In theaters October 9.

Smut Challenge from @nahimjustfeelingit-writes​

Prompt: “Do you think of me when you touch yourself?”

Here’s my take. A riff you’ll recognize! I was watching the original on PeacockTV. (Tony Todd will always be the OG! May he rest in love and peace) 

Mature Audience. Smut. Language. Some violence. Grown Folks Only.

 @tchallasbabymama @honeyandpeaches @cecereads209 @wakandama2 @blacklytical @soufcakmistress​ @goddessofthundathighs @nahimjustfeelingit-writes

“These moments turn into memories and

I can feel you connect

Wonder if you’ll remember me

Easily, I forget…”

Alfa Mist & Emmavie – “Easily, I Forget”

Hadiza K'imathi stood in front of the exact spot where N'Jadaka Udaku had fallen to his grim demise. The University class tour continued on with her Level 4 classmates and Hadiza used her sandaled foot to kick about the offerings of flowers and sweets left to appease the spirit of the Tyrant King.

N'Jadaka Udaku—Killmonger—had a brief reign of two weeks, and when Hadiza was a child, she remembered the way her country, the royal family, in particular, tried to erase his presence from the history books. They interred his remains at the Hall of Black Panthers inside the hallowed Necropolis City. Killmonger’s foreign blood made him a pariah in the Udaku lineage, but the royal house could not banish his memory completely. Wakandan historians fought for two decades in order for the Tyrant King to have his rightful place in antiquity. Shamed into admitting that her family had done nefarious things to Prince N'Jobu and his offspring, Princess Shuri became an Udaku apologist. The Princess had been a mere teenager when Killmonger reigned, but now she was entering middle age, and a popular TV host caught her in a candid moment when the upsurge of Killmonger curiosity came into fashion once they put his history back into the official canon.

“My family did not handle that situation well. My father made poor choices and my brother, the King, has done his best to rectify our sordid past. We were wrong in how we treated Prince N'Jadaka.”

Hadiza watched the replay of that interview at the start of her university career, and it instantly made her change majors from military history to cultural anthropology with an emphasis on ethnology. Fascinated with Killmonger and his Black American background, she became intrigued with why his father, Prince N'Jobu, preferred to help Black Americans and go against his own people. Within the last three years, books were finally being published on the intranet about the entire tragic story. Killmonger had become a cult figure.

In the worst way lately.

Chapter 30(pt.4)

“Don’t You forget it”

Annie gasps.

“Oh my God!”

“There he go.”

Dominique’s eyes widen when she feels another kick.

“Whoa.”

The baby kicks again.

Annie immediately starts rubbing Dajia’s stomach.

“Hey baby.”

Another kick.

“Ohhh he heard me!”

Dajia laughs.

“Girl.”

Annie leans closer.

“Hey handsome. It’s TT Annie. You better be nice when you get here.”

Kick.

All three women busts out laughing.

Dominique places both hands on Dajia’s stomach.

“Nah. Listen to me little man.”

Another kick.

“You better come out here respectful.”

Kick.

“You better sleep through the night.”

Kick.

Annie cackles

“He said absolutely not.”

Dominique says

“He definitely said fuck that.”

Dajia laughs.

“Y’all got my baby cussin already.”

The baby kicks again.

Dominique smiles.

“I can’t wait to meet him.”

Dajia’s expression softens.

“Me either.”

For a moment the room grows quiet.

All three women smiling at Dajia’s stomach.

Thinking about how close they all are to meeting him.

Then Annie speaks.

“So.”

Dajia immediately groans.

“Oh Lord.”

Dominique starts laughing.

“No seriously.”

“I know that tone.”

Annie sits back against the headboard.

“You was wrong.”

Dajia closes her eyes.

“Here y’all go.”

“You was wrong.”

Dominique nods.

“You definitely was.”

Dajia’s eyes fly open.

“Not you too.”

“Especially me.”

Dominique points at her.

“Because if Antonio had another woman ridin around in his passenger seat I’d be pissed.”

Dajia throws her hands up.

“Y’all bein’ ridiculous.”

Annie laughs.

“No. You are.”

Dajia stares at her.

“Annie.”

“What?”

“You really sidin’ wit Stack?”

Annie gives her a look.

“Dajia.”

“You know damn well if Smoke found out I had another man ridin’ around in my car we’d still be arguin’’.”

All three laugh because it’s true.

Very true.

Annie continues.

“Actually no.”

“What?”

“We wouldn’t be arguin’.”

Dominique starts giggling already.

Annie shakes her head.

“He would’ve lost his damn mind immediately.”

Dajia laughs despite herself.

“Shit, I know his crazy ass would.”

Dominique nods.

“And Antonio would’ve been pissed too.”

“But why?” Dajia asks. “It wasn’t like that.”

“We know that.” Annie says.

“We know you weren’t doin’ nothin’.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Dominique answers first.

“Perception.”

Dajia rolls her eyes.

“Oh God.”

“No.”

Dominique shakes her head.

“I’m serious.”

She points toward the hallway.

“Your husband already don’t like Titus.”

“That’s his problem.”

“No.”

Annie cuts in.

“Once you married certain stuff becomes y’all problem. You know yo husband is not comfortable wit him workin wit you. Boundaries shouldn’t be crossed and you crossed one.”

Dajia groans loudly.

“I knew y’all was comin’ over here to gang up on me.”

Annie laughs.

“We not ganging up on you.”

“Yes y’all are.”

“No.”

Dominique smiles.

“We just tellin’ you the truth.”

Dajia folds her arms.

“The truth is Stack overreacted.”

“The truth is both of y’all wrong.” Annie says.

Dajia blinks.

“What?”

Dominique says

“You should’ve told him, first of all.”

Dajia opens her mouth.

Then closes it.

Because honestly…

She should have.

Annie nods.

“Exactly.”

Dominique points at her.

“See.”

Dajia sighs.

“I forgot.”

“We know.”

Annie says.

“But imagine how it looked.”

Dajia thinks about Stack standing beside the car.

Looking at the passenger seat.

Looking hurt. Looking angry.

She sighs again.

A little softer this time.

“He did look hurt.”

“Cause he was.”

Annie says quietly.

The room falls silent for a moment.

Then Dominique smirks.

“Plus.”

“What?”

“If Stack had some woman ridin’ around in his truck…”

Dajia immediately sits up.

“Oh hell no.”

Both Annie and Dominique busts into laughter.

“SEE!”

Annie points at her.

“See how fast that was?”

Dajia starts laughing too.

“That’s different.”

“It ain’t different.”

“Yes it is.”

“It ain’t.”

The three women dissolve into laughter again.

The baby suddenly kicks hard.

“Oh!”

Dajia grabs her stomach.

Annie places her hand there.

Dominique does too.

Another kick.

The room immediately shifts back to excitement.

“There he go.”

Annie smiles.

“Little boy already tired of hearing about us talk about his daddy.”

“He gon be hyper just like his daddy.”

Dominique says.

Dajia shakes her head.

“Y’all so damn messy.”

But she can’t stop smiling.

Because despite everything…

She knows they might actually have a point.

♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️

Later that evening, Dajia pulls into the parking lot of Flexx.

The club isn’t open yet.

The cleaning crew is finishing up.

Music hums softly through the speakers while bartenders prep for the night.

Dajia takes a deep breath before climbing out.

She already knows Stack is still irritated.

He hasn’t been rude.

But he hasn’t exactly been warm either.

And after talking to Annie and Dominique earlier, she’s realized something.

She should’ve told him.

Even if she didn’t think it was a big deal.

She should’ve told him.

The second she walks inside, a few employees greet her.

Dajia smiles and waves before heading toward the back offices.

Nyla notices her immediately.

And, like always, her curiosity perks up.

She watches Dajia disappear down the hallway.

A few seconds later, she quietly finds herself something to do nearby.

Stack is sitting at his desk going over invoices when his office door opens.

He glances up.

His face immediately softens.

Just a little.

“Dajia.”

She closes the door behind her.

Nyla creeps up and puts her ear to it.

“Hey.” Dajia says.

Stack leans back in his chair.

“What’s up?”

Dajia walks further into the office.

Neither of them speak for a few seconds.

Stack already knows something’s coming.

She only gets this quiet when she’s been thinking.

A lot.

Finally she sighs.

“I came to apologize.”

Stack raises an eyebrow.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He sits back. Listening.

Dajia folds her arms.

“I still think you overreacted.”

Stack immediately scoffs.

“Man no—“

She points at him.

“See? That’s why I ain’t wanna do this.”

A small smirk tugs at his mouth.

Then disappears.

Dajia sighs.

“No. Let me finish.”

Stack gestures for her to continue.

She takes a breath.

“I should’ve told you.”

The room goes quiet.

Stack wasn’t expecting that.

Dajia looks down.

“I honestly forgot.”

“I know.”

“But forgettin don’t change how it looked.”

Stack stays quiet.

Dajia continues.

“I know if the situation was reversed I’d probably be pissed too.”

Stack raises a brow.

“Probably?”

She rolls her eyes.

“I’d be ready to fight.”

That finally earns a laugh out of him.

A small one. But it’s something.

Dajia smiles slightly.

“I didn’t mean to make you feel disrespected. I didn’t think about a boundary bein crossed. You my other half, my husband and I do respect yo feelings. I love you Stack and can’t nobody take me from you. Trust me. I promise to not ever cross that boundary again.”

The sincerity in her voice reaches him immediately.

Stack studies her for a moment.

Then sighs.

“I know.”

Dajia nods.

“But…”

Stack groans.

“Come on Lee Lee-“

“No.”

She points at him.

“Now it’s my turn.”

Stack drops his head back dramatically.

Dajia ignores it.

“You embarrassed me.”

His eyes return to hers.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

Dajia steps closer.

“You was yellin so the whole neighborhood could hear you.”

Stack rubs his forehead.

“Dajia—”

“No.”

She shakes her head.

“I understand bein’ upset.”

“I was upset.”

“You was outta control.”

Stack’s jaw tightens.

Dajia softens her voice.

“I’m yo wife, Elias.”

The words hit differently.

“I’m supposed to be able to talk to you without you makin’ me feel like the world ending.”

Stack looks away.

Because deep down…

He knows she’s right.

The room grows quiet.

Finally he exhales.

“I ain’t handle it the best.”

Dajia folds her arms.

“You think?”

“Aight.”

He holds his hands up.

“I ain’t handle it good.”

“Thank you.”

Stack shakes his head.

“I’m still not cool wit it though.”

“I know.”

“And I still don’t trust him.”

“I know.”

“And I still don’t want him ridin around wit you.”

Dajia sighs.

“I know and he won’t.”

Stack stands from behind the desk.

A second later he’s pulling her into his chest.

Dajia immediately melts against him.

The tension that’s been sitting between them for almost two days finally begins to ease.

Stack rests his chin on top of her head.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Dajia laughs.

“You get on my damn nerves.

Stack chuckles

“You get on mine too.”

“Good.”

She smacks his chest.

Stack grins.

Then he leans down and kisses her, his hand sliding to the back of her neck as he deepens the kiss.

Behind them, he reaches back and locks the door.

The click echoes through the office.

On the other side, Nyla’s brows lift.

Dajia smirks and shakes her head.

“What you doin’, Stack?”

Stack grabs her by the waist and lifts her.

Dajia squeals.

“Stack!”

He sets her on the desk.

“You know exactly what I’m doin’.”

He steals another kiss before resting his forehead against hers.

“Show me that you sorry,” he murmurs.

“Here?” she asks.

“Hell yeah. Right here.”

A grin tugs at his mouth, golds glinting.

“You knew what you was doin’ when you showed up lookin’ this damn good.”

“Stack.”

“Nah, don’t say my name yet.” He shakes his head. “You owe down. I ain’t had this good shit in two whole days. I ain’t waitin’ another fuckin minute. You want me to take it? or you gon give it to me like the good lil wife I know, the one that likes to be fucked.”

Dajia sighs dramatically and leans back on her elbows, throwing her head back.

She can’t even argue.

“That’s what I thought,” Stack says, tone shifting to serious. “Don’t act like you don’t wanna give yo husband his pussy.”

Outside the office, Nyla remains frozen by the door.

She knows she should leave.

Knows she has no business standing there.

But for some reason, she can’t make herself walk away.

Her mind is screaming at her to move.

Her feet refuse to listen.

A minute later, she hears sounds that seem to be moans coming from Dajia.

Stack’s got her legs up, eating her. His tongue makes waves on her clit.

Dajia covers her mouth to suppress her moans.

“Move them hands, Lee Lee. I don’t give a fuck if people hear us. This my shit. What they gon’ do to me?”

He reaches up and smacks her hands out of the way.

“Nggghh,” Dajia chokes out. “Fuck, Stack. Eat this shit.”

Stack reaches up and taps the top of her pussy.

“My pussy missed me. Tell me she missed me.”

“Ughh, she missed you, Stack. She missed you so fuckin’ bad.”

Stack pulls her bud into his mouth. Then Dajia’s hips lift off the desk.

“Shit, Stack!”

“Where you goin’, Lee Lee? Don’t run from this tongue. You know I love the taste of this shit. Stop runnin’.”

Nyla swallows hard on the other side of the door. Stack is everything she thinks he is—a certified munch.

Dajia’s moans become louder.

“I’m gonna come, Elias.”

Stack licks all over her pussy, grazing her clit with his teeth.

Dajia hisses.

“What. The. Fuck.!”

Her hips lift back up off the desk, and she comes all in Stack’s mouth.

He chases her, swallowing it all.

“Yeahhh, give me all that sweet shit!”

He finally stands and shoves into her in a hurry.

Stack lifts her legs and plants his hands on the desk.

“Say you sorry, baby girl.”

“I did, nigga!”

“Nah. Say that shit again. I wanna hear you scream it.”

He thrusts hard one time.

“I’m sorry, Stack, damn!”

“Yeah, just like that. You done lettin’ niggas ride around in yo car?!”

“I said I was done, Stack! Got damn!”

He’s hitting it so good, stuff crashes from the desk to the floor.

Nyla hears it all. Her eyes go wide at hearing things crash in the room and hearing Stack yell out commands.

She gets turned on instantly, wishing she could suddenly switch places with Dajia.

Dajia grips the desk, trying her best to hold on.

Stack smacks Dajia’s face.

“You let a nigga near this pussy. I can’t believe that shit.”

“It was lunch, Stack! Shut yo dramatic ass up!”

“I ain’t dramatic. You did. You let that nigga in the seat next to you, in my shit. We married, so that’s my fuckin’ car too. I wanted to kill him and choke you the fuck out.”

“Ahhhh! Okay! So do it, Stack, or shut the fuck up!”

He smacks her again, and she smacks him back.

