"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to Kaydence, Happy Birthday to you."

Don and Darnell sang to Kaydence as she woke up. Today was the big day, their little princess turned two. Darnell made sure to go all out for her chunky monkey, planning her a grand ballerina themed party while Don cut the check of course.

"Give daddy a kiss boo boo."

Kaydence kissed Don as he held her in his arms. They all made their way to the kitchen where Darnell cooked Kay's favorite breakfast: red velvet waffles, turkey bacon, and eggs.

After breakfast, Darnell moved around the kitchen making sure it was clean since they wouldn't be back until tonight after they changed their clothes for the party.

Darnell still had to take Kay to Naree's salon to get her hair and nails done and Don was heading to the barber shop to get cleaned up.

She looked down at her watch checking the time. She wanted to make sure they were on time for their appointment.

"Babe we gotta go."

"Aight."

Don got Kay and her bag and headed to the garage getting her settled in her car seat in his Bentley Continental.

Darnell locked up the house and waddled to the car. She didn't know how she was gonna get through this day being 6 months pregnant, but Don promised her he would help as much as he could.

After a 20 minute drive Don was pulling up to Naree's salon. Don helped Kay and Darnell out the car walking them into the shop.

"Good morning." Darnell spoke to all the ladies and men in the shop. Don just nodded to everyone.

Darnell rolled her eyes as she saw random woman giving Don googly eyes. She made sure to show all those heffas Don was her man.

"We shouldn't be too long babe, I'll call you when we're almost done okay." Darnell took Kay from Don's arms and leaned into him with her belly leaving a significant space between the two.

"Alright ma show me some love."

Darnell grabbed Don by his beard pulling him into a passionate kiss making sure to swap spit with her man.

The two began getting into the kiss forgetting where they were until they heard somebody clear their throat.

"Um this is my place of business. Don't nobody want to see that nasty shit. Get a room." Naree said with a disgusted look on her face.

Darnell wiped the lip gloss that was now on Don's pink lips. "I'll call you later baby." Darnell assured him.

"Aight ma." Don pecked her lips once more before walking to the salon's door. "Ladies." He spoke as he left. Most of the woman gave flirtatious smiles while others just waived.

"So what we doing for the birthday girl today?" Kay was now sitting in Naree's chair on a booster seat with a hair cape around her.

"I was thinking my little princess would look so beautiful with her hair braided into a half up half down style with some pretty beads and bows." Darnell explained the best she could to Naree how she envisioned Kay's hair for today as she raked through her wild curls.

Naree started on Kay's hair as another stylist did hers. She didn't really want anything fancy. Being pregnant she would feel antsy after sitting too long, so she decided on simple wand curls.

After a while Darnell got into the shop gossip relaxing as Michelle the shops nail artist started on her feet.

-

Two hours later Don was pulling up to the shop to pick up Darnell and Kay. He sent Darnell a text telling her he was outside. A couple of minutes later Darnell was coming out holding a now sleeping Kay. Don got out taking Kay from Darnell's arms.

"What I tell you about holding her Darnell?"

Darnell sucked her teeth. "She was sleeping Don, what did you want me to do wake her up just to walk to the car?"

Don got settled into the driver seat and pulled off into traffic after buckling Kay up and making sure Darnell was good .

"Man whatever." Don waived her off making his way to the house.

Don wasn't the kind of man that liked to argue with Darnell these days. No matter what he said, he knew Darnell would get emotional at the smallest things. Just to save himself from Darnell's tears he would bite his tongue. He knew sooner or later Darnell would be under him wanting to be all lovey dovey.

A couple of minutes of silence between the couple, Darnell turned her ear to the song that began to play on the radio.

"I market it so good
They can't wait to try I I I I
Me e e a a
I work it so good
Man, these niggas
Tryna buy I I I I me

He love they way I ride it
He love they way I ride it
He love they way I ride it
He love the way I ride the beat
Ride ride the beat, How I ride it.

He love they way I ride it
He love they way I ride it
He love the way I ride the beat
Like a motherfuckin freak"

Darnell turned the radio louder as she sang Ciara's Ride to Don. She grabbed his chin rubbing his now lined up beard. She couldn't lie Don looked like a whole meal with his clean line up and waves on swim.

Don looked over at Darnell. Just like he expected; he knew Darnell in and out. But he was starting to get use to her antics and maybe even 'love' her for it. Of course he had love for her but, being in love with someone was foreign to him.

