Sitting up I looked at my phone it was midnight, I haven't been able to sleep since the ruined dinner. Sighing I rolled out of bed and went to pee. Sliding back into bed I thought over yesterday's events deciding to end all sexual activities between Kerstin and I until we got to the bottom of this crap with her parents. Not only that but I wanted to do the right thing. Gods word says sin is sin and sex before marriage is sin. Running my hands down my face I get out of bed and dropped to my knees to pray.

"Dear Lord, I am calling upon you today for your divine guidance and help. I am in crisis and need a supporting hand to keep me on the right and just path. I know I'm not only suppose to come to you in times of trouble, and I won't. Lord my heart is troubled but I will strive to keep it set on you, as your infinite wisdom will show me the right way to a just and right resolution. Thank you for hearing my prayer and for staying by my side. Thank you, Lord, for being there for me and allowing me to cry out to you in my times of need. It is amazing to me that the one and only true God would take time to listen to me and to care about what I say. Father, there are things happening around me right now that I do not understand. Some of these things make me feel weak, helpless and afraid for not only me but my fiancé. I don't know what's going on with the woman that I love but I trust you. Even in the midst of this, I know that you are Lord. I know that the situation is in YOUR hands, and I trust YOU FATHER. I beseech you for strength and for wisdom that I would be able to endure this situation and be able to handle it in a way that would bring glory to Your name. In Jesus name. Amen."

Wiping the tears from my face I stood and climbed back into bed. Wrapping my arms around Queen I fall into a peaceful slumber.

"No more moving little lady." I whisper into Queens hair pulling her closer to me.
"I have to use the restroom King let me go, or else I will pee in the bed." She says still squirming around.
"Alright little R-Kelly, but give me a kiss first." Turning around she kissed my lips and wiggled out of my arms sprinting to the bathroom. Chuckling I closed my eyes, and a few minutes later I feel my baby crawling into bed cuddling up under me.
"Thank you for everything last night." I hear her say as she squeezes me. Opening my eyes I pull her up so we are face to face.

"You don't have to thank me Queen. It's my duty to protect you; has been since you said yes to this relationship. No even before then; when we first made eye contact. I will always stand by your side. A king protects his Queen, because she's the only one who can protect him." I say not breaking eye contact with her. Wiping away her tears I kiss her. Remembering to talk to her about not having sex anymore.
"I don't want to have sex again until we are married okay. I want our wedding night to be special and I want to do right by God and by you. Let's enjoy building our home and each other for the next few months okay?" I add when she doesn't respond.
"What did I do to deserve you?" She whispers and hugs me tightly kissing my lips.
"I ask myself that everyday!" I say when we break apart. Smiling we lay there watching television until our stomachs start growling.
"Feed me please!" She yells being all extra, lifting her up I make my way down the stairs.

"I'm so full!" Queen said leaning back lifting my big shirt exposing her poked out belly. Smiling I reached over and poked it.
"You ate way to much baby." I say pulling her to me and rubbing her full belly.
"Yes I did, but you make the best breakfast ever." She says relaxing on the table where I sat her.
"So I was thinking..." I start off waiting to see how she would react.
"About what?" She asked eyeing me curiously.
"Counseling... for us before the wedding." I say looking into her eyes.
"Because of last night?" She asked shyly.
"No baby for our future." I say smiling at her.
"Okay well I guess I should tell you now." She says placing her hands over her face.
"Tell me what?" I asked lifting my eyebrow as I pull them down.
"I go to consulting already..." She whispers.
"Oh I thought it was something worse! That's a good thing I go to counseling too; which is why I brought it up." I say kissing all over her face.
"Really?" She asked shocked. Nodding my head I stand and collect our dishes.
"King your full of surprises." She says hopping down and starts putting up the left over food.

'Yo sister on the phone. Yo sisters calling you. Yo sister on the phone. So she can tell you something new.' Racing over to her phone Kerstin almost fell as she did her crazy dance.
"Yo sister on the phone!" She screamed to Kim smiling like a fool.

Not paying attention I finished up the dishes and headed up stairs to call Carter.
"Finally you remember I exist!" He shouts into the phone sounding sad.
Who stole his puppy?
"I'm a busy man Carter plus I saw you last week." I say flopping down into my office chair.
"Well it's been to quiet at the office and it's been to long! I'm coming over bye!" He says and the line goes silent. Chuckling I jump up to go get Kerstin so she can get dressed. Her favorite house gear attire is for my eyes only.