Nyla’s mouth drops open at how Dajia’s talking to him. She can’t believe she’s talkin’ reckless to him like this.

She hears slap after slap, surprised by how rough they’re being.

“Grrrrr,” Stack growls. “Fuck, this pussy so damn tight. This dick good to you?”

“Ughhhh, yes, Stack. It’s so fuckin’ good.”

Stack thrusts harder, he reaches down and pinches her nipples.

Dajia hollers, then laughs.

“This pussy incredible, baby girl. Now tell me whose pussy this is.”

“Ahhh!” Dajia screams. “Yours!”

“That’s right! So I don’t want no fuckin’ niggas close to you! NONE! You got me?!”

He pinches her nipples again.

“Shit, Stack! I got you!”

“Now say my fuckin’ name, baby.”

Dajia does typical Dajia. Fuckin with his nerves.

“Elias!”

He smacks her again, this time harder.

Dajia laughs the sting away.

Stack knits his brows.

“You must want me to fuck you up. It’s too small in here to be playin’, Lee Lee. The whole fuckin’ club gon’ know my name by the time I’m done. Keep playin’ wit me. Say it!”

“Ahhh! Stack!”

Stack reaches down and chokes her as he rams into her harder.

The desk shakes even more.

It sounds like a WWE match in there.

Dajia finally chokes out:

“El Rey.”

He lets go of her neck.

“Yeahhhhh. Say it again, louder baby girl!”

“El Rey!”

“That’s me! Don’t forget it. Don’t disrespect me no muthafuckin’ more! You better think twice before you go and do some stupid shit like that again.”

Nyla shakes her head at the name.

“El Rey.”

She doesn’t know what that means. She halfway expected to at least hear the word daddy, because that’s what she would call him, especially with the way he’s manhandling and demanding shit from Dajia. She hates the fact that he calls Dajia baby girl. It makes her jealousy sky rocket. Who knew Stack was capable of pet names?

“We gotta hurry up,” Dajia whines. “Everyone gon’ know what we doin’.”

She sounds breathless.

Stack sucks his teeth.

“I don’t give a fuck if they know or not. This my club, and this MY pussy. If I wanna fuck MY wife in MY club, that’s what the fuck I’m gon’ do. So stop rushin’ me.”

“Elias—”

He reaches down and covers her mouth so she can stop talking.

Dajia’s getting ready to crack.

Stack can feel it by the way she’s contracting around him.

He takes his hand off her mouth.

“This yo dick, baby girl. Go head nut on it.”

Dajia obeys immediately.

Her back arches and she howls.

“Shittt, Stack!”

Stack smacks her ass.

“Give it to me! Give me ALL that good shit!”

“Look at my wife. My pretty fuckin’ problem! You look so fuckin’ sexy when you nuttin’ for me.”

He thrusts one last time to the hilt and fills her up.

He growls.

“Fuckkkkk!!!”

He collapses and puts his head on her stomach.

The baby kicks him.

Stack and Dajia both laugh…

Nyla makes it back to the bar with a grin on her face.

Zariah takes one look at her and immediately knows.

“You was being nosy again.”

Nyla shrugs.

“So?”

Zariah rolls her eyes.

“So what now?”

Nyla leans against the counter.

“I heard Stack and Dajia talking in the office.”

Zariah groans.

“Girl.”

“What?”

“You gotta stop doing that.”

Nyla ignores her.

“Apparently they was arguing the other day because Dajia had some dude riding around in her car.”

Zariah’s eyebrows shoot up.

“Oh.”

“Exactly.”

Nyla nods.

“Stack was pissed.”

“I mean…”

Zariah shrugs.

“I kinda get it.”

Nyla smirks.

“See.”

“But that’s still they business.”

Nyla waves her hand dismissively.

“Whatever.”

Zariah continues stocking glasses.

“What happened after that?”

Nyla’s grin grows wider.

“They made up, apologized, said they love each other.”

Zariah sighs.

“Good.”

“Then they locked the office door and started getting the fuck down.”

Zariah slowly stops what she’s doing.

“Nyla.”

“What?”

“You stayed there?”

Nyla shrugs.

“I was curious.”

Zariah stares at her.

“That’s weird as hell.”

Nyla rolls her eyes.

“Oh please.”

“No. Seriously.”

Zariah points at her.

“That’s weird.”

Nyla folds her arms.

“Whatever. The point is now I know for sure.”

“Know what?”

“That I need Stack.”

Zariah nearly drops the glass in her hand.

“You need what?”

Nyla nods confidently.

“I would’ve never had another man in my car if I had him.”

Zariah just stares.

“Nyla…”

“I’m serious.”

“He ain’t yours.”

“I know.”

“And he don’t wanna be yours.”

Nyla’s expression hardens.

“That’s not true.”

“Yes it is.”

Zariah immediately fires back.

“He literally told you he didn’t want you.”

Nyla looks away.

“He ain’t mean that. He was lying.”

Zariah laughs.

“Ain’t nobody that committed to a lie.”

Nyla says nothing.

Zariah continues.

“Did you learn anything from that conversation?”

“No.”

“Nyla.”

“No.”

She shakes her head stubbornly.

“I learned Dajia don’t appreciate what she got.”

Zariah closes her eyes.

“Oh my God.”

“I’m serious.”

“Nah.”

Zariah points toward the back offices.

“You completely missed the point.”

“What point?”

“The point where he told her he loved her.”

Nyla scoffs.

“So?”

“The point where he was hurt because he cares.”

“So?”

“The point where they apologized to each other.”

Nyla rolls her eyes.

“I don’t care.”

“Clearly.”

Zariah shakes her head.

“Girl, you are obsessed.”

“I’m not obsessed.”

“You are.”

Nyla folds her arms tighter.

“I just know I’d treat him better.”

Zariah laughs.

“You don’t even know him.”

“Yes I do.”

“No you don’t.”

Zariah points toward the office hallway.

“You know the version you created in your head.”

Nyla’s jaw tightens.

Zariah lowers her voice.

“And the fact that you sat there listening to their private moment is crazy.”

Nyla shrugs.

“I don’t care.”

“I know.”

“And I’m not changing my mind.”

Zariah stares at her for several seconds.

Then slowly shakes her head.

“You really didn’t hear a word that man said.”

Nyla looks toward the hallway.

Toward the office where Stack and Dajia are still together.

Her expression hardens.

“Maybe not.”

Zariah groans.

“Nyla.”

“But I know one thing.”

“What?”

Nyla’s eyes stay fixed down the hallway.

“The more I see them together, the more I know I want what she got.”

Zariah sighs heavily.

“Wanting what somebody got and wanting somebody else’s husband ain’t the same thing.”

Nyla doesn’t answer.

Because deep down she knows Zariah is right.

But right now?

She doesn’t care.

And that worries Zariah more than anything.

🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹

The afternoon sun shines down across the park, casting everything in a warm golden glow.

Tall oak trees sway gently in the breeze.

The lake sparkles nearby.

And in the middle of it all stands Annie and Smoke.

Dajia lowers her camera for a second and smiles.

“Y’all look sickening.”

Annie laughs.

“What that mean?”

“It means y’all look disgustingly in love.”

Smoke smirks.

“I’ll take that.”

Annie rolls her eyes but can’t stop smiling.

Today is their maternity shoot.

Annie is absolutely glowing.

A bright pink fitted maternity dress hugs every curve of her body.

The color pops beautifully against her chocolate skin.

Her boho twists cascade over her shoulders.

Gold jewelry catches the sunlight every time she moves.

And her stomach sits proudly out front carrying their daughters.

Smoke hasn’t taken his eyes off her all day.

He’s dressed in white linen pants and a white button up with the sleeves rolled to his forearms.

Clean. Simple. Handsome.

Exactly how Annie likes him.

Dajia lifts her camera again.

“Aight. Let’s start easy.”

Annie and Smoke move into position.

Immediately Smoke reaches for Annie’s hand.

Dajia laughs.

“I didn’t even tell y’all what to do yet.”

“We know.”

Smoke says.

“We just naturally like this.”

“Clearly.”

Dajia snaps several pictures.

Click. Click. Click.

The camera captures Annie looking up at him.

Smoke looking down at her.

Both smiling.

Completely wrapped up in each other.

Dajia checks her screen.

“Oh yeah.”

She points.

“These lit already.”

Annie laughs.

“Lit?”

“Fire. Amazing. Whatever.”

Smoke shakes his head.

“You gettin’ old.”

Dajia sucks her teeth.

“Negro hush.”

They all laugh.

Dajia points toward a nearby tree.

“Aight. Smoke.”

“What?”

“Get on one knee.”

Smoke immediately drops down.

Annie smiles.

Her hand automatically finding his shoulder.

Dajia lifts her camera.

“Perfect.”

Smoke places both hands on Annie’s stomach.

Then slowly leans forward and kisses her belly.

The entire expression on his face softens.

Like the rest of the world disappears.

Like nothing exists except Annie and his babies.

Click. Click. Click.

Dajia gasps.

“Oh my God.”

Annie laughs.

“What?”

“Don’t move.”

More pictures. More kisses. More smiles.

The camera captures every second.

Smoke whispers something against Annie’s stomach.

Annie immediately starts laughing.

“What you tellin them?”

Smoke grins.

“That they better act like they got some sense.”

Another round of laughter follows.

Dajia shakes her head.

“I love y’all.”

She checks the photos again.

Then fans herself dramatically.

“Lord have mercy.”

Annie laughs.

“They that good?”

“They better than good.”

Dajia points.

“Next pose.”

Smoke stands.

Dajia positions Annie in front of him.

Then directs Smoke behind her.

“Aight.”

Smoke wraps both arms around Annie from behind.

His large hands resting protectively over her stomach.

Annie places her hands over his.

Instantly. Naturally.

Like they belong there.

Dajia lifts her camera.

“Annie.”

“What?”

“Look at him.”

Annie turns her head.Smoke is already loking at her.

His eyes warm. Soft. Full of love.

The second their eyes connect…

Dajia starts shooting rapidly.

Click. Click. Click. Click.

Neither of them even notice.

They’re too busy looking at each other.

Annie smiles.

Smoke smiles back.

Like they’re sharing some private conversation.

Without saying a single word.

“Oh yeah.”

Dajia whispers.

“That’s money.”

She lowers her camera.

“You two are glowing.”

Annie laughs.

“We sweating.”

“No.”

Dajia shakes her head.

“Y’all glowing.”

Smoke kisses Annie’s temple.

The gesture is so natural neither of them realize they did it.

Dajia catches it anyway.

Click.

Perfect.

“Aight.”

She motions them closer.

“Foreheads.”

Smoke immediately knows what she means.

He steps around in front of Annie.

Both of them place their hands on her stomach.

Then touch foreheads.

The world seems to disappear around them.

The breeze. The birds. The people walking by.

Everything.

It’s just them.

Annie closes her eyes.

Smoke does too.

A peaceful smile spreads across both of their faces.

Click. Click. Click.

Dajia looks down at the screen and smiles.

Because she isn’t just photographing a couple.

She’s photographing a family.

One that’s been through so much to get here.

“Aight.”

She clears her throat.

“Last setup.”

Nearby a large cream colored blanket is spread across the grass.

Smoke sits first.

Legs stretched out.

Then Annie settles between them.

Her back resting comfortably against his chest.

Smoke immediately wraps his arms around her.

One hand on her stomach.

The other intertwined with hers.

Annie melts into him.

Comfortable. Safe. Home.

Dajia circles them slowly.

Taking pictures from every angle.

Some of them laughing.

Some of them looking at the camera.

Some of them simply existing together.

At one point Smoke leans forward and kisses Annie’s cheek.

At another angle Annie grabs his hand and kisses his knuckles.

The love between them is effortless.

Visible. Undeniable.

Dajia lowers the camera for a moment.

Just watching.

A smile pulling at her lips.

“You know what?”

“What?”

Annie asks.

Dajia shakes her head.

“Y’all really look happy.”

Annie turns and looks at Smoke.

Smoke looks at her.

The answer is obvious.

Neither one has to say it.

Dajia lifts her camera one last time.

“That’s it right there.”

Click.

The final image freezes forever.

Annie smiling.

Smoke looking at her like she’s the greatest thing he’s ever seen.

His hands protecting both her and their daughters.

Two people completely in love.

Waiting on the next chapter of their lives to begin.

And somehow…

Glowing brighter than the afternoon sun around them.

🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼

Later that night, Stack and Dajia are laying in bed.

The house is quiet. For once. No arguments.

No baby shower planning. No nursery projects.

Just the two of them.

Dajia is curled against Stack’s side while his hand rests on her stomach.

Their son has been active all evening.

Every few minutes another kick hits Stack’s palm.

“There he go.”

Stack grins.

“He be in there wildin.”

Dajia laughs.

“He get that from his daddy.”

Stack immediately shakes his head.

“Nah.”

“Yes.”

“Nah.”

“Yes.”

Stack points at her stomach.

“He get that shit from you.”

Dajia rolls her eyes.

“Whatever.”

The baby kicks again.

Stack smiles.

Then grows thoughtful.

“We still ain’t picked a name.”

Dajia sighs.

“I know.”

They’ve gone through dozens.

Maybe hundreds.

Neither one of them agreeing for very long.

Stack wanted something strong.

Dajia wanted something meaningful.

So far every name had gotten vetoed by somebody.

Stack rubs her stomach.

“What about Elijah?”

Dajia immediately looks at him.

“No.”

Stack laughs.

“What?”

“We not naming him Elijah.”

“Why not?”

“Because then every time somebody say Elijah, both of them gon’ answer.”

Stack starts laughing.

“Aight. Fair.”

Dajia smiles.

Plus she already knows Smoke would never let him live it down.

The room falls quiet again.

Then Stack suddenly speaks.

“What about Eli?”

Dajia looks up.

“Eli?”

Stack nods.

“Yeah.”

He shrugs.

“It’s part of Elijah and Elias.”

Dajia thinks about it.

“Eli.”

Stack nods.

“It’s me.”

Then he grins.

“And Smoke.”

Dajia smiles.

The more she says it in her head…

The more she likes it.

“Eli.”

Stack watches her face.

“You like it.”

Dajia tries not to smile.

Maybe a little too late.

Stack points.

“See.”

She laughs.

“Okay. Maybe I do.”

“That’s his name.”

“Hold on.”

Stack groans dramatically.

“Dajia.”

“We still gotta make sure.”

He places a hand on her stomach.

“Eli.”

The baby kicks.

Both of their eyes widen.

Stack immediately sits up.

“Oh that’s it.”

Dajia busts out laughing.

“You a mess Stack.”

“He answered.”

“Stack.”

“He literally answered.”

Dajia laughs harder.

“That ain’t how that works.”

“That’s exactly how that shit works.”

