by D. Camille
“We’re going to have a Negus and Neo Negus free city.”
“That’s important to you?”
“My main agenda.” John said in a hard tone.
Like I said before, “Good luck.” Miles picked up his equipment and walked out.
He met Tremaine and said, “Get ready…”
Leaving the headquarters, Miles drove to the FBI building. Walking inside, he stopped at the desk.
“May I help you?”
“I’d like to see Special Agent Gibbs.”
“Can I let her know who’s here?”
“Miles Johson.”
When Taylor arrived, she was surprised.
“Miles? Is Liv okay?”
“She’s fine, but I need to talk to you.”
Taylor looked concerned.
“Work or personal?” she asked.
“Both.”
“Okay…”
*****
Liv was in the kitchen at the sink when Miles returned home. He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, while bending down to kiss the side of her face.
“Here’s my pretty country girl…”
“Hello, Miles.”
“Did you miss me?” he asked.
She shrugged. “I guess.”
“You guess, huh?”
“I see you everyday.” She teased.
Miled turned her in his arms.
“Are you getting tired of seeing this face?” he asked and she stared at him.
“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing this face.”
“Do you know what I see when I look at you?”
“No. What?”
He held her gaze. “A woman so beautiful. A woman I love. And a woman that I want to spend my whole life with.”
“The whole one?”
“Every. Single. Day.”
She smiled. “Wouldn’t that be something?”
“I think so.” Miles told her. “Come sit with me.”
“Okay.”
Taking her hand, Miles led her to the sofa and seated her, before removing his jacket and placing it aside. Loosening his tie, he sat next to her and took her hand again.
“I’ve been thinking…” he began.
“Should I be nervous?”
He smiled. “I don’t think so.”
“What have you been thinking?” Liv asked.
“About us and our future.” Miles answered. “It was all fun and games in the beginning, but then shit got real.”
“Are you scared?”
“I’m scared of losing you.” He kissed her hand. “Terrified…”
Her eyes softened. “I don’t want you to be terrified.”
“I didn’t want to talk about marriage because I didn’t want you to think I was just saying it because you’re pregnant…” He paused. “But, now it doesn’t matter…”
“Why not?”
“I have too much to lose,” Miles told her.
“Do you really want to marry me Miles?” Liv lifted a brow.
“Yes.”
“I have a temper.”
He nodded. “I know.”
“I’m stubborn.”
“I know that, too.”
She stared at him.
“I have emotional baggage…”
“We all do.”
“I could just stay here and we could co-parent.”
“Hell no.”
Liv frowned.
“I’m not co-parenting my child...and there’s no way I’d stay away from you. Even if you went back to Dallas, I’d keep coming for you.” He vowed.
“You’re so damn dramatic.” Liv shook her head.
“But, I can’t ask you to marry me until I tell you something…” Miles said solemnly.
Liv felt her heartbeat increase.
“What is it?”
He paused. “I love you, Liv.”
“Oh, my God, Miles...what?”
“Before I met you, I didn’t think about kids, a wife or a life anything like that. I was out here just doing my thing and living my life.”
Liv listened closely.
“You’ve made me look at life in a whole new way, and with a baby coming, I need to step up,” Miles told her. “And part of stepping up is being honest and sharing truths about myself.”
“I don’t know if I want to hear this.” Liv said quietly.
“You have to…”
He waited until she nodded her agreement.
“I told you how I was fucking up when I was younger, and how I went to school.” Miles said quietly. “What I haven’t told you is that, I started working with Mr. Shaw while in college.”
“That’s Orion and Corvus’ father, right?”
“Yes, and he created the Negus.”
She leaned in. “Excuse me?”
“The Negus. They are a group who protects the city...and it includes Lance, Corvus, Brandon, Khalil and Orion.”
“How do they protect the city?”
“Different ways…”
“Okay…”
He continued, “So, instead of joining the Negus, I started doing missions on my own.”
She frowned.
“Missions?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m confused.”
He sighed. “I investigate crimes against the city that the police don’t or won’t take care of…then I get the work done.”
“Are you saying that you’re an undercover crime fighter?”
“That’s one way of putting it.”
“In Detroit?”
“Yes, this is my city.”
She stared at him.
“And Mr. Shaw, the nice old man I met...he trained all of you?” Liv questioned.
“He’s more than an old man.”
Miles waited for her reaction, and when she burst out laughing, he frowned.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Boy, you are a hoot!”
“A what?”
Liv stopped laughing, but had tears of mirth in her eyes.
“So, you’re the Bat Man of Detroit City?” she asked, chuckling. “Do you have a signal that shows up in the night sky?”
“I’m serious, Liv.”
“Miles, if you don’t want to get married, that’s fine...but you don’t have to make up ridiculous stories to try to make me not want to marry you. You really think I believe you’re some secret agent or something. I know you have that Detroit swag, but do I look stupid? I didn’t fall off the turnip truck.”
