Upside of Love

by Dominique Thomas

  “With you cheating! Don’t make this my fucking fault, Mark! You did me wrong!” Cindy growled with hatred in her eyes for Mark.

  Mark’s jaw tensed as he looked at Cindy.

  “I did, and I’m sorry, but we both know that it was never meant for us to be. I never hid how I felt about your sister, did I? You would even joke and say I should just be with her,” he replied.

  Cindy’s eyes watered and for the first time since the revelation had come out Billie did feel her pain. Billie also felt it was crazy how similar their story was to her, Malachi and Dreux’s story. They were all people playing games with each other instead of revealing their true feelings.

  “If you didn’t want to be with me, you shouldn’t have married me, Mark,” Cindy said lowly.

  “He loved you, Cindy,” Deidra said, walking in with a calmer Donny.

  Donny took a seat next to Billie, and she grabbed his hand for support. He gave her a rueful smile before slumping in the seat.

  “He loved me, and he had two kids by you? Donny is three years older than Malachi. And Dreux and Malachi are four months apart. How is that love, and why didn’t he get with you?” Cindy asked.

  Billie stared at Deidra and Mark, wondering the same thing. Deidra looked to Mark, and Billie could see it. She still loved him but couldn’t be with him because of the circumstances.

  “Because I chose school and not him. He continued to see you to get back at me, and once you had Malachi, he proposed. He only did that because I turned his proposal down,” Deidra revealed.

  “Wow, this some real-life bullshit,” Malachi said, hanging his head.

  Cindy’s tears fell down her face rapidly as she stared at Deidra.

  “And you think that going to church and paying off my debt is going to make all that you’ve done to me, okay? You are one sorry ass bitch, and you will burn in hell! I outta beat your fat ass!”

  Dreux jumped up and glared at his aunt.

  “Aye! Shit not going down like that. She didn’t make this hoe ass nigga fuck with her. He chose her, and she chose herself. Some shit you should have done because then you would be able to take care of your own shit.”

  Malachi stood and looked at Dreux. Mark stepped in between the men before they could clash.

  “Brothers shouldn’t act like this. I know things look bad, but with time, we can find a way to get along. We’re family, and nothing can change that,” he told them.

  Malachi shook his head.

  “Nah, these motherfuckas is tainted. Auntie Deidra did the same shit to my momma that this nigga did to me. We’ll never be the same cause even now he more focused on being with my baby momma than he cares bout fixing the family,” Malachi replied.

  Dreux’s head snapped back as he frowned.

  “Fixing the family? It's not up to me to do that shit. Fuck wrong with you nigga? I see now that you and your momma not wrapped too tight. Yall don’t know when to let shit go. You been fucking knew who Billie was to me and what I felt for her. Don’t get in front of your daddy and play dumb muthafucka.”

  Malachi stepped back and looked at Dreux.

  “If she was your bitch why she got my son nigga? I loved her way before your bitch ass did! What you need to be doing is getting a test done on Kylie’s fucking daughter and working on that family. Leave Kawan and Billie alone,” Malachi raged.

  Dreux waved him off as he calmly sat back down. Mark looked between the two before looking down at Billie. Billie squirmed in her seat as he gazed her way.

  “Well, damn. It looks like history fucking repeated itself. Nice to meet you, Billie, I’m Mark,” he said and held out his hand.

  Billie smiled tightly and quickly shook it.

  “Hi,” she said lowly.

  Mark cleared his throat.

  “You happy with Dreux?” he asked her.

  Billie nodded, and he glanced over at Malachi.

  “If she’s happy with Dreux what the fuck is the problem? You see where she wants to be now move on. All this whining shit is dead. I can’t erase the past and the things I missed. I did take the easy way and leave town. I’m sorry for not being man enough to face the problems and sons I had created. If you all can find it in your heart to forgive me or at least try so, I can show y’all that I’ma better man now, it took some time but I did grow up. I want the chance to show you all that I did,” he said sincerely with his eyes going from all of his sons and finally landing on Deidra.

  Cindy wiped her face as she sat up on the sofa.

