Blessing in MM

C H A P T E R
T H I R T E E N

Standing in front of the mirror they had placed in their bedroom, Blessing admired the dress she brought earlier today with Marquette trying to ignore her negative insecure thoughts that loved to come to mind.

Since she had Kinsley she has struggled alot with maintaining her weight and mentally it was taking a toll on her, but then with the way Marquette made her always feel beautiful the thoughts never lasted too long.

As promised Marquette spent the last two-weeks spoiling her and catering to her every need. The first three nights Kinsley was gone they were just cooped up in the house all over each other. During the time he was gone for work Blessing craved him just as much as he craved her, so they had to make up for lost time.

The rest of their days were spent with them either going out and just spending some quality time together. They cooked together, tried new restuarants, went to a spa resort and as a surprise they even checked out a few houses since their next goal was to buy a house together.

So far two out of the four houses they toured had their eyes and they were already in discussion with a few people regarding the houses to see if buying either one of them was a good move to make right now.

However, tonight Marquette had other plans and wanted to use their last few nights in a special way to really show Blessing how much he truly loved her.

Looking up when Marquette came walking out the bathroom, she smiled admiring how good he looked. He was dressed in pair of navy blue slacks that were tailored at the ankles with a white silk long-sleeve button up shirt, matched with a pair of navy blue loafers that perfectly matched the navy blue dress she was wearing tonight.

Grabbing his gold chain off the dresser, Blessing walked up to him and unbuttoned the top three buttons on his shirt to expose his chest a little, before helping place on his chain she gifted him back on their three-year anniversary.

"You look beautiful," He complimented as he wrapped his arms around her securely, pulling her closer.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him on the lips a few times before he deepened it by sliding his tongue inside her mouth. As they kissed Blessing began to crave him in every way possible.

When things started to get a little carried away when Marquette began kissing her on the neck and tried sliding his hand up her dress, Blessing knew she had to pull away or else they would be late for their dinner reservations.

Pulling away from his embrace, Blessing laughed as she extended her arm to stop him from coming closer to her. "You need to stop or we're going to be late for this surprise dinner you have planned for us." She reminded him before turning to grab her purse off their dresser.

Marquette just shrugged as he waited by their bedroom door staring at her. "I can't help myself when I'm around you." He smiled. "But alright if you're ready we can go now."

Checking herself in the mirror one last time, she nodded. "I'm ready."

Following behind him out of the house, Blessing made sure every light was off and all the doors were shut before they made their way to the car.

The night was chill, the dark sky was clear with not one cloud in sight so the stars and moon shined down beautifully.

When they got inside the car Marquette immediately grabbed a hold of Blessing's hand intertwining their fingers as they rode in silence letting the sound of the music playing consume their ears.

Staring out of the window, Blessing sat in deep thought thinking over her life and how much Marquette and her have grown over the years. She always saw herself being with him since he literally was the only guy she has ever loved on this type of level, but she was amazed at how well things between them were as well.

When they first got together a lot of people especially some of their friends didn't believe what they had would last with them being so young. So, when news broke that Blessing was expecting Kinsley even more negative comments were made about them not being ready and how they were ruining each others lives or how they needed to wait.

However, not once did they ever feel that way towards one another. They both ignored the negative comments, cut off anybody who had anything bad to say and just simply lived for them and they both were happier than ever.

Arriving at the place they were having dinner, Marquette parked and shut off the car before looking over at Blessing who was in the middle of taking off her seatbelt. "What restuarant is this? I've never seen this place before." She questioned trying to find the name of the building.

"My co-worker recommended it, but stay here right quick while I go check us in, it's usually a small wait time from what I heard." He told her.

Watching as he got out of the car Blessing played with her nails as she waited for him to return. After ten minutes or so passed Marquette walked over to her side and helped her out of the car. "They're ready for us, but first I want you to put on this." He told her as he held up a blind fold.

Trusting him, she turned around and allowed him to cover her eyes feeling her nerves began to kick in since she wasn't sure what to expect.

