Miracle awakened with a start, calling her husband’s name. “Corvus!”
“I’m right here, Miracle.” Corvus replied taking her into his arms. “It’s okay.”
Lying her head on his shoulder, she tried to relax and he rubbed a big hand over her extended belly.
“You had a nightmare,” he said kissing her cheek softly.
“This one was so terrible,” she breathed deeply. “I dreamed that Emanuel set my house on fire then came here to hurt you, and you fought with him outside, and hurt him very badly.”
Corvus lifted her face and stroked her soft cheek. “Emanuel is not a threat to us and that was just a bad dream, baby, that’s all.”
Miracle laid back against the pillows. “It’s been eight months since he’s been gone,” she reminded Corvus.
“Almost to the day,” he confirmed. “Which is probably why you’re dreaming about him.”
She shook her head. “I feel sorry for that whole family.”
Corvus continued to gently stroke her stomach and felt the little kick.
“Oh!” Miracle said, placing her hand over his. “Your daughter is very feisty.”
He smiled. “She’s excited for her party today.”
“So am I,” she said with a big smile.
Corvus stared at his wife. “It’s been months and that smile still flips my heart.”
Miracle touched his face. “And I fall more in love with you every day.”
He kissed her then kissed her belly through her nightgown. “No more bad dreams, my baby doesn’t like them.”
“I checked in on Mrs. Hollins yesterday, which might also play a part in my dreams,” Miracle confessed.
“How is she?”
She sighed. “As well as can be expected with her son gone and her husband in jail.”
Corvus shook his head. “It was sweet of you to let her stay in your house after all of that went down.”
“She needed a space free of those bad memories,” Miracle said quietly.
“Of all the things Emanuel were guilty of, I never thought he’d die at the hands of his own mother.” Corvus commented.
“When she had his father arrested, he lost it completely,” Miracle said sadly. “And apparently, he was just following his father’s example, trying to hurt her.”
“I have no respect for any man that puts his hands on a woman,” Corvus said angrily. “Emanuel got exactly what he deserved.”
Miracle rubbed his arm to soothe him. “I’m just glad that you and no one close to you had to hurt Emanuel. I prayed that this wouldn’t end in violence on our part.”
“The prayers and desires from such a pure heart do not go unfulfilled,” he told her. “I, on the other hand, definitely wanted the opposite.”
“I know, and you showed amazing restraint,” she complimented him.
Corvus shrugged. “It was really no point for me to hurt Emanuel, other than personal satisfaction.”
“I’m so thankful for your father.”
“Yeah, Daddy did that. He busted that whole scheme and got Mrs. Hollins to seek some help and learn to protect herself, which led to the downfall of both the pastors,” Corvus told her.
Miracle continued to feel their baby kick. “My Daddy has never hurt us. I honestly didn’t believe that a man of God would ever do anything like that.”
“Emanuel was never violent with you, right?” Corvus questioned.
She shook her head. “No, he grabbed my arm once, but he let go immediately.”
“Coward,”
Miracle looked away. “I’ve hit him though,” she said quietly and he looked confused.
“When I caught him kissing that woman, I slapped him…twice.” Miracle rushed on. “I know it was wrong, and I repented from that action. I…was very hurt and embarrassed, but that’s not an excuse.”
Corvus took her hand. “You’re human Miracle and you’d never hurt a fly on purpose. You’re allowed to feel emotions.”
He smiled. “Now, don’t try that with me.”
“Don’t let me catch you kissing other women,” she replied.
Corvus laughed. “Not a chance, Little Goddess.”
“Why would I want to kiss anyone else when I have these sweet lips right here?” Corvus asked before kissing her sensually.
They both felt their daughter stretching and moving then smiled at one another.
“I think she feels my reaction, when you kiss me,” Miracle whispered.
“She feels how much I love you both,”
She wrapped her arms around him. “I know I do.”
“I’m so proud of you completing your land deal,” Corvus told her.
“You know I couldn’t have done it without you.”
He pulled back to look at her. “Nah, I wouldn’t have gotten that deal done. What you did was amazing.”
“I think you’re biased,”
“My baby negotiated an eight figure deal with an international hotel chain. She got them to devote an entire floor in the hotel not only to sex trafficking victims, but also domestic violence survivors as temporary shelter. She got them to agree to fund youth programs at the Pride Center and the church next door.”
