Cocaine Rose (Urban)

Welcome Back

Ch. 21

"YEAHHHHH! DAMN RIGHT! THAT'S MY GIRL!"

My eyes fluttered open from the loud screams I heard coming from down stairs. I slowly crawled out of bed and attempted to rub the sleep out of my eyes to no avail. I marched down the stairs ready to bite Julian's head off for making all this noise while I was trying to sleep. He must have never heard of not disturbing a pregnant person while she slept. Once I reached the bottom of the stairs he turned in my direction and let out a huge smile. Before I could start cursing him out my feet were already off the floor and he was spinning me around while kissing all over my face. I tried to break free from his grasp but had absolutely no luck. He finally placed me on the floor with a wide grin spread across his face. I side eyed him before asking him what he was so excited about.

"Kapow!" He said before flashing a letter in front of my face. It took my eyes a while to get adjusted to the paper in his hands. I scanned the letter and realized it was from the mayor of Chicago. I was being honored as Chicago's most influential woman of the year. Apparently someone had nominated me and I was selected.

"You see that babe all your hard work is paying off" he said before planting a kiss on my cheek.

"But I haven't really done much"

He rolled his eyes and sucked his teeth before saying "You're out your damn mind, majority of your proceeds go to women's shelters, to kids community centers, what do you mean ?"

"did you nominate me?"

"No, if I knew it was a thing I would've because you deserve it. That just goes to show you that people know whats up they recognize your greatness."

I smiled at his words then frowned when I came to the realization that I wouldn't be able to go even if I wanted to.

"Babe, I can't go"

"Why not?" He frowned.

"Well for one I'm pregnant af, I'm huge, and it's too short notice, who's going to watch Janae, this letter says they want me to perform an original song and I haven't sang or written anything in so long and I don't want to go by myself.

"Babe, we'll ask your mom to watch Janae, I'll be done doing what I have to do with the team by Saturday I'll catch a red eye to you and be there before the banquet, you're a genius you'll think of something to sing and you're Julian Epps woman theres no such thing as short notice, I'll do whatever and I'll pay whatever. Whatever you want baby you got it"

I stared at him long and hard and said "Fine. Promise you'll get to me as soon as possible."

"I promise" he said before placing a kiss on my forehead.

I don't know if I was just nervous or if it was the hormones from this pregnancy but nothing in me wanted to go to Chicago. I didn't even consider myself influential or a philanthropist, I didn't even consider myself much of a singer any more at that, I was just doing what people should do for one and other. I spent the remainder of the day packing, and getting things in order for Julian and Janae. Before I knew it It was time to go and I was being loaded into the car. I watched Julian strap Janae into her car seat and finish loading my bags into the trunk and I Couldn't help but feel sad, I didn't want to leave my family. Julian slid into his seat and grabbed my hand giving it a gentle squeeze. I forced a small smile and thats how we rode the entire way to the airport. After what felt like an eternity we arrived at the airport. Julian got out the car and assisted the baggage handler with my things. I watched him through the window then turned around looked at a sleeping Janae and I felt my heart swell up with love. A few moments later Julian came back to the car and opened my door. He helped me out slowly and we just stared at each other for a while before he pulled me into a tight hug. I snuggled my face into his chest and and he placed a kiss on my forehead before saying " I love you". "I love you more baby" I replied. He stared at me a few moments before pulling away and telling me if I didn't hurry I would miss my flight. I made him promise to give Janae a kiss for me before I made my way into the airport.