Grabbing a hold of her hand to direct her, Marquette walked to the door and allowed her to step inside first. "When I remove this blind fold keep your eyes closed, until I say open."

"You know I hate surpises Marq, what is it?" She whined making him laugh.

Ignoring her whines, Marquette removed the blind fold and as he requested her eyes were still closed. Stepping away from her, Marquette took a deep breath before getting down on one knee in front of her. "You can open your eyes now."

On command Blessing opened her eyes and her hand immediately covered her mouth as her eyes began to water from the sight before her.

Behind Marquette was a wall full of different shades of blue and white roses with the words, "Will you marry me?" in big bold cursive letters that lit up. Along with their entire family and friends there in attendance with big smiles and tears in their eyes.

Looking down at Marquette as he dropped down on one knee, Blessing slowly stepped forward trying to keep herself from crying.

Taking a hold of her hand, Marquette kissed the back of it before looking up at her and locking eyes with her. "I know this moment is long overdue, but I wanted to do this the right way with you. I spent days thinking of how special I wanted to make this moment for you, because baby you honestly deserve the world and so much more." He started as his eyes started to burn a little as well.

"Blessing, I've loved you ever since I was five years old and not a day goes by where I don't think about spending the rest of my life with you. You've watched me and helped me grow from a boy to a man. You've supported me during a lot of my dark moments when I felt as if I had no one and to top it off you gave me one of the greatest gifts I could have ever asked for and that's our beautiful daughter Kinsley. I know nothing in this world could ever measure up to that ultimate gift of you making me a father, but in return I want to promise you my loyalty and love unconditionally by making you my wife and give you everything you deserve for simply being who you are."

"Falling in love with you has had to be one of the most awarding things to happen in my life. Your parents must have known that no other name other than Blessing could have fit you. Because that's simply what you are and what you have been in all our lives." He sniffled as a few tears started to fall from his eyes.

As everyone stood back and watched, Blessing was in full blown tears as she listened to Marquette express his love to her. "So Blessing with all that being said, would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife and marry me?"

Smiling as her tears continued to fall, she nodded her head yes. "Yes," She said, while crying.

Sliding the ring on her finger, Marquette stood up and hugged her tightly as they shared a kiss while everybody stood around clapping and cheering them on.

Eventually music started playing and Blessing just felt as if she was on cloud nine. Glancing down at her ring in disbelief, Blessing couldn't believe she was actually engaged to the man of her dreams. Kissing him once more, they both wiped each other tears smiling and laughing at each other.

"I love you so much." She whispered as tears continued to fall from her eyes.

"I love you more," Hugging her again they soon were ambushes by their family and friends who joined in on the hug as they started congratulating them both on their engagement.

Once things calmed down the engagement party had begun and people were either gathered around dancing, eating the food he had catered for the event or talking amongst one another.

Sitting down in one of the chairs, Marquette sat with a few of his homeboys talking, but majority of his attention was on Blessing who stood across the room talking to her friends.

"I'm really happy for you man." His homeboy Chris spoke up as his other two friends Mark and Eric agreed. "Blessing is an amazing woman, ain't too many like her out here." He complimented.

"I appreciate that man and I really appreciate you guys for helping me put all this together. Tonight was a success forreal." He smiled.

"Indeed it was, the venue is beautiful, you guys look great, but nigga you know that you just put us all in the hot seat though with our women." Mark pointed out followed by a laugh.

Frowning, Marquette took a sip of his drink. "What you mean?"

"You know Blessing and our girls are all best friends, and since Blessing was the first to get engage out of their group, you know how some women can be at times. They see what one man has done or is doing for their woman and they start looking at you wondering when it's gon' be their time." Eric answered knowing exactly what Mark was referring too by that statement.

"Facts." Chris agreed. "You know ever since Jess crazy ass found out you was proposing she been on a nigga head dropping hints like a muthafucka." He laughed.

