Thug Lovin': Thug Misses Spin-off

(19.)

Gabriel Washington

I pulled up to Bella's house five minutes before seven, checking myself out in the mirror, before climbing out of the car. I know I told Bella that we were going to dinner and a movie, but I had something much more romantic in line. I looked up some movies that were playing in the park, so I planned a romantic picnic under the stars, all while watching her favorite movie Me Before You.

Knocking on the door, I braced myself for her dad and uncle's famous "Bad Boys" interrogation, that I've seen them do on past guys that Bella was dating. I used to love watching them scare the hell out of them niggas and wanted to join in on the fun, but now that I was the one about to get in the hot seat...the shit wasn't so fun anymore. The door came open and both her dad and her uncle were standing there glaring at me, as they stepped to the side and let me in.

"Hey how you doing, Mr. Clarke? Uncle Jude." I spoke. Is it weird that I call Bella's uncle my uncle? It's weird to me now that we're dating, but it wasn't weird to me before then. Growing up, Bella and Ivy called him uncle, so I just started calling him uncle too.

"Empty your pockets, lil boy." Bella's dad said.

"Empty my pockets?"

"You heard him, youngin! Empty ya damn pockets!" Uncle Jude chimed in. I did what I was told, pulling my wallet and car keys out of my pocket.

"Is that everything?"

"Yes sir."

"Let's see." Uncle Jude said, shoving me against the wall and patting me down. "He's good."

"Uh-huh. No condoms in the wallet, so we good then. Where you taking my baby girl, tonight?" He asked.

"We're having dinner at Cheddar's and then going to see The Nun." I lied. I didn't want them to know where we were going, especially when they already think I'm up to no good.

"Uh-huh. Okay then, but just so you know...her curfew is at eleven o'clock. Not ten fifty-nine or one minute passed eleven. Eleven o'clock on the dot. If she's not here by then, I'm in the car okay? Locked, loaded, and hunting yo muthafucking ass down! You understand me?"

"Yes sir."

"And if I'm there, you know what it's going to be? Chitty chitty, bang bang fool! That's what it's gon be." Uncle Jude said, showing me his gun.

"Dad!" Bella screeched, coming down the stairs. "You promised me that you wouldn't do this!"

"Quit that lying, you know damn well I didn't promise you anything."

"Okay...enough interrogating him, Dean. You and Jude go somewhere and do something productive." Bella's mom said, walking out of the kitchen. "Hey Gabriel. Don't you look handsome."

"Thank you, Mrs. Clarke.

"We just did something productive, sis. You know we gotta put the fear into any boys that want to date our daughters and/or nieces." Uncle Jude said.

"Okay bye, we're leaving!" Bella huffed, grabbing my hand.

"Okay baby, have fun and be back by curfew."

"I will, mama."

"Yeah cause if not...chitty chitty, bang bang!" Both Mr. Clarke and Uncle Jude said at the same time.

"Oh my God." Bella grumbled.

"Rest assured, Bella will be safe and in good hands with me." I assured them. She pulled me out of the house, blushing with embarrassment as we walked towards my car.

"I'm so sorry about that."

"It's cool baby. I already knew I had it coming."

"I told him not to do that, but of course...he didn't listen." She sighed.

"Hey..." I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her lips. "I knew it was coming, which is why I prepared myself for it before I got here." I opened the passenger side door for her, watching as she slid into her seat and I closed the door. I then hurried to the other side and hopped into the driver's seat, putting my seat belt up and started up the car.

"Now...I know I said we were going to dinner and a movie, but I have something special planned for us tonight." I told her.

"Oh yeah? Something like what?" She asked.

"It's a surprise."

*

I had my hands over her eyes, leading her to where I had everything setup, carefully making sure she didn't trip or fall over anything or anyone. She might can walk hella good in some heels, but she was still clumsy at times.

"We're almost there baby. Just a few more steps." I told her. Once we made it there, I took a deep breath and uncovered her eyes, watching as her face lit up. My little setup included a picnic blanket, a few pillows, a plush throw blanket, some candles, a basket filled with food, and a cooler filled with drinks.

"Oh my God! You did all this for me?"

"You and only you." Her smile widened as she grabbed my face and kissed me.

"I love you so much." She beamed.

"I love you too." I said, as we both sat down. I helped her take off her heels, placing them to the side as I opened up the picnic basket and revealed all her favorite foods and snacks. "So for our dinner tonight, we got peppered steak, sauteed potatoes with onions and a hint of chives, and a Caesar salad with grilled chicken, croutons, and bacon bits; with the Caesar dressing on the side. And in the cooler, I got your favorite red mountain dew and a straw, since you hate putting your mouth on the can. "

"You made all of this?"

"My mama did." I admitted. "Oh and before I forget...I also had her make red velvet cupcakes."

"My favorite!" She squealed. It made me happy to see her so damn happy. I swear this girl had my heart. "All of this is so beautiful. Thanks babe." She leaned over and kissed my lips, just as the movie was about to play. So far...our date night was starting out perfectly.