Another kick lands.

Stack points.

“See.”

Dajia shakes her head.

But she’s smiling too.

Because honestly…

She loves it.

“Eli.”

The name feels right.

Soft. Strong. Simple. Perfect.

Stack looks pleased with himself.

“See? I told you.”

Dajia snuggles closer.

“Aight. Eli.”

Stack kisses the top of her head.

One problem solved.

Then Dajia speaks again.

“Now the last name.”

Stack immediately nods.

“Moore.”

Dajia looks up.

“Actually…”

Stack narrows his eyes.

The word actually is never good.

“Actually what?”

Dajia smiles.

“I want him to have my last name too.”

Stack blinks.

“What?”

“My maiden name Stack, Maingot”

Stack stares at her.

“He already gettin’ mine.”

“And he’ll still have yours.”

“Then why he need yours?”

Dajia sits up slightly.

“Because that’s my baby too.”

Stack groans.

“Oh hell.”

“I’m serious.”

She points at herself.

“I’m carryin’ him.”

“I know.”

“My body changin’”

“I know.”

“I pushed him out.”

“You ain’t pushed him out yet.”

“You know what I mean.”

Stack laughs despite himself.

Dajia continues.

“And Maingot is important to me. I also want his middle name to be my father’s name. Preston.”

The smile fades from Stack’s face.

Because he knows she’s not joking anymore.

“He would love that.”

Stack looks down for a moment.

Thinking.

Preston Maingot.

A man Dajia hated sometime but also adored.

A man who raised her. Protected her.

Loved her.

The same way Stack hopes to love his own son.

Dajia softly grabs his hand.

“His last name can still be Moore.”

Stack sighs.

“You serious about this?”

“Very.”

“Moore gotta come last.”

Dajia smiles.

“It would.”

Stack studies her face.

Trying to decide whether he’s willing to give in.

A few seconds later he shakes his head.

“You lucky I love you.”

Dajia immediately grins.

“So that’s a yes?”

Stack points at her.

“Don’t get used to this shit.”

Dajia throws her arms around his neck.

“Thank you, baby.”

Stack laughs.

“You already celebrating.”

“Because I won.”

“You always think you win.”

“I usually do.”

Stack rolls his eyes.

Then looks down at her stomach again.

“Aight. Eli.”

Dajia smiles.

“Now say the middle name.”

The room grows quiet.

Stack hesitates

Then Dajia says softly,

“Preston.”

Stack says

“Done.”

She looks at him.

“Really?”

Stack nods.

“Really.”

The emotion in her eyes immediately softens.

Because she knows what that means.

He’s honoring her father.

Honoring her family.

Honoring the man who helped make her who she is.

Honoring her.

Dajia squeezes his hand.

“Thank you.”

Stack brings her hand to his lips and kisses it.

Then places it back on her stomach.

Both of them staring down at where their son is growing.

Finally Stack says it out loud.

“Eli Preston Maingot-Moore.”

Dajia smiles.

Tears instantly threatening her eyes.

“Eli Preston Maingot-Moore.”

The baby kicks.

Right on cue.

Stack grins.

“There he go again.”

Dajia laughs.

“I think he approves.”

Stack rubs her stomach.

“Good.”

Then he leans down and kisses her belly.

“Welcome to the family, Eli Preston Maingot-Moore.”

And for the first time since finding out they were having a son…

Their baby finally has a name.

Heyyyy y’all I just wanted to give yall some fluff and smut. Since y’all were missing Smoke and Annie. I intended to get to the baby shower but this ended up being wayyyy longer. Baby shower will for sure be next…🥰

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Chapter 30 (pt.2)

“Don’t You Forget it”

A few minutes later, there’s a knock at the door.

The doctor steps inside with Annie’s chart in hand and a warm smile on her face.

“Well, everything is looking good for the most part.”

Annie visibly relaxes.

The doctor glances down at the chart.

“The girls look great. Their heart rates are strong, their growth is right where I want it to be, and everything from today’s ultrasound looks good.”

Smoke nods, satisfied.

“That’s what I like to hear.”

The doctor smiles before her expression turns a little more serious.

“However, your blood pressure is still slightly elevated.”

Annie sighs.

The doctor looks at her.

“Have you been resting?”

Smoke immediately turns his head toward Annie.

Annie feels his eyes on her before she even answers.

“Yes.”

Smoke’s eyebrows shoot up.

“No. Not like she should.”

Annie turns and glares at him.

“Smoke.”

“What?” he says unapologetically. “You haven’t.”

The doctor chuckles softly.

“Well, I appreciate the honesty.”

Annie folds her arms.

Smoke folds his right after.

The doctor continues.

“Annie, you’re almost there. You’ve done a great job so far, but these last few weeks are important.”

She points toward the chart.

“With your blood pressure being elevated, I need you taking it easy as much as possible. Resting isn’t a suggestion right now.”

Smoke nods before Annie can respond.

“See.”

Annie cuts her eyes at him.

The doctor laughs.

“I’m not saying you need complete bed rest at this point, but I do need you listening to your body. Less stress. More water. More time with your feet up.”

Smoke looks very pleased with this information.

Annie notices immediately.

“Don’t.”

“I’m just listenin’ to the doctor.”

“No, you about to become unbearable.”

The doctor smiles.

“I have a feeling he’s already there.”

Smoke smirks.

The doctor closes the chart.

“Just hang in there. You’re in the final stretch now. A few more weeks and you’ll be meeting your girls.”

The room grows quiet.

Both Annie and Smoke look toward the ultrasound pictures sitting on the counter.

A few weeks. That’s all they have left.

Smoke reaches over and grabs Annie’s hand.

His thumb brushes across her knuckles.

“We almost there, mama.”

For the first time all morning, Annie smiles.

“Yeah.”

She squeezes his hand back.

“We almost there.”

🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼

Friday night…

Stack stands in the kitchen at Flexx, posted near the line, talking to one of the cooks.

Fryers drop. Orders get called out.

Plates clink nonstop.

The whole place loud, moving.

Stack nods toward the menu board.

“So yeah, I think I wanna add hot honey wings. Shit, everybody around here servin’ them, and muthafuckas order wings here like they goin outta style.”

The cook nods, wiping his hands on a towel.

“I agree. Shit, the Chicago lemon pepper wings been a hit, so yeah—we should definitely try something new.”

Before Stack can respond, Nyla walks in, eyes scanning.

Looking for him.

She spots him quick and makes her way over, tapping his shoulder.

Stack turns, eyes narrowing slightly when he sees her.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?”

He looks her up and down, hesitation clear, but he nods anyway.

“Yeah. What’s up?”

They step off to the side.

Stack folds his arms, waiting.

Nyla glances down at the floor, then back up at him.

“I apologize for crossing the line. I ain’t mean to offend you. I just… I admire you. Hell, all of us do. I was wrong, and I hope we can move past it.”

Stack raises an eyebrow, studying her for a second.

“It’s cool,” he says. “Just don’t let it happen again.”

He leans forward slightly, golds flashing when he talks, voice lower now, but firm.

“All you and the rest of them gossipin ass girls, need to understand is I’m happy. And I love my wife. I’d never do shit to jeopardize our marriage.”

Nyla swallows, listening.

“I know the shit I used to do. I know it’s hard to believe a nigga like me can change…but I have.”

He taps his chest once.

“My wife? That’s everything to me. She the only one I see. The only one I want.”

His tone sharpens just a little.

“It’d take a million of y’all just to equal one of her.”

Nyla doesn’t say a word.

“And since you asked how she got me…” he continues, eyes locked on hers, “it wasn’t none of that extra shit.”

“She got me by bein’ different. By bein’ her.”

A small shake of his head.

“She ain’t want me for what I got. Ain’t give a fuck about how I look. None of that shit moved her. I had to do the fuckin most just to get her to be mine. That’s the type of woman I need. That’s the type of woman you make a wife.”

A faint smirk tugs at his mouth.

“She the shit. She knows it and so do I.”

Then serious again.

“Yeah, she beautiful, wit a nice body and all that, but she driven. Smart. Independent. She call me out on my bullshit. Don’t just go along wit whatever I say ‘cause I got money or ‘cause I’m a man.”

He straightens up.

“She her own woman. I can’t make her or break her…She don’t need me… she want me. Big difference.”

Nyla’s eyes drop slightly.

“She into art. Photography. Got a green thumb. Teach me new shit every day. Makes me laugh. Not only is she my wife but she’s my best friend too.”

He exhales through his nose, jaw tightening just a little, tone shifting.

“And since I already know what you and them other ones be on… lemme be vulgar real quick so it really sink in for you.”

He swipes his thumb under his nose, eyes locked on hers.

“I know what you and all them other hoes—want. Stiff dick and money.”

A slight pause.

“And since I used to be wild, you think I’m gon fold for some pussy and hand you my money?”

He shakes his head slowly.

“Nah. I ain’t hard up for no pussy.”

His voice drops, calm, but firm as hell.

“My wife got the best shit in the world… and she give it to me daily.”

A slight tilt of his head.

“Her shit so good—that if she told me to get rid of every woman in here right now…”

A pause and then he leans forward.

“I’d do that shit YESTERDAY

Nyla goes still.

Not just shocked—clocked.

Her stomach tightens, heat rushing up her neck so fast it almost makes her dizzy.

Because… yeah.

That energy? That ain’t random.

That’s for her.

Because he ain’t lying. Ain’t hesitating.

Ain’t even tempted.

Her jaw sets, but her eyes flick away for half a second anyway.

Stiff dick and money…

The words echo louder now.

Not dismissible.

Not something she can brush off.

Because if she being real?

That’s exactly what she came in there on.

Maybe not all the way, but enough.

Enough to ask that question.

Enough to test the waters.

Enough to see if he’d fold.

Her tongue presses against the inside of her cheek. Damn.

Now she standing here… grouped in.

Labeled. Read.

Her chest tightens, not just from embarrassment—

but from getting called out accurately.

And he ain’t even raise his voice.

Ain’t disrespect her in a messy way.

He just… said the truth. Calm. Direct. Certain.

That’s what makes it sting.

Her fingers curl slightly at her sides.

Because part of her wanna reject it—

wanna say that ain’t me

But the other part? Knows better.

Knows what her intention was when she walked up. And now it’s sitting on her. Heavy.

Her lips press into a thin line as she forces her face back neutral, but inside?

Yeah. That hit her pride. Hard.

Because it ain’t just that he chose his wife, It’s that he saw right through her…

and didn’t want nothing she was offering.

Stack leans in just a little closer, voice low, final.

“So remember it ain’t shit you, or none of them other girls, could ever teach me or do for me. So make sure you tell them hoes…”

His eyes hard now.

“The NEXT time my name come up—to leave it out they mouth.”

He straightens, steps back, already done with the conversation.

“Now go clock in.”

And just like that, Stack turns and walks back toward the line like it never even happened.

Nyla stands there. Still.

The kitchen noise crashes back around her…fryers dropping, orders being yelled, plates clattering, but it all sounds distant.

Muted. Her face burns.

She presses her lips together, swallowing hard as her eyes flick toward the cooks nearby.

A couple of them glance over, quick, subtle, but she catches it anyway.

And that’s enough. Heat creeps up her neck.

Embarrassment. Thick. Heavy.

Her chest tightens as his words replay in her head—

It’d take a million of y’all to equal one of her.

She looks down at the floor, jaw clenching.

For a second, she debates saying something back, saving face.

But she doesn’t. Can’t.

Because he ain’t raise his voice.

Ain’t disrespect her.

He just… meant every word he said.

And that somehow makes it worse.

Nyla exhales sharply, blinking fast, forcing her expression back neutral before anybody can read her too closely.

She smooths her shirt, lifts her chin just a little, trying to pull herself together.

“Yeah… aight.”

It comes out low. Almost to herself.

Then she turns and walks off toward the front, quieter than she came in.

And for the rest of the night…

She don’t look Stack’s way.

Not even once…

🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹

At Moore Life, Stack and Smoke are discussing the baby shower scheduled for next Saturday while Antonio sits nearby handling paperwork.

“So the caterer gon’ be there around 2:30,” Smoke says.

Stack scoffs.

“Man, I don’t understand why we needed a caterer. We could’ve just cooked the usual baby shower food. Meatballs, Rotel, chicken.”

Smoke cuts his eyes at him.

“We? Nigga, you don’t even cook.”

Stack waves him off.

“I been cookin’ lately.”

Antonio looks up from his paperwork while Smoke raises an eyebrow.

“Oh yeah? Cookin’ what?”

“Shit, I been makin’ breakfast lately.”

Antonio laughs.

“Bro, that’s easy. Anybody can cook breakfast.”

Stack sucks his teeth.

“Y’all don’t never wanna give a nigga no credit.”

Smoke shakes his head and changes the subject.

“Anyway. Since it’s at Zen, Stack, I made sure to tell Imari to have Christina off that day ’cause we don’t need no damn problems.”

“Man, fuck all that. Christina already know what time it is anyway. I stopped talkin’ to her ass when she said she couldn’t handle bein’ manager. Had me out here lookin’ stupid.”

Smoke shakes his head.

“Nah. You do that shit all on yo own.”

Stack cracks up.

“Fuck you, nigga.”

He turns toward Antonio.

“So what time Dominique gon’ be there to help set up?”

“She’ll be there around one.”

“Aight. The photographer gon’ be there around then too. He wanna get pictures of everything before people start showin’ up.”

Smoke leans back in his chair.

“Damn. It’s been so long since we had somebody other than Dajia do our events.”

Stack nods.

“Yeah, and she was tryin’ to do this one. I told her hell nah and to sit her ass down somewhere. That’s when she got the bright idea to have her ‘protégé’ do it.”

Smoke chuckles.

“Why you say it like that?”

Stack clicks his tongue.

“’Cause I hate that nigga, man. Now he gon’ be at my damn baby shower.”

Antonio sighs.

“Here you go with that possessive shit, Stack. He just work for her, that’s it. You ain’t got no reason to hate that dude.”

“Yeah, I do. I don’t trust no nigga. I don’t like no nigga bein’ around my woman.”

Antonio shakes his head.

“Not everybody wanna fuck yo woman, Stack. She gon’ have to be around other men. That’s life.”

“Yeah they do. You just overly trustin’. I’m gon’ be watchin’ the fuck outta that nigga.”

Smoke lets out a tired sigh.

Stack immediately points at him.

“Oh, nigga, don’t even try it. The way you act wit Annie, you feel the exact same way.”

Smoke stays quiet.

Because he’s right.

He’s just as possessive.

The difference is he’s learned how to control it a little better.

“Look, Stack,” Antonio says. “You gotta trust yo wife. Who gives a damn if another man checkin’ for her? As long as she loyal to you, that’s what matter.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I ain’t tryna hear none of that shit.”