"I mean what's stopping y'all from popping the question though? Y'all all got good women and you know some women just want that stability and security especially since y'all are already living together, splitting bills, doing everything as a married couple, why not just take it a step further?" Marquette asked.

"I never saw myself as the married type." Eric shrugged. "I love Kadence with my whole heart and wouldn't trade what we have for the world. Plus I just always felt like marriage was pointless because why does a signature and a certificate have to define if I truly love someone when my actions is what matters the most?" He expressed.

"How does Kadence feel about this though? Does she want to get married?" Chris asked him as they all sat around awaiting his response.

"We've talked about it and she understood exactly where I was coming from. She knows I love her and don't see myself being with anybody else besides her, I've made that very clear." He replied.

"Yeah that may be true, but is that what she truly wants though?" Mark questioned him.

"She's cool with it." He shrugged as he looked down avoiding eye contact. "But enough about me, what about y'all niggas? What's holding y'all up on proposing?" He asked Mark and Chris.

"I'm proposing to Taylor on our three year anniversary this year in December." Taking a sip of his drink, he glanced over at her watching her hold Kinsley while talking to Blessing. "Hell, I wanted to propose last year but things were a little crazy with the whole loss of her sister and of course just work and life in general. But I'm ready to do it, I just need her to hold on for three more months, she's been dropping hints like crazy." Mark explained.

"Aw man congrats, do you have the ring already?" Marquette asked him.

"Yup, picked it up last week from the jeweler. I'ma bring it by the house tomorrow for y'all to see it."

Their conversation was eventually cut short when each of their women came walking over wanting each of their undivided attention when Jagged Egde song, "I Gotta Be," started to play.

Taking a hold of Blessing's hand, Marquette pulled her closer as they swayed to the beat of the song. Looking up at him Blessing stood up on her tip toes to kiss him, before laying her head on his chest feeling completely safe and loved in his arms.

"I can't wait to marry and spend eternity with you." She said more so to herself since the music was too loud for him to hear.

Outside the venue out back sat Serenity, Travis, Armoni and Nolan sitting on a curb together smoking some of the weed Travis had brought with him. They had all ditched the engagement party once the couples started getting a little carried away and none of them wanted to see any of that.

So, once Travis annouced he had some weed on him Serenity and Nolan immediately hopped up to join him outside and Armoni simply tagged along to be around Nolan since she didn't smoke.

Laying her head on Nolan's shoulder, they all were sitting in silence and vibing to the music Nolan had music playing from his phone.

"One of y'all really should beat that Malaysia hoe ass forreal." Travis blurted out as he blew smoke out his mouth and nose, before passing it over to Nolan.

Laughing, Armoni shook her head. "Is violence your answer to everything?" She asked.

Shrugging his shoulders, he pointed at Serenity who was laying down on her back with her knees up in her own world. "Behind her the answer is always yes to violence. I already told her them fuck niggas got it coming, she think I'm playing but shit wait til Monday come I promise you them niggas gon' wish they stayed their asses home." He ranted becoming upset all over again.

"I understand your reasoning, but you literally just got released from Juvie Trav. The last thing we need is for you to go back behind you violating your probation." Armoni pointed out, but it was clear Travis wasn't listening to any thing she was saying.

"You're talking to a brick wall Moni, Travis is going to do whatever Travis wants to do." Serenity laughed as she reached her hand up for Nolan to pass her the blunt.

"Exactly, plus despite what them niggas did Malaysia bird ass supposed to be like y'all best friend and for her to turn and not believe Serenity .. that shit just don't sit well with me. Then for her to hop online and start throwing shots after you and her got into it, that bitch was never a friend." He continued to rant to Armoni.

"I agree." Nolan mumbled.

"I understand where y'all are coming from, but I just feel like people like Malaysia aren't worth the time of entertaining." She shrugged.

"That part. Plus Malaysia has bigger shit to be focused on like chasing around a nigga who doesn't want her desparate ass." Serenity pointed out making both Travis and Nolan laugh.

