn't want all of this for my life, to just let you go. Or to at least be strictly friends and none of the extra stuff." I spoke softly next to her ear. She was lying sideways with her back against me.

She remained quiet, so I continue.

"Diri face me," I instructed. She turned around slowly looking in my eyes. She was crying. I wiped her eyes. She made a sniffing sound.

"You make me happy I get to come home to you." I moved strands of hair out of her face. "Tell me what you want?"

She sniffled again taking her time."I want to be a good mother. I want to make her proud. I want to open my heart someday to love again. I want to make sure my dreams come true. I want my daughter to have peace and love around her."

She took a short breath to gather her emotions. "I want so much in this world before leaving it. I want to change the bad stigma behind plastic surgery. I want to inspire other girls and especially girls of color to dream big. —What about yo—"

"I want you." I interrupted, rushing to say while searching her eyes, "and I mean that in every way possible. —I know that puts you on the spot because you're still trying to figure out parenting with Nelson."

She was stunned. So much would change if we got serious.

"Tell me what you're thinking right now?" I searched her eyes some more. She took a second before she was able to speak.

"I want you too—" She spoke softly.

I interrupted her, smashing my lips into hers. She gasped moaning into my mouth. I was relieved to hear those words. That was all I needed to hear.

I pulled her even closer to me. She started tugging and pulling on me as well. She then leaned her head to the side opening her mouth. I gladly made my way inside.

"I've wanted you so bad —your body." I struggled to say. My mouth still connected to hers. I let out a breathy moan of my own.

She nodded, agreeing still attached to my lips. She began pulling at my shirt, trying to extract it. I broke off the kiss only to allow her to do what she wanted.

"I want you too, baby." She gave me a dreamy, drifty look of satisfaction. I immediately felt the electric bolts running through as soon as the word baby fell from her lips. Those lips that were still connected to mine.

She grazed her teeth down my bottom lip, turning me on further in every way possible.

I slowly pulled away from her, staring into her eyes, she was so perfect. I have to stop this I know I do, but I don't want to. I can envision us being happy together, both of us rooting each other on.

She ran her hands slowly down my chest lowering her eyes, meeting her gesture.

I closed my eyes, deeply inhaling holding my breath as she got closer to my waistline. She traced the edges of my boxer briefs with her fingertips.

Why can't Adira and I be happy together? I've always wanted kids, why can't I be apart of this? I feel like I'm in this. I don't want to lose anything we have already. Shit, I want more of her even.

I continued holding my breath. Those simple movements from her made me weak for her.

She placed small soft kisses on the middle of my chest. I hissed trying to control my breathing. I was getting lost in her touch, her kiss and warm hands roaming my body.

My fingers slowly glided inside my T-shirt she was wearing. My hands found their way to her full swollen breast. I pushed her back slightly so she could lay comfortably on her back. I told her about those little ass laced panties and what they do to me, but yet she did it anyway.

"Your hands are so warm, they're shaking." She moaned, biting down on her lip. I continued massaging her full breast squeezing them both. Her chest heaved up and down as if she was taking her last breath.

As I watched her further, I thought about her fathers' words. 'Please respect my daughter. She's going through a lot right now, and she's vulnerable. Make sure your intentions are always pure.'

She then used one of her hands to pull the shirt up further over her still-growing baby bump.

"Diri baby we have to stop," I spoke low and huskily while removing my hands from her body to pull her shirt back down.

I pulled away from her and sat up on the bed.

She pulled herself up, so her back was against the headboard. "This is embarrassing."

"It doesn't have to be." I scooted closer to her. "There's plenty of time for us to take it there. It doesn't have to be now."

"I want to ask you a yes or no question," I added.

"Go ahead." She pulled the cover up covering her legs.

"Before I ask let me say this, —when I called you my homegirl earlier today it bugged me. It felt wrong. You're so much more than that." I paused. "I'm sorry, Diri."

"Not gonna' lie, I'm pissed but not about the situation you're talking about. I'm actually over what happened earlier because I get it and I know you. I know you wouldn't try to disrespect me in any way. I'm pissed now because I'm horny as hell." She confessed, and we both shared a laughed "—but continue, I'm listening."

"I'm horny too. Both of us have been deprived."

"Then why are we stopping Mr. Martin?" She grabbed my hands, pulling me close to her.

If I was to be completely honest right now, I'm pretty sure she would be offended. It was because she's pregnant... with another mans child. I know that's small-minded of me, but I can't help it. Then there's the fact that we aren't together.

"Don't worry about why. Are you going to let me ask my question?"

She playfully rolled her eyes, smiling at me. "Go ahead."

"Dang, a brother can't even hold your attention without you trying to bed me. I feel used."

She sucked her teeth. "If you don't hurry up."

We laughed a little then I got serious. "I'm willing to risk everything, but I have to ask you this, and you have to give me a yes or no answer. Even if everything is chaotic. I need to know if you're willing to risk it all for me. So my question to you is—" I sat directly in front of her still holding on to her hands.

"Will you be my girlfriend, publicly and privately?"

****

"Will you be my girlfriend, publicly and privately?" He stared vulnerably looking into my eyes. My heart was pounding, feeling the weight of that question.

I did the only thing I could think of. I gazed down at the one person that matters to me more than anything. My daughter, I pulled my hands away from Kenzos and began rubbing my noticeable baby bump.

"Zo you do realize what you're asking right?" I asked, bringing my brows together.

"Yes, I do. A wise man once told me that my expectations in what I wanted in a woman were too high. —I argued with that wise man, stating that it was possible and that I shouldn't want anything less." He paused, and I was a little confused and maybe even offended. Was he saying he lowered his expectations, as in his standards of his ideal woman for me?