Antonio just stares at him before looking over at Smoke.

Both of them shake their heads.

Then Antonio smirks.

“So, Smoke. Dominique told me what Annie ass did the other day.”

Smoke’s jaw ticks instantly.

“Mhmm. She brought yo wife into it, and I told her about that shit.”

Antonio laughs.

“Yeah, Dominique said she had a feelin’ Annie was lyin’.”

“Oh, she was lyin’. But I took care of her ass. Like I always do.”

Stack laughs.

“And that means she gon’ be right back doin’ the shit tomorrow.”

Antonio chortles.

Smoke swallows hard.

“Shut up, Stack. And Antonio, don’t laugh at this fool.”

They laugh harder.

“He right though,” Smoke admits. “I know her hardheaded ass gon’ try me again. I don’t know what the hell I’m gon’ do wit her.”

Stack grins.

“Smoke, you like that shit. Admit it. Yeah, it piss you off, but the punishin’ be worth it. Trust me, I know, nigga.”

Smoke stares at him for a moment before shaking his head.

“I mean… I love her lil stubborn ass.”

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“In the moment though? I be so pissed at her. Then she start givin’ me them eyes and shit. A nigga start foldin’. I be havin’ to look away.”

Antonio laughs.

“Pathetic.”

“Man, shut up.”

Smoke chuckles.

“She wouldn’t be her if she ain’t stress me out from time to time.”

Stack nods.

“Man, don’t get mad at sis though. Annie ain’t never been the type to just sit at home. You knew that when you first got wit her.”

“It ain’t that I want her at home, Stack. I just want her to go do shit that’s safe.”

“I hear that,” Antonio says.

Smoke grows quiet. His mind drifts to Annie.

To how much her life has changed over the last few weeks.

No work. No trails. No random adventures.

No independence the way she’s used to.

He never wanted her to feel trapped.

Never wanted her to feel like she was losing pieces of herself.

He rubs his jaw and stands.

“You know what? I’m gon’ head out and take my baby somewhere today.”

Stack crosses his arms and smiles.

“That sound like a good plan, bro. She’ll love that.”

Antonio nods.

“Yeah. Go spoil her before she start raisin’ hell again.”

Smoke smirks.

“Ain’t no before. She probably already raisin’ hell.”

The three men laugh.

Smoke daps both of them up, grabs his keys, and heads for the door.

Already thinking about his Annie.

♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️

Smoke pulls up at the house.

Upstairs, Annie is stretched across the bed reading her third book of the week. The television hums softly in the background, more for company than entertainment. Her reading glasses sit low on her nose while one hand absently rubs over her stomach.

The ring camera notification pops up on her phone.

She glances down and smiles. Smoke.

She wasn’t expecting him home this early.

A few moments later she hears him coming down the hall.

The bedroom door opens.

He walks in, dropping his keys onto the dresser.

His cologne reaches her before he does.

Something woody. Clean. Familiar.

Home.

He looks over at her.

“Hey, Mama.”

Annie smiles.

“Hey, Daddy.”

His eyes travel around the room.

“You still in bed?”

She closes her book and sighs dramatically.

“Where else I’m gon’ be, Smoke? I don’t wanna get up just to stay in the house.”

Smoke chuckles and walks over.

He bends down and presses a kiss to her lips. Slow. Gentle.

The kind that says he missed her.

“Come on, baby. Get up and get dressed.”

Annie blinks.

“For what?”

“I’m gon’ take you out.”

Her entire face lights up.

“Really, baby? Where?”

He grins.

“You’ll see when we get there.”

“Okay.”

Within minutes Annie is out of bed.

She showers, takes her time getting dressed, and emerges in a lilac-purple dress that hugs her belly perfectly.

Her skin glows from the body oil. Her lips shine.

Her perfume follows her everywhere she goes.

Smoke pauses when she walks into the room.

Lord. Pregnant or not, that woman is fine.

“Damn, baby.”

Annie smirks.

“What?”

“Nothin’.”

“Liar.”

Smoke just shakes his head and grabs her hand.

He walks her down the porch steps and to the car.

Like always, he opens her door.

As she’s climbing in, he gives her ass a quick smack.

Annie laughs.

“Elijah!”

“What?”

She rolls her eyes while trying not to smile.

When he gets into the driver’s seat, he immediately reaches for the radio.

“Let me play some music for you, baby.”

A few seconds later Silk’s “Ebony Eyes” fills the car.

Smoke looks over at her.

“This how I feel about you, baby.”

🎶 Wind in your hair, sun on your skin

You’re looking good girl, all over again

Hey there, Miss Brown

I want you to know, I love you🎶

Annie blushes.

“Elijah, you know how to get me goin’.”

Smoke nods.

“Of course I do. But I’ll never stop tellin’ you in different ways how much I love you.”

A soft smile spreads across Annie’s face.

“I know. And that’s one of the things I love about you.”

Smoke reaches over and squeezes her thigh.

Then he starts singing the chorus to her in that deep voice that always makes her heart flutter.

🎶 I love you

Bet you didn’t know that, girl

You didn’t know that

I need you right now, baby… right now baby

And I bet you didn’t know that

Ebony eyes 🎶

Annie shakes her head and laughs.

she’s smiling so hard her cheeks hurt.

A few minutes later they pull into the parking lot of a spa.

Annie immediately turns to him.

“The spa?”

Smoke shrugs casually.

“Let’s get that facial you love so much and a pedicure, Mama.”

Her eyes widen.

“Oh, so you gon’ get a facial and pedicure too? I used to beg you to come get a pedicure with me.”

“I know, baby. But I wanna try it now.”

Annie points at him.

“Watch you end up likin’ it.”

“We’ll see.”

Smoke climbs out first and walks around to her side.

He opens her door and carefully helps her out.

Annie takes his hand and steps down.

The moment she starts walking toward the entrance, Smoke falls in step behind her.

Watching. Just watching. The sway of her dress.

The way she waddles and rubs her belly every few steps.

The way she carries his daughters.

The way she still manages to turn heads everywhere they go.

He never got tired of watching her walk. Never.

Inside, the spa immediately wraps around them like a warm blanket.

Soft instrumental music floats through hidden speakers.

The air smells like eucalyptus, lavender, and vanilla.

A small fountain bubbles quietly near the waiting area.

Everything feels calm. Peaceful.

Annie’s shoulders visibly relax.

“Ohhhh yeah,” she sighs. “I needed this.”

Smoke chuckles.

“I know baby.”

Annie walks straight to the counter like she owns the place.

Because at this point, she practically does.

The receptionist smiles instantly.

“Welcome back, Annie.”

“Told you,” Smoke mutters.

Annie grins.

“Don’t hate.”

Within minutes they’re escorted into the spa lounge.

Plush robes. Soft slippers. Warm herbal tea.

Annie settles into one of the oversized chairs and lets out the biggest sigh.

Smoke sits beside her.

“You okay?”

She nods.

“Yeah.”

Then after a moment she adds quietly,

“I forgot what it felt like to leave the house.”

Smoke’s smile fades.

Not because he’s upset.

Because he knows she’s telling the truth.

Annie stares down into her tea.

“I know everybody keeps tellin’ me to rest, but…” She shrugs. “I miss bein’ me.”

Smoke reaches over and takes her hand.

His thumb rubs across her knuckles.

“I hear you baby…”

She looks at him.

“I miss work. I miss drivin’ where I wanna go. I miss feelin’ useful.”

Smoke listens. Really listens.

Then he lifts her hand and kisses it.

“You are useful.”

Annie rolls her eyes.

“You know what I mean.”

“I do.”

He squeezes her hand.

“But right now, you doin’ the most important job you’ll probably ever have.”

Her eyes soften.

Smoke glances down at her stomach.

“Our girls healthy because of you.”

His voice lowers.

“They safe because of you.”

Annie looks down.

The guilt she’d been carrying starts easing a little.

Smoke continues.

“And when all this over, you gon’ go right back to bein’ Annie.”

He smiles.

“The same hardheaded woman that’s always got somewhere to go.”

That makes her laugh.

“There she is.” He murmurs

“Yeah. Here I am.”

For the first time in weeks, Annie feels herself relax.

Not because she isn’t frustrated.

Not because she suddenly loves bed rest.

But because the man beside her understands exactly what she’s grieving.

And instead of dismissing it…

He’s sitting there grieving it with her.

A little while later, their feet are soaking in warm water, the chairs massaging their backs.

Annie wiggles her toes happily.

“This is heaven.”

Smoke looks down at the bubbling foot bath.

“I ain’t gon’ lie. This part nice.”

The nail tech assigned to him smiles.

“Just wait.”

A few minutes later she starts scrubbing his feet.

Smoke immediately jerks.

“Whoa!”

Annie turns and busts out laughing.

“Oh my God! Really Smoke?!

Smoke tries to pull his foot back.

“Nah, hold on.”

The tech laughs.

“Ticklish?”

“Apparently.”

Annie is laughing so hard tears gather in her eyes.

“Baby, you squirmin’”

“I can’t help it.”

The tech gently holds his ankle and continues.

Smoke clenches the armrests.

Annie points at him.

“Look at you.”

“This ain’t funny.”

“It absolutely is.”

The scrubbing continues for another minute before the sensation starts changing.

Smoke’s shoulders slowly drop.

His grip loosens.

The tech begins rubbing pressure points along the bottom of his feet.

A low groan escapes him.

“Oh.”

Annie immediately notices.

“Oh?”

Smoke closes his eyes.

“Okay…”

The tech massages his arches.

Smoke sinks deeper into the chair.

“Nah, this nice.”

Annie smirks.

“I know.”

A few more minutes pass.

Now he’s completely relaxed.

Head back. Eyes closed.

Looking like he might take a nap.

The tech finishes with a warm towel and another massage.

Smoke lets out a satisfied sigh.

“Baby.”

Annie laughs.

“What?”

He opens one eye.

“I really like this.”

Annie folds her arms with a smug grin.

“See? I told you.”

Smoke shakes his head.

“You did.”

“I been tellin’ you for years.”

“Well, you was right.”

Annie beams.

“Say it again.”

Smoke groans.

“Don’t start.”

But he’s smiling.

And for the first time in weeks, Annie feels herself completely relax.

Not because she isn’t frustrated.

Not because she suddenly loves bed rest.

But because she’s out of the house, being pampered, and laughing with the man she loves.

And judging by the way Smoke is melting into that chair…

She knows he’ll be coming back for another pedicure.

After they leave the spa, Smoke takes her to a bookstore.

The moment Annie sees the sign her face lights up.

“A bookstore?”

Smoke smirks.

“Yep.”

A grin spreads across her face.

“Look at you, Elijah. You on a roll today.”

Smoke shrugs.

“Now come on.”

The second they walk through the doors, Annie is gone.

Not physically. But mentally.

Smoke watches her eyes immediately start scanning shelves.

Her pace picks up.

The boredom that had been weighing her down seems to disappear.

And just like that…There’s his Annie.

The woman who always had to be learning something. Doing something.

Discovering something.

She moves through the aisles with excitement written all over her face.

Picking up books. Reading backs.

Flipping through pages.

Making little sounds whenever she finds something interesting.

Smoke trails behind her carrying the growing stack in his arms.

Romance novels. Autobiographies.

A photography book. A gardening book.

A book about architecture.

Another about Black history.

Every few minutes she hands him another one.

“Hold this.”

Smoke takes it.

A few minutes later.

“Hold this one too.”

Smoke takes that one too.

Then another. And another.

Soon his stack is ridiculous.

Annie glances back and laughs.

“You okay over there?”

“Mhm”

“You lyin’.”

“I ain’t.”

She laughs again.

The sound instantly makes him smile.

God, he missed hearing her laugh like that.

The last few weeks she’d been trying so hard to be strong.

Trying not to complain.

Trying not to show how frustrated she really was.

But right now? She looks happy.

And seeing her happy did something to him.

Something he couldn’t quite explain.

Annie stops in front of another shelf.

Excitedly pulling out a book.

“Baby look.”

Smoke leans down.

She starts explaining something about the author.

The publishing company.

The storyline. Something else.

Smoke doesn’t hear half of it.

Not because he isn’t listening.

Because he’s watching her.

Watching the way her eyes light up.

Watching the way her hands move when she talks.

Watching the passion pour out of her.

And he realizes something.

This woman could probably talk about paint drying for an hour and he’d still sit there listening.

Because he loved hearing her voice.

Loved seeing her excited. Loved seeing her be herself.

Eventually Annie grabs his hand.

“Come on.”

She pulls him toward the children’s section.

Smoke immediately smiles.

His heart swelling before they even reach the aisle.

“We gotta get the babies some books so we can read to them.”

Smoke nods.

“Of course, baby.”

Annie starts pulling books from the shelves one after another.

Reading first pages. Looking at illustrations.

Running her fingers over colorful covers.

Every now and then she rests a hand on her stomach.

As if she can already picture herself holding their daughters in her lap.

Reading to them. Teaching them.

Loving them.

Smoke watches quietly.

A lump forming in his throat.

Because this wasn’t just Annie shopping.

This was Annie becoming a mother.

And somehow she made even that look beautiful.

She turns and holds up another book.

“What about this one?”

Smoke looks at the cover.

“I like it.”

She tosses it into the pile.

Then another. And another.

Finally she looks up at him.

“Help grab some books for our babies.”

Smoke smirks.

“Yes ma’am.”

He starts scanning shelves himself.

Picking up books he remembers from childhood.

Books about courage.

Adventure. Dreaming big.

The kind of books he wishes he’d had more of growing up.

Annie watches him.

Smiling.

“You puttin’ thought into it.”

Smoke shrugs.

“They my girls.”

Her smile softens.

And for a moment neither of them says anything.

They just stand there. Surrounded by books. Surrounded by possibilities.

Thinking about the two little girls that would soon change their entire world.

An hour later they finally leave the store.

Several bags in hand.

More books than either of them planned to buy.

As Smoke loads everything into the truck, he glances over at Annie.

She’s smiling again. Really smiling.

Not forcing it. Not pretending. Just happy.

And suddenly every dollar he spent today feels worth it.

Because for the first time in weeks…

His baby looks like herself again.

Smoke pulls up to the ice cream shop next.

The second Annie sees the colorful sign through the windshield, her eyes light up all over again.

“Oohhh baby, I need this.”

Smoke chuckles.

Lately Annie had been on a serious ice cream kick.

Every other day she wanted some.

Vanilla. Cookie dough.

Strawberry cheesecake.

It didn’t matter.

If it was cold and sweet, she wanted it.

“I just need some pickles now.”

Annie says it so seriously that Smoke almost chokes laughing.

“Here you go.”

Annie giggles.

