Crew actually cracked a tiny smile at that. I could only imagine what they were like while I was gone. Pops came in last, not saying much. Just stepped up, looking me over like he was checking for holes, his grey eyes, so much like Crew’s shiny with tears he was trying not to shed. He rested his big, warm, hand on my head, like he was saying a silent prayer before he spoke.
“My girl. You came home. You’re the heart of this house and we need you to be whole.”
My throat closed as I took in his words. He bent and kissed my forehead and then Timberly’s, his voice soft as I’d ever heard it.
“Family first. Always.”
After a heavy moment we all fell into comfortable conversation mostly about my return and how happy we all were. But eventually they decided to let me rest, leaving to get breakfast ready and check on our businesses that still needed their attention. Timberly refused to leave my bed though and I wasn’t upset at all. I missed being this close to my baby. My baby wow. I had both my babies here with me. After some time, Timberly fell asleep with her face pressed to my chest, curled up in a ball, her arms holding me for dear life. Once her soft breaths evened out and I knew she was sleeping I decided this was the time to talk to Crew about what was going to happen with Kennedy. I squirm shifting, trying to get comfortable with Timberly on my lap.
“You want me to take her?” Crew asked.
“No, she's fine.”
“You need to rest. Not just for you.” He said, throwing a knowing gaze at my belly.
I froze. Did he know? He couldn’t. I wanted to be the one to tell him before all this happened, I wanted it to be special, butit looks like he may know already and from the look on his face I’m not sure how he feels. And that fact started to make me feel a little insecure.
“What are you talking about?”
“I found the test, Nova. It was in the bathroom cabinet.” he said, voice calm and even.
“Oh.” I said, not sure what else to say.
“Oh. What do you mean oh? When did you find out and why didn’t you tell me?”
“I found out the day before I was taken. I’d been feeling off and with the way my emotions were all over the place I thought I should check. Besides, we haven’t used condoms in forever and I’m not on birth control, so it was definitely possible. I planned on telling you, but I wanted it to be special. I know our agreement talks about children but I’m sure you didn’t think it would happen this fast.” I rambled.
“Why are you acting like I don’t know how babies are made? I knew what I was doing every time I came inside you. If I didn’t want this with you, I would have made sure that you were on birth control and that I was using protection. I want everything that comes with being married to you. If you haven’t realized, this isn’t just a business deal for me. Loving you is real for me. And I can’t be more thrilled that you are having my baby.” He said, kissing me tenderly on the lips. “Now let's get you and my baby some food and then we can talk about what's to come.
“Can we talk about that now?” I asked.
“No, not until you eat.” He said with finality.
August sent his brother Archer, the doctor, to check on me and the baby. He did a thorough assessment on me basically verifying what Janelle and Tyra had already found, which were superficial scrapes and cuts and a few minor bruises. I could tell how Crew hovered over me during the assessment he was going to be a pain in my ass during this pregnancy. He heldmy hand the whole time August examined me. I wasn’t able to perform an ultrasound, but he did use a doppler to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. Which turned out to be a family event when Crew couldn’t help telling everyone about the baby. After giving me a clean bill of health, he ordered me to make sure I scheduled a prenatal appointment to get a thorough exam and an ultrasound. We thanked him and then went down for breakfast with the rest of the family.
They were finishing up but sat with me while I ate. I ate like a starved woman. Which I kind of had been. Since the morning, I had been taken I hadn’t had anything but water. After we finished the meal of waffles, turkey bacon, grits, fried potatoes and onions, fruit and scrambled eggs that Tyra and Pops made I was stuffed and ready for a nap. Crew forced me back to bed to rest, carrying me like I didn’t have two feet when he caught me yawning. As soon as he sat me down, I decided that this was as good a time as any too.
“Can we talk about what you are going to do with Kennedy now?”
“Nova.” Crew groaned.
“Don’t Nova me. You said we could talk after I feed your baby. I did that so now it’s time to talk.” I snapped.
He exhaled hard. “You’re pregnant. I know you wanna be part of this. But Kennedy’s not worth it.”
“She is. She’s the key to finding her crazy ass brother and bringing this shit to an end.”
“She’s gonna talk. I’ll make sure of it.” He sighed.
“I want her to know she didn’t break me.”
“You’re not going in that room.”
“I am.”
He slammed his hand on the mattress. “You’re pregnant!”
“Crew!” I said, my voice cracking. “I need this.”
