by D. Camille
“I guess you’ll do.”
Chuckling, he headed to the kitchen and she followed. Serving up the food, they sat down to enjoy their meal.
“How much longer do we have her?” Pat asked.
“Another month or so…”
She looked at him.
“You letting her go back?”
“Do you want me to kidnap her?”
“Yeah. If that’s what it takes.” Pat told him.
Miles laughed heartily.
“She won’t let me.” He said.
“Has she been enjoying herself?”
He nodded. “I think so. She hasn’t complained.”
When his phone buzzed with a message, Miles took it out and smiled when he read it.
Good morning, baby…
He returned her message.
Good morning, baby...are you missing me?
Pat watched him wait for a response.
Always
Miles typed back.
I’m bringing you breakfast so don’t get up. I want you to stay right there, all soft and warm.
Liv agreed and Miles put his phone away.
“Go home to your woman.” Pat told him.
“I have to make another stop first, but I’ll be there soon.”
Pat put her hand over his.
“Take care of her. She’s priceless…”
“She’s told me that from day one.” Miles said with a smile.
“She’s right. You don’t find them everywhere.”
Miles sat back.
“What if she doesn’t want to stay?” he asked quietly.
“You have to give her a reason.”
“I’m doing my best.”
Pat squeezed his hand.
“Then that will be enough.” She assured him.
Leaving his mother’s home, Miles stopped by his studio to check in with Tremaine. Sitting in his office, Miles looked across the desk.
“What’s going on with Campbell’s staff?” Miles asked.
“He keeps his finger on everything. Nothing is done without his approval.”
Miles nodded. “Did you read the file from Malachi about his background.”
“Yeah. His Daddy and Granddaddy was something else.”
“The apple don’t fall far from the tree.” Miles added, then reached into his desk. “I want you to plant this in the office.”
He handed Tremaine a device.
“I got you.”
“Don’t get caught.”
Tremaine smirked. “I can do this in my sleep.”
“Well, do it awake and do it right.” Miles told him. “This will feed straight to my camera.”
“I’ll do it today.”
“Good. I’m meeting with Campbell next week for a follow-up interview, so I want all of this in place.”
Tremaine nodded. “Let’s get this dude.”
“Oh, he’s going down, but it’s going to take a lot more work.”
“The Neo Negus got it covered.”
Miles sighed. “Okay…”
“Why you be hating on us?” Tremaine asked with a smile.
“I need to see y’all do some real shit, then I’ll gas you up.”
“Sit back and watch,”
“I’ll be ready to save y’all asses.”
Tremaine laughed. “For real, we might need you.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Wrapping up with Tremaine, Miles picked up some food from one of Liv’s favorite places, then headed home. Bag in hand, he walked inside and saw Liv sitting on the sofa dressed in a short robe.
“Hey, I got food.” Miles held up the bag and she turned troubled eyes on him. “What happened?”
Liv pointed to the coffee table and Miles finally saw the box.
“Whoa…” he said softly.
“I haven’t done it, but I need to…” Liv told him.
He moved to her side and sat the bag on the table next to the box.
“You think so?” Miles asked.
Liv held his eyes and nodded slowly.
“Okay...let’s find out.”
“I don’t believe in killing babies,” Liv told him firmly.
“I’d never ask you to do that.”
She swallowed. “What will you want to do?”
Miles took her hand.
“We’ll do whatever we decide together.” He answered.
“I didn’t plan this.” Liv said quietly. “But it’s my fault...if it’s positive.”
“Baby, I think it takes two.”
Liv sighed. “I guess we should find out for sure.”
She stood and he stood with her.
Miles walked with her to the bathroom, then stood at the sink.
“Are you staying?” Liv asked, lifting a brow.
“Do you want me out?”
Lifting her robe, Liv pulled her panties down and sat on the toilet.
“It’s not like you haven’t seen it.”
He smiled. “Seen it, touched it, tasted it, smelled it…”
“I get the picture.”
Liv opened the box and removed the stick. After handing the empty box to Miles, she took the test. Finishing, she stood and sat it on the sink, while she washed her hands. Miles handed her a towel, then took her in his arms when she was done.
“How long?” he asked.
“Five minutes.”
“So I have five minutes to tell you this…” Miles began. “If we’re having a baby, then I want this child. I will be everything that you need me to be...and I will give you everything that you need.”
“I’m scared Miles.”
“I’m scared, too.” He admitted.
Pulling back, Miles looked into her face and again, saw his entire life.
“I love you, Liv.”
Liv blinked. “You what?”
“Whether you’re pregnant or not...I love you, and I want you to stay with me either way.” Miles said honestly.
“Miles…”
“You don’t know that?” He asked.
“You’ve never said it.”
“Did you feel it?”
Liv nodded. “I did, but I didn’t want to wish for something that I might not be able to have.”
