Affinity

Chapter 28: It's Always Been You

" Wake up baby."

" Raheem Turner. I swear on life it better be after nine o'clock." If this man was waking me up before then I'd sadly have to wake up swinging. We hadn't gotten back in the house until three in the morning, and even then it'd taken some time to shut my mind all the way off.

" Hush Ab, it's ten. Now get up!" I felt his arms wrap around my midsection as he lifted me into the air and slung me over his shoulder.

" Rahhhhhh!" I whined with still closed eyes as he walked into the living room and deposited me on the couch.

" Open ya eyes mama." He kissed my lips as I finally obliged and did as I was told.

            " When did you..baby..this is beautiful!" I exclaimed the previous excitedly as I broke open my eyes to reveal my living room decorated with mounds of white pillows piled around, stenciled snowflakes on the wall, and a Christmas tree by the window decorated down to the string of popcorn winding it's length.

" Don't forget the presents Abbie." He'd followed my eyes as I'd went over every new addition to the room, but I hadn't even noticed the presents tucked in neat stacks under the tree.

" I don't deserve you yo. You really go all out for me every day, I couldn't ask for anything more." I rose to my feet and stood on tip toes to kiss his lips.

" We deserve each other, don't ever doubt ya worth. Remember, I've known you almost four years now baby, I know ya character through and through. It's always been you."

" I wanna cry so bad right now, but I'm too happy and my cheeks won't allow tears to fall. Got me smiling hard as hell over here...but wait, lemme go get ya gifts real quick." I broke from his grasp and ran into the bedroom to get his gifts.

            " And I want you to go first because one of my presents was seeing this whole setup. Let me feel like I spoiled you for once and made ya day like you make all my days." I done fucked up now. He was giving me the ' I want you' look as he leaned towards me and whispered in my ear, " Every night when I lay my head on that pillow and reach out to touch you, and your right there, my morning is made early."

" Shit, ok, change of plans. Ima need me some real quick before this whole presents thing."

" Aye, come get it."

An hour later.

" Damn girl." He intoned smirking at me out the corner of his eye.

" Yeah, I know." I blew a breath out and leaned my head back on the base of the couch as we sat sprawled on the floor. Raheem Turner was definitely the best gift I would get this Christmas, I barely cared about what else was waiting under the tree.

" I love you Ab, you don't even know the depth of it. I don't even know if I could ever put it into words, just know the way I feel about you will never waver. This right here is forever." He pressed my right hand to his lips and held it there for emphasis, I wanted to propose marriage right then and there.

" Come on babe, let's open these gifts before we end up having more rounds."

" I mean, I wouldn't mind rounds two and three but yea...gifts work too." I put my shirt and underwear back on and crawled towards the tree. We both ripped through gifts of clothing and little shit with ease before we both sat with a single gift in our laps, albeit the most important and sentimental of them all.

" Go first." I smiled at Rah eagerly awaiting his reaction as he appeased me and started to tear at the wrapping.

" Ab, are you fucking serious....this is amazing baby!" His eyes lifted from the engraved watch in his hands, the inscription read, 'My brother's keeper I remain' with Travis' birthdate etched underneath.