He chuckled some more before dipping his head again to suckle at her neck and ease his hands down her body to grip her buttocks.
She moaned in pleasure. “Mmmmmmmmmmmnnnnnnoooooo,” she said, her eyes wide. “Not here. Not where I teach the babies.”
“I have somewhere we can go,” he said. “Get your stuff.”
Meena eased past him to finish clearing her dress and removing her pocketbook and briefcase from the locked drawer of her desk. “I really shouldn’t have let my issues with daddy jack us up, Mann-Mann. I let my parents broken marriage scar me so much that I ignored all these dope ass models of marriage like my Mom and Kaleb, all the Strongs, even my sister and Dane. It was schizo and—”
She frowned when she turned and saw the door to the classroom was open and she was alone.
“Did I just dream that?” she asked herself, tucking everything under her arm and rushing from the classroom.
She nearly ran into him waiting just outside the door for her. “Did you hear anything I said? I just made one helluva concession speech in there.”
“I heard it, Schizo,” he teased as they walked down the hall together.
As they left the building she led him to her car. “Where’s your truck?” she asked, looking about the parking lot.
“I caught a Lyft,” he said, slipping the keys from her hand and opening the passenger door.
He walked around the car and climbed behind the driver’s seat.
“Where are we going?” she asked, buckling her seat belt.
“Home.”
“Good. I could use a bath and then I think we really need to sit and get on the same page about things,” she said, plugging her iPhone into her car charger before she dug in her briefcase for her lip gloss.
“I agree,” he said, steering the car with ease. “Dane helped me to see some things differently... but then you know that.”
He gave her a brief glance. Meena tried—and failed—at looking nonplussed.
She looked up in surprise when he pulled the car to a stop. Her brows furrowed at the sight of the yellow house. “I thought we were going to my house,” she said, leaning over to look at him through the open window when Armstrong climbed from the car.
He came around it and her eyes followed him until he opened the passenger door and extended his hand to her. She took it, stepping out onto the street beside him. “We didn’t have to stop by the house,” she said, looking up at it shaded by the towering trees. “I do love it.”
“Me, too,” Armstrong said.
“Really, Mann-Mann?” she asked as they walked up to the gate. “Maybe one day we’ll build a house together and use this as our inspiration.”
“Maybe,” he said, pulling a key ring from his pocket. “Maybe not.”
Meena looked on in shock as he unlocked the gate and stepped into the beautiful courtyard to pull it open wide for her. Almost as wide as his smile.
“Mann-Mann, what’s going on?” she asked as he took her hand in his and led her down the stone path to the front door.
He unlocked that as well. “Welcome home, Meena,” he said, stooping a bit to pick her up in his arms and carry her inside.
“Are you serious?” she asked, looking about at the high ceilings and the detail of all the beautiful woodwork as he set her on her feet in the center of the foyer. Meena turned in circles with her arms opened wide, looking up at the circular stain glass skylight that left a prism of vibrant bright colors on the wooden floors.
“Oh, it’s so damn perfect,” she sighed in happiness, pausing at the sight of a lone frame photograph on the far wall. She walked over to it and was surprised to find a photo of herself posed in front of the house. “You took this photo with your phone after one of our fake walk-throughs. I didn’t know you got it printed.”
At his silence, she turned to Armstrong.
He was on his knee with an open ring box held up in his hand.
“You’re proposing in my dream house that you bought for us?” she asked, completely blown away.
He nodded.
“Right now?” she asked.
“Yes, right now.”
“Holy shit,” Meena exclaimed, covering her face with her hands as she did a little dance. “This is sooooo dope. Wait ‘til I tell Neema.”
“Meena, focus, baby,” he said dryly.
She settled down and released a stream of air through pursed lips as she smoothed her hands down her hips. “Okay. I got it. I’m good. I’m good,” she stressed.
“Meena, my plan was just to surprise you with the house but today when you said to me that you wanted to be my wife I knew I couldn’t let the moment past. I’m just glad I followed my gut and brought the ring along with me,” Armstrong said. “This moment is the absolute best one because I know that we are here together because we both want to be. I am so thankful for every second that you have loved me and I am looking forward to every year that we will spend raising our family together in this home.”
“Our home,” she said, coming up to stand before him with her eyes bright with love.
“Our home,” he agreed.
Meena released a shaky breath.
“With every bit of my heart, I love you. I think I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you playing with your eyebrows in your rearview mirror at that red light,” he said. “I am so thankful to have back all of our memories and I want to make more with you as your husband. Marry me?”
“I thought I lost you, Armstrong,” she said, reverting to his given name. “I thought you would never come back to me but here you are. Through it all, we made it to the other side and I am so happy to have you back in my life. Welcome back, my love. I am more than happy to be your wife.”
He slid the ring onto her finger, having to hold her hand to steady the trembling. He rose and pulled her body against his as they kissed.
“I want to see the colors from the skylight on your naked body,” she said, whispering in his ear. “Is that cool?”
