“Hey baby,” I answer the phone, picking up a basket of laundry. “How was practice?”

“It was interesting and long. I’m so glad it’s over.”

“Oh, me too, I miss you.”

“I miss you. So I was thinking we could eat out tonight, what do you think?”

“Sure, I’m finishing up the laundry now, so I haven’t even thought of dinner.”

“Great, I’ll pick you up in thirty. I love you, Arion.”

“I love you too.”

We hang up and my stomach feels uneasy. There was something off with Bain’s tone. I’m not sure what it was, but it was there. Crap, maybe he is going to propose tonight.

Glancing in our closet, I decide to keep it simple and put on a pair of black, tight pants with an oversized, teal, sheer, button-down top. I pair my outfit with Bain’s favorite heels. Looking in the mirror, I’m ready to head out. Guy is sleeping peacefully on his bed next to the fireplace, so I decide to leave him undisturbed and hope the decision doesn’t bite me in the ass when we get home. He’s been getting into some trouble lately, but I decide to give him the chance.

I go downstairs and wait for Bain. The second that Herbert sees me exit the elevator a huge grin spreads across his face.

“How are you Ms. Arion?” he asks in his ever-proper tone.

“I’m good, how are you, Herbert?”

“Enjoying each breath that God blesses me with, what more could I ask for?”

“I guess nothing. I’m glad to hear you’re doing well. I hate to run, but Bain just pulled up.” Outside I see Carl’s black town car, Herbert opens the door for me and out comes Bain. Messy hair, jeans, and a button-down dress shirt which he has rolled the sleeves up on showing off his sexy tattoos. He closes the door and spots me as I head right towards him.

“Jesus, is this a dream?” he says engulfing me in his huge hold.

“Mmmmm,” I respond breathing him in. He smells of heaven, it absolutely takes my breath away.

“God, I missed you,” he says burying his nose in my hair one more time.

“Me too.”

“We should get going. I made reservations at your favorite restaurant.”

“How did you know I was craving it today?”

“I just knew.”

We get into the car and Carl says, “Hi Arion.”

“Hi,” I respond, then get lost in Bain’s mouth as it finds my throat. He leaves kisses all over me. Soft, warm, affectionate kisses, and I give in closing my eyes. Then I remember Carl is in the front seat and pull away. Bain groans in protest looking at me through hooded lids.

“Later,” I whisper into his ear.

He accepts my offer, although I can tell he doesn’t want to.

“My mom called today,” he says, doing a complete one eighty.

“How is she?”

“She’s okay, she wanted to see if we wanted to go to Costa Rica with them before the season starts.”

“Really? Why there?”

“My dad has a conference. What do you think?”

“I would love to.”

“Good, I’ll tell her. What did you do today?” he asks.

“Not much…worked, laundry, and cleaned a little. I think I got you a sweet deal with Gatorade.”

“Heck yeah, baby, that’s awesome.”

“Here we are,” Carl interrupts. “I’ll get the door for you guys.”

Bain exits the car reaching for my hand. I take it and keep my eyes on his, the way I always do in these situations. Looking around, there are just normal patrons on the street, and no one notices us, it feels so good.

We head inside and get seated right away. Bain requested our normal table…it’s nice and quiet and tucked away in the back of the restaurant with a beautiful view of the Hudson.

“You look stunning tonight,” he says.

“Thank you, baby. You’re looking pretty good yourself.”

“Thanks. So how was Guy today?” he asks.

“He was good, minus barking at his shadow all day. I really think we should consider moving somewhere with a yard.”

“I know. I do too. That’s part of why I wanted to take you out to dinner.”

The waiter approaches and Bain orders a bottle of Don P. There must be something going on, considering that Don is a few hundred dollars a bottle.

“All right, spill it,” I order him to tell me.

“Can we wait for the champagne?”

“No,” I blurt out a little too loud.

“Fine. I know I’ve been on the fence lately about moving, but that’s because this whole trade thing has been up in the air. I didn’t want to make a move ‘til I knew what was going to happen, and today…I found out.”

“And?”

“We have to move. The Nets traded me to Miami. I’m going to buy you the biggest and most beautiful house on the water that you could imagine. Baby, please tell me you’re happy.”