"Yeah that is true, but anyways enough about Malaysia! Are y'all ready for the homecoming dance next week?" Armoni asked excitedly.

"Yes'mam, the dress my mama ordered for me came in yesterday and it looks so good on me." Serenity smiled as she took a hit from the blunt a couple times before passing it to Travis.

"Are you going with Travis or?" Armoni asked looking inbetween the two.

"Just depends, his ass might be suspended for fighting if he goes through with his plan on Monday." Serenity shrugged.

"Oh lord, well if not you can just ride with Nolan and I to the dance or Santana. I'm just waiting on my shoes to arrive and its lowkey erking me because the ship date keeps getting delayed." Armoni sighed as she lifted Nolan's hand and began playing his fingers.

"I told her to just go and buy another pair just in case, but she ain't tryna listen." He spoke out taking the blunt from Travis.

"Whatever, do you even have your suit ready?" She asked him.

"Yes, my mama designed it herself and she said she should be done with it by Wednesday. You know she's extra so she's doing the most like this is our prom or something." Nolan scoffed.

"Well it is kind of like prom, but you know that night is going to be special for me since I won homecoming Queen this year so we have to look our best." Armoni reminded.

Waving her off, Nolan looked down at his shoes letting the high he was feeling take over. He honestly didn't care too much for school dances, but he knew Armoni did so he was simply only going for her to make her happy.

If it were up to him he'd rather be at home or just at Armoni's house just chilling in her presence away from everybody, but he knew with Armoni being the social butterfly that she is that wasn't going to happen.

"I know baby and we are going to be the two best dressed muthafuckas in the building." He told her before he started to stand up. "I'm about to go and get me something to drink, y'all want anything?" Nolan asked as he pushed and used Armoni as leverage to help him stand.

Being sure to swipe her hand across his butt when he stood up, he handed her his phone to hold until he came back.

"Just get me a sprite if they got any." Armoni told him.

"Yeah me too and grab a coke for Travis coke head ass." Serenity called out.

Watching him walk away, Travis and Serenity both started clearing their throats once he was too far to hear them. "So what's up with my nigga? He's been mighty quiet all night." He pointed out looking at Armoni for answers.

"I was wondering the same thing, you guys seem a little off today. Usually you're damn near ontop of each other doing the damn most with the PDA." Serenity joked.

Releasing a deep breath, Armoni sighed. "Nolan was using my phone yesterday since his was updating and I guess he came across that I had been texting Malcolm."

"Malcolm as in Santana's best friend Malcolm?" Serenity asked her for clarification.

"Yes." She sighed. "And you know Nolan hasn't really cared too much for him since he started coming around, so he got really upset and wanted me to stop texting him."

"Well did you?" Travis asked as he propped himself so Serenity could lay up against him.

"No, Malcolm and I are just friends and I really wish Nolan would stop being so blinded by jealousy and see that. He read our messages and literally saw we don't talk about much of anything." She went onto explain.

When Nolan came across the messages between Armoni and Malcolm, she figured he might be a little upset but thought he would have moved passed it by now. She always made it very clear that she only wanted him, so she wasn't sure why Nolan was threatened by Malcolm.

"If y'all ain't really talking about much of anything, then what's your reasoning behind not wanting to stop texting him? You would want Nolan to stop texting a girl you didn't like, right?" Travis asked her.

"It's different than that, Malcolm has just been through a lot and right now I'm just a listening ear. I respect Nolan and our relationship, but he literally has zero reason not to like Malcolm. He hasn't liked him since the day they first met." Armoni pointed out.

Serenity smacked her teeth. "Girl, that's because Nolan knows Malcolm likes you Armoni and its very evident that he does. You're the only one acting oblivious to it, but it's clear as day and if I didn't know any better I would think you lowkey like him too."

"What? No, I love Nolan." She defended.