“Absolutely,” Armstrong said as he lowered their bodies to the floor.
EPILOGUE
One year later
Meena Ali-Mann stood in the doorway the of the nursery, smiling at the tasteful but beautiful décor in varying shades of grays and blues that Neema had designed for the imminent arrival of her nephews. Just two more weeks.
“Not much longer,” Armstrong said, coming up behind her to press his hands gently to her rotund belly.
Meena covered her husband’s strong hands with her own. “I was just thinking the same thing,” she said.
“Are you sure you still want to go to your grandparents?” he asked as they turned and descended the winding stairs.
“And miss my Nana Lisha’s cornbread dressing?” she balked. “No way.”
Meena felt cumbersome and the twins put awful pressure to her bladder, but she had been safely monitored by her doctor through her pregnancy and did well with keeping both her blood pressure and blood sugar in check. “Let’s ride, Mann-Mann,” she said, sliding her designer tote on her arm as he moved in front of her to open the front door.
She accepted Armstrong’s help down the stairs and across the stone path to the gate. “Sometimes I miss the pickup,” she said, walking out onto the street and looking at their new Chevy Tahoe with the second-row seating already complete with two car seats.
“I still use her to pull my boat when I go fishing,” he said as he opened the passenger door. “Trust me she’s glad for the rest in the garage.”
“Lord knows you got every mile out of her that you could,” she said, releasing a breath as she settled onto the seat.
Armstrong leaned in to grab the car seat belt, kissing her with a chuckle. “And we’re going to do the same with this one,” he said. “Especially with the high ass car note.”
Meena gave him a chastising look. “We can afford it just fine with your promotion, Mr. Supervisor,” she said, giving him another kiss.
He eyed her. Their faces just inches ap
art. “You know, uh, we could light the fireplace and lay out some comforters and...”
“I love you,” she began. “And I love that you love making love to me even while I’m big and round...”
“But,” he led.
“But I’m two weeks from delivering your two sons so I have enough penis in me right now,” she said, with a meaningful stare. “Okay?”
Armstrong frowned. “That was effective,” he said.
“Like a cold shower?” she added.
He kissed her again. “Absolutely,” he drawled as he backed out of the vehicle and closed the door soundly.
As he climbed onto the driver’s seat, Meena looked out the passenger window at the yellow house on the corner that they had made a home. Their happily ever after.
Any pitfalls to their love had long since been forgotten.
They made the ride to Holtsville in ease with not much traffic. Once they reached her step-grandparents, Meena found it to be everything she expected because the holidays at the Strong Ranch was always a lively affair. This Thanksgiving was no different. The Southern weather was mild enough for an overflow of family members and guests onto the front porch. The children were all outside running and playing in the front yard. The entire house was decorated in fall colors with pumpkins, cornucopia, and wildflowers. The smell of food seemed to burst into the air along with the echoes of conversation and laughter.
Everyone flocked to her to rub her belly and Meena let them have at it. She had long since given up putting up resistance. Babies in the Strong family were a big deal.
“Is Neema here?” she asked, looking around at the many faces as she stood with her hand on her hips.
“In the bathroom,” Dane said before handing Armstrong a bottle of cold beer.
“I’m right here.”
Everyone turned as Neema stepped around the corner with her protruding belly leading the way. “Hey, Twin,” she said, her hands splayed on her belly.
“Hey to you,” Meena said as her sister came to stand beside her. “I would hug you but...”
“Right,” Neema agreed.
They laughed.
Twins both pregnant with twins.
“Y’all are too cute,” Kaitlyn said as she and Lei walked outside onto the front porch.
“You two sit down somewhere before you both go into labor,” Lisha said before heading back into the kitchen with the aunts on her heels.
Meena wrapped her arm around her sister’s. “That’s fine with me,” she said, pulling her towards the den where the men were watching football.
“Right,” Neema agreed as they settled on one of the leather sofas. “This may be the only time we are free from that hot kitchen.”
The sisters began to share tales of their pregnancy as the men continued to cheer on the games and the children ran in and out of the house with exuberance. The women began to pile into the dining room setting steaming platters of food onto the custom dining room table that was long and wide enough to fit the entire family.
Meena reached over and clasped her sisters hand tightly.
Neema cried out at that. “Ow!”
Dane and Armstrong were the first to turn and eye them.
“Is it go time over there?” Dane asked.
The rest of the Strong men turned from the game to eye Neema as well.
“I think so,” Meena said with a wince.
All eyes shifted to her.
Armstrong rushed to her side, helping her rise from the seat. “When did the contractions start?” he asked.
“Before we left home,” she admitted with a one-shoulder shrug and weak smile.
Armstrong frowned as he led her across the room to the front door.
All hell broke loss.
“Meena’s having the babies,” one of the men roared.
Zaria rushed to her side. “You okay?” she asked.
Meena nodded.
“Food back in the kitchen, ladies,” Lisha said, grabbing up the pan holding the dressing.