"I can say I'm glad I didn't lower them because everything I listed to that wise man, I have with you." He placed a hand on top of mine that was still on my stomach. He stared down, smiling. "Plus more."

"My list was extremely long, and every single thing checked out with you. —And I was very specific."

I smiled at him catching his gaze. This wouldn't be easy, but I wanted this too.

I thought long and hard before answering him.

Another smile crept on my face. "Yes."

"Yeah?" He questioned while rating his brows holing in his smile.

"Yes, I'll be your girlfriend publicly and privately." I giggled proudly. "We have somethings we'll have to iron out first but yes."

"Ok." He smiled leaning over me, placing light kisses all over my face. He playfully nibbled at my neck and shoulder, making me scream into a big laughter I couldn't control.

"We can discuss everything else tomorrow. It's getting late." He stated after our laughter died, I agreed.

I slid down, getting comfortable in the bed. He joined in beside me.

"Ugh."

"What's wrong babe?" He picked his head up from the pillow.

"I have to pee, and I'm hungry," I whined, making us both laugh.

"Go ahead and use the bathroom. I'll make you a snack."

"What are you going to make me?" I was having cravings, and I couldn't get passed them.

"What do you want? I was going to make you a fruit bowl with whip cream." He rubbed my stomach. "What does babygirl want to eat?"

"That sounds good, extra strawberries please."

"Extra strawberries please." He mimicked me getting up from the bed.

After enjoying my midnight snack and spending a little more time with my boyfriend, we finally settled in letting sleep find us.

The next morning I woke up to the sun shining in. Zo left early meeting the guys at the gym. He should be on his way back. I had a few hours before class. I figured I could eat, hang out, and also study.

I graduate in less than two months, and I can't lie, I'm nervous.

I rolled to my side, getting myself up and out of bed, pregnancy is so uncomfortable.

I grabbed my phone, sending my family a good morning message in the group text. I called Charlotte to check in with her since I rarely see her now. I'm over here at Kenzos when he's home, and I'm not working so I don't get to see her much.

She's preparing for her big move to Milan, Italy with my twin. She's bilingual, hints why she's eager to be a traveling nurse. My best friend has been preparing her whole life for her dreams.

After straightening the room and getting myself ready for the day, I was finally able to sit down and eat breakfast. I made me a quick bowl of cereal to hold me over until I figured out what it was I wanted exactly.

I can't believe I picked out his house and helped decorate the interior. He didn't want to hire a staff, but he does have a crew that comes in weekly. They don't ever have much to do because I keep it clean, especially with all this free time I have.

I kept the decor simple since it's so open.

I heard the front door close. "Honey I'm back."

"I'm in here," I yelled back, he walked in the living room where I was seated.

"Oh, no sir, get away from me." I held my hand up from his attempt to get his sweaty self all of over me.

"Shower now." I pinched my nose, holding my breath.

"We're together now. You get to have me even when I stink." He lifted his shirt displaying his rock hard chest.

"Stop playing and go shower. —I'll prepare your post shake and have it ready for you."

"I love this girlfriend stuff already, thank you." He leaned to kiss me anyway. I gladly accepted.

I watched him walk away, making his way upstairs. I can't get over how good looking he is.

I found a stopping point with my studies, got up, and made his protein shake.

He came down the stairs fresh and clean, heading straight toward me. I poured his shake in a glass.

He came up behind me, snaking his arms around my stomach. "I'll announce us at the all-star game tomorrow night to make it official. That way if you want to tell your family first you can."

"Are you telling your family first?" I asked.

"I kind of already talked to my mom and dad this morning. They called me on my way home. I told some of my teammates at the gym too."

"Dang Zo, you couldn't wait, huh?" I smiled, holding up his shake. He pulled away from me, grabbing it.

"Nope."

"How's everyone taking it?"

"It was almost like it wasn't news. They felt like we were already together. Everyone's happy for us."

"You're sister Mai is in town, right?"

"Yep, you have to meet her. She acts the most like my mom, but I think she'll love you."

I raised my brows to him, remembering my first encounter with his mom.

"So tell your family today. I don't want it to get out before they hear it from you."

I nodded.

"What do you want to eat, you want me to go pick something up?" He took big gulps of his shake.

"I was going to make something here, but I'm not about to stop you. Whatever you want is fine. I'll have that."

"I'll call you when I get there, I know you."

"Whatever." I smiled.

"I'll hurry so you can eat. I know you have class. Don't forget we have the Lamaze and CPR training later at six." He said while finishing up his shake.

"Oh yeah, that is right," I remembered. I texted Nelson about it, but he said basically at this point he's just waiting on the DNA test. He doesn't want to get too involved just in case the baby isn't his.

He's a joke.

"Pregnancy brain, you forget everything."

"No, it's because I'm only filling my brain up with anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, and whatever else I need to brush up on before the board exam."

"What day is the testing?"

"It's two weeks away. —Dad's coming a week before to help me cram."

"Well, until then, you have me. I can quiz you again and do flashcards. We can come up with some songs this time."

I smiled at him shaking my head. I was blushing. "Ok."

"We got this." He rinsed his glass out to place in the dishwasher. "Jade said to FaceTime her with Charlotte. She said it was something with the baby shower. You were supposed to get back to her."

I sighed. "Yeah, it was regarding if I was inviting Nelson and his family or not."

He stood in front of me quietly, waiting on my answer.

"I don't know," I mumbled, the thought of Nelson always brings down my mood.

Kenzo leaned down to me and planted a kiss on my lips. "Invite him —and I don't care how many times he said no in the past. That's baby girls father. That way, he can't use that as an excuse as to why he wasn't there."

Just that quick a tear rolled down my face, from the corner of my eye. He wiped it then planted more kiss on my lips. "We got this."

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