LUCIOUS & COOKIE: TUG OF WAR (REMASTERED)

THE EXPANSION

Gentle rays of glistening sunlight trickled through the atmosphere. Today's been somewhat of a calm day around the office, and I'm grateful for it because, honestly, I'm a bit tense. That damn husband of mine, I swear if I didn't love him so much, I'd probably kill his ass.

I've gotta learn how to manage my smart-ass mouth a little better cuz it caused my husband to drop more than a punishment off in my ass, and despite how much I enjoyed it, I wasn't expecting yet another pregnancy to be the result of our romp in Philly. Caught up in the moment, I'd changed my birth control the week before because of the side effects of the previous one, so I guess the adjustment left this kitchen open for business.

Thankfully, this time around hasn't been as harsh on me as carrying Laylah was, the morning sickness is frankly the worst part, but Lucious has been right there by my side to hold my hair back every time I needed him.

He was so excited when I told him about the twins last week, beyond ready to spread the news like the flu at our anniversary party, I stopped him because I just wasn't ready to deal with the responses of our boys. I honestly still ain't ready cuz I haven't been back in their lives that long, yet now me and their crazy ass daddy are getting ready to bust out two more kids and I just don't want them to feel some typa way.

I'm nervous, my chest kinda tight, as I sit beside my husband in his office while we enjoy our lunch around the table. Mind twirling with all types of negative doubts, I nibbled my lips. 

Yes, they took the news about Laylah well but that was different. I can't help but think that they'll be salty or feel like I can't be there for them because of the babies. I don't want them to end up resenting these kids because I'm here to raise them and I wasn't there for them when they were younger.

Nervously huffing, my fork slid down onto my plate, as I caressed my barely there belly then took a sip from my water, instantly feeling eyes upon me.

Unspoken apprehension radiating off me, Lu picked up my hand and planted a series of kisses along my knuckles in response to my body language, as if reading my thoughts.

"Hey, it's gonna be fine okay." He whispered, placing his hand across my stomach. "Stop worrying. It's not good for you or for them, the boys are going to understand baby. I'm sure of it alright, we're grown and so are they, their asses know where babies come from so stop stressing." He advised a jovial smile flashing, accompanied by a gentle kiss onto my hand once more, before he went back to devouring the food in front of him and I grinned.

He's eating more than me these days, ever since I told him about our second pregnancy in two years, his weird ass cravings have come front and center.

Leaning upright, I couldn't resist the urge to tease my love. "You sure you ain't the one carrying two babies over there fatso?"

He wiped his mouth, glanced over at me, then swallowed and replied. "Imma let you have that one cause, I love you." He murmured, glancing down at his watch, before putting his napkin down onto his plate. "They should be here in a few minutes." He exclaimed, I exhaled then took another sip from my glass, him rising from his seat.

"Are you sure about this Lucious?" I asked after tossing my own napkin across the table. He strolled from the bathroom after washing his hands and we both began to walk towards his desk.

"Yes, I'm sure Cookie. Why should we be hiding this, we're married, shit how the hell they think their asses got here, besides I'm tired of hidin' like we teenagers and I've figured out the perfect way to tell them without you having to even open your mouth. Just trust me Cooks, they'll be fine. I've got this." He confidently voiced.

I flashed him the side eye, what in the world is this fool planning, I asked myself because I don't know and with his ass it could be anything.

Just as I was getting ready to probe him further about this little plan of his in walked Jamal, Hakeem, Andre, and Vernon. They all took seats on the couch in the center of the room after my boys planted kisses on my cheek.