Miles looked at her.
“The night I forgot to pick you up from Taylor’s, I was at a house where multiple people were killed and then the guys I was with, set it on fire.” Miles informed her. “Because it’s part of the mission I’m working on right now.”
Liv paused. “That house that was on the news that night?”
“Yeah.”
“You were there?”
He nodded.
“Did you kill those people?”
“No. I didn’t...not this time.” He answered. “The woman who’d claimed to have been pregnant with my baby was one of the casualties, though...”
She put a hand to her face.
“What?’’ Liv breathed. “What happened?”
“Lots of people lying, deceiving, covering up shit…” Miles replied. “Bad drug deals, revenge, payback...you name it.”
Her eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Really.” Miles moved closer. “Now, I need you to use those secret-keeping skills.”
Liv stared at him for a long quiet moment.
“You’re really telling the truth.” She whispered.
“I am.” Miles responded honestly. “And I’ve never told another living soul…”
“Wow…” Liv shook her head. “But you told me?”
“Because it’s my life...and now you are too, baby.” He touched her stomach. “And...this is my world.”
She smiled softly at him.
“Thank you f
or trusting me…” she whispered.
“Do you have any more questions?”
“Just one.”
“What’s that?” Miles asked.
Her eyes looked excited. “Can I help you?”
Chapter 22
Liv looked around her apartment for the last time. She’d flown back to Dallas to tie up all the loose ends and make her permanent move to Detroit.
KeKe came out of the bathroom and looked at her friend.
“I’m going to miss you so much.” KeKe said, coming to hug Liv.
“You’re still coming when the baby arrives, right?”
KeKe pulled back.
“Try to keep me away from my God Baby.”
Liv put a hand on her little tummy.
“I still can’t believe this is my life.”
“You did it girl!” KeKe told her. “You got the man, the baby and the fairytale.”
“I would’ve just been happy with the man.” Liv confessed.
KeKe looked around. “He’s taking you away.”
“Yes, Miles’ business is there and his mother, who he’s very close too. He’s also working on another big documentary.” Liv explained.
“What about your parents?” KeKe asked.
“Let’s see, my mother had nothing to say...and the Colonel still thinks I’m a hoe.” Liv explained.
“You saw them?”
Liv shook her head. “No, I called. I was going to go by the house, but a phone call sufficed.”
“I’m sorry, Liv.” KeKe said sympathetically.
“I didn’t expect anything more.” Liv told her. “I have Taylor in Detroit, so I have my family there.”
“When are you telling them about the baby and everything?”
Smiling, Liv answered, “When we get back, but I wanted to tell you in person.”
“I appreciate that.”
“You’re my girl.” Liv told her. “And my baby’s godmother…”
The door opened and Miles entered with a smile.
“Country girls everywhere,” he teased, walking over to Liv and kissing her upturned face.
“Hey baby…” Liv greeted.
“Everything’s packed in the truck.” He told her.
“Thank you.”
KeKe smiled at the couple.
“Take care of our little Momma.” She told Miles, who wrapped an arm around Liv’s waist.
“No doubt.” Miles agreed.
Liv smiled up at him. “Miles takes very good care of me.”
“Are you ready to go home?” Miles asked.
“Yes.” Liv said her last goodbye, then went with Miles to the waiting car. Sitting in the back, while the driver took them to the airport, Liv laid her head on his chest.
“Tired?” he asked.
“A little. It’s been a long trip.” She answered.
“I know you’re sacrificing a lot,” Miles began.
Snuggling closer, she said, “I’m getting much more in return.”
“I love you, Liv.”
“I love you too, Miles.” She lifted her face to his. “There’s no turning back now.”
Miles took her hand. “I don’t want to go back.”
“We’ll tell everyone about the baby when we get home, right?”
He nodded. “Yes, and we’ll have another announcement.”
“We will?”
Reaching into his pocket, Miles revealed a box.
“A few weeks ago, I went to see your sister.” Miles told her. “And she connected me with Keke, who told me about a ring in a Dallas jewelry store.”
“Nooo…” Liv breathed. “KeKe remembered that.”
“She said that the two of you were out shopping one day, and you stopped in the store, and you said if a man bought you this ring, you’d love him forever…” Miles recanted the story.
Liv blinked. “I did say that.”
He popped open the bos.
“Is this the ring?” Miles asked.
With tears in her eyes, Liv nodded.
“Will you love me forever?”
“I would’ve done that without the ring.” She whispered.
Smiling, Miles slipped the jewelry from the box and onto Liv’s finger. They both looked at the ring before their eyes met.
“Will you make us a family?” Miles requested.
Liv sniffed. “Yes, I want us to be a family.”
Miles kissed her slowly and Liv wrapped her arms around him and held on tightly.
“I swear, I love you so much.”
“My baby…” Miles breathed. “I can’t live without you.”