“I’m serious.”

“I know. That’s the scary part.”

She smacks his arm.

“Come on. Let’s go. I’m too ready.”

Smoke shakes his head and follows her inside.

The bell above the door chimes softly as they enter.

The smell of fresh waffle cones immediately fills the air.

Families sit scattered throughout the shop.

Children laugh.

A blender hums somewhere in the back.

Annie walks straight to the display case.

Her face pressed close to the glass.

Looking at every single flavor like she’s making the most important decision of her life.

Smoke watches her. Amused. As always.

After several minutes she finally decides.

“I want this one… and this one… and this one.”

Smoke raises an eyebrow.

“Three?”

“I’m pregnant wit twins.”

“Fair enough.”

When it’s his turn he points.

“Chocolate.”

Annie immediately laughs.

“You’re so plain.”

“So?”

Smoke shrugs.

“I love chocolate. You outta everybody should know that.”

He gives her a look. That look.

The one that always makes her blush.

Annie immediately looks away.

“You so nasty, Smoke.”

“I am.”

He grabs their cups.

“But you like it.”

Annie grins.

“I do.”

A few minutes later they’re settled into a booth.

Annie’s mountain of ice cream sits in front of her while Smoke’s single scoop looks almost sad beside it.

Smoke sits across from her.

One arm stretched across the back of the booth.

His chin resting in his hand.

Watching her. Just watching.

Annie scoops up a bite.

A smile instantly spreads across her face.

“Mmm.”

Another bite. Another happy little sound.

Smoke smiles to himself.

There wasn’t a thing in the world more beautiful than watching Annie enjoy something.

Annie glances up and catches him staring.

Again.

She laughs.

“Look at you, Smoke. Still the same as our first date.”

Smoke doesn’t even deny it.

He simply nods.

“Always, baby.”

His eyes move slowly over her face.

The glow in her skin. The happiness in her eyes.

The woman carrying his daughters.

“I can’t help it.”

Annie shakes her head.

“You so dramatic.”

“Nah.”

His voice softens.

“You the most beautiful woman I ever seen.”

The compliment lands exactly where it always does.

Right in her heart.

Annie’s cheeks grow warm.

“And you the finest man I ever seen.”

Smoke grins.

“I know.”

Annie rolls her eyes.

“There you go.”

He chuckles before growing serious.

His gaze studies her for a moment.

“Are you happy, Mama?”

The question catches her off guard.

Not because of what he asked.

Because of how he asked it.

Like the answer truly mattered.

Like her happiness was something he monitored daily.

Annie smiles.

“I am.”

The tension leaves Smoke’s shoulders instantly.

“Good.”

He reaches across the table and takes her hand.

Because he can’t help touching her.

Not when she’s this close.

Not when he loves her this much.

“’Cause I live to make you happy. You know that?”

Annie squeezes his fingers.

“I know.”

Smoke looks down at their hands.

Then back up at her.

“I hate that you ain’t been feelin’ like yo self.”

His voice is quiet. Honest.

“I know it’s been a lot on you. I know this ain’t easy.”

Annie listens.

The noise of the ice cream shop slowly fading away.

“I want you to know somethin’.”

“What?”

“I’m not ever tryna control you, Annie.”

His thumb strokes the back of her hand.

“I just want you safe.”

His eyes drop briefly to her stomach.

“All three of y’all.”

Annie feels emotion climb into her chest.

Because she knows. Deep down she knows.

She had always known.

“I know, Smoke.”

Her voice softens.

“I’m sorry for what I did. For how stubborn I can be.”

Smoke grunts.

“Can be?”

Annie laughs.

“Okay. Am.”

“There you go.”

She shakes her head.

“But seriously. I know you only want what’s best for me.”

Her eyes lower.

“And thank you for bein’ patient wit me all these years and not leavin’ me.”

Smoke’s expression immediately changes.

Like the thought of leaving her never even crossed his mind.

“Never, baby.”

His answer comes without hesitation.

“I’d never leave you.”

The certainty in his voice makes her throat tighten.

Smoke continues.

“I love that you headstrong.”

Annie looks up.

“I love that when you believe in somethin’, you stand on it.”

He smiles.

“I admire that about you.”

His fingers squeeze hers again.

“I don’t wanna change you.”

His grin returns.

“Yeah, you give me headaches sometimes.”

Annie laughs.

“But if I’m bein’ honest?”

“What?”

Smoke leans back.

“I like that shit.”

Annie busts out laughing.

“You do?”

“Hell yeah.”

“Don’t tell me that now.”

“Aight now.”

He points at her.

“Don’t go crazy.”

“I’m not.”

Smoke raises an eyebrow.

She grins.

He knows that grin.

And he knows she’s full of it.

“So…”

Smoke says.

“I got an idea.”

Annie immediately looks interested.

“What’s up?”

“To give you somethin’ to do…”

He pauses.

“How would you like to come wit me to Moore Life and Flexx a couple days out the week?”

Annie blinks.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Smoke nods.

“You can help me wit the books. Two, maybe three hours.”

He shrugs.

“You know numbers just as good as me.”

Then he smirks.

“Probably better.”

Annie’s face softens.

“Really, Elijah?”

“For real.”

The smile he gives her is genuine.

“I need you.”

Annie feels tears threaten for the second time that day.

Not because she was sad.

But because he understood.

He saw how restless she’d become.

And instead of telling her to get over it…

He found a way to include her.

A way to help her feel useful again.

“Yeah.”

She smiles.

“Of course I’ll help you, babe.”

“Good.”

Smoke laughs.

“I’ll even pay you.”

She waves him off.

“Oh whatever. If I need somethin’, you know I’m gon’ get it regardless.”

“Shit. I know.”

“Thank you, daddy.”

Her eyes shine.

“You so good to me.”

Smoke looks at her like she’s crazy.

“Anything for you, baby.”

And he means it.

Anything.

His gaze drifts back to her face as she takes another bite of ice cream.

Then another. Then another.

He smiles.

“Can I come sit next to you?”

Needing to be close. As usual.

Annie laughs.

“Of course.”

Smoke immediately slides into her side of the booth.

The second he’s beside her, he places a hand on her belly.

Home. That’s what it feels like. Home.

“I bet my babies loved that ice cream.”

Annie shrugs.

“I guess.”

Then she grins.

“But they wanted pickles wit it.”

Smoke shakes his head.

“I guess next time I gotta keep some in my pocket.”

“That would be nice.”

Smoke laughs so hard he has to lean back.

Just then—Kick. Kick. Kick.

His eyes widen.

“There they go.”

Another kick lands against his palm.

Smoke immediately smiles.

“Uh oh.”

He rubs her belly.

“There go Aniyah troublemakin’ self.”

Annie side-eyes him.

“How you know it’s her?”

“Because she antsy.”

Smoke nods confidently.

“She kick rapid-fire.”

Another kick.

“See?”

He points.

“That’s her.”

Annie laughs.

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

“No you don’t.”

“Anijah kicks once and go about her business.”

Smoke pats his chest.

“Like her Papa.”

Annie snorts.

“Smoke, you swear you so chill.”

“I am.”

He shrugs.

“I don’t let nobody get me out my element.”

Then he pauses.

“Well…”

Annie grins.

“Well?”

“You.”

She laughs loudly.

“There you go.”

“Only you.”

Annie points at him.

“I hope Anijah give you a run for yo money.”

“Nah.”

Smoke shakes his head.

“Aniyah definitely gon’ give you one.”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

“No. You.”

“Both of ‘em gon’ be Papa’s babies.”

“We’ll see.”

Smoke smiles.

“Oh, they definitely will.”

He rubs her stomach again.

“I’m gon’ spoil em rotten.”

“I know.”

“But they still gon’ be respectful.”

His tone changes slightly.

“You know I don’t play about respect.”

Annie groans dramatically.

“Ugh. Don’t remind me.”

Smoke laughs and kisses her cheek.

“Come on now.”

His eyebrow rises.

“Don’t do that. I don’t be wantin’ to do it.”

Smoke smirks.

“But secretly…you like that shit.”

Annie sighs.

“…I do.”

“Hmph.”

He nods.

“I know.”

A comfortable silence settles between them.

The kind only people deeply in love can enjoy.

Smoke rubs her belly softly.

“You excited for the baby shower?”

Annie exhales.

“Yeah.”

Then she laughs.

“I’m really just ready to get it over wit so we can finish the nursery.”

“It’ll be here before you know it.”

“I know.”

She rubs her belly.

“I’m ready to drop this load. I feel huge.”

Smoke laughs.

“Baby.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know.”

His eyes soften.

“You look so good carryin’ them.”

Annie’s heart melts.

“You’ve done such a good job.”

His hand squeezes hers.

“I’m proud of you. You know that?”

Her eyes immediately water.

She nods.

“Thank you.”

Her voice is barely above a whisper.

“I love it when you talk to me like this.”

Smoke smiles.

“Good.”

Because he means every word.

“‘Cause I’m never gon’ stop.”

His thumb brushes her cheek.

“I’ve enjoyed this day wit you.”

His eyes lock onto hers.

“I love spendin’ time wit you.”

A moment passes.

“I love you so much, Annie.”

He lifts her chin and kisses her slowly, then deeper.

And Annie closes her eyes.

Holding onto the moment.

Holding onto him.

Because no matter how hard pregnancy has been…

Moments like this make it all worth it.

They both get aroused and when Smoke pulls away, Annie is in a daze.

She blinks rapidly.

“Smokeeee, this is why I’m waddlin’ around here now.”

Smoke chuckles

“I know, but you love it and so do I. You ready to go baby?”

“Mhm. I’m tired now.”

“I bet. Come on mama.”

He helps her up and Annie grabs her last cup of ice cream to go…

Later, once they’re back in the truck, Annie falls asleep almost instantly.

One hand resting on her stomach.

The other tucked against her cheek.

Smoke glances over and smiles.

His girls. His entire world.

The road stretches ahead while golden evening sunlight spills through the windshield.

And all Smoke can think about is how lucky he is.

Because they could be doing absolutely nothing.

Sitting in silence. Stuck in traffic.

Walking through a grocery store.

It wouldn’t matter.

As long as Annie was there.

She was his peace.

His moon. His stars. His earth.

The one person he wanted smiling for the rest of her life.

And if he had to cross oceans, climb mountains, or bring her back a damn star from space just to do it…

He would. Without hesitation.

Because that’s how much he loves her…

The original "boop-boop-be-doop" Girls

Like I've said before it's never to early to appreciate black history!! Shout out to the original "boop-boop-be-doop" girls!❤️💚🧡🖤

Florence Mills

gertrude saunders

Nina Mae McKinney

Baby esther jones(Esther Lee jones!)

Nina Mae McKinney really reminds me of Jupiter?? 😭😭

All these black girls were the ones saying the "boop-boop-be-doop" way before helen kane made it popular(and tried to claim it as her own...gertrude saunders was the one who really originated the "boop-boop-be-doop"!She was born in Asheville, North Carolina, and studied at Benedict College, Columbia before leaving in her teens to join a vaudeville troupe based in Chicago, organized by Billy King. She was a featured singer and comedian, and performed a number of hit songs including "Wait 'Til the Cows Come Home" (1918), "Hot Dog" (1919), and "Rose of Washington Square" (1920), as well as starring in King's 1919 stage production of Over the Top, which "dramatized the state of African Americans at the time of the Paris Peace Conference". She returned to perform in revues during the 1930s, and was claimed in some reports as having, some years earlier, originated the "boop-oop-a-doop" lyrics in scat singing, later associated with Helen Kane. Saunders featured in several movies, including an uncredited role as a servant in The Toy Wife (1938). In 1939, she co-produced her own show, Midnight Steppers, and she performed in the 1943 Broadway show Run, Little Chillun.She also appeared in several films aimed at African American audiences, such as Big Timers (1945) and Sepia Cinderella (1947). Baby esthers character was also based off of gertrude!

Passed at age 87)

Nina Mae McKinney🧡

was an American actress and singer who worked internationally during the 1930s and in the postwar period in theatre, film and television, after beginning her career on Broadway and in Hollywood. Dubbed "The Black Garbo" in Europe because of her striking beauty,McKinney was both one of the first African-American film stars in the United States and one of the first African-Americans to appear on British television. She would also use the boop-boop-be-doop in her acts as well!!!(she passed at 54 years!)

Florence mills💚

Florence Mills (Florence Winfrey) was born a daughter of formerly enslaved parents Nellie (Simon) and John Winfrey in 1896 in Washington, D.C. She began performing as a child. At the age of six she sang duets with her two older sisters, Olivia and Maude. They eventually formed a vaudeville act, calling themselves the Mills Sisters. The act did well, appearing in theaters along the Atlantic seaboard. Florence's sisters eventually quit performing, but Florence stayed with it, determined to pursue a career in show business. She joined Ada Smith, Cora Green, and Carolyn Williams in the Panama Four, which had some success. She then joined a traveling Black show, the Tennessee Ten, and in 1917 she met the dance director and acrobatic dancer Ulysses "Slow Kid" Thompson (1888–1990), to whom she would be married from 1921 until her death.Mills became well known in New York as a result of her role in the Broadway musical Shuffle Along (1921) at Daly's 63rd Street Theatre (barely on Broadway), one of the events marking the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance. She received favorable reviews in London, Paris, Ostend, Liverpool, and other European venues. She told the press that despite her years in vaudeville, she credited Shuffle Along with launching her career. She also used the boop-boop-be-doop frequently over the years as well!

She passed at 31 years

Baby esther jones 🖤

Esther Lee Jones (born c. 1918), known by her stage names "Baby Esther", "Little Esther", and other similar variations, was an American singer and child entertainer of the late 1920s, known for interpreting popular songs with a "mixture of seriousness and childish mischief". After gaining attention in her hometown of Chicago, she became an international celebrity before leaving the public spotlight as a teenager.in 1932, when singer Helen Kane sued Fleischer Studios, claiming that they had appropriated her persona for the voice of the cartoon character Betty Boop, the studios defended themselves by arguing that Kane's style of singing—including an infantile voice and use of the phrase "boop-boop-a-doop"—was not her own invention and was in fact inspired by Jones. The court ruled against Kane.

The age of when baby esther died is unknown for now..Just know she didn't die when she was a teenager she left the industry she didn't pass.

"What in the world does this got to do with Jupiter deross?"

Chapter 30(pt.1)

“Don’t You Forget It”

Sunlight spills through the windows, it’s early afternoon on a Thursday.

Annie’s stretched out on the couch, feet up, huffing and puffing.

She’s aggravated as hell that she can’t do what she really wants. She had plans for this maternity leave—real plans. Walking the trails, exercising, aerobics… moving her body, feeling like herself.

Now the doctor got her taking it easy.

