"Steph, I can't find my Grey suit. Did you remember to pick it up from the dry cleaners?"

I rolled my eyes a little at his carelessness when it comes to keeping up with his things. It wasn't all the time, just when something major was going on in our lives. I guess that's why I shouldn't act surprised about today.

"Rich, did you check the front of your closet door, where your fresh dry cleaning always is?" I called out from the playroom where me and the children were. Skye was practicing her speech for her school's end of the year program, and the twins were both in their high chairs babbling at her.

A few seconds went by and he still hadn't answered. "Oh, never mind I found it." *Exactly* I thought to myself.

Skye was already dressed and ready to go. I had already done my hair and makeup. I was just waiting on Rich to finish so he could take over and dress the twins while I got ready.

"Sweets, what about my Navy Blue dress shirt I bought last week? I don't see it hanging in the closet."

"Check your dressing room Rich."

"Aw."
"Typical," I mumbled

Finally talking myself into moving, I pushed myself up from the recliner. I couldn't for the life of me understand why I was so tired over the last week, but I was exhausted.

"What was that?" He smirked as he walked through the doorway to me while tying is necktie.

*dang the monitors* I thought quickly to myself while turning to face him. I smiled innocently as I walked into him for an embrace. He quickly returned the vibe and pulled up slightly from the ground.

"I'm just saying you always do that." Submissively I told him my view of his daily routine. He laughed hysterically about me describing him as dramatic; he also set a goal be more attentive to the household systems we set. Like me picking up his weekly laundry and putting it away in the SAME place since we've been together.

"Okay Skye go ahead and slip your shoes back on mama. I'll be ready in just a few minutes." I said, easing away from Rich a little more. I was about to puke my stomach up.

He moved in closer each time trying to kiss my neck. I curved every attempt. Lord knows I didn't want to ruin his custom suit he requested just for this specific day.

"Here Skye." I thought fast and ducked to retrieve her dress shoes from the carpet in front on the crib.

She grabbed them from me so quick that I didn't have time to process the wave of nausea that I had passed. I stood back up and pivoted to the opposite direction of him. He interjected and locked his arms around my waist.

"I want to kiss my fiancé." He looked into my eyes.

"Rich.. you're making me nauseous."

"Damn come on Quanni that was a whole vibe you just killed." He tilted his head.

"I'm serious Rich, what cologne are you wearing?," I backed up.

It was too late though because air vent that I was standing under sent a whiff quickly up my nostrils.

"It's what I always wear baby.. what's up?" He was persistent in having me up under him but I kept fighting; my poor stomach couldn't handle it.

"Uh- uh I'm serious Rich. Stay right there. That shit stinks." I frowned.

"Watch your mouth," He laughed

"Since when did stop liking my cologne? You cheating on me?" He grabbed his chest and looked at me in shock.

I tried my best but I just can't take him serious. I grabbed my side that was hurting now because I had been laughing for a minute straight and his comical theatrics about me having another man. I'm glad we're secure in one another to know that he was joking. We're growing. Plus it took my mind away from the fact that my stomach was in shambles.

***
"Mommy?"

"What's wrong honey?" I leaned attentively into Skye's direction and remembered to smile, as cameras were around us everywhere.

"How long do we have to stand here? I thought you said we were going to have cake?" She covered her mouth with her white lace gloves. She was so adorable. I had both her and Rima's outfits originally designed by my girl Kersten.

"Your daddy's about to say his oath now okay, mama? This is a historic moment for our family. So I want you to pay attention and take everything in okay? One day I want you to be able to tell me exactly how you felt growing up watching your family build an empire." Her face lit up with excitement as she thought back to writing hour this week during our home study session.

She wrote about how she loves seeing me and her daddy work hard to accomplish our dreams. She wrote
"Because they can, I know I can."

I was in tears reading it.

"Can I write about it when I get home?" She smiled

"Sure you can mama- okay there's daddy!" We waved to him as he turned again to look at us. He was only a few feet away from us.

***
"Okay, right there, that's perfect. You all look beautiful!" Today was a busy day for us. After the inaugural ceremony for Rich, we spent the remainder of the day doing interviews and photo shoots. I swear this man is a celebrity.

I was just proud to call him my fiancé and my children's father. I'm completely honored that he and God chose me to do this journey with him. I just pray to be all that he needs me to be, every step of the way.

"Okay Rima, can you look at the camera for daddy? Huh?" The whole room grew silent as they watched us carry on like they weren't even there.

I was busy fixing Rich's tie as he tried to turn Bunni's attention to the photographer. When he's in the room, nothing else matters to her. Would you believe she gets a little 'tude when I try to lay up under him when he has her?

"No Deuce, you can't eat my bracelet brother." Skye giggled while wiping drool way from her arm and Deuce's face. He must've known what he was doing because he hadn't stopped giggling yet.

"Ugh Rima is that you smelling like a grown man?" Rich's face was torn up and he was covering his nose. She giggled. I don't know where her and her brother are picking up this goofy-ness from.

"Bunni, tell daddy you're sorry." I giggled.

That's when she did the cutest thing ever, she leaned into him and kissed his cheek. I've never seen him smile so much in my life.

"I think we got it, Judge. Come check this out!" The photographer yelled.

"Man, that's amazing. You do great work bro... Sweets come see." He was acting like a little school girl and I thought it was the cutest thing ever.

As soon at the shoot was over, we were rushed back into the main house to change and prepare for the inaugural banquet. It was an all white event and I was terrified of how my children would look when this was all over. Since I would be helping Rich with press, I was depending on my friends and family to help keep an eye out on them.

"I'm sorry girl, I'm so sleepy it's ridiculous." I apologized quickly to Rhea and Leah, who were helping me with wardrobe and makeup.

"Count this as one of many sleepless nights boo, your life is changing." Leah smiled.

"I'm so happy for y'all Q." To my amazement when my eyes met Rhea's gaze, she was fanning away tears.

"lol thanks sis... but hold them tears until the wedding." I giggled.

They both stopped and stared at each other.

"What I say y'all?"

"Nothing!" They responded in sync.

I wondered what the little fuss what about but the thought left my mind just as soon as it came. The venue for the ball was beautiful. I hadn't seen the completed look for tonight, but I had fallen in love with the place the minute I saw it. I couldn't wait to see what my planner had done with my vision.

"Hello? You ladies decent?" Just as I turned my head his gaze met mine. I was so excited to see him that I found myself damn near crying again.

"Daddy! What are you doing here? I thought you couldn't get out of your engagement tonight?" Kicking and screaming like a little school girl, I grinned at him as he came over to the chair to hug me.

"It's almost like I didn't raise you little girl. Have I ever missed anything important to you?"

"No."

"So why would today be any different?" His dimples peeked out of his cheeks while his smile grew bigger. He didn't didn't even allow me the chance to answer the question.

"You look amazing Stephanie- so beautiful. Damn you look just like your grandmother"

"Ooooou daddy your cursed." I giggled and gently wipe the tears that were forming in the corners of his eyes.

"It slipped. The Lord will forgive me. Okay let me get out of y'all's way. I'll see you in a minute baby girl. You ready?" He cheesed.

"Yea daddy. It's just a banquet." I shrugged.

"Right. Uh- uh.. right okay bye baby. Love you!"

I could feel frown lines forming in my makeup while I surveyed the room trying to figure out what was going on. Why was everybody acting so weird?

I didn't know but I was determined to find the answer.