"I didn't say you didn't love Nolan, but you can also like someone else at the sametime and if you do that's okay. We're still young at the end of the day and who knows if you and Nolan will actually last forever, I say you explore those feelings you have for Malcolm just to see if what you're feeling is real." Serenity suggested.

"I don't have feelings for Malcolm, I really wish you would stop saying that. Who am I with now is who I want and that's Nolan." She stated becoming slightly annoyed.

Serenity smiled. "So you're telling me that if you saw Malcolm and another girl together, you wouldn't get slightly jealous or nothing?"

"Nope, what Malcolm chooses to do is his business." She shrugged.

Laughing, Serenity shook her head. "So, I guess that means it wouldn't bother you that Malcolm and Sierra Walker are going to the homecoming dance together then, right?"

Frowning, Armoni looked over at her. "What? He's going with Sierra Walker!? He told me he wasn't even going to go and he decides to go with her of all people?!" She scoffed.

"Wait, I thought you just said what Malcolm does is his business." Travis laughed along with Serenity.

"It is his business, but y'all know he could do so much better than Sierra Walker and then he didn't even tell me he was going."

"Better as in better with you?" Serenity asked with a smile.

Rolling her eyes, Armoni folded her arms. "I didn't say that,"

"You didn't have to and just for the record I was joking." Throwing her arm over Armoni's shoulder, Armoni glanced over at her. "I just feel at our age chasing and looking for love is pointless, a relationship is so serious and we're still so young and learning ourselves and I sometimes feel like jumping into a serious relationship at our age hinders that a little."

"When I was in that all girls school, we met so many women who had been sexually abused or even just physically abused and most of their stories the men who abused them were men they had been dating since their teens and I'm not saying this will ever happen with you and Nolan. My point is that these women spent so much time focusing on these men and playing these wifey roles at such a young age that once things ended they were so clueless and barely knew how to function without that man. They became codependent on them, because their majority of their lives have been revolved around these men."

"And I just don't ever want you to find yourself not knowing who you are without Nolan, because you never gave yourself time to actually explore that part of you." Serenity told her.

"I mean if I asked you right now, who you are in your own words .. what would you say?" Serenity asked her.

Glancing over at Travis who was sitting their quietly listening, he gave her a look showing he was waiting for her to answer the question as well.

"That's a complex question, I'm still young Serenity nobody truly knows who they are at this age." Armoni replied.

"My point exactly. We're supposed to use this time to do just that, I remember freshman you kept saying you wanted to go to Texas State in San Marcos or Grambling state to get on their dance team. But due to you not wanting to be far away from Nolan you were thinking about just settling and going to PV or Texas Southern and that's where it starts. You start changing your own path of what you truly want to do to accommodate to his needs and that's not fair to you Armoni."

Serenity loved Nolan like a brother and loved that Armoni and him were together, but Nolan had a lot of growing up to do. He was very immature at times and was very insecure when it came to Armoni and other guys and she hated the fact that he was cool with her not choosing her dream school to be closer to him.

She felt in that moment Nolan should have stepped back and told her to chase her dreams and that no matter what he would still be there for her, if he truly loved her and wanted what was best for her.

Serenity has seen this type of situation play out and she would hate for things to go left between them due to the issues Nolan isn't willing to face within himself first. So, instead he brushes them off, continues to hold in all this anger and lashes out when he suspects something or things aren't going his way.

Looking away Armoni was lost in her own thoughts. She listened to what Serenity said and knew she had a point, but then she looks back at what her brother Marquette and Blessing have and realizes being with your childhood crush is very much possible.

However, Serenity did have her thinking that maybe her and Nolan were rushing all of this and needed to take a step back to give each other time to grow and learn themselves more. She knew she had developed a small crush on Malcolm, but nothing to the point where she would choose him over Nolan.

She understood what Serenity meant by saying for her to use this time to explore her emotions, but she didn't want to do that to Nolan. She loved him and knew that would hurt him in the end and their friendship along with their relationship would be over.

-

Thanks for the love & support as always my loves!

- Denise💕