Take Me

Part Thirteen.

Severn, Maryland:
Toni & Kenneth's House:

All of the guests left the birthday party and they all went home. Kenneth was laying down on the couch, with a sleeping Evan on his chest.

"Want me to put him in bed?" Toni whispered. Ken nodded his head and continued watching a muted basketball game. She sat next to Ken and placed his head onto her lap, and rubbed his head. He closed his eyes and felt tears fall on his forehead.

"What's the matter?" Ken asked. Toni smiled and kissed the tip of his nose. She wiped away her tears with the sleeve of her shirt.

"You're so handsome, and I love you.. That's all." Toni smiled. Ken poked out his lips indicating Toni to kiss him.

"And you're so beautiful, and I love you too.. That's all." Ken smiled. He went upstairs to place Evan into his bed, then he went back downstairs.

"Can we start the wedding planning?" Toni asked. Ken shook his head and Toni jumped into his lap. He linked both of his hands together and wrapped it around her waist.

"I have three bridesmaids and one matron of honor. Rita is a matron of honor, Tara is my bridesmaid, my other cousin, Tara's sister, Wendy is a bridesmaid, and Tara's daughter Michele is a bridesmaid." Toni said.

"I have David as my best man, and that's it." Ken said. Knowing that Ken didn't have family was heartbreaking for Toni.

"What about your brother?" Toni asked. Ken nodded his head. He hasn't seen his brother in over a year, and he's estranged.

"No, thank you. He's happily married with Nicole, and they have two kids. I'm good with me and mine. I don't need them." Ken said.

"But baby.." Toni said but Ken interrupted him.

"But baby nothing. You don't understand the hurt he caused me. Taking Nicole away from me was the one of the worst things he's ever done to me. Like he knew I loved her, but everything I had, Kevon took away from me. Seriously, Nicole was my world and so much more, and we planned our future together. By the time we would be 25, we'd be millionaires living in a big penthouse in New York City, with a dog named Chester, and have three beautiful children. Now, my dreams with her are gone and she can never come back." Ken explained. Toni felt a little jealous, just by the way he'd talk about Nicole to her.

"Are you still in love with Nicole?" Toni asked.

"No, I loved her. But why would you ask me that?" Ken asked.

"Just by the way you'd talk about her, as if you're still in love with her. Maybe I'm not good enough, I'll be upstairs if you need me." Toni said. She dragged herself upstairs, with tears heavily filled on her lower eyelids. Ken sighed and grabbed his keys. He drove to the nearest ice cream shop, and bought Toni her favorite ice cream with toppings.

"Welcome to Cold Stones, what would you like?" An employee asked.

"Hi, can I get a large cup of strawberry ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and whipped cream on top." Ken asked. The employee, Janet, made Toni's ice cream and Ken paid for it and left. He made another stop to the florist, and purchased a small vase filled with white roses. He returned home to find a sleeping Toni cuddling with his pillow. He placed the vase of flowers on her nightstand, and he walked over to the side of the bed, and noticed tears falling from her face. When Toni is really hurt, she tends to become emotional while sleeping. He laid on the bed and placed his lips against hers, and she woke up.

"How'd you know?" Toni asked referring to the tears.

"Your tears said it all. I want to apologize, for talking about Nicole to you. I was in love with her, but that's done now. I'm yours and you're mine. I bought your favorite ice cream, along with your favorite flowers. I promise to love you harder, each and everyday." Ken said.

"Thank you, Ken. I have to admit that I get a little jealous when it comes to you. I know I'm not all that, but there's always someone out there, who likes you and I'm just an average girl with a child." Toni said.

"You're beyond average, Toni. Stop downing yourself just because you have a baby. You're responsible, beautiful, and brilliant. I can't live without you or Evan. I love you, Toni Michele." Ken said while kissing her forehead.

"And I love you, Kenneth Brian." Toni said while placing her hand over Ken's heart. Their heartbeats became in tune and as one.