  “And would that be you finishing off with Deidra where you two left off? You promised me that you wouldn’t ever be together again,” she said, slurring her words.

  Mark dropped his head while Deidra shifted from one foot to the other. She opened her mouth to speak, and Malachi jumped up.

  “Ma, it's clear they cool with being a family and nixing us out. Fuck ‘em cause we don’t need ‘em,” he said and pulled Cindy out of the room.

  Mark followed after them as Deidra looked at her sons. Sadness covered her beautiful plus-sized figure as she sighed.

  “I’m sorry boys. I know this is wrong in so many ways. You all have to forgive me,” she said and rushed out of the room as she began to cry.

  Donny shook his head while Billie stared at her man. He leaned towards her, and when his forehead pressed against her’s, she lightly pecked his lips.

  “You’ll be okay baby,” she whispered before kissing him again.

  The serene ambiance of the rooftop club had Billie feeling laxed. For the next few weeks, she was taking it easy from work to focus on her son and Dreux. They needed to re-group, re-connect, and become one again. Billie knew that if they didn’t re-fill the love and fix the problems in their relationship that soon it would be over. Nothing in life was greatly achieved without hard work, and for her family, Billie was ready to put in all the work she needed to.

  “You look beautiful as fuck like always,” Dreux complimented her and took a sip of his drink.

  Billie blushed. For the night, her ash blonde tresses were in an array of loose spiral curls that hung down her back. She wore skin-tight leather jeans with a shimmery silver half top and a fur vest.

  The rooftop was heated up nicely with fireplaces and heaters strategically placed on the roof still Billie felt the slight chill. However, the coldness didn’t take away from the moment. Finally, she was with her man in an intimate setting, receiving all of his undivided attention. Call it selfish, but Billie always wanted his attention, and that was something she would never deny.

  “You owe me a lot of I’m sorry’s and some explanations. Right?” she said, cutting straight to the chase.

  Dreux clad in black jeans that he’d paired with a black turtleneck, black diamond chain and diamond watch looked handsome as ever. Beside him sat his fur bomber that matched Billie’s vest. His intense gaze fell on her as he licked his lips.

  “You’re so pretty,” Billie giggled.

  Billie knew he hated when she talked like that, but she couldn’t help it. From his thick, silky taper to his full lips and tawny brown skin, he was a wet dream waiting to happen.

  Dreux frowned like she’d told him a sick joke. He waved her off, and his slanted eyes softened as they bored into her.

  “Cut that crazy talk out Bethany. I love you, and I’m sorry for walking out. I told you, I’ll apologize every day if I have to. I also need to give you this,” he replied and pulled a folded piece of paper from his fur. He handed it to Billie and licked his lips. “I would never lie to you. I love you too much to do some shit like that. That’s not my baby,” he told her.

  Billie read over the paperwork with a racing heart. As she read the probability with Dreux being the father at the lowest rate, it could be she sighed. She set the papers down and swallowed hard. Her eyes connected with Dreux’s and she gasped at the diamond sitting on his lap in a dark blue box.

  Dreux sat up and rubbed at the thick curly hair on his head. His intense stare pinned her to the seat
as he scooted so close to her that his knees touched her’s.

  “I love you,” he said as if she didn’t know.

  Billie’s eyes watered, and Dreux eased off the plush lounge sofa and onto one knee.

  A few people in the vicinity gasped, but Billie couldn’t focus on them. Instead, she stared at Dreux as he pulled the ring from the box and looked up at her.

  “It took me a minute to admit it because your pretty ass intimidated the fuck out of me, but I fell for you almost instantly. Your laugh, the way you talk, shit the way you smile at me when I do the littlest shit for you. I know mad niggas that search for what I have. You were put here for me, and it’s not a doubt in my mind that I will never love anyone else the way I love you, Bethany. For any tears I brought your way, I apologize. Will, you finally marry me?” he asked and cracked a confident smile.

  Billie nodded with tears streaming down her face.

  “Of’course, I will. This has been a long time coming. Now kiss me like you love me,” she demanded happily.