“Bain, I couldn’t care less about the house and all of that. For me, it’s about being together. If Miami is where we’re going next, then lets do it. Just tell me when I should start packing.”

A huge smile spans his face. “I have a physical down there the day after tomorrow, so I think we are going to have to get going – fast.”

“What about Guy?”

“He can come too. Baby, you know Guy is part of the family, we’ll stick together and stay happy, okay?”

The waiter comes back with our champagne and pours us two glasses. “Would you like to start with any appetizers tonight?” he asks.

“Can we do two orders of the scallops?”

“Sure, I’ll get those in right away.”

I lift my drink and Bain does the same. He looks at me with a little uncertainty in his eyes. I want to wash all his worry away. “To our future, and Miami.”

He nods his head and we clink glasses. Then he leans in kissing me hard before I can even take a sip.

“So you’re really okay with moving to Florida?”

“Yes, I don’t care where we go. I really have no reason to stay in Jersey. My whole life I’ve searched for a place to belong and I’ve finally found it. For a while I thought that was in Jersey with Aubrey, but not anymore. My place is in your heart, with you, so it doesn’t matter where we live. I’m more concerned with how you feel about it.”

“I’m gonna miss my parents, but ultimately, I’m relieved. It’ll be a fresh start away from everything I’ve been through here with Kinsey and the case. It’s taken a toll on me and I feel like a move will be good. Especially with that bastard being sentenced.”

“I agree, it is the perfect time. Did the Nets say why they are trading you when you were their top pick and they put so much money out there for you.”

“They said that their organization is going in a different direction.”

“Well, whatever that means. If they don’t want you, there are obviously teams out there that do.”

“That’s exactly what I thought.”

“Do you know anyone in Miami?”

“I actually went to school with one of their centers. His name is Trenton, he was there the night I met you. You’ll like him – he’s funny as fuck.”

The waiter comes back setting down our scallops and asks, “Have you had a chance to look over the menu?”

“Uhhh, not yet,” Bain tells him.

“Well, take your time. Please let me know if I can answer any questions.”

“We will.”

I look down at the delicious plate in front of us. It smells amazing and I can’t help myself from digging in. “You’re so crazy,” Bain tells me.

“I know, so you better grab some if you want any scallops of your own.”

We eat and talk, both of us surprisingly excited over Miami. The warm weather will be nice, and this change of pace I believe came at the right time.

“What are you gonna get to eat, babe?”

“The lobster and steak, you?”

“Same.”

We laugh and then Bain orders our food. Looking down at the clean plates, I probably ate more scallops, than I needed to, but they were divine.

“Should I book us flights to Miami?”

“Probably, I was gonna see if my parents would keep Guy while we went.”

“Okay.” My stomach starts to cramp and I regret gorging on the food right away. I place my hand over it to try and stop it.

“Are you all right?” Bain asks me.

“Yeah, I just think I ate too much. I’m gonna go to the restroom.”

“Okay, baby.”

I smile the best I can to reassure Bain that I’m okay. I’m sure some cold water on my face will help. I walk into the restroom, but lose it. Everything goes out the window. Fuck that. The smell nauseates me so bad that I run into a stall and get sick, before I can even close the door behind me.

As I kneel on the floor breathing heavily with my long hair in my hands, I notice that the smell which made me sick is some sort of perfume or air freshener. It’s fucking gross. Thinking about it makes me sick again to the point of dry heaving.

Exhausted and famished, I finally pull myself off of the floor. Looking in the mirror, my eyes are red and my face is blotchy. Those scallops definitely did not agree with me. I wash my hands and splash some water on my face. Making my way back to Bain, he stands right away, coming towards me.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know. I was fine, then there was this smell in the bathroom and I lost it. I threw everything up.”

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry. Let’s get you home.”

I nod my head and Bain waves the waiter over. “Can we get our check please?”

“Sure, but your meals?”

“My girlfriend just got sick from your food. So we’ll pass.”

“Oh, please accept our apologies. The meal is on us, Mr. Adams.”

“Thanks,” Bain says and grabs my hand, walking us towards the front doors.

