taraji h.
i cracked the car door and motioned for them to follow, finger to my lips. three little heads nodded back at me- serious, adorable, determined.
bryce wiggled in his car seat, arms stretching towards me. i scooped him up, his little body curling into my chest like he belonged there, like he always would.
autumn and winter tiptoed behind us, clutching their gift bags, whispering little, "shh!"s to each other and stifling their giggles– i unlocked the front door as quietly as i could and pushed it open, ushering them inside.
the house smelled like vanilla candles and fresh laundry– like beyoncé. home, soft, lived in.
i smiled to myself. she was here. and she had been making this place feel even more like home, even without trying.
i set bryce down gently and watched him toddle forward on unsteady feet, his dinosaur swinging from his hand. winter and autumn followed, tiptoeing like spies, eyes wide, soaking everything in. the living room was warm and golden in the morning light and there, curled up on the couch under my old HU hoodie, was beyoncé. she can't stay in bed too long unless im there holding her. she was fast asleep, her hand resting on the small of her belly.
she looked so peaceful. so soft. so....mine.
bryce was the first to move, waddling across the floor with zero concept of "sneaky."
"beyyyy!" he called out, loud and sweet. he's heard her name a million times before he even saw a face so i wasn't surprised he remembered.
i sucked in a breath to scold him, but beyonces eyes fluttered open, confusion first, and then pure joy when she saw us standing there.
"hey, baby!" she whispered, voice still rough with sleep, smiling so wide i thought my knees might give out.
"goodmorning, beautiful." i said, grinning as i closed the door softly behind us. she sat up quickly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, her face blooming into the biggest, brightest smile.
"oh my God." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, "you guys are really here. in front of me. wow"
autumn and winter raced across the room and crashed into her gently, arms wrapping around her middle.
"we wanted to surprise you!" winter said proudly, her small arms clinging tight.
"you're so pretty" autumn added shyly.
beyonces eyes filled with tears she tried to blink away as she pulled them closer, kissing the top of their heads like she'd known them forever.
"im so happy to finally meet you guys." she whispered against their hair, "you have no idea"
bryce clambered right up into her lap, making himself at home without a second thought. he babbled happily, poking at the zipper on her hoodie, and she just laughed and shifted him onto her hip like she'd done it a million times before.
"bryce!" i whispered, rushing forward, but beyonce just laughed. she shifted him so he was cuddled against her side instead of pressing down. they didn't know about the life she was carrying yet and we didn't wanna say anything until she was at least 6-7 months.
"it's okay." she mouthed to me.
i leaned against the doorframe, watching the scene unfold. warmth spreading through my chest so fast it was dizzying.
this wasn't awkward. wasn't forced. it was easy. natural.
like she had always been meant to fit here- right here, with us.