“You asked for my heart, and it’s yours.”
Her eyes watered and she threw her arms around him.
“I love you, Miles.” She breathed. “I’m so glad you came for me.”
“I’m not letting you go.” He vowed.
They held one another until it was time to check the test.
“I’m so nervous.” Liv told him.
“You want me to look?” Miles offered.
“Let’s look together.”
At the same time, they both turned to where the stick lay on the counter.
Liv’s hand went to her mouth and she gasped, while Miles smiled.
“We’re having a baby, baby…” he told her and lifted her into the air.
“Oh, my God!” Liv cried, and tears rolled from her eyes.
Miles looked up at her.
“Please tell me those are happy tears.”
She sniffed and looked down at him.
“The happiest tears, I’ve ever shed.”
Liv kissed him with all the love in her heart, then Miles carried her out of the bathroom and upstairs to his bedroom. Laying her gently on the bed, he opened her robe and place a hand on her stomach.
“Are you happy?” Liv asked.
Miles couldn’t speak for a moment.
“I have no words to explain how this makes me feel. This pretty country girl is having my baby…” he whispered. “How could this happen to me?”
“Just lucky, I guess…”
He smiled. “I hope she learns your accent.”
“I hope he is everything his Daddy is...handsome, brilliant, talented, strong, and loving.”
“You think that’s me?” Miles asked.
“No. I know that’s you.” Liv replied. “That’s why I’m here.
”
She placed her hand over his on her belly.
“And why this one will be here…” She finished.
Intertwining their hands and moving them aside, Miles kissed her belly button and Liv cradled his head. He lifted his face and smiled at her.
“What can I get you, beautiful?”
“First, some food…” Liv grinned at him.
“Then what?”
“Some love...”
Miles rubbed her stomach again still in amazement.
“It’s all yours.” He told her.
“And mine is yours…” Liv replied.
“And this...is ours.” Miles said with pride.
Chapter 21
A few days later, Miles stood by his front door waiting for Liv.
“Liv! Come on!” he called out.
“I’m coming!”
She came down the stairs and glared at him.
“What did I tell you about that yelling?”
“You yelled back.”
Liv walked over and looked up at him.
“Why are you so nervous?” she asked.
“I just want everything to be okay.” He answered touching her face.
“Everything’s fine. This appointment is just to confirm the pregnancy and get our instructions.” She explained.
“How do you feel?” Miles questioned.
“I feel fine.” Liv assured him. “So let’s go, so you can feel fine, too.”
After a soft kiss, he led her out to the truck. Miles held her hand as he drove to Khayla’s office.
“I’m glad your sister-in-law was able to get me in so soon.”
“Yeah, I don’t trust anybody else but her…”
She looked at him.
“You’re going to be a Daddyzilla, aren’t you?”
“Hell. Yeah.”
Liv laughed. “I didn’t see this coming.”
After the examination, the couple waited for Khayla, and Miles sat in the chair watching her closely as Khayla entered the room.
“Well this is a surprise,” She said, smiling at Miles.
“Tell me about it.” He replied.
With a chart in hand, Khayla moved over to Liv.
“How are you doing?” she asked.
“Nervous.” Liv answered.
Khayla smiled. “That’s understandable. This is your first baby, right?”
Liv nodded. “Yes.”
“Congratulations.” Khayla told them both.
“Thank you.” Miles grinned. “Is everything good with Liv?”
Shaking her head, Khayla answered, “Liv is perfect and you’re going to have a perfect baby. According to my calculations, you two celebrated Mathias and Taylor’s engagement right along with them.”
They both frowned.
“What?” Liv asked.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Liv and Miles looked at one another and both thought about their movie.
“Liv, it seems like you take very good care of yourself. All of your tests look good...this pregnancy should be a breeze.” Khayla shared.
“I hope so.”
“You take care of her.” Khayla told Miles. “I don’t want my little niece or nephew’s Momma having any stress.”
“He’s the one stressed.” Liv told her.
“Who? Miles?”
“He’s a Daddyzilla…”
Khayla laughed in surprise. “Really?”
Miles gave her a look. “I just want my baby taken care of…” He looked at Liv. “And her mother…”
“That’s what I like to hear.” Khayla said happily.
“Are you returning to Dallas, Liv? Will you need me to refer a doctor down there?”
Waiting for her response, Miles watched her.
“I’m here for another month at least.” Liv answered. “Then I’ll know for sure, so thanks for the offer.”
Khayla lifted a brow at Miles, who kept watching Liv.
“I have a list of new instructions for you both.” Khayla continued. “Let me know if you have any questions or concerns, but so far everything looks good.”
“Thanks, Khayla.” Miles told her.
“I will allow you two to make your own announcement, but don’t take too long...because my husband is going to be ecstatic about becoming an uncle, although he’s claimed Kyros and Kyra as his.” Khayla said with a smile.
