AFRO TO HIS BEATS

CHAPTER 24

NKECHI'S POV

It's hard to believe that in just a few days, my life is about to change completely. I'm lying on the couch, cradling my belly, feeling the weight of not just the twins but the anticipation of everything to come. My hand gently strokes my bump, as if to soothe them, though I think I'm the one who needs calming. Michael got back two days ago but he is in the studio, working on a track for one of his artists,......... I guess work never rest and I've got the house to myself for a little while. The stillness is a rarity these days, but it's nice to have this moment to just... breathe.

I close my eyes, but instead of drifting off into some kind of peaceful oblivion, my mind starts racing. I can't help but think of how much has changed since that day—finding out I was pregnant. It wasn't part of the plan. Not that we had some grand, detailed roadmap, but we were definitely not thinking about kids right away. I was focused on styling gigs, and Michael was in his groove producing hit after hit. The news hit me like a freight train. I still remember standing in the bathroom with the pregnancy test in my hand, my heart pounding so hard I thought it would burst through my chest. It was a moment of pure disbelief, like I was suddenly watching someone else's life.

But then I saw Michael's face when I told him. I'll never forget the look of pure shock that quickly softened into something so tender, it broke my heart. He didn't say anything at first. He just pulled me into his arms and held me close, murmuring that everything would be okay. And somehow, even though I didn't fully believe it myself, I started to feel that maybe, just maybe, it would be.

But now, on the verge of actually becoming parents, I'm feeling nervous all over again. Not about the twins themselves, but about me, about us. How are we going to handle this? The sleepless nights, the endless demands, and then trying to balance that with our careers? Michael's producing is only getting bigger, and my styling business is finally taking off. What if it all becomes too much?

I shift on the couch, trying to get comfortable. My back aches constantly now, and no position seems to relieve it for long. I'm surrounded by all the baby stuff; tiny onesies, bottles, and little socks that still look too small to be real. It's surreal. I think about Tolani and how much I've leaned on her these last few months. She's like the sister I never had, and her presence has been such a comfort. It makes me anxious, though, thinking about how she's going to cope without Rema around. I mean, it's only been one month out of his six-month tour, and I can already see the strain in her eyes, even when she tries to hide it. I mention it to Michael every time I notice her looking a little sad or distant.

"She misses him," I say aloud, even though I'm talking to myself. It's the truth, though. Tolani's not one to complain, but anyone who knows her can tell she's feeling it. Michael's the only one who seems to truly understand what she's going through, and it's been weighing on me, too. I hope she'll be okay while Rema's away. I mean, they've been so solid....... except the Thato inciddent, but six months? That's a long time.

When Michael finally emerges from the studio, he looks tired but content, a sign that whatever he's working on is coming together. He notices me watching him and gives me that soft smile that still makes my heart flip after all this time. "How are you feeling?" he asks, walking over to sit beside me.

I shrug, leaning into him as his arm slides around my shoulders. "I'm good, just... a little worried about Tolani. I don't know, Michael. I think she's really missing Divine."

Michael sighs, his thumb tracing idle patterns on my arm. "Yeah, I know. I've been thinking about that too. She tries to act like she's fine, but it's gotta be hard. She's used to him being around. He misses her too, you know"