  Dreux placed the solitaire diamond onto her slender finger, and instantly Billie felt the weight of the precious stone. She gasped, realizing that this was real. She would soon be the man that she loved wife. More tears fell from her eyes at that revelation. Dreux leaned up and pulled her into his arms. His eyes bored into her as he shoved his tongue into her mouth, and sensually kissed her.

  He kissed her so good she moaned.

  Her body relaxed for him, and she felt her worries wash away.

  As Billie pulled back from the kiss, her phone began to vibrate. She pulled it from her clutch and sucked her teeth when Reese’s name slid across the screen.

  “Why is she calling me?”

  Dreux looked at the screen and grabbed the phone. He declined the call and looked at Billie.

  “Tonight’s about us, fuck that crazy ass girl. Come on,” he said and helped her stand.

  Billie was all smiles as she exited the club with Dreux. They took his car back to their home, and Billie was met with more surprises. Candles had been lit all over their home along with a kitchen lined with her favorite fruits. Billie slipped off her heeled boots and walked around the island. The chocolate fountain sat in the center of the marble island, and it was calling Billie’s name.

  “Get naked, so I can eat some shit off you,” Dreux said, making her jump.

  Billie quickly did as he’d asked getting naked where she stood. Dreux took off his sweater and grabbed her hand. He picked her up and sat her next to the fountain on the island. Billie smiled sweetly as he gently rubbed her nipples.

  “I love you, Bethany,” he murmured gazing into her eyes.

  Billie’s heart warmed at his words.

  “I love you too Dreux Kawan Jones.”

  Dreux chuckled.

  “Aye, did that nigga ever check you for naming your son after me?”

  Billie shook her head. If she could have, she would have named Kawan, Dreux but she didn’t want to cause too much drama, so she’d chosen his middle name instead. And call it petty, but it was because she wished Kawan was, son and while he wasn’t biologically, he was by love.

  “Nope. I was still shocked that I was pregnant, and I did feel bad. I needed you to know that it wasn’t going to ever be a me and Malachi. It would always be Dreux and Billie so yes I named my son after you,” she said, staring into his eyes.

  Dreux swallowed hard. He scooped up a dollop of chocolate and placed it on both of Billie’s erect nipples.

  “It's about time you give me a princess ma,” he said, and before she could respond, he began to suck the chocolate off her puckered areolas.

  Billie moaned and grabbed the back of his head. As Dreux’s tongue circled her nipples, she moaned loudly.

  “Oh God,” she murmured as he pushed two fingers into her silky slit.

  Dreux devoured Billie’s nipples until she was creaming onto his fingers. He then laid her out onto the island and unbuckled his jeans. They fell slack at his narrow waist as he pulled his erect member from his black Polo boxers.

  “Open that pussy up for me,” he ordered stroking his dick.

  Billie sighed as she spread her lower lips open for her man. Dreux licked his lips as he slowly inserted himself into her vagina. They both groaned in unison as he moved slowly in and out of her.

  “Give me a baby. Give me a fucking baby Billie,” he demanded huskily fucking her with an intensity she’d never seen before.

  Billie gasped but managed to nod at his request. She looked up into his eyes as her thighs began to shake.

  “I’ll give you whatever you want,” she declared, and Dreux leaned down to kiss her as his member erupted inside of her pulsing, wet center.

  The next day Billie sat inside of the restaurant in Downtown Detroit with her eyes on her friend. Mickey was acting off, and she prayed it had nothing to do with pills or coke. Mickey’s attire was top notch like always, but her demeanor was different. Billie didn’t know what was going on but was sure she would get to the bottom of it.

  “I knew he would propose. You two are made for each other!” Mickey said and gave Billie a genuine smile.

  Billie gazed down at her ring and exhaled. Dreux had made love to her all night long. She was sore all over with a swollen kitty. He’d put shit down so good that she’d woken up and cooked him a seven-course breakfast with two Red Lobster gift cards on the side of his food tray.

  “I was honestly shocked. We’ve been through so much, but it worked for us. The girl isn’t his. I have my son back, and I’m happy. Things have really turned around for me,” Billie said with gratefulness washing over her.