“Carl,” Bain barks into the phone. “We’re ready.” He hangs up and looks at me. “Are you sure that you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I feel better.”

He kisses my forehead and we wait outside for Carl. The events that just took place swirl around my head. Why did I get so sick? It’s not like me at all.

Then someone walks by with a cigarette and I inhale the scent. What once was my favorite habit gives me that same nauseous feeling. I know right away that it wasn’t the food.

I take a few deep breaths to calm my stomach and count back to my last period. “Fuck,” I blurt out.

“What? Are you going to get sick again?”

I shake my head. “No. No, Bain…I think I might be pregnant.”

He smiles ear to ear and asks me, “Really?”

“I think so.”

“Why?”

“My period is late and the way everything smells is making me feel strange.”

We get into the back of Carl’s car and Bain asks him, “Carl, will you stop at a CVS?”

“Yes, sir, I will.”

“Why are you smiling at me like that?” I ask him.

He has the biggest grin on his face. “Arion, I don’t know how you feel about kids, I mean, we’ve never talked about it. But just imagine,” he says placing his hand over my stomach.

I slap it away. Is he out of his goddamn mind? “No, Bain!”

“Here you go. I’ll wait here,” Carl says.

Bain practically drags me out of the car. I’m in shock. What the fuck are we doing? It’s not possible. I take my pill every day and I don’t miss it. I never have. This can’t be happening right now.

“Which one do we buy?” Bain asks me, looking at the shelves of pregnancy tests.

I shake my head and he kisses my cheek, grabbing the most expensive one.

“Wanna take the test here?” he asks me after we check out.

“No, I’m not going to find out if we are pregnant in the bathroom of a fucking CVS.”

With that shit-eating grin plastered on his face, we get back in the car. I look up and sense Carl has caught on to what we are doing as Bain reads the back of the box. “Don’t you say a word, Carl,” I snap at him.

“Not a word, ma’am.”

“Put that back in the bag,” I gripe at Bain before we get out of the car at the condo. Both of us race across the lobby, my sudden sickness gone. When we enter the apartment, Guy looks up at us like we are two loons as we run into the bathroom.

“What do I do with it?” I ask him.

“Just pee on it, I guess.”

“Maybe we should wait and see if I get sick again. I’m sure it was just the food.”

“Arion, your period is late. We have to fly to Miami soon. You’re doing this.”

I nod my head taking the test from him and go to the toilet. After I’m done I hand it back to him and we stand there waiting. The room around us is as still as a movie on pause. Guy comes into the room and sits next to Bain. He scratches the top of his head while we stare at this ridiculous stick that could change our lives forever.

“I know we’ve never talked about it, but regardless what it says, Arion, I want kids. I really do.”

Then the result on the screen is displayed, Pregnant. I blink a few times and watch Bain drop to his knees. He lifts my shirt and begins kissing my stomach. I stand frozen, a tad bit in shock. Tears flow from my eyes, watching him. Bain on his knees in front of me like this is nothing I’ve ever seen.

He presses his lips to my stomach and whispers something, then says, “Stay here.”

I nod my head knowing in this moment that I couldn’t move if I wanted to. Guy follows Bain and I see him rummaging in his dresser. Then he comes to me, stopping in the doorway of the bathroom for half a second. He takes a deep breath and looks down at the box in his hand.

My hand flies to my mouth, and he kneels down on one knee in front of me. I reach for his hair, my breathing is getting heavy and he takes my hand placing the ring box in it. As we are immobile in this moment, it’s as if the room around us spins. Everything moves so fast, except for us.

“Arion, you have made me the happiest man in the world on so many different levels. You challenge me, you defy me, you motivate me to be a better person, and most of all, you love me unconditionally. I bought this ring a while ago and knew I would ask you when the moment was right. Well…that moment is now. You are going to be the mother of my child and you complete me on every level humanly possible. I love you more than anything. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”

“Yes. Yes. Yes, ” I instantly repeat.

He opens the box, and inside is a beautiful, round-cut diamond ring in the most exquisite setting. It’s laced and sprinkled with so many diamonds that I can’t fathom it on my finger. Bain pulls it out and slides it on me. It fits perfectly.