“My Little Goddess got her Daddy to cancel his expansion plans and focus on a few more community-based programs, including mental health. Then on top of all of that, she took a large portion of the funds and paid off the property taxes for as many Detroit residents in danger of losing their homes, as she could.”
“So yeah, what you did was absolutely amazing,” he finished.
Miracle blushed. “It took a long time.”
“Six months to make that kind of deal was fast as hell,” Corvus corrected her. “You’re a tough negotiator.”
“I think they were more afraid of you in the background,” she admitted.
He smiled. “That’s what I was there for,”
“I know that you wanted a community-based business there and not commercial,” she said quietly.
“Listen, the city is growing and we need to grow the economy. When people come here to do business, they need a nice place to stay and with all the concessions you got, it’s a win all around. So, I’m good with your decision as I told you all along, I would be,” he explained.
“You have been so supportive and informative.”
“Miracle Shaw now has the reputation that she doesn’t play about her deals,” Corvus teased her.
She smiled at him with a twinkle in her eye. “I’m ready to buy more land.”
“I’ve created a property monster,” he said shaking his head.
Miracle moaned a little and caressed her stomach. “You’ve created a little person who’s killing my bladder right now.”
Corvus helped her from the bed and watched her head to the bathroom. “You want me to start breakfast?” he called after her.
“NO!!!”
He laughed and laid back across the bed. “I knew she’d say that.”
******
Corvus and Miracle arrived at their baby shower and were greeted by a host of friends and family, including Faith and Dante, the Nigist, the Negus and all their parents. Malachi, Cynthia, and church members all filled the room.
Miracle looked around the hall that was decorated in all pink. She’d had the time of her life working with all the women in her life to create this vision dedicated to her baby girl to come. The Nigist, along with their babies in tow, came to greet the couple.
“You look so beautiful!” Tauri told Miracle.
“Thank you, so do you.” Miracle hugged her sister-in-law who was holding her youngest son.
Corvus looked at the group. “Finally, y’all taking care of those kids.”
“You’ll have your own soon enough,” Khayla told him. “That’s why we’re all here.”
He smiled downed at Miracle. “Yes, and my wife is going to be too busy to be involved in your shenanigans.”
“Well, we handled Sylvia.” Mac told him and Miracle smiled.
“Yes, we did.” Miracle agreed. “Although, she avoided prosecution by cooperating with your father and the police, she still needed to know that her behavior was unacceptable.”
“So you all ran her out of town…” Corvus said shaking his head.
“We just gave her some incentive to leave,” Danielle added.
Khayla nodded. “Yeah, get your ass out of dodge. You don’t do that to the Negus.”
“Y’all too much,” Corvus told them. “But I love y’all.”
They all smiled. “We love you too, with your spoiled self.” Tauri told him.
After hugs and kisses were given, the Nigist whisked Miracle away to begin the shower events. Corvus moved over to where Bishop Chapman was having a cup of punch.
“Hello Bishop,” Corvus said grabbing a cup for himself.
“Corvus, congratulations on our first baby girl.” He glanced over at Faith standing next to his wife, holding their new grandson.
“Our Little Goddess will be the first girl on both sides,” Corvus said proudly.
The Bishop looked at him. “I’m glad that everything is working out with you and Miracle. I can see how much you love each other and after that Emanuel episode, I’m happy to see her glowing.”
Corvus nodded. “You were the last one to see him that night…do we even know what really happened?”
“He was leaving the church and I stopped him. He said that we’d talk the next day about his situation as Assistant Pastor. My understanding is that he was on his way somewhere, no one is quite sure where, when he got the call that his father had been arrested on domestic abuse charges filed by his mother.”
The Bishop continued. “Hazel had gone home, since she felt safe while Earl was in custody. Emanuel showed up there and when he found out what she’d done, he began beating her and she shot him in self-defense. Unfortunately, that wound turned out to be fatal.”
He shook his head. “In hindsight, I should’ve done so much more…for the whole family.”
“They found a duffle bag with gasoline, a gun and a bible in his car,” Corvus relayed. “Miracle is still troubled by that.”
“Nothing was her fault,” the Bishop said adamantly.
“I tell her that every day, but you know Miracle.”
The Bishop looked at his daughter surrounded by the group of women including her mother and sister. “I thought I did, but she’s so much more,” the Bishop admitted. “Just like her mother.”
“How do you feel about cancelling the expansion,” Corvus asked.
Bishop Chapman turned to him. “It was the right thing to do and the new programs will take up a lot of time and effort.”
