It's Always Been You

C.1

"Crys!" Devale hollered from the living room. "you got sixty seconds to get to the car or I am leaving without you!" Just as he finished his threat she appeared at the top of the steps. "I wish you would" she said playfully. He couldn't help but smile seeing the most beautiful woman in the world. "One of these days imma show you." he said pulling her in for a kiss as she touched the bottom step. They shared a sweet kiss before she pulled away. "Weren't you saying something about being late?" Devale cut his eyes at her. "Get in the car woman" he said ushering her out the door. Devale and crystal were taking Morgan out to her first Broadway play and surprising her with adoption papers. It was going to be the vacation of all their dreams.

Morgan first came into Crystal's life when crystal began volunteering with the Big Brothers and Sisters of America foundation. It has been three years since they met at a field day thrown for children in foster care. Crystal was in charge of the dunk tank. Basically, another volunteer sat inside a tank of water hovering over it waiting for someone to hit the bullseye with their ball hard enough to dunk them. Morgan was determined to see someone get dunked, so she tried over and over to hit the bullseye at only four years old. After the fifth try, Crystal pulled her to the side and devised a plan with her. Morgan would throw the ball and Fatima would run up to the target and smash it! Morgan got back on the line and after a few others tried and missed it was time for Morgan to set the plan in motion. The volunteer had gotten comfortable, thinking so one would ever dunk him. Morgan threw the ball, and it didn't even come close but out of nowhere the volunteer went splashing loudly into the water and the crowd laughed and cheered. Morgan was so excited she jumped into Crystal's arms and crystal swung her around cheering. Ever since then they'd kept in contact with Crystal becoming her big sister. It didn't take long for Crystal to fall in love with Morgan. They'd become inseparable and after a year Crystal was Morgan's foster parent. One night before bed the girls were saying their prayers and Moran asked God to let Crystal be her forever mom. The next day Crystal and Devale started the process. Seven months later, Crystal received the best news of her life. Their application for adoption had been approved. If you were wondering, Devale was the volunteer who got dunked. He and crystal began dating a year prior to the fair and have been together ever since.

"Finally! Momma where are we going that we're all dressed up?" Morgan only believed in putting on dresses for special occasions. Usually, she would be sporting a jogger set or cargo pants. She believed in comfort.

"Ok. We are going to see Lion King on Broadway to start and grab some food afterward." Fatima confessed. She was ok with giving up half the plan. Especially since it wasn't the real surprise. Morgan's been asking to see Lion King on Broadway ever since she saw a commercial a few months ago. She'd watched some clips online about it and was determined to see it. Devale has already seen the play but it would be the first time for the girls.

"Poppa can we get sushi please? Devale looks at crystal. "What have you done to this baby? What 7 year old wants sushi?" Crystal laughed "The girl likes what she likes." Devale shook his head. "yes gummy. We can." Morgan crossed her arms and pouted "poppa you promised! My teeth are almost finished growing back!" "I'm sorry tink. I forgot" Devale said looking at her through the rearview mirror. "That's gonna cost you ice cream" Devale looked at crystal for help. None came "Ok Tink, you got it." Devale adored Morgan just as much as crystal. They blended so perfectly as a family, no one could ever question it. Devale was ecstatic that the judge allowed Crystal to adopt Morgan as a single woman. They heard so many stories of single parents being denied adoption because they didn't fit the standard mold. Standard mold being married. He and crystal talked about marriage but never seriously. They like where they were and both agreed that their marital status didn't define their relationship. It was only recently brought up again during the adoption process by their social worker. Crystal and Devale wanted to know if it was possible for the to adopt her together without them being married. They were told it was possible but it was going to be a long hard journey just based on the social worker's experience. They agreed not to complicate the case. Especially because Devale knew that whether or not it was determined by a court, Morgan was his daughter.

They arrived at the theater after parking the car a block away. Morgan's excitement was unhinged once she learned that they got her passes backstage to meet the actors after the show. They enjoyed the show from beginning to end. Morgan was leading the standing ovation at curtain call from their third-row seats. After the meet and greet they left to get Morgan's sushi. Devale reserved a Table at Sei Less while Crystal and Morgan learned a short dance backstage. If it didn't involve a two-step, it was beyond Devale. At the table, Devale announced they were going to the top of Rockefeller center to end the night. It was another stop on Morgan's to-do list while visiting the city. Morgan devoured her meal and took her ice cream to go. It was a nice day so they decided to take the 20-minute walk to their next destination and take in the views of the city as the sun started to set and the lights of NYC illuminated the night sky.