She’s bored out of her damn mind.

Smoke is at Moore Life Lounge.

Annie stares at the ceiling for a long second… then decides—fuck it. She’s going for a walk on the trail. She’s not telling Smoke either. He’d shut that shit down instantly.

She FaceTimes Dominique

Dominique answers, sitting in her office.

Annie smiles bright.

“Hello, best friend.”

“Hey, girl.”

“What you doin?”

Dominique raises an eyebrow.

“Umm… working, Annie. What else?”

Annie huffs.

“Man, I actually miss work. I’m so bored, Domino. I don’t even know what to do.”

Dominique giggles.

“Read a book or something, Annie. Or start a TV show.”

“I’ve finished two books already, and you know I’m not a TV watcher like that anymore. Anyway, I wanted to see if you could come pick me up so we can go for a walk on the trail during your lunch break.”

Dominique side-eyes her.

“Huh? Ain’t you supposed to be taking it easy?”

“I am. It’s just walking. I can’t stand another minute in this house. I’m goin’ insane.”

Dominique shakes her head.

“Annie, it’s too hot outside. You know how it is—hot and humid as hell around this time. You need to be relaxing.”

Annie clicks her tongue.

“I’ll be okay. I have water, and it’s just for an hour. Please, best friend.”

“Does Smoke know you trying to do this?”

“Mhmm. He said it’s okay.”

Dominique narrows her eyes.

“You sure?”

“Yes. Now just come get me on yo break. I’ll be ready.”

Dominique sighs.

“I guess. You always got me doing something.”

“I know, but that’s your job. You’re the godmom.”

“Don’t guilt trip me.”

Annie laughs and hangs up.

At 12:30, Dominique picks Annie up, and they head to the trail.

The humidity is thick, heavy, suffocating. The kind that sticks to your skin. Cicadas screaming. The sun beating down like it’s got something to prove. The trees sway just enough to tease a breeze, but not enough to cool a damn thing.

Dominique looks over.

“So how you feeling?”

Annie takes a deep breath.

“I’m okay… but I feel like I’m going crazy. Smoke is treating me like I’m fragile…like I’m a child and I can’t stand it.”

Dominique shakes her head.

“Annie, you really need to chill. Smoke is just doing what a husband and father should do. He’s scared. He just wants to make sure nothing happens to you.”

She pauses.

“Besides… this is your time to relax before the babies get here. Once they do? There’s no going back. Things will never be the same. No rest. You’ll have work, Smoke, and not one—but two babies to take care of. That’s a lot.”

She looks at her seriously.

“You gotta bask in this peacefulness. Cherish it. Because soon? You’ll have crying babies who always need something. Then they’ll be walking, touching everything, fighting over everything, screaming ‘momma’ all day.”

Annie sighs.

“Damn… I didn’t even look at it like that.”

Dominique nods.

“Mhmm. So don’t get mad at Smoke.”

Right then, Annie’s phone rings.

Smoke—FaceTime.

Annie freezes internally.

She didn’t expect him to call this early, since today is inventory day and it’s the lunch rush.

She declines it quickly and texts:

“I’m on the other line. I’ll call you back.”

Dominique catches it instantly.

“Uh uh, Annie. Why you lying? He don’t know you out here, do he?”

“No.”

“Annie! Uh uh. Not you lying to me too.”

“I had to, you wouldn’t have came and got me.”

Dominique shakes her head.

“You always got me in some mess.”

“Girl, it’ll be okay.”

Smoke texts back: “Okay.”

But when he does, he sees her location at the top.

He clicks it.

The map pulls up. The trail.

His jaw tightens instantly.

Unbeknownst to Annie, that he now knows where she is.

He checks the Ring camera—doesn’t see Annie leave, but he does see Dominique’s car pass.

That means Annie snuck out the back.

Now he’s really pissed.

He grabs his keys.

Outside, the humidity hits him like a wall.

He can’t believe she’s out walking in this shit.

Now he’s beyond pissed.

Back at the trail…

The girls are still walking.

Annie starts struggling.

She suddenly stops, hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.

Dominique’s tone shifts instantly.

“Annie, are you okay?”

Annie grips her arm.

I’m fine,” Annie pants. “Girl, you soundin like Michael Jackson. I just need a minute. It’s hot as hell.”

Dominique shakes her head.

“See, I told you—”

“Don’t start,” Annie cuts in. “I’m okay. I just need a minute.”

“Uh-uh. Smoke gon’ kill both of us when he finds out.”

“He’s not gonna find out. He’s at work.”

Dominique snorts.

“Smoke doesn’t have a schedule, Annie. He’s the boss. And you ignoring his calls? You better hope he don’t pop up at home.”

Annie straightens.

“He’s not.”

She lifts her shirt over her head, leaving her sports bra on.

Dominique stares.

“Look at you—showing out. Belly out, titties sitting high—girl, put a damn shirt on before we get back to the house.”

“I will. I just need to cool down.”

“Drink some water.”

Annie takes a long sip from her Stanley.

Suddenly she feels a kick.

She jumps and laughs.

Dominique perks up.

“What? Contraction?”

“No, one of them kicked!”

Dominique drops down instantly.

“Oh shoot! Let me talk to my babies.”

She kneels.

“Hey, TT babies! It’s your Auntie Dominique—the fun one. Not the boring ones.”

Annie laughs.

“Girl, don’t get them riled up. Smoke already does enough of that shit.”

Another kick, right into Dominique’s hand.

She squeals.

“Too late! That’s Aniyah. I know it. She gonna be the rowdy one.”

Annie sucks her teeth.

“How you figure?”

“‘Cause she named after Dajia and we know how she is. Mine gonna be calm, like me.”

Annie stares.

“Calm? Girl, please. You used to be rowdy too.”

“I was not!”

“You used to take Tavoi through it in College!”

“That was HIM!” Dominique snaps.

Annie laughs.

“Yeah, okay. Y’all had me and Jared in the middle of y’all mess all the time.”

Dominique claps once.

“Anyway—we need to go before Smoke kills me and I need to get back to work.”

“No, don’t try and change the subject.” Annie’s says while laughing.

They take off walking again

Sometime later…

They finally come out of the trail.

Dominique squints.

“…Is that Smoke?”

Annie looks.

Smoke is right there in the parking lot leaning against the front of his car, staring directly at her.

Her heart drops straight to her ass.

She pretends not to see him and walks to Dominique’s car.

Smoke straightens, jaw tight.

She’s shirtless. Belly out. Breasts high.

His blood pressure spikes instantly.

Annie pulls the passenger handle.

Locked.

Dominique cackles.

“Unlock the door!” Annie snaps.

“Hell no. Don’t act like you don’t see your husband.”

“Domino, stop playin’.”

“I’m not.”

Smoke stands there.

Silent. Watching.

Waiting patiently for her.

But Annie doesn’t move.

She’s still standing at the car door, tugging at the handle like if she tries hard enough it’ll magically unlock.

Smoke’s jaw tightens.

Yeah… she’s playing with him now.

That patience he had?

GONE.

He pushes off the car and starts walking toward her, slow, deliberate.

Each step heavier than the last.

Annie feels him before she fully sees him—that shift in the air, that pressure.

She finally turns around.

And there he is a few feet away.

Then—he moves.

Slow. Controlled.

“Annalise Moore,” he says, voice low and even. “Stop fuckin’ playin’ wit me.”

Annie looks at Dominique.

“Don’t look at me,” Dominique says. “You lied. Gon head.”

Smoke crosses his arms.

Waits.

Annie mouths to Dominique: I hate you.

Dominique laughs.

Smoke drops his arms—losing patience.

Annie walks toward him……and keeps walking.

Past him.

To his car.

He watches her, then looks at Dominique.

“Thank you for not letting her in.”

“I got you,” she says.

He unlocks the door, helps Annie in.

Then gets in and slams his side shut.

She jumps.

The ride home—Silent. Heavy.

His jaw clenched. Eyes forward.

Annie glances at him.

“I’m sorry, Smoke. I just had to get out.”

Nothing.

At home, he opens her car door, walks behind her.

Still silent.

Inside, he goes straight to the patio.

Annie watches him go.

She knows.

He’s not just mad.

He’s hurt.

She struggles internally with going outside to apologize to him again but she knows in this moment it’s best to let him calm down.

She leaves him alone to go shower and nap.

Out on the patio, Smoke is doing everything in his power to stay calm.

His elbows rest on his knees, hands clasped tight, jaw locked.

He doesn’t understand why she keeps pushing like this—why she wants to be so damn careless.

It’s not about control.

It was never about control.

He don’t want to cage her, don’t want her feeling like a prisoner in her own life. Annie has always been free—free to move, free to go wherever she wants… as long as it’s safe.

A store. Starbucks. A movie. Anywhere that doesn’t put stress on her body.

Anywhere that doesn’t risk them.

That’s all he’s been trying to protect.

Her.

His babies.

But no matter how many times he says it—how many ways he explains it—it’s like she don’t hear him.

Or worse…

She hears him and just don’t care.

And that’s what’s really eating at him.

Not just that she went out there in that heat.

Not just that she pushed herself like that.

But that she hid it.

Snuck out. Lied to him.

Like he’s somebody she gotta get around instead of the man standing right there trying to protect her.

That part?

That shit feels like a slap in the face.

Three and a half hours later…

Annie rolls over out of her sleep.

Keith Sweat blasts through the house.

Right and a Wrong Way.

The bass shakes everything.

Vibrating through the walls.

Rattling straight through Annie’s chest.

She groans and cracks one eye open.

Lord.

Smoke—disturbing the peace.

The sound system was one of his favorite purchases in the house. He’d spent a ridiculous amount of money on it, almost as much as the one in his car and swore every dollar was worth it.

When company came over, he showed it off like a proud father.

When football was on, he turned it up.

When he cleaned, he turned it up.

And when he was in his feelings?

He definitely turned it up.

Like now.

Annie lays there for another moment listening.

Keith Sweat is practically preaching through the speakers.

The music is so loud she can feel the drums in the mattress.

She slowly pushes herself upright and rubs her eyes.

The clock reads a little after 7:00 PM.

She swings her legs over the side of the bed and stands.

The closer she gets to the hallway, the louder it becomes.

Annie finally steps into the entry of the family room.

The lyrics float toward her

🎶 So don't play no silly games with me, baby

(No, no, no, no, it's just not my fate)

No, no-no

All I need is your loving here

(Hold me tight, baby, with the joy you can bring) With the joy you can bring

Mmm, take me I'm yours (Take me)

I'm willin' (Ooh, baby)

Hold me, hold me in your arms

Hey, baby, never let go (I don't want to let you go)

You, you're all I need in this world 🎶

Smoke is sitting forward in his chair, elbows on knees, bourbon in hand, a wedding gift he hadn’t opened yet.

Bobbing his head to the beat.

🎶 You know

You know you mean the world to me, girl

(There's a good and a bad way to love somebody)

I'm gonna treat you good🎶

He finally looks over at her.

She walks in, grabs the remote and lowers the volume.

“Elijah… please don’t ignore me. I know I was wrong. I was just goin’ crazy in here. Can you forgive me?”

Nothing.

“Baby… you not gon’ say nothing?”

Still nothing.

That’s when it hits her.

He’s really hurt.

She grabs a pillow, drops to her knees in front of him.

Kisses his cheek.

“I’m sorry… you really mad at me, huh?”

He just stares. Jaw locked.

Annie leans in and kisses his lips.

He doesn’t kiss her back.

She can taste the bourbon lingering on them.

And the silence sitting heavy between them.

Then she trails down to his neck.

Smoke twitches slightly beneath her mouth.

A small reaction.

But a reaction nonetheless.

Annie decides to try and break him down another way.

A way that usually works.

A way he can never seem to resist.

Keeping her eyes locked on his, she reaches into his lap and unbuckles his belt.

Slowly. Deliberately.

She watches the conflict play across his face.

The war raging behind those dark eyes.

Smoke doesn’t stop her.

Doesn’t break eye contact.

Doesn’t say a word.

She reaches inside his pants and pulls out his dick.

Smoke lets out an annoyed grunt, but lets her continue nonetheless.

Right away she feels it start to swell.

She licks her lips.

Annie’s playing a dangerous game.

She leans forward and wraps her lips around the tip

Smoke inhales at the sensation

The music shifts to Keith Sweat— “How deep is your love”

She takes him deeper into her mouth.

Smoke swallows hard.

Annie twists her hands at the base.

While she sucks him slow and methodical.

Smoke leans back a little and watches her head bob up and down it.

Annie swallows him like she’s trying to suck the anger and hurt out through his dick.

Verse two of the song comes on

Heightening the moment

🎶 You run your fingers through my hair

You tell me you love me

You act like everything between us is alright, girl

But you know, you know that it's not true

You love me or do you wanna leave me, baby?

Tell me, girl, I can take it

Something's just not right, I don't know,

Tell me how deep is your love?🎶

She takes him deeper into her mouth touching her tonsils.

She gags a little and tears well up.

Smoke hisses and grabs her head, guiding her up and down.

She spits on it and takes it back into her mouth.

Smoke tenses at how good it feels.

He feels lethargic in her warm wet mouth, but nothing compares to that pussy.

He needs it now more than anything.

Liquor coursing through his veins and settling deep in his body.

His dick is so hard it hurts.

Even though he wants to tell her to stop, he can’t.

Smoke wants to punish her by not giving her what she wants, but how can he, when she doesn’t fight fair like this.

Annie swirls her tongue around and hollows her cheeks.

She gives him messy head.

Picking up the pace.

Twisting her hands faster.

She flickers her tongue on the tip, tasting the precum.

That’s it. Smoke can’t take it no more. He grabs the back of her head and pulls her head off him.

He gestures with his thumb for her to stand.

Annie obeys immediately.

Smoke rises to his feet and helps her up. His hand slides into the back of her hair again as he snatches her toward the sofa table.

The roughness makes her pussy cry.

She can feel the tears streaming down her legs.

Even now. Even while he’s angry.

Even when she knows what’s coming next.

Annie feels nothing but anticipation. She swallows hard.

She knows that look. Knows he’s still upset. Knows he hasn’t forgiven her yet.

Smoke steps in front of her and begins unbuttoning her shirt.

His movements are efficient. Controlled.

He tears it from her shoulders and tosses it aside.

Then he crouches down and snatches her shorts and panties down.

The entire time, he remains silent.

That silence is driving her crazy.

Because even though he’s mad at her, he’s still taking care of her.

Still helping her.

Still making sure she doesn’t have to struggle.

And somehow that makes the knot in her chest tighten even more.

Annie looks down at him.

“Baby…”

Smoke doesn’t answer.

Annie keeps going.

“I wasn’t tryna disrespect you. I wasn’t tryin’ to lie.”

