Page 58 of Book Bae

“I want you resting and off your feet, Myraj.”

“I am fully capable of cooking a meal.”

“I believe that, but I said what I said.”

I giggled. “What am I gonna do with you? You’re gonna have me so spoiled when this is over.”

“This will never be over.” His declaration was firm as he stared into my eyes. After several seconds, I looked away and cleared my throat.

He stood and walked to the bags that he had unpacked earlier and removed a black satin bag from within one of them. I swung my legs to the floor and waited until he returned and sat beside me on the couch.

“What’s that?” I asked, recognizing the Mauricio Brothers Jewelers bag.

He slid out a black velvet square box. When he opened the box, there was a platinum lace diamond infinity band. It was gorgeous, and while I knew that it wasn’t an engagement ring, I knew that its meaning was very special.

“You and I have had a road paved with heartache, but we still managed to cling to the belief that romance was out there. This is my promise to you that I will always be loyal to you, devoted to making you happy, and exclusive to you and no other woman.”

“I’m not sure that I’m following you, Micaiah.”

“You ran from me once before, and I let you run. Clearly, this baby has started the race again, one that neither of us can outrun. You make me happy, Myraj, and you mean the world to me. I want more than just co-parenting; I want a relationship with you. This ring is my commitment to an exclusive relationship with you. Will you be my woman, Myraj?”

I giggled. “You’re so sweet, baby. I will be yours exclusively.”

He cupped the side of my face and kissed me passionately and intimately. If the baby hadn’t chosen that moment to kick, I probably would have spread my legs for him. Micaiah felt it, too, and he moved back and laughed.

“I think she agrees that we’re making the right move.”

I laughed, but the tears instantly started again. I knew that my position on marriage had changed, and yet, his hadn’t. I couldn’t fault him for it, because it took me a while to find my new beliefs. I wanted more with this beautiful man than I ever wanted with anyone. Yet, I could be patient until he gave me all of him.

The fact that he was making the move that he was, spoke a lot on his feelings for me. I was motivated to accept what he offered because I knew, in time, that the world would rotate at the right place so our hearts and desires would be completely aligned.

AUGUST – TWO WEEKS LATER

“Nobody said this road would be easy, but when you’ve got a G like me in your corner, you can skywalk over this shit.” –Love You Hard, MJ Stone

I held Myraj’s hand as we walked out of the doctor’s office and up front to the checkout desk. She was extremely quiet, and I could tell that she was fighting back the tears.

“Hello. Are you ready to check out?” the nurse asked as we stepped up to the window.

“Yes.”

“First and last name, please.”

“Myraj Nicholson.”

We waited patiently as the nurse typed a few keys and squinted at the screen. She looked up and stated, “She wants to see you again next week.”

“I know.”

“She also has it in here that you will have an in-home monitoring device to monitor you between your appointments.”

“I know.”

I hated that her voice had become a monotone, and she was barely engaging.

“Okay, as soon as I get your appointment scheduled, take this card across the hall to pick up your device, and they will show you how to set it up,” the nurse advised.

Myraj nodded briefly, and I stepped up beside her and took her hand in mine. We finished up the appointment scheduling before we headed across the office to pick up the device.