Devale ran into a trinket store that sold NYC souvenirs and purchased a pack of tissues while the ladies looked at sweatshirts and keychains. He knew he was going to need them in just a few short minutes. They arrived at the top of the Rock and there was a section roped off with a reserved sign that read "Ellis Family" Devale headed in the direction. There was a small table and two couches surrounded by bouquets of white roses and sparkling cider. Morgan was amazed at the sight. "momma what's all this for? Its so pretty!" Fatima began to speak reaching into her purse to remove a small envelope. "Well princess it's for you. last week you officially became Morgan Brielle Hayslett," Fatima said through tears as she held out the envelope for Morgan to take. She read the certificate of adoption and leaped into Crystal's arms. Devale joined in on the celebration. To Crystal's surprise, when they let each other go, Devale was on one knee. Morgan saw first and turned her around to Face Devale. She gasped in shock and her hand flew to her mouth. Crystal looked up and noticed her Parent, Devale's parents and their best friends standing behind Devale. Crystal started to ugly cry when Devale began speaking.

"Crystal. You and Morgan are my entire world. You are the reason behind my laughter. You are the reason I smile. Every day I wake up and fall in love with you over again. Never in my life would I have imagined being loved by a woman so beautiful. You are an amazing woman and an amazing mother. If you'd do me the honor of allowing me to be your husband, I have no doubt that you'll be an amazing wife. Crystal Renee Hayslett, will you marry me?" Crystal shook her head in agreement, unable to speak. Devale placed her ring on her finger, it was a two-and-a-half-carat princess cut on an 18k white gold setting. Crystal and Devale shared a passionate kiss as their families cheered on.

"Alright already!! Morgan said from the side. And the family cracked up in laughter. Devale and Crystal finally stopped kissing joining in on the laughter. Just then Devale turned to Morgan and took a knee once again. Morgan Brielle Hayslett. You are the most lovable, kind, wonderfully silly soul. You have changed my outlook on life, you've made me braver and challenged me in the best of ways. I hope to get to continue to learn and grow with you. Will you be my daughter?" he asked revealing a half-carat ring a smaller version of the ring he presented to Crystal. It was now Morgan's turn to cry. But she wasn't alone. There wasn't a dry eye on the entire rooftop. "YES!" Morgan shouted as she jumped into Devale's. The trio smothered one another in kisses and hugs and the rest of the family joined in. The night ended with a final surprise for Crystal. "momma can I go with Nanny and grandpa tonight? theyre gonna take me to Nickelodeon Universe in the morning!" Crystal looks over at her parents for confirmation before agreeing. "Sure baby! Make sure you thank them and be on your best behavior." Morgan ran off to tell her grandparents the news. After celebrating on the rooftop for two hours the group dispersed leaving Crystal and Devale alone together for the first time. Crystal's feet were killing her so they decided to ride back to their car in an uber. The entire ride, she kept admiring her ring.

"Devale, babe I cant believe you pulled this all off and I didn't have a clue. This was so beautiful babe. Thank you." she rested her head on his shoulder in the backseat of their uber. "It's not over just yet babe. There's more in store for you baby" Devale said. He could feel Crystal's excitement growing. They arrived at the parking garage, and he helped her into the car and headed to the AMAN hotel where He'd booked them a night in their Premier Sanctuary Suite. They arrived in the room and Crystal began crying all over again. Devale was running out of tissue from the pack he bought earlier. "Devale." He hushed her. "Crys, you think you've been spoiled? This is only the beginning Mrs.Ellis. I am going to give you and our daughter the world he said as he kissed her softly. "Speaking of daughters, how about we get started in giving ours a sibling." Devale began slowly

**THEY HAD SEX DAMNIT.. SOMEONE TOLD ME IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.. LET'S MOVE ON**

***hope you liked this preview. the next time I post here it will be all ten chapters of the story at once. ***

See y'all when its done.