Between doctor's appointments, court dates with Sabrina, and trying to keep my emotions in check — now we had a whole press run to prep for.
This was for the newest season we wrapped filming months ago. Not the one with all the Taj drama — thank God — but the one where the storyline actually made sense, where Naomi and Aiden were finally finding their rhythm. The season fans had been begging for.
We had a full schedule coming up: interviews, photo shoots, sit-downs with major outlets, red carpet events. The works. Jordan wasn't playing. He wanted this season to hit harder than ever. And even though I was pregnant — still early, still not showing — I wasn't about to slow down.
What most people didn't see behind the scenes was how much pressure came with this. Not just for Zac and me as co-stars, but as a real-life couple whose off-screen chemistry kept us trending. Everything we did was under a microscope now. Every glance, every smile, every whisper during a press stop — the blogs would run wild. Especially now that the pregnancy rumors had a little more truth to them.
Jordan was pushing for a photo shoot that was "clean, classic, and intimate." His words, not mine. Translation: me and Zac in each other's space, pretending we're not already together, while also giving just enough to get the people talking.
And I knew I'd have to squeeze into some custom fitted looks that — if this nausea didn't take me out first — would have me silently praying my baby bump stayed low for a few more weeks.
Zac, of course, was acting like we were walking into some vacation shoot. He was excited, brushing off the nerves like it was just another Tuesday.
"You gonna be alright in heels?" he asked me last night, holding my foot in his hand like he was ready to start rubbing on cue.
"I'll be fine," I told him, not even looking up from my call sheet. "I'll suffer for the shots."
He smirked. "You already glowing. They don't even need to edit the pictures."
I rolled my eyes, but it was sweet. He'd been trying. That much I couldn't deny. Between all the mess, he was still making space for us — and for me. Especially now, with the baby on the way and our wedding slowly creeping closer.
So yeah, I was tired. I was over the back-to-back chaos. But I was also proud.
Of our work.
Of our growth.
Of the fact that, even with everything we had going on, we were still showing up.
So let the cameras flash. Let the fans speculate. Let the blogs write whatever they want.
This time, we weren't faking anything.
This time, we were walking into press knowing exactly who we were — on-screen and off.
But of course, it also comes with chaos — because nothing about press runs, photoshoots, or parenting a two-year-old is ever peaceful.
Now we had to make sure Kolby's nanny, Serena, was fully prepped for long hours. Like, military-style prepped.
Because Kolby? Yeah, she doesn't do well being away from us. And by "us," I really mean me — because as of the last two weeks, she's been full-on calling me Mommy like she's known me since the womb.
No more "Titi." No more hesitation.
Just "Mommy." Clear, confident, like it was always meant to be.
And honestly? It melted my heart.
But it also made leaving her harder.
Luckily, the day of our big promo shoot, Serena and Kolby were coming with us to set. It made things easier knowing she'd be nearby if she got fussy or just needed a minute with her "Mommy" and "Daddy."
