by Lexi Reign
"Amen," I said.
I stared down at her and she hugged me. She squeezed me tightly.
"I got you," she said. I chuckled.
"That's what I say to you," I said.
"Well, I got you, now," she said as we walked in the living room.
"We'll be back," I said to Vedo as Nia and I walked outside.
We hopped in my truck and I sped off towards this old timing diner across town.
"I want to smoke so bad, man," I said to Nia.
"No, CJ. You've done great. It's been a year. I'm very proud of you. You don't need to get high. Will it be worth starting again after you've gone so long without it" she asked.
"Honestly, you know I was doing it for you," I said to her. She smiled.
"I know, CJ, but little did you know, you were doing it for yourself," she said smiling as I pulled into the restaurant's parking lot.
When Nia and I first moved here, I brought her here to eat and she fell in love with it. She used to always say that it reminded her of this diner that she used to go to in District Heights. This'll be her second time here.
"Why is it empty and dark," she asked as I got out. I walked around to her side and opened her door.
"CJ, what is going on," she asked.
"Let me put this on you," I said as I pulled out a blindfold. She looked at me reluctantly.
"You trust me," I asked. She nodded.
"Well, let me guide you," I said to her as I put it over her eyes.
"CJ," she asked again.
"Shh, I got you," I said as I walked into the restaurant. White candles were lit all over the place and rose petals were scattered everywhere.
Her surprise is this restaurant. I stopped hustling and about a $200K was all of the clean money I had in my savings. I bought our house, which was about $150K, and investing in this restaurant took the rest. I had to buy it, then remodel it, and now I'm the legal owner.
"Surprise," I said to her as I took the blindfold off.
"Oh my God, CJ. I didn't know you had this in you" she said making me stop smiling quickly. I laughed at her. She always got jokes. I swear she's taking off of me more and more.
"You are not funny," I said fake laughing.
"I'm just playing, I love it, Calvin. I really do" she said looking around at all the decorations until she saw a framed picture on the wall.
"Is that you?" she asked laughing as she got closer.
"CJ, don't tell me that.." she trailed off as she turned around to look at me.
For months we have ridden by here and her ass would say she wanted to come back. The first week I made the purchase, she had a fit. She just knew it wasn't going to be the same food because of the new owners. Little did she know.
"OH MY GOD, CJ. You have been keeping this from me" she said squealing.
"Every time we rode by here and I said something about this place and the whole time you were the new owner," she asked laughing.
"We" I corrected her as I handed her the other set of keys.
"Our Grand Opening will be next week. It's just something I wanted to invest in so that we could maybe pass down onto our children. Plus, I knew you loved this place. I even bought the recipes from the old owner. I'm just trying to pave a better way" I said to her.
"Our children, huh," she asked.
"Yeah," I said chuckling.
"Oh, that's what you think," she said.
"That's what I know. Ain't no way you won't get pregnant behind the other night" I said as she blushed.
"Nah, don't get all shy. You nasty and I love it" I said as I pecked her lips.
"Let's eat," I said to her as I pulled her chair. She sat down and I sat in front of her.
"CJ, this is so nice. I really love it" she said smiling.
"I'm glad I could put a smile on your face. Seeing your smile makes me happy" I said to her as she picked up the menu.
"This is really thoughtful," she said as she scanned through the menu.
"Read it out loud," I said to her.
"Calvin and Nia Johnson's Date Night," she said laughing.
"Nia Johnson, huh," she asked smiling.
"For Starters: Fried Pickles, Fried Shrimp, Spinach Dip, Loaded Fries, Wings (Mild, Medium, Buffalo, Ranch, Buffalo Ranch, Lemon Pepper, Sweet Heat, Cajun, Teriyaki, Sweet Chili). For Dinner: White Rice & Pot Roast with 2 sides, Rib-eye Steak & Loaded Baked Potato with 1 side, Buffalo Chicken Tenders & Loaded Fries with 1 side, Greens/Cornbread & Baked Chicken with 2 sides, Green Beans & Tilapia with 2 sides, Fried Shrimp & Fried Catfish with 2 sides, and a 6pc. Fried Chicken Wings with choice of 3 sides" Nia read out loud, as her mouth flew open.
"CJ, are these really my choices," she asked cheesing.
"How do you expect me to just choose one? It all sounds so good" she said. I laughed.
"You can get whatever you want," I said to her.
"Read the desserts," I said to her.
"Desserts: Each dessert is served with a scoop of ice cream or whip cream. Strawberry Cheese, Turtle Cheesecake, Caramel Cake, Chocolate (Preferably your date - best served with whip cream and nuts)" she read, which made us both laugh.
"You are crazy," she said laughing.
"You love it," I said to her as my waiter, Maya, walked up and took our orders.
"CJ, this is very special. I've never felt this way before. Thank you" she said cheesing.
"You really smiling like a kid in a candy store," I said to her.
"Shut up, I'm really happy. This means so much for you to put so much thought into this" she said as Maya walked back out.
"Nice to meet you, Nia. I am your server for tonight. For your starters, we have fried pickles and a side of spinach dip" Maya, said as she sat the plates down.
"And for you, Mr. Johnson, we have buffalo lemon pepper wings," she said as she sat our drinks down.
"Also, I got you your Hennessy and Crown Royal" Maya said as she smiled and walked out.
"Damn, this smells so good. I'm going to be full off of this" Nia exclaimed.
"Girl, you better slow down. You still have to eat that big ass steak you ordered. And don't forget about dessert" I said, smirking.
BUZZZ BUZZZ BUZZZ
I looked over at Nia and her phone was vibrating. She looked scared to answer.
"Who's that," I asked.
"Vera," she said.
"Answer it," I said, shrugging as she answered.
"Hello," she asked as she put her phone on speaker.