******
“Liv! Are you ready?”
Sitting on the edge of the bed Liv frowned.
“I swear if that Negro don’t stop yelling.”
Standing, she went inside the closet they shared and got the dress she was wearing for the evening. When she came out, Miles was standing in the doorway.
“Did you hear me?”
“Of course, I heard you. You were yelling at the top of your lungs.” She stared at him. “Which I’ve asked you not to do...repeatedly.”
He smiled. “Sorry...are you ready?”
“No, I’m not, baby...but I’m getting there.” Liv said patiently.
“Can I help?”
“Is everything ready downstairs?”
Miles nodded. “The caterers are all set up.”
“Thank you.” Liv began getting dressed and Miles moved to help.
When she was dressed, he zipped the back and she turned to him.
“You look pretty, baby…”
She smiled. “You’re sweet...when you aren’t yelling.”
He laughed and pulled her close.
“I like when you yell, though.”
“I’m sure you do.”
Miles kissed her hotly, savoring her warm mouth.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into hosting this party at home.”
“It’s about time you welcomed people here.”
He frowned. “Just tonight.”
“Come on,” Liv said, shaking her head. “Let’s get down there before our guests start arriving.”
Despite his grumblings, Miles played the perfect host to Liv’s hostess, and once everyone arrived, the couple made their announcements.
“Can I have everybody’s attention?” Miles yelled, and the house got quiet.
He looked down at Liv. “See, yelling comes in handy.”
She smirked at him and he turned his attention back to their family and friends.
“Liv and I have an announcement.”
Pat yelled, “You’re getting married?”
Miles glanced at Liv. “That’s where I get it from.”
“Yes, we’re getting married.” Liv confirmed and Pat was delighted, making Lance and Khayla turn to her.
“Congratulations, boy!” Corvus yelled.
Miles laughed. “Thanks, Corvus, but there’s more…”
“More?” Lance asked, and Khayla squeezed his arm.
Putting his hand over Liv’s stomach, the guests gasped before he could speak.
“We’re having a baby.” Miles said proudly.
Pat promptly fainted and Lance caught her in his arms.
“Mama!” Miles ran to his mother’s side, while Liv stood stunned.
Taylor went to Liv’s side, while Lance, Miles and Khayla rushed Pat out of the room.
“It’s okay,” Taylor soothed Liv.
“I should go see.”
“Let Khayla check her out.”
Taylor saw the concern on Liv’s face.
“Come sit down,” Taylor told her.
Leading her sister away to a quiet room, Taylor closed the door.
“The guests…” Liv protested.
“They’ll take care of themselves for a few minutes.” Taylor took Liv’s hand. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.”
Taylor stared at her sister, and said in awe, “You’re going to be a moth
er.”
Liv nodded. “Yes.”
“Oh, Liv!” Taylor threw her arms around her. “Congratulations. I knew about the engagement because Miles asked about the ring, but I didn’t know this.”
“We wanted to surprise everyone.” Liv replied. “But, he surprised me with that ring. That thing cost a fortune.”
“You’re worth it.”
“I mean, I am...but I just couldn’t believe he’d done that.”
Taylor smiled. “He loves you.”
“I love him more.”
“My little sister is getting married and having a baby!” Taylor said happily. “And she’s moved to Detroit…”
“I’m going to be happy here with Miles. He’s shown me that he can be the man I need him to be…”
“Is he happy about the baby?”
“Good Lord, he is going to be such a pain for these next several months.” Liv rolled her eyes.
Taylor chuckled. “You’re going to love all the attention.”
“I might.”
Sitting back, Taylor asked reluctantly, “What about the people back in Dallas?”
“The Joneses?” Liv questioned.
“Yes.”
“I’m going to be a Johnson now, and I’m leaving all that negativity down there.” She hugged her stomach. “I’m not passing that on to my baby.”
“Good. I can’t wait to read your baby’s aura. I know it’s going to be red and orange all over, with you and Miles as the parents.”
“Yes, our baby will be fire…”
******
In another room, Pat laid on the bed, while her sons looked at one another.
“You gave her a heart attack.” Lance told Miles.
“No I didn’t.” Miles frowned.
“I’m going to need both of you to be quiet.” Khayla said firmly.
They continued to stare at each other, while Khayla gently awakened Pat.
“Ms. Johnson,” she called softly. “Ms. Johnson?”
Slowly Pat’s eyes opened.
“How do you feel?” Khayla asked.
“I was dreaming that Miles and that sweet girl were having a baby.” She said groggily.
Miles moved to her side. “We are, Mama.”
Pat looked at him. “You are?”
“And we’re getting married...”
She reached out and touched his face.
“I thought I dreamed all that.” Pat told him. “You did it, huh?”
“Yeah...I did it.”
“Good. You need her. She’s good for you.”
Miles agreed. “She’s everything to me.”
Lance patted him on the back.
“Congratulations,”