Darker The Forbidden Berry

He cocked a brow and looked around.

“Really?”

“Really. I don’t give a sh*t about how big our house is. I care about the memories we’re going to make here. I want this place to fit us.”

“It will. We’re going to be very happy here, Aja.”

Aja nodded and kissed his nose gently before taking his hands and pulling him out of the room.

“Let’s get our room unpacked and set up. I’d really like to sleep in my own bed tonight.”

Once they were in the large room with its own massive en-suite, Finn wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her closer, kissing her neck.

“You want to sleep up here? Is that all you want to do?”

She turned in his arms and rested her hands on his shoulders before allowing them to travel down his back.

“What else did you have in mind?” She purred, brushing some of his sandy hair out of his eyes.

“I was thinking about pushing up against that shower wall. Maybe kissing every inch of your body,” he hummed, his fingers cascading down her sides.

She turned her head to the side, allowing him to kiss the delicate skin of her neck, shivering each time his lips brushed the tender skin behind her ear. Finally, she turned and kissed him adoringly, pulling away and pressing her hands to his cheeks.

“Not until the movers leave.”

He let out a playful groan and huffed, waving his hand.

“Fine – fine! I suppose there must be rules.”

Aja chuckled and settled on the edge of their bed. It had been put together earlier in the day but lacked the usual creature comforts like pillows, blankets and sheets. Finn sat beside her and took her hand gently as she looked around the room.

“Are you happy, Aja?”

Aja put her head on his shoulder and nodded, closing her eyes.

“I used to ride by these houses on my bike when I was going to school and I always imagined the wealthy successful people who lived inside them, but I never thought I would be one of those people,” she said, putting their hands in her lap. “And I don’t think I would have found myself here without you.”

“Maybe not here,” Finn said softly. “But you would have done well for yourself without me.”

Aja was not really sure she believed that, but he had a tone that told her arguing the point was useless.

“We’re here now,” Aja said, looking up at him and smiling. “That’s all that matters.”

Finn kissed the top of her head and stood, walking over to one of the many boxes scattered around the room and started to tear into it, pulling out blankets and pillows to pile on the bed. She could not help but watch him, her head tilted to the side and a pleasant smile on her face. This was the kind of domestic bliss she’d always dreamed of.

Now all of her dreams were coming true.

It took a few weeks to get the house together enough to throw a baby shower, but Aja made sure it happened. In those few weeks, she felt like she’d ballooned. There was absolutely no hiding her pregnancy anymore and she’d begun to waddle down the historic hallways of their new home.

Jaleeyah had been the first to arrive, Killian on her arm. They’d arrived in time to help set things up, refusing to allow Aja to hire someone to do it. They kept the decorations in line with the nursery decor, encouraging gifts that matched as well. After all, they weren’t sure if their little bean was a boy or a girl. They hadn’t wanted to know.

It took a few hours, but eventually, the simple decorations were set up and the food was sat out on the long bar and the pass-through window. Fancy chocolates in champagne flutes were scattered around and yellow, white and blue streamers decorated every room the guests would be in. Jaleeyah had even managed to find hand towels with storks on them.

“You did not have to go this crazy, Jaleeyah,” Aja said with a chuckle, settling into the couch as people began to file in.

“Girl, what are you talking about? Of course, I had to go crazy! This is my first niece/nephew and I want to make sure everything is perfect.” She paused and pointed a finger at Aja. “And you’re going to tell them that I’m their real auntie, right?”

“Of course,” Aja said with a chuckle.

“Then I need to go crazy! When this kid grows up and sees the pictures from this baby show, I want them to say ‘damn, auntie. You are crazy!’. That’s all I want out of life.”

Aja laughed and wrapped her arms around Jaleeyah, kissing her cheek.

“You’re amazing. You know that, right?”

People were starting to fill the room now, their plates filled with small meats and cheeses that Aja had bought from local sellers around Detroit. Most of the people coming weren’t familiar with Detroit proper and she wanted to give them a good introduction. Eventually, the room was filled with warm, smiling faces. Everyone took turns congratulating them and pilling a long oak table with gifts.

At first, Aja was surprised at how many gifts began to fill the room (especially since they’d told everyone a gift was not necessary). Then she remembered the caliber of people they were dealing with. Most of these people had more money than they knew what to do with. She was jostled from her thoughts when a giddy Allison plopped down beside her. She was holding a champagne glass that had actual champagne in it and judging by her red cheeks, this was not her first glass.

“Okay…I don’t know if this is rude or not, so if it is, just tell me and I’ll get the fu*k out of here, okay?”

Aja laughed and leaned back a little.

“I’m sure it’s fine, Allison. What do you need?”

“Can I please touch your belly?” She asked.

“Of course! It’s only rude when people don’t ask.”

Allison practically squealed, desperately looking around for somewhere to set her drink down. She finally discovered the little side table hidden by the couch and put her drink down before turning back to Aja, wiggling her fingers before pressing them to Aja’s belly.

“Hold on,” Aja said, taking Allison’s hands and moving them around for a moment.

She found the perfect spot and watched Allison’s face as the baby began to kick at their hands. Allison gasped and her eyes widened. She looked at Aja with a slack jaw before letting out an excited laugh.

“Holy sh*t that is so cool!” She gasped. “Do they do that all the time?”

“It’s definitely been happening more the closer we get to the due date.”

“I bet you guys can’t want to meet them,” Allison said with an almost dreamy sigh. “Are you ready to be a mom?”

“I don’t think anyone is ever really ready to be a mom, but I’m absolutely ready to meet the baby.”

Aja smiled and rested her hands on her belly, humming and brushing her fingers over the yellow dress that was straining against her motherly figure. It was hard to describe what she felt for this child. Like any mother, she was absolutely in love with her child. She felt protective and determined to give her baby a good life. Even with all of these good intentions, though, she still worried.