Behind Closed Doors

XXI

Beyonce Pov

I shuffled nervously in my seat as I watched my hopefully future farther in law devour the shrimp pasta the restaurant made for him.

I'm 26 now—and Im still nervous about big steps.

"Man up dumbass." Solanges words rung in my head.

"This is so good! Oh god my cholesterol is gonna suffer after this—don't tell Nika." He whispered and I laughed.

He was a humble guy, and pretty funny. When Onika told him we were dating he rolled his eyes and said "Finally." Him and I built a relationship and I was so happy to witness him mend his relationship with Onika. I knew they went through a lot together.

"I promise I won't. I actually brought you here for a reason Robert." I nervously played with the box under the table. I got her a ring. It was an engagement ring, and It sparkled with a heart on it.

"Go on." He said still stuffing his mouth. I sighed and got out the small box and watched his eyes widened and then partially choke.

"D-Damn. First date and your asking me this?" He joked and I watched him laugh as I rolled my eyes playfully. My nerves went down a little at his joke.

He wiped his mouth a little bit and eyed the ring. He then peeked back up at me. He had a faint smile on his lips.

"Beyoncé don't tell me you came here to ask for my approval on you marrying my daughter. I've been your guys #1 supporter since day one—besides Mama Tina. She even made T shirts for yall."

"I know I know It's just—you're a really good guy so I felt like—I just really wanted your official approval." I stated.  He nodded and smiled.

"Know what I like about you Beyonce?" He asked and I let him speak.

"You're respectful to her, you're sweet to her, and most importantly you did exactly what I asked you to all those years ago when she—when she-.." He never liked talking about Onikas passing out.

I could tell that shook him—when I first met him I thought he'd be a hardcore bussiness man but I realize now he was just in shock and probably in grief from seeing his daughter like that.

I know he blamed himself.

"When she was in the hospital. I asked you to take care of her. And what have you done since then?"

"Taken care of her." I said confidently. In a way she took care of me too—by just being her.

"Exactly. Plus you should know Onika isn't a material girl. She wouldn't care if you showed up with a ring or not to propose. And that one you got there is beautiful." He complimented.

"I know she's not it's just—I don't know." I sighed.

"Beyoncé—my daughter loves you. I know she does—no one makes her smile and giggle like you can. Just—my biggest fear was when she was a little girl is that she'd get married to someone that didn't treat her right—like she was unhappy in her marriage. I didn't want her to be a repeat of what happened to me." He stated.

I nodded listening. "But then you came along—you wouldn't treat my daughter unfairly. Because well—you're you. Nothing else to it. So stop worrying and marry her already." He said and I smiled.

"Thank you Robert." I said and I didn't want to get emotional and he did it for me by standing up and I hugged him immediately.

After that I drove to my mothers house. I sighed and waited at the red light thinking about well—everything.