Still no response.

He simply stands back up and meets her gaze.

His jaw still tight.

His expression still hard.

And Annie realizes he’s nowhere near ready to let this go.

He rips his shirt off and steps out of his pants and briefs. Eyes on her the whole time.

He physically turns her body around and makes her put her hands on the table.

Smoke doesn’t take his time.

Grabbing his dick, he shoves into her fast.

Annie thrusts forward and yelps.

His fingers dig into her hips while he starts demolishing her shit.

He stays quiet, focused.

Annie groans and grips the table,making the items on the table shake.

He reaches up and smacks her left cheek and watches her ass jiggle.

“mmm-nnngh” Annie pushes out

Then he crosses his left hand over and smacks the right cheek twice.

He grips both ass cheeks hard.

Annie squeals at him digging his nails into her ass.

Smoke is laser focused. Looking down at her cheeks while he spreads them and kneads them.

He watches his dick go in and out, watching the way her pussy creams and clings to him each time he makes his way out.

A low sound rattles in his throat.

He switches angles while he pulls his lips in between his teeth and knits his brows.

The only sounds filling the room are the music playing in the background, the sharp slaps of his hand hitting her cheeks, and the steady rhythm of his pelvis making contact with the fleshiest part of her ass.

Annie hates it.

He’s always vocal—even when he’s upset with her.

Especially when he’s upset with her.

She loves when he talks his shit to her. Loves hearing his deep commanding voice.

Loves the way he puts her in her fucking place.

But not tonight.

Tonight, he’s giving her nothing but straight dick.

Annie turns her head, trying to catch his eye.

“Ughhhh, Daddy,” she whines. “Talk to me. I said I was sorry.”

Smoke finally looks up at her.

His jaw is still locked tight.

His expression unreadable.

He doesn’t say a word.

Just keeps staring at her.

The look in his eyes makes her stomach drop.

Smoke isn’t trying to hear none of that.

Not right now.

Not after what she did.

And somehow, his silence is hitting harder than any profanity or commands ever could.

He accelerates his speed, drilling her harder, with his gaze locked on hers.

his silent way of saying ‘shut up. I don’t wanna hear it.’

“Ahhh!” Annie cries out, her voice breaking on the sound.

Every instinct in her mind tells her to run, to escape the punishment.

But her body does the exact opposite.

It welcomes it. Craves it.

The harder he goes in on her, the more she melts beneath him.

She can’t keep lookin at him, not with the way he’s snapping his hips up against her.

She turns back around and Smoke grabs a fist full of her hair and yanks her head back.

Smoke’s s heart is damn near about to beat out his chest.

He wants to pound some fuckin sense into her and since he can’t pound it into her thick head he’s gon’ pound it into her pussy instead.

His hand lands sharp against her ass cheeks over and over. Swiping across both cheeks, watching them ripple.

Annie jumps each time, gripping the table

He smacks her ass so hard it starts to turn purple.

Annie’s high-pitched cries only seem to make Smoke angrier.

He reaches up and covers her mouth, refusing to let her pull him out of whatever storm is raging inside him.

Annie’s muffled sounds fill the room.

He sticks two fingers in her mouth and she hums around them.

When he finally pulls them free, she immediately tries to speak again.

“Smoke… Daddy, I—”

His jaw tightens.

“Please,” she pleads, her voice trembling while he pummels her. “I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Talk to me.”

But Smoke doesn’t answer.

Not a word.

He reaches for the remote and turns the music up louder.

Annie’s stomach drops.

He’d rather listen to the music than to hear that bullshit she’s talking.

Pretty Ricky—Puddles is playing now

🎶 You done ran from the floor to the headboard

But baby bring that ass back

Now get that ass sliced

Now throw that ass back

While I get that ass smacked🎶

Annie goes quiet.

Smoke feels himself about to come.

He pulls out of her and turns her around.

He drops to his knees and eats her.

Eats her like she’s the best thing he’s ever tasted.

Tongue flicking on her clit, licking and slurping.

He sticks his fingers in her and presses on them hot spots.

Annie gets into it, climax building.

She thrusts up against his face.

One hand braced on the table, the other on his head.

Smoke knows his wife, knows she’s real close.

He wants to get her there, just so he can deny her.

Like a dog denied a bone.

Annie’s head is thrown back, throat exposed.

Smoke stops abruptly and Annie lifts her head immediately to look down at him.

Smoke stands up with a smug look on his face, daring her to say something.

Annie doesn’t even get a chance to before he spins her around again.

He rams into her and this time he makes sure he doesn’t hold back at all.

He makes her feel every last inch, pulling her back on it over and over.

The music’s too loud, Annie can’t even beg.

All she can do is take it. She grips the table and screeches.

She turns around to look in his eyes

And smoke stares her down.

His stare saying exactly what Annie already knows “yeah that’s right, it’s me fuckin you like this.”

Smoke smacks her ass on both cheeks

While he whines his hips.

Annie grabs his hand, looking for a life line.

He snatches it away.

His brows furrow at her audacity.

He looks at her for a second too long.

Those big doe eyes lock onto his, soft and pleading.

Usually, they would’ve gotten to him by now.

Usually, they would’ve had him softening, folding, giving in.

But not today.

The longer he looks at them, the more he feels his resolve start to crack, so he forces himself to look away.

Annie turns back around, frustrated that he didn’t give her what she wanted.

That he didn’t fold.

Smoke clenches his jaw.

His mind drifts back to her lying to him, telling him she was on the other line.

Then he thinks about him in the parking lot and seeing her act like she didn’t notice him sitting there waiting.

Like she didn’t see him at all, after she looked right at him.

Trying to get into Dominique’s car instead.

The memory reignites every ounce of anger he’d been trying to keep under control.

His rage coils so deep in his chest, it damn near strangles him.

The music stops playing from a notification and Smoke is too focused to push play.

He grips the back of her neck, only thing touching the table now his her face. He decides to make sure she never plays like that with him ever again.

He still doesn’t speak. Instead, he makes sounds every time he hits up against her, driving his thrusts home, lips pulled between his teeth.

“Mhmm.” He squeezes her neck. “Mhmm”

Annie’s mouth is open, but no sound is coming out. She can’t breathe.

Smoke keeps making his sounds for the both of them.

“Mmm.” “Mmm.” “Mmm.” “Mmm.”

He taps her ass cheeks again.

‘Smack!’ ‘Smack! ‘Smack!’ ‘Smack!’

His knees start to go weak, it’s feeling too good to him. He’s about to explode.

He grabs her ass cheeks, gives her one last thrust, and buries himself to the hilt.

He growls loud through gritted teeth and lets go.

Annie finally releases a cry.

She didn’t even get to come.

He pulls out slowly and backs away, panting.

Watching her pussy clench around nothing.

He smirks, satisfied that he denied her hers.

Annie slowly turns around and looks at him, irritated that she didn’t get hers, but deep down she knows she deserves it.

Her eyes trail down his body.

Skin glistening with sweat.

Brows knitted.

Muscles taut.

Abs rippled.

Dick still hard.

Mouth curved slightly.

Still handsome.

Still frustrating.

He lifts his chin and licks his thick lips.

Then he turns and walks to the kitchen.

A few seconds later, she hears the refrigerator door open and the sound of him pouring himself something to drink.

Annie sighs.

She follows after him, determined to keep pleading her case.

“Elijah. So you still not gon’ say nothin’to me? Damn. You want me to walk around on my knees or somethin’?”

Smoke simply drinks his water and looks at her.

No smile. No response. Nothing.

Once he’s finished, he places the cup in the sink and heads toward the bedroom, leaving Annie standing alone in the kitchen.

The silence hurts worse than any argument ever could.

Defeated, Annie finally gives up and goes to take a shower.

When she comes back out, Smoke is already in bed on his back, snoring loudly.

She stands there staring at him for a moment.

Her chest tightens.

She feels…small.

Smoke had never ignored her like this before.

Normally, intimacy could get him to open up.

Could get him talking.

Could soften him.

Not this time.

This time she knows she overdid it.

Not only because she put herself at risk.

But because she put their babies at risk too.

The thought makes guilt settle heavily in her stomach.

She knows being stubborn is her downfall every single time.

She honestly never expected Smoke to find out.

She didn’t think it through.

Didn’t stop to consider that he could see her location right there at the top of their messages.

Now she’s paying for it.

And the silent treatment is driving her crazy.

Annie turns onto her side and faces the wall.

A sudden kick presses against her stomach.

She rubs the spot gently.

“Not now, little ones. It’s bedtime. I know Mama and Papa kept y’all awake, but it’s time for sleep now. Mama needs some rest. It’s been a long day.”

Another kick answers her.

Harder this time.

Annie smiles despite herself.

The babies always seemed most active at night.

She rolls onto her back and places both hands over her stomach.

Almost immediately she feels them moving beneath her palms.

Tiny little reminders that she isn’t alone.

Her smile softens.

She can’t wait for them to get here.

Can’t wait to hold them.

To count their fingers and toes.

To see whose nose they’ll have.

Whose eyes. Whose smile.

Will she even be able to tell them apart?

The thought makes her laugh quietly.

Then she starts singing to them.

Softly. Tenderly. Almost like a lullaby.

Robin Thicke’s—The Sweetest Love

🎶 “I got the sweetest love, there ain’t nothing sweeter.

I got the sweetest love, ain’t nothing beat it.

There ain’t nothing sweeter…” 🎶

Her voice fills the darkness.

Warm. Gentle. Full of love.

Eventually she rolls back onto her side because her body is uncomfortable, but she keeps singing anyway.

Behind her, Smoke’s eyes slowly open.

His lashes flutter against his cheeks as her voice pulls him from sleep.

He doesn’t move.

Doesn’t say a word.

He just listens.

🎶 Now I got that feeling in my gut

Now I need your fire in my life

Now I wanna give you love so much

And I keep on feeling my sweet, my sweet. Sweetest love🎶

The room is dark, but he can hear every note.

Every word.

Every ounce of love in her voice.

His chest tightens unexpectedly.

Because moments like this remind him exactly who Annie is.

Beneath all her stubbornness.

Beneath all the frustration.

Beneath all the headaches she gives him.

She’s going to be an incredible mother.

He already knows it.

The way she talks to them.

The way she rubs her stomach.

The way she loves them before they’ve even gotten here.

It makes his heart ache.

His anger doesn’t disappear.

He’s still upset.

Still scared by what she did.

But listening to her sing to their daughters in the dark makes it a little harder to hold onto.

Annie keeps rubbing her stomach until the kicks finally slow.

Then stop.

She giggles softly.

“Goodnight, my babies.”

The words are barely above a whisper.

Smoke closes his eyes for a second.

Trying to resist. Trying to stay mad.

He lasts all of three seconds.

Then he rolls over. Slowly. Carefully.

He scoots up behind her until his chest presses against her back.

Without saying a word, he slides his arm around her waist and rests his hand over her stomach.

Protective. Possessive. Home.

Annie freezes.

Then releases a small breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

Relief washes through her so fast it nearly makes her cry.

She places her hand over his.

Holding it there.

Neither of them speaks.

Neither of them apologizes.

But in the darkness, wrapped around each other with his hand over their babies, it feels like the first step back to each other.

And for tonight…

It’s enough.

♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️

The next morning…

Annie awakens to Smoke kissing her neck and her cheek.

He rubs her stomach slowly and then throws her nightgown up. He fondles her breast pulling on her nipples while he sucks on her neck.

Annie gets wet instantly

Smoke slides down some and he lines himself up with her entrance.

He pushes into her slowly.

He growls at how tight she is.

Annie gasps.

Smoke lifts her leg up as he gradually picks his pace up.

Annie’s eyes are still blurry.

She struggles to focus.

Smoke’s breath is warm against her ear.

The first thing he says is,

“Yeah, wake up for me, baby.”

Annie’s heart skips at the word baby.

Maybe that means he’s not mad anymore.

He continues,

“You wanted me to be vocal. Well I’m gettin’ ready to be. ’Cause you gon’ answer to Daddy this mornin’. You understand me?”

Annie gasps and nods.

He thrust hard one time

She chokes out

“Yes!”

Yes what?!”

“Ooohh, yes, I understand, Daddy.”

“Who run this shit, Annie? Hmm?”

“Y-you do, Smoke.”

“Nah.” He shakes his head slowly. “I can’t run it.”

His mouth stays on her ear.

“Not wit the way you was just actin’.”

A muscle jumps in his jaw.

“I’m confused, baby. ’Cause yo mouth say one thing, but yo actions say another.”

Annie shakes her head desperately.

“You do, Daddy. I-I ain’t mean it.”

“So why you do it?”

His voice is calmer now, which somehow feels worse.

“Tell me.”

“I w-was bored.”

“So that’s why you lied to me?”

“I ain’t—”

“Don’t you fuckin’ dare.”

The words come out sharp enough to stop her cold.

He drops her leg automatically and slips out of her.

“Hell no. Turn over. I want you on them hands and knees now.

Annie groans and takes her time flipping over.

“Hurry up!.” He demands

She finally gets on all fours. Arch non existent, because of the babies.

Smoke lines himself up again and jams into her

Annie grips the cover

“Now what was you about to say?”

Smoke smacks her ass hard.

Annie flinches and shrieks.

“You was really about to fix yo fuckin’ mouth to say you ain’t lie to me?”

“No! No! I did lie!”

Her voice cracks.

“I’m sorry!”

“I know you did!”

Smoke shoves into her with frustration.

“Why you so damn hardheaded, Annie?”

“I don’t knowwwww, Smoke!”

Her eyes squeeze shut.

“I really don’t know!”

“Got damn!” He yells.

Smoke’s jaw is clenched, brows knitted.

“Do you want me to flip my shit or somethin’? Huh?”

His voice rises.

“Is that what it is?!”

“No! No, that’s not it, Elijah!”

“Then what is it?”

Annie shakes her head helplessly.

“I don’t knowwww.”

“Yeah, it is.”

Smoke taps her ass again.

“It gotta be. Always sayin ‘I don’t know’ You fuckin’ know!”

His jaw tightens more.

His strokes are steady, relentless, punishing.

“‘Cause ain’t no way somebody can love me the way you claim you do, know I’m worried sick about her, know I’m worried about my babies, and still do the exact opposite of what she know makes sense.”

His voice drops.

“And that’s what got me fucked up.”

He shakes his head.

“Not the mistake.”

A pause.

“It’s the fact that you knew better.”

He puts one of his legs up and goes crazy.

Annie lets out a guttural scream from how deep and how good he’s fucking her.

“You wanna be the husband or some shit?!”

Annie shakes her head, but she doesn’t answer.

Smoke smacks her ass so hard that it echoes

Annie propels forward and screams

“Ahhhh!!”