“I’ll let you know.” Miles replied.
“Congratulations again. This is going to be such a beautiful baby.” She hugged Liv, then went over to hug Miles. “Good job.”
She left the pair in the room and Miles moved to stand in front of Liv.
“You’re still thinking about going back to Dallas?”
“I was invited for the summer.”
He nodded. “Okay, let me amend that invitation.”
“Miles…”
“I want you to stay in Detroit...for good.”
“We didn’t plan this.”
Miles agreed. “But here we are…”
“Let’s not compound one moment of passion into promises we can’t keep.” Liv told him and he frowned.
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t want you making decisions solely based on this situation.”
“Okay…”
“What I’m saying is...let’s just continue with our original plan and let things progress naturally. You may find that you want your space back.” Liv told him.
Miles cupped her face with a hand.
“I see that I’m dealing with stubborn Liv right now, so I’m going to let it ride because I don’t want to upset you.” He said softly.
“That’s probably best.” She agreed.
******
After taking Liv to lunch, Miles drove them back home. Settling on the sofa, Liv cuddled next to his side.
“Do you feel better now?” she asked.
“Yeah. How do you feel?”
Liv snuggled closer. “Surprisingly, I feel amazing.”
“Why are you surprised?”
“I came here to spend the summer with you, and now we’ve confirmed that we’re having a baby. I don’t know what’s about to happen in my life, but it feels like something wonderful.” She answered.
Miles kissed her forehead.
“You deserve wonderful.”
“When do you want to tell people?” Liv asked softly.
“I’m ready now.”
She remained silent until he lifted her face.
“What’s up?” Miles asked.
“I never imagined announcing my pregnancy like this.”
“Like what?”
She shrugged. “I can just hear the Colonel in my head.”
“You know what, let’s hold off for right now.” Miles said. “At least until we know all of our plans…”
“Okay…I think that’s best, because there will be questions.”
Miles glanced at his watch.
“I gotta go meet with this candidate.” He announced. “Can I get you anything before I leave?”
“No, I’m just going to take a nap.”
“You good?”
Liv smiled. “A little tired.”
“If you need something, call me.”
“Are you going to answer?” she teased.
“Every time…”
Kissing him softly, Liv got to her feet.
“Be careful,” she told him, and he stood with her. “I’ve seen these news stories.”
“Don’t worry about me.”
Miles went out to his truck and climbed inside. After driving off, Miles began to think. Liv was right, they couldn’t announce having a baby with her living in his house as a guest on vacation. His Mama had warned him about creating a Baby Momma and he’d vowed not to do it.
Yet, here he was. But, Liv was so much more than a Baby Momma. She was his love, his first and only love, and he had to man the fuck up. She deserved the fairytale kind of romance and although that wasn’t his forte, Miles had to make
it happen.
Both Liv and his mother had told him to give her a reason to stay. A baby wasn’t enough of a reason, telling her that he loved her wasn’t either…
He was going to need some help on this one.
******
Miles set up his equipment with Tremaine’s help to interview John Campbell. Once the man was seated, he looked at Miles.
“Is this my good side?” he asked.
“It doesn’t matter.” Miles replied. “This isn’t for entertainment purposes.”
When the session began, Miles started asking the questions.
“First, I’d like to send my condolences to you and your staff for the death of your bodyguard.” He began and Tremaine watched for the man’s reactions.
“Yes, Ryan was an asset to this whole operation. He will be missed.” Campbell replied.
“Have you received any more information on that accident?” Miles asked.
“It was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” John replied. “Ryan was doing some side work.”
“Side work.” Miles commented.
“Yes, a lot of my campaign staff also work other jobs to supplement their incomes.”
Miles nodded. “The polls show that Mayor Williams’ new initiative to fight gentrification has been highly supported by the residents. What is your take on the program and is it something that you will continue to support if you’re elected?”
“I would have to assess that.”
“What initiatives are you proposing?” Miles inquired.
“One in particular is putting a stop to vigilante or street justice.” John looked at Miles. “The citizens need to rely on our police department.”
“Even if it’s corrupt?” Miles asked.
“I’ll be working closely with the new Chief on that.”
“Do you know her?”
John smiled. “No, but I plan to make her acquaintance as soon as she’s sworn in.”
“What will you be proposing?”
“That revenge killings and people taking the law into their own hands be met with strict punishment.” John responded.
“That’s interesting.” Miles told him.
“I’ll be running on that platform.”
“Good luck.”
Miles asked a few more questions then wrapped up the filming. When everyone was out of the room, John turned to Miles.
“I know who your brother is…”
“Most of the city does…” Miles replied.
“It’s time for the city to have no Kings...only a Mayor.”
Looking at him, Miles said, “You’ll never stop them from being Kings.”