The Love That Grew

Ch. 36 Caught Up?

1 Month Later...

Sweat beads trickled down the bridge of her nose, heavy panting, and exhaustion were taking over but she kept going. "That's right Shae two more reps and you're done" Lo clapped from across the gym.

Jashae nodded thankful for the encouragement and the privacy of their session. Lourdes jumped at the opportunity to work out with Jashae even offering up her home gym as their staring place with all the run-ins with paparazzi lately she happily agreed.

The paparazzi had been relentless, making even the simplest tasks feel like a chore. But here, in the quiet comfort of Lo's space, she could focus on herself without the opinions of strangers.

Pushing through the last two reps and dropping the weights Jashae let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. She collapsed onto the mat, her chest rising as she tried to catch her breath.

"That's my girl!" Lo cheered, walking over with a water bottle in hand. "I knew you had some dog in you."

Jashae took the water gratefully, chugging it down as she leaned back against the cool surface of the gym floor.

"Thanks, girl," Jashae panted, offering a tired smile. "I needed this. It feels good to push myself again."

Lo grinned, wiping a bead of sweat from her own brow. "Ok and you bouta look good as hell for this awards show. Gotta let the thirsty hoes know you're the real Mrs. Rice"

Playfully rolling her eyes Jashae got up eager to get home, shower, and snuggle up with Amara. It didn't take long for her to reach the house and hear Xavier's voice coming from the nursery.

She ogled over the sight of him reading to the baby while she lay snuggled into his chest. "Hey love come here why you all the way over there?"

"I'll be back let me go shower" she hurried off towards their room ready to take a family nap.

It may have seemed simple to outsiders but the constant love, reassurance, and safety Xavier provided her was all she ever wanted. Lo's Mrs. Rice comment rang through her head as she bathed.

Being raised by grandparents they'd instilled the importance of marriage onto her. Though they'd never openly said anything she knew they were disappointed in Jamila, her mother, for having a child out of wedlock even more so when the baby father up and walked out.

Since a young age Jashae knew she'd be someone's wife but the question was did Xavier see her as one? He'd been beyond generous and patient with her all while easily transitioning into daddy mode he was a natural with Amara. But a part of her the insecure parentless little girl wondered if he'd still care if she hadn't given birth to his child.

Steam and the sweet scent of the Miss Dior shower gel she used followed her from the bathroom into the bedroom "Zay, you scared me!" Jashae jumped catching Xavier watching her from their bed.

Biting his lip, his fingers made a come here motion tightening her towel she hesitantly walked stopping between his legs.  Xavier's gaze softened as he gently tugged at the plush cloth causing it to fall, his hands warm against her skin. "You always hiding," he murmured, his voice low as he traced his fingers along her waist. "You have nothing to hide from me."

Jashae felt her heart race, her insecurities rising. "I'm not hiding," she mumbled, though the words felt like a lie. She couldn't shake the troubling thoughts in the back of her mind was she enough for him?

Xavier leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her stomach before meeting her eyes. "You don't have to say it, love. I know you've been feeling some type of way lately, but I need you to understand you're more than enough for me. Always have been."