“Answer me!” Smoke snaps. “You wanted a nigga to talk so bad. I’m talkin’. Now all of a sudden yo ass don’t wanna open up that lyin’ ass mouth of yours?”

“No, Smoke! I don’t! I’m yo wife!”

He grips her hips and slows down just a little.

“Then why you won’t let me lead, baby?!”

His voice cracks with frustration.

“I’m not tryna control yo ass. I’m tryna look out for you and our babies. That’s it. But every fuckin time it matter, you push against me. We supposed to be a team.”

“We are a team! I do let you lead!”

Annie belts out.

Smoke lets out a harsh laugh.

“No, you don’t.”

His jaw flexes.

“Not when it matter.”

Smoke’s mind flashes back to yesterday. He remembers her ignoring him in the parking lot.

He gets angry all over again.

The tempo picks back up.

“Nnghhh,” Annie breathes out.

Smoke raises his voice.

“Then you had the muthafuckin’ audacity to act like you ain’t see me waitin’ on yo ass yesterday?!”

His hand comes down against her ass as he snaps his hips harder.

“You must be out yo rabbid-ass mind.”

Another hard thrust.

“So you was really just gon get in the car wit Dominique?”

Another.

“Like you ain’t have to come home to me?”

Another.

“Like I wasn’t standin’ there waitin’ on yo ass?”

Another

Annie says nothing. Because she can’t.

Because that’s exactly what she was gonna do.

She turns her head and looks back at him

Smoke sees the guilt all over her face.

He shakes his head.

“Annie, if I gotta tell yo ass to answer me one more time…”

His voice drops low. Dangerously low.

“You did all that fuckin’ apologizin’ last night.”

He huffs.

“Begged me to talk to you.”

Another shake of his head.

“And now here I am. Talkin’. Tryna get some fuckin’ answers outta you.”

His eyes lock on hers.

“Now you wanna play mute.”

A pause.

“Nah.”

His grip tightens on her hip and her ass

“You don’t get to hide now. Tell me.”

He switches that angle and hits that spot that activates her piercing screams.

Annie wails and finally answers.

“O-okay, Elijah! Yeah, I did!” she chokes out in a whisper.

Smoke smacks her ass.

“Hell no! Speak up! You was just screamin’ louder than that!”

“Shit, Smoke! Yeah, I did that! I wasn’t thinkin’! Okay?!” Her voice cracks. “I panicked! I don’t think shit through! I was wrong. I shouldn’t’ve done it!”

“You don’t never think shit through, Annalise. That’s yo problem. You never think about shit until after the fact. Until you get caught. Or Until I’m balls-deep in this pussy. Then you start realizin’ how wrong you was.”

He shakes his head.

“Let me tell you somethin’, though. If you EVER play in my face like that again in front of one of yo lil’ friends, I’m gon embarrass you in front of yo lil’ friends just like you embarrassed me.”

“Ughhhh, I’m not, Smoke.”

“Psst.” He cuts his eyes down at her. “I heard that fuckin’ line before. I’m sure I’ll have you bent over answerin’ for yo crimes like this again before my babies even get here.”

Annie whimpers.

“And stop bringin’ yo friends into shit. At the end of the day, can’t nobody save you from me. You mine.”

His voice drops lower.

“You wanna be deceitful, do that shit by yo self. They got husbands to answer to too, and you gon get them in trouble wit theirs. ‘Cause guess what? Don’t none of them play that lyin’ shit either.”

He smacks her ass again

“You the only one that likes to get fucked up, Annie. I’m sure Domino told yo ass no, at first, didn’t she?”

Annie hesitates.

Smoke smacks her ass again.

“Didn’t she?!”

“Y-yeah… at first.”

His brows shoot up. “Tell me what you told her, to get her to say yes.”

Annie whimpers and squeezes her eyes shut.

“I-I told her you said it was okay.”

Silence.

Smoke stares down at her for a long second.

Then he slowly shakes his head, pure disbelief written all over his face.

“You told that woman I said it was okay?”

Annie’s stomach drops.

“Annalise… You really sat there and put words in my fuckin mouth?”

“I- I know…”

“Nah.” He shakes his head again. “See, that’s that shit I’m talkin’ about. Not only did you lie to me, you lied on me.”

His jaw flexes and his anger shoots through the roof.

“And Domino should know me better than that. Ain’t no way in hell she believed I told yo hardheaded ass it was okay to go do some reckless shit while pregnant.”

He scrunches his face, thrust hard and buries himself to the hilt. He stays there, right on her spot.

Annie hollers, her whole body quakes. He’s balls deep and there’s no where she can run to.

Smoke growls.

“Mhmm. You feel that?!”

“Fuck! I feel it Smoke. I feel it. You too fuckin deep. I can’t take it”

“Nah, this what yo deceitful ass get. You ain’t got a choice but to take it.”

Then he thinks about her being out there at the trail with just her bra on.

He damn near chokes at the memory.

He hits her ass cheek with every word with all his might. So she can feel just how angry he is.

“And” CLAP! “You” CLAP! “Was” CLAP! “Outside” CLAP! “Showing” CLAP! “My” CLAP! “Titties” CLAP! “And” CLAP! “my”CLAP! “babies!” He hits across both cheeks back and forth.

Annie jumps with each hit and screeches.

“I was hot!” Annie yells out

“You must think I’m a nigga who can be played wit. You think just cause a nigga love you deep, and this pussy fire, you can just do whatever the fuck you want, huh?!”

Annie shakes her head

“No, Elijah I don’t! Shit!”

He grabs her by hair and yanks her up toward him.

“Bring yo lyin’ ass here.”

Her back collides with his chest.

His hand stays tangled in her hair, holding her attention.

“So you was showin’ the fuck out and just lyin’ to everybody, huh?”

“I—”

Annie can’t even get the words out.

“Go ’head. Tell another lie, Annie.”

Smoke spreads her legs further.

Other hand on her belly.

His voice drops low.

“If you ain’t have them inside you, you already know we’d be playin twister right now and I’d be murderin’ this pussy, until you couldn’t walk. I’m so damn disappointed in you.”

Annie’s throat tightens.

“I’m sorry, Elijah.”

“No, you not.”

The response comes quick. Immediate.

“You ain’t sorry. You just sorry I caught yo ass.”

His thrusts start again.

His hand drops to her thigh and squeezes.

His jaw is so tight he feels like it might crack.

“Tell the truth. For once.”

Annie squeezes her eyes shut.

“Okay… okay.” She says breathless “I’m sorry I got caught. But I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

The anger in his face shifts for a second. Not gone. Just wounded.

“Well, you did.”

His voice is quieter now, and somehow that hurts worse.

“Every time you do shit like this, it hurts me, Annie. ’Cause I don’t deserve it.”

Annie’s heart stumbles in her chest.

The disappointment in his voice hits harder than the anger ever could.

He pushes her back down and flips her over.

He lifts her left leg high.

Smoke watches her intensely. His eyes saying everything he hasn’t said.

“Look up at the mirror. Look at what happens to yo ass when you don’t listen to yo fuckin’ husband.”

Smoke shoves into her so rough that her titties shake.

Annie looks up and watches him fuck her without remorse.

She writhes and shouts profanely beneath him. “Ahhhh!” “Fuck Elijah!” “Shit!” Wait!”

Annie feels him from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet.

He squeezes the bottom of her thigh, lifting her leg more and watches himself stretch her open over and over.

Annie is about to combust.

Smoke senses it, his eyes go dark.

“Don’t you fuckin’ come. I wish you fuckin’ would”

Annie looks up at him—surprised.

“Huh? But Smoke—”

“You heard what the fuck I said.” He says cutting her off.

“But I didn’t get to come last night—”

“You think I give a fuck, Annie?”

Annie goes quiet and looks off to the side.

“Nah, don’t look away from me. Eyes on the mirror. Look at how crazy you look when yo dizzy ass fightin’ against nuttin’ for me. Just like you had me lookin’ crazy. You gon’ look crazy.”

He reaches down and rubs her nub, with his thumb.

Annie loses it.

“What the fuck, Smoke?!”

Her back arches and she smacks his hand away.

Smoke looks at her like she’s lost her damn mind. He puts that same hand above her head.

“No. Elijah, fuck that! I can’t hold it. Stop it!”

Smoke has a smirk on his face.

“You better not come, or it’s gon’ be worse for you.”

He stops touching her for a minute and just continues to drive into her.

Annie continues to watch herself in the mirror.

Her furrowed brows, her arched back.

She’s on the brink. Close. So close.

Her eyes begin to cross.

She bites her bottom lip.

Smoke leans forward, eyes locked on hers.

“Yeahhhhh… I see that shit all in yo eyes, mama.”

He shakes his head, almost laughing, but there ain’t no humor in it.

“You layin’ there fightin’ for yo life, huh? Look at you. You was feenin’ to get yo shit knocked loose. That’s why you always fuckin wit me”

His voice comes out dangerous, threatening.

“You gon’ learn to stop fuckin’ wit me, Annie. One way or another, you gon’ learn. Look at this pretty pussy cryin for me. She wanna come so bad. And all because of you I can’t let her come.”

Smoke starts to move at a more rapid speed.

Screams tear from Annie.

“Smoke wait!—“ Annie calls out “Fuck!”

She tries to push against his stomach.

“Nah. Don’t fuckin touch me Annie!”

He smacks her hand “Hold that shit! You better hold it! I’m not fuckin’ around wit you!”

Smoke taps her ass two more times.

Then he gives her one last thrust and lets go inside her.

Annie feels the warmth fill her up.

Annie grits her teeth and yells because she knows he just came and she didn’t get a chance to.

He pulls out slowly, eyes still locked on hers.

Tears stream out of Annie’s eyes.

She’s so angry because this is the second day he’s denied her hers.

Smoke climbs off of her and scoots down the bed.

He stands and looks directly in her eyes.

“Yeah, that’s what liars get—Nothin’. Don’t forget it either and don’t cry now. You wasn’t cryin’ yesterday.”

He turns and goes into the bathroom and flips on the shower.

Annie reaches down and starts to touch herself.

Something tells Smoke she’s going to try it, so he comes back out, and Annie jumps at the sight of him.

“Hell no. Get yo ass up and come get in the shower wit me. You ain’t slick.”

Annie groans.

Smoke walks to the end of the bed and pulls her toward him.

“I don’t know what you groanin for, Sit up.”

Annie sits up slowly.

He helps her up and carries her into the bathroom.

He washes her from head to toe and then cooks breakfast for her…

🌻🌹🌻🌹🌻🌹🌻🌹🌻🌹🌻🌹🌻🌹🌻🌹

Late Friday evening, Club Flexx is quiet.

The doors won’t open for another few hours, and most of the staff are busy stocking liquor, cutting fruit, and getting ready for the night.

Nyla leans against the back bar with her arms folded.

Zariah notices the pout on her face immediately.

“You still over there thinkin’ about that man?”

Nyla rolls her eyes.

“I ain’t thought about him.”

“Girl, yes you have.”

Nyla sighs.

“Stack ain’t said a word to me in a week.”

Zariah pauses while arranging glasses.

“A week?”

“A whole week.”

Nyla shakes her head.

“Before all that, he’d at least speak. Ask how work was goin’. Tell me good job. Somethin’.”

“And whose fault is that?”

Nyla groans.

“Mine.”

“Damn right.”

Zariah slides another glass onto the shelf.

“You should’ve left him alone.”

Nyla looks down.

“I know.”

The words come out quieter than usual.

“I wasn’t even tryin’ to be disrespectful.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

Nyla sucks her teeth.

“I’m serious. I just asked a question.”

“A question that wasn’t none of your business.”

Nyla doesn’t respond.

Because she knows Zariah is right.

Stack had been professional.

Respectful. Friendly.

And she’d pushed it.

Now he barely acknowledged her existence outside of work instructions.

“What if I apologize?”

Zariah immediately shakes her head.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because every time you say you gon’ leave that man alone, you find another reason to go talk to him.”

“I’m serious this time.”

“Mhmm.”

“I am.”

Zariah laughs.

“Nyla, leave that man alone.”

Nyla stares toward the office hallway.

“He probably think I’m some obsessed weirdo now.”

“Then let him keep thinkin’ that from a distance.”

Nyla lets out a long sigh.

“I just wanna tell him I’m sorry.”

Zariah points a finger at her.

“No. What you wanna do is get back in front of him.”

Nyla opens her mouth.

Then closes it.

Because she can’t even deny it.

Zariah smirks.

“Exactly.”

Nyla looks toward the stairs again.

Her stomach twists.

She hates that he’s been ignoring her.

Hates that she let herself care.

And hates even more that despite everything, she still wants to walk down the hall and apologize.

“Just leave him alone, Ny.”

Nyla nods.

But the look in her eyes says she probably won’t.

🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸

It’s the last month now, which means weekly doctor’s appointments.

Annie lays back on the exam table while the ultrasound tech moves the Doppler across her stomach.

The babies pop up on the screen almost instantly.

Smoke grins automatically.

The tech points at the monitor.

“And there’s Baby A.”

Smoke leans forward.

“Where’s Baby B?”

The tech chuckles.

“Well, Baby A is actually laying right on top of Baby B.”

Annie laughs.

“Oh wowww. So she’s on top of her sister?”

“Mhmm,” Smoke says. “I bet that’s Aniyah’s lil’ crazy self.”

Annie looks up at him.

“What makes you think it’s her? You sound like Domino now.”

“’Cause I just know.” He shrugs. “I know my babies. Anijah calm like me.”

Annie raises an eyebrow.

“Calm, Smoke?”

“Yeah. I’m very calm unless somebody tries me.”

He cuts his eyes toward her.

Annie swallows immediately.

Unfortunately, she knows exactly what that look means.

The tech glances between them, trying not to laugh.

“So,” she says, redirecting her attention back to the screen, “both babies look great today.”

Smoke’s smile softens.

His eyes stay glued to the monitor.

Even after all these months, he still looks amazed every time he sees them.

The tech prints a few images.

“Would you like pictures?”

Smoke answers before Annie can even open her mouth.

“Of course.”

The tech laughs.

“I figured that’d be your answer.”

Smoke takes the photos as soon as she hands them over.

For a moment, he just stares at them.

Two little girls.

His little girls.

Annie watches the smile spread across his face and feels her heart melt.

“You happy?” she asks softly.

Smoke doesn’t even look away from the pictures.

“Happy ain’t even the word for it, mama.”

He reaches over and squeezes her hand.

“I can’t wait to meet my babies.”

Here's part my website, more content is coming tonight.

Hidden Truth, Chapter 19 : Schemes.

CW : nothing except Ajani being a madman.

A/N : sorry for typos mistakes, grammar