“Damn,” one of the men swore.
“Nana Lisha, y’all don’t have to put off dinner,” Meena said.
“That food will keep,” Kael said, already reaching into his pocket for his keys. “Let’s ride everybody. Kaitlyn and Lei can stay behind and watch the kids.”
‘God I love them,’ Meena thought as they made their way down the steps to their SUV. The rest of the Strong family all piled out behind them and were also climbing in their vehicles.
“Tell Neema to make me a plate,” she called out to no one in particular in between pants and winces.
“I’m not missing my sister have her babies.”
Meena glanced back over her shoulder. Her eyes widened to see Dane helping her sister down the stairs. “Call Daddy,” she said, not having the energy to fight with her twin.
“I will,” Neema said.
“How you doin’, baby?” Armstrong asked once he helped her into the SUV.
“This ain’t a party,” she drawled.
“Which hospital?” Zaria asked.
“Summerville Medical,” Armstrong said, now behind the wheel.
Zaria closed the passenger door. “We’re right behind you,” she assured her daughter.
Meena nodded before closing her eyes against another wave of pain low in her belly. “Your sons are already hard-headed,” she said. “I told them to hold off ‘til later.”
“I wonder where they get it from,” Armstrong said with a hard side-eye at her before he drove off down the long tree-lined driveway.
Meena closed her eyes and released long breaths as Armstrong used his cell phone to call her doctor. She tried her best to keep her focus off the pain and on the gentle strokes of Armstrong’s thumb against her inner wrist.
When they pulled up to the hospital with the caravan of family members behind them, Meena waited in the SUV while Armstrong rushed into the emergency room to get her a wheelchair. She frowned when she spotted Dane rush ahead to the ER as well, leaving Neema behind in their car. “Huh?” she said, twisting this way and that in her seat to try—and fail—to look behind her.
Her frown deepened when both Armstrong and Dane came running out with wheelchairs. She opened the passenger door before her husband could reach her.
“Neema’s in labor, too,” he said before she could ask.
Twins having twins going into labor on the same day.
Meena couldn’t help but smile before another pain wiped that off her face.
The twins were soon whisked into the emergency room by their husbands with the family close behind them.
It wasn’t until long after night had fallen that both women gave birth to their children just hours apart. First Martin and Malcolm Mann. Then Hope and Faith Jackson. The family broke into such celebration that the hospital staff had to urge them all to be quiet. They did their best. And in the moments before they finally took their leave to enjoy a late Thanksgiving dinner, everyone was pleased to learn that both Meena and Neema requested to be placed in the same room after their deliveries and their requests were respectfully honored.
ALL ROMANCE BOOKS BY NIOBIA BRYANT
Special 15th Anniversary eBook Editions
Admission of Love *
Three Times a Lady
Heavenly Match *
Can’t Get Next to You
Let’s Do It Again
Count on This
Strong Family Series
Heated *
Hot Like Fire *
Gave Me Fever *
The Hot Spot *
Red Hot *
Strong Heat *
Just Say Yes (Novella)*
Welcome Back, My Love (Novella)*
Passion Grove Series
A Billionaire Affair
Tempting the Billionaire
The Billionaire’s Baby
Also Available:
Make You Mine
Want, Need, Love *
Could It Be? (Novella)
Count on This
(Novella)
Love Without Limits
* Books set in Holtsville, South Carolina (Hot Holtsville series)
ALL MAINSTREAM BOOKS BY NIOBIA BRYANT
Mistress Series:
Message from a Mistress
Mistress No More
Mistress, Inc.
The Pleasure Trap
Mistress for Hire
Friends & Sins Series:
Live and Learn
Show and Tell
Never Keeping Secrets
Also Available:
Madam, May I
ALL BOOKS WRITTEN AS MEESHA MINK
Real Wifeys Trilogy
Real Wifeys: On the Grind
Real Wifeys: Get Money
Real Wifeys: Hustle Hard
Bentley Manor/Hoodwives Trilogy
Desperate Hoodwives
Shameless Hoodwives
The Hood Life
Queen Mystery Series
Kiss the Ring
All Hail the Queen
ALL BOOKS WRITTEN AS SIMONE BRYANT
YA/Teen Fiction:
Pace Academy Novels/Pacesetters Series:
Fabulous
Famous
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Niobia Bryant is the award-winning and national bestselling author of more than thirty works of romance and commercial mainstream fiction. Twice she has won RT Magazine's Best African-American/Multicultural Romance Award. Her most recent book, written under the pseudonym of Meesha Mink, was listed as one of the Library Journal's Best Books of 2014 (in the African-American fiction category). Also, her books have appeared in Ebony, Essence, The New York Post, The Star Ledger, The Dallas Morning News as well as many other national publications. Her bestselling book, “Message from a Mistress”, was adapted to film and broadcast on BET’s Centric channel.
“I am a writer, born and bred.
I can’t even fathom what else I would do besides
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