He hurriedly pushed back the thought in his mind as he turned his attention back to Darnell who was singing loudly beside him in her own little world.

"You wild ma. That's why your ass pregnant now." Don side eyed Darnell trying to keep his eyes on the road as Darnell tried to twerk in her seat.

Don laughed to himself as Darnell used her phone as a mic as if she was performing to crowd. An urge to be closer to her, Don pulled her hand into his and held it tight.

Darnell continued to sing to herself as her face heated up by Don's sudden action of affection. They stayed like this until they pulled up to the house minutes later.

-

Darnell sat taking a breath from moving around the hectic space. It was going on 4:30 and Kay's party was going off without a hitch.

Her and Don decided to have Kay's party at an indoor kids activity park called Catching Air. Darnell knew she made the right decision as she saw all the kids that were invited run around yelling at the top of their lungs.

She took in a long breath bracing herself to get up, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She looked up seeing Don smiling back at her.

"Where you think you going? Sit that ass down."

Darnell followed Don's words. Darnell let Don pull her down by her hips into his lap. Taking the pizza Don had on a plate from his hand, she took a bite from it. Darnell moaned at the taste of the warm cheese and pepperoni that hit her taste buds.

"Damn its that good ma?"

Darnell swallowed her food allowing Don to wipe her mouth.

"It is and thank you baby."

"Look mama I don't want you running after these bad ass kids. I want you to sit back and enjoy yourself. I don't want my little man and woman stressing. You hear me?" Don rubbed Darnell's stomach as he spoke making the baby do summersaults in Darnell's stomach.

"I hear you daddy."

As Darnell spoke Naree walked up to the couple. "Eww y'all talking like that around all these kids?"

Darnell rolled her eyes as she took another bite from her slice of pizza. "Yeah yeah what you want girl?" Don questioned.

"Yameer wanted you to come over there with the twins."

Don replied with an 'aight'. He tapped Darnell's thigh allowing her to stand up as he arose. He got up with Naree taking a seat next to Darnell.

"You did a good job with the party babe."

"Thanks honey."

Darnell made sure to put things together as best as she could. She found that she really enjoyed putting everything together for Kay's party. All she had to do was make sure she had snacks and goody bags for the kids, a birthday cake, while the event place provided pizza, chicken tenders, wings, and drinks.

Naree and Darnell continued to talk while kids ran all around them.

Darnell looked up as she heard Kay running towards her.

"Mommy mommy mommy come play with me please." Darnell smiled as she watched her little baby jump up and down between her legs as she held onto her knees.

"Mommy would love to come play with her baby, but mommy can't run around. You see daddy over there?" Darnell turned Kay around pointing to the direction where Don was. "Go and ask daddy to play with you okay."

"Okay."

Darnell kissed Kay before she ran off to Don.

"Y'all cute or whatever." Naree said as the two laughed.

-

After singing happy birthday to Kaydence the party went on for another hour before it was time for everyone to leave. Darnell walked the last guest out as they all made it to their cars ready to head home. Don and Yameer loaded up the car with all of Kay's presents before dapping each other.

They said all of their goodbyes as they got settled in the car and made their way home.

Forty-five minutes later Darnell unlocked the door allowing Don and a sleeping Kay to enter the house. Don took Kay upstairs as to her room and stripped her out of her clothes putting on her pajamas.

He sat and looked at his baby girl. Kaydence was growing up so fast. He remembered when she was just a little baby and he didn't know what the hell to do with her. But he could say Kay was the best thing that ever happened to him. She made him change his life and he didn't regret anything.

He kissed her forehead and headed to the master bedroom where Darnell was going into the shower.

To save time Don got in the shower with her and they washed each other up. After stepping out of the shower, they dressed for bed and cuddled up into the sheets.

The dark room became quiet as the two laid in each other's arms. Don moved his hand down finding comfort in rubbing Darnell stomach. He took this time to thank God for blessing him with the family he always wanted.

"Darnell."

"Hm."

Don took in a breath before deciding to speak on his emotions.

"I just want to tell you that I'm thankful for all that you have done for me and Kaydence. You've done so much for us while carry my son. I know that your gonna be a great mother and hopefully one day my wife." Don took in another breath. "What I'm trying to say is I've finally realized that you bring something to my life that I've hadn't felt in a long time and that's love. Darnell I love you"

Darnell looked up into Don's eyes. Feeling an overwhelming feeling from her heart. She kissed Don's lips.

"I love you too Don."