“I’m happy to see the church doing more for the community,” Corvus complimented.
“You should stop by more often and visit us,” the Bishop hinted.
Corvus laughed. “I’ll always be there when Miracle needs me.”
The Bishop agreed. “I’ve come to believe, that’s what’s most important.”
The two shook hands before Corvus walked over to join the Negus.
“Well, look here! If it ain’t the new Daddy to be…” Lance teased him.
Corvus smiled. “You know how I do.”
Rion and Brandon shared a look as the two men embraced.
“I’m glad you two have finally grown up,” Khalil told them. “Before I had to seriously hurt both of you.”
Lance and Corvus smiled. “What happened to the softer Khalil? We kinda like him.” Corvus said.
“Shut up.” Khalil told him.
Brandon stepped forward. “Congratulations Corvus. Welcome to the baby girls club.”
“Thanks Brandon,” Corvus said giving him a manshake.
Rion frowned. “Hey, don’t discriminate.”
“You and Lance just aren’t in it,” Khalil told Rion. “Go make some girls, they can play baseball too.”
“I’m still working on that,” Rion told him. “Three more to go.”
Corvus rubbed his chin. “Yeah, I’ve got like five more.”
They all turned to him. “What?”
“I’ve got to top Rion, so that means six.” Corvus said simply.
“I swear you’re a fool,” Khalil told him.
Corvus shrugged. “Hey, baby is doing eight figure deals…we can have as many as we want.”
“She agreed to that?” Lance questioned.
Corvus nodded. “Yep, and we gotta plan.”
Brandon shook his head. “I hope so.”
“I’m glad I’m done with that Emanuel shit, with his crazy ass,” Corvus told them. “I swear it took everything in me not to beat his ass.”
“We know,” Rion told him. “I didn’t think you’d restrain yourself.”
“Only because of Miracle,” Corvus admitted. “I couldn’t look in her face, knowing how she felt about it.”
“Gasoline, a gun and bible?” Lance questioned. “What the hell was he going to do, light a fire, shoot somebody, then pray?”
“Man, that dude had some issues. Hitting on a woman period…but your mother?” Corvus said with a deep frown.
“I’m glad she took him out,” Khalil added. “I told her to protect herself.”
“Daddy was on point telling her about you and the Pride Center,” Rion said and they all nodded. “Y’all saved her life.”
“Shit, Daddy Shaw always on point,” Lance commented.
Corvus smiled. “That’s my Daddy.”
“Shut up Momma’s boy,” Rion teased him.
“You know I’m her favorite…” Corvus replied.
******
Miracle sat in bed eating her favorite ice cream in a bowl. Lying back against the fluffy pillows, she thought about her life today. After a beautiful baby shower, where she was lavished with gifts, food and love, she was now snuggled comfortably in bed, next to the man she absolutely adored, carrying the baby they’d created together.
She quietly studied him while slowly eating her dessert. Corvus Shaw was definitely the closest thing to a god on earth that she’d ever seen and the past few months had proven that beyond a shadow of a doubt. If Miracle had prayed to be loved and cherished, Corvus certainly answered that every single day.
When she’d found out she was pregnant, it hadn’t been a surprise to either of them, since it was what they both wanted. They had waited together on the sofa for the results of the home test, after Miracle missed her first period.
Miracle had insisted on being the one to check, due to Corvus’ penchant for joking around. She didn’t want to have to hurt him for playing games. When she’d returned from the bathroom, he’d stood to his feet and waited.
Her tears had answered his unspoken question and he’d crossed the room and lifted her high into the air, professing his love for her. Miracle sighed in remembrance and closed her eyes.
“You okay, Little Goddess?” Corvus asked.
She opened her damp lids and smiled at him. Seeing the wetness seep onto her cheek, he caught the tear on his hand.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“I was just remembering when we found out about our little one,” she whispered.
He looked concerned. “And that made you cry?”
“I cry about everything now,” she reminded him. “But it made me think about how blessed I am.”
“I know, you got me.”
She smiled at him. “You’re so right, my love.”
“And I’ve got my Miracle.” He kissed her cool lips.
“Pretty soon we’ll have our own little piece of Heaven,” she whispered.
Corvus cradled her stomach. “And both of you can have all the ice cream you want.”
Miracle scooped up a spoonful and brought it to his lips. “You can have some too.”
He took the offering and swallowed it, then whispered, “Little Goddess, together we have it all…”
She smiled. “Amen.”
“Ase’.”
THE END