"Hey, Nia, this is Vera. How are you doing" she asked.
"I'm doing ok, how about you," Nia asked.
"Just trying to make it. How is everybody" she asked.
"Everyone's good. Lori is growing fast as ever and CJ and Vedo are good, too" she said as I watched her.
"I know today is your birthday and I wanted to wish you a happy birthday," she said.
I already knew Vera would come around. She's about the only family member with a little goodness in her. Larenz and Maurice have it, too, but I didn't even see either one of them at Lorenzo's funeral. They didn't show up to the wait, either.
"Thank you, Vera, that means a lot," Nia said.
"And I'm sorry about the way I came at you. I was shocked and hurt, even though we kind of already had prepared for the worst while he was induced. But I still mean what I said that day at the hospital when you gave birth. And I see that you did follow your heart. I hate the way things had to turn out, but I am happy for you. I've always known CJ was a good man, and he deserves happiness, you both do. I already know he's treating you well. I still look at him like he's my son and I love you both. Love never goes away" Vera said as tears ran down Nia's face. I heard Vera crying on the phone.
"Y-Yea, he is," she said smiling at me as I reached across the table to grab her hand.
"I support y'all. If Lo would've had the choice to make you happy, he wouldn't want you with anyone else, but CJ. Nobody is going to take care of you like him. I've always seen that. He's genuine and I just wis
h favor upon both of you. I can't change the way everyone else feels, but as always I'm a phone call away. Lord knows I miss Lorenzo, but hopefully, I can see Lori and spend time with her and you and CJ. I've never been to Virginia" Vera said, sniffing.
"Yes ma'am, you're more than welcomed to come," Nia said.
"Olivia wishes you the best, and she feels the same way. We miss you and CJ. Lucky is Lucky, so you know he misses CJ. The Lord has blessed me, though, and I'm going to send you some money. I love you, both. I hope you've enjoyed your day" Vera said.
"We love you, too, and I have. But talk to you later" Nia said as they both hung up. She looked up at me.
"Wow," I said.
"Yeah, wow. I don't know what to say" Nia said.
"I told you that Vera would come around," I said to her. She laughed.
"You think you're always right," she said.
"I am," I said.
"Give me a bite," she said as I put one of my wings to her mouth. She bit it and she licked my fingers.
"Keep playing, your dessert will come out early," I said to her as she laughed.
We finished up eating and I made sure I paid Maya for all of her hard work. I locked up the diner and Nia and I walked to my truck.
"Just like you say you're proud of me, I am proud of you, too. In the past year, I've watched you grow into this man that I cannot seem to stop falling in love with. I'm very proud to be yours" she said. I smiled down at her and she wrapped her arms around my neck. I gripped her ass.
"Tonight was one of the best nights of my life," she said.
"I'm glad you've enjoyed your birthday," I said to her smiling.
"CJ, it would've not been a good one without you. Thank you for always making things easier for me. You've always been here for me and I love you for that" she said to me.
"I told you I'd always have your back, no matter what," I said to her as a cab pulled up. Vedo hopped out quickly.
"What is he doing here," Nia asked.
"I told him to," I said as I threw him my truck's keys.
"Where's my baby," Nia asked.
"Knocked out in the bed with Kel. They're both OUT" Vedo said chuckling as he showed us a picture. I smiled.
"It makes me want to have one," he said chuckling.
"You would make a good daddy, Vedo. You are growing into a good man. I'm proud of you, but wait till after school" I said to him.
"You are welcome to babysit for us. You can keep Lori and pretend like she's yours until then" Nia added.
"I guess, but y'all enjoy y'all night," Vedo said as he blasted Moneybagg Yo - Word 4 Word.
Ay you know sometimes you just writin'
Smokin' and reflectin' at the same time
Thinkin' 'bout the past, the present, the future
Talkin' to yourself, word 4 word
(Ay facts)
True it was bad, but could've been worse
I'm ridin' in a Hellcat, not a hearse
Took over at home, then jumped off the curb
Now all of my shows, they word 4 word (How you was?)
Broke so long, thought I was cursed (Yeah I had started to think there was shit wrong with me, huh)
I got some profit off my pain (I'm up)
You hear the hurt in every verse (Ay listen)
Every once in a while, I gotta remind myself, I'm that nigga (Motivate me)
Every once in a while, I go back and try to help the ones in the trenches (Where I come from)
Don't really talk to the mother of my child but we fuck every once in a while (You know how it is)
I told my lil' nigga don't take it to trial, we talk every once in a while (Word 4 word)
I shook my head at him as he sped off.
"He's going to fuck up my truck," I said as Nia laughed.
"He's having fun," she said laughing.
"So wh-.." Nia started to say as I cut her off already knowing what she was about to ask.
"Shhhh. Look" I said as a white horse carriage pulled up.
"CJ, don't play with me," she said.
"Girl, ain't nobody playing," I said laughing as we walked towards the carriage.
"How are you doing, Alexander?" CJ asked.
"I'm good. Good to see you, Calvin and Nia" he said nodding his head as the horses slowly took off.
"I love you, CJ" Nia said looking up at me.
"I love you, too, and I want you forever. I want to feel this way forever. I got you and I know you got me" I said to her as I kissed her lips.
"Forever," she asked. I smiled.
"Yeah, woman, and always," I said to her as she blushed.
"Ain't no way you get rid of me that easy," I said smiling.
"Forever and always," she said cheesing.
"And always," I said to her as I tickled her as she laughed.
I just pray that she and I can keep this bond forever and that I can keep her smiling. I love her and soon, I'll be marrying her, I just want to make sure I can fully provide for her and Lori. Nia snuggled up close to me and laid her head on my shoulder as I just enjoyed the breeze as we rode through the city.
For this is only just the beginning of our forever.
THE END.