  Mickey’s eyes saddened as she stared at Billie. She went into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. She slid it over to Billie and Billie peered down at the document. Her jaw fell slack as she read everything over.

  “Mickey, what’s going on?”

  Mickey took the paper back and placed it in her $4,000 bag. She sat up straight and shook her head.

  “She asked him to marry her, and he said yes. That bitch made motherfucka said yes so, I went to my lawyer and filed a motion. I want my son legally in my custody, and he will be free to do whatever it is that he wants. I can’t do this with him any longer Billie. So much has happened. Things you don’t know about. Sexual things,” Mickey revealed and shook her head. “Just a bullshit way to keep me reeled in. He wants his boring ass wife, and he wants me to be the lonely, available Mickey waiting on his call and I can’t. I can’t do this anymore. I refuse to,” Mickey declared.

  Billie got up from her seat and sat beside her friend. She pulled Mickey to her side, and Mickey hugged her tightly.

  “Has he been served yet?”

  Mickey shook her head.

  “I don’t think so. People will say it’s because I’m jealous, but I’m not. I need to close this door so that I can move on. Me and EJ will find our happy ending without his father. Easton and I will never be, “Mickey cried.

  Billie’s heart ached as she listened to her friend sob uncontrollably.

  “It’s okay. The same way you were there for me, I’ll be there for you. No matter what you will be okay, Mickey. God will get you through this,” Billie promised believing wholeheartedly that Mickey’s storm was about to be over. If God did it for her, then she knew he would do it for Mickey as well.

  10

  #isit2latetosaysorry

  “Look at that gorgeous chocolate skin! She’s such a beauty!”

  “Isn’t she Tonya? She’s like a little doll baby, and she has Durand’s face. It’s so weird she got everything from him,” Diana noted.

  Probably because I was mad at his silly ass, Novah thought and smiled.

  She slowly sat up on the bed as her cousin’s wife Palmer stepped into the bedroom. Palmer carried in more gifts, and Novah felt grateful. Her baby was being lavished with love from her family and friends.

  Durand’s included. His mother had even flown in his cousins to see baby Ariel and all
of the love did temporarily ease Novah’s stressed mind.

  “I’m only coming by to give her this. Quez keeps bringing home girl stuff. I swear you gone be the reason why I get knocked up again and we’re gone have a problem,” Palmer fussed.

  Novah and her mother laughed. Palmer sat the large gift bags down and looked at Novah.

  “Can I hold her?” she asked, walking towards the bed.

  Novah smiled. Palmer and Quez were as obsessed with her daughter as she was.

  “Ariel is playing possum anyway,” she joked as she passed her over to Palmer.

  “She’s Durand’s twin my goodness,” Palmer whispered gazing down at the beautiful little girl that was the spitting image of her handsome father with her dark glowing skin and pretty face.

  “Hell, yeah she is,” Durand said, stepping into the room with two Off White rolling luggage carts.

  The sound of his deep, alluring voice made Novah frown. She narrowed her eyes as she eyed his luggage’s.

  “Is that for you? Or Ariel?” she asked, not bothering to say it nicely despite the room being filled with several of their family members.

  Durand and Novah’s mom shared a look before smiling at one another.

  “Well, it’s time for me to head out,” Durand’s mom noted stepping off the wall.

  “Me included,” Diana said, standing up.

  Palmer passed Novah her daughter and kissed Novah’s cheek before clearing her throat.

  “Well, I’m sure I’ll be back in a few days. As you can see, we love her just as much as you all do. Get some rest Novah,” she said before following the mothers out of the bedroom.

  Durand changed into a pair of Fear Of God joggers and washed his hands before joining Novah on the bed. Since he’d been back, she hadn’t been cordial to him. He was pretending shit was good when it was everything but that.

  “How you been feeling?” he asked, sitting beside her on the bed.

  Novah rubbed at her sore stomach as she stared straight ahead. Her heart and her mind was once again at odds with one another. While she loved Durand and wanted to be with him, the doubts were starting to make her second guess things. He’d flown into town apologizing and claiming that she was everything but seconds best but she wasn’t so sure.