"Baby!" I yell looking for her as I walk downstairs.
"Yes King?" She says bent over doing some stretches.

Lord, HELP ME...

"Ya-you ahh..." Clearing my throat I finish speaking.
"Queen you need to go get dressed Carter is on his way over." I say rubbing the back of my neck. Why does this girl still make me nervous?
"Okay babe, why you blushing?" She asked smirking at me.
"I am a grown man I don't blush." I say before throwing her over my shoulder.
"Pa-lease more like a cave man!" She says giggling as I smack her butt.
"Hey hey none of that!" She says moving around.
"Please get dressed pretty lady, Carter lives fifteen minutes away and we've already used up most of those." I said standing her on her feet in front of the shower.
"Yes Sir." She said and turned on the shower. Just as she was about to speak the door bell rang out. Shrugging my shoulders I smiled and kissed her lips before running down the stairs.

"Hey dude." Carter said smiling hard. Such a baby!
"Hi bro." I say smiling back at him slapping him on the back.
"Congratulations! So tell me everything. How does it feel to be getting married? What are you guys planning to do with the house?" He asked.
"Bro you sound like a girl stop it. Thank you. I've told you everything I think. And it feels great. We are ready to start building the house!" I smiled like a fool this time and he laughed just as I remember I have yet to show him the new plans.
"Oooo come on!"
Leading the way to my office I fired up my Mac and pulled up the new and finial blue prints for our house.
"Bro this is beautiful!" Nodding my head I let him know we were ready to start Monday morning.
"So I guess I will let the guys know." Carter said.
"Yeah we can have a meeting later tonight if everyone can get free. Just the project mangers workers can find out tomorrow." I respond to him.

Carter and I must have been in my office for a long time because Kerstin came in there with lunch. Looking at her I smiled and kissed her sweet lips.
"What are you two so busy with in here?" She asked sitting in my lap.
"Schedule for the house we are gone start tomorrow." Carter said.
"Tomorrow? So soon I'm so excited! How long will it take?" She asked no one in particular.
"It may take a year or more baby. What did you cook?" I say getting her off the topic of the house. I was gone surprise her and try to shorten the time so we could have the wedding reception there. Or at least in the yard even if it's not furnished completely. I just want it to be my gift to her. I know for sure Jasmine will be decorating the guest house and it will be done way before the main house.
"Well I made mini meatloaf, baked potatoes with green beans. Would you guys like to go see the site? I don't know if you have already been or not but I had it cleared off a few years ago." She asked playing with my naked chest.
"We went when you were gone but we can go if you'd like." I say kissing her pretty hands. Shaking the thoughts of what they could do from my head I tune back in to the conversation.
"Yay!" She says excitedly.
"Feed me first baby! Then we can go." I say rubbing her thighs.
"Y'all are gross!" Carter says and I chuckle.
"Oh my bad I forgot about you over there." I laugh.
"Well y'all can come eat at the table since y'all not too busy lets go," she said standing and grabbing the tray. Taking it from her I walk behind her towards the kitchen. Setting the tray down I take the plates off and give Carter the one with less food, I'm sure Kerstin put enough on here for us both. Even though I could eat this all by myself.
"Am I sharing with you baby?" I ask as I wash my hands.
"Yes that was the plan but knowing you and that look you gone ahead eat it all." She says grabbing another plate.
"I love you." Is my reply as I dig in after praying.

*****

Monday morning was a busy day it was Queens first day back in the office and she really wanted to be at the site watching me work. Why I don't know because this is very boring, was now walking around with the property inspector because it turnout the last one  was fired and never finished the paper work. With a building plan in place, the next required item is a building permit. This is issued by the local building inspector's office. It can only be issued if the plan meets all local building codes, but this was private property  so I didn't have to worry about a lot of the things on his check list.

Looking down at my check list I check off 'building permits' and head over  where Carter and the rest of the team is. Preparing a site for construction is as much a part of the process as constructing the home itself. Even the best lots need grading to allow for proper drainage away from the home. Digging a basement and pouring a foundation is also part of the site preparation, and can be a lengthy process that seems to show little visible progress. Which was next on our list,but that was all Carter's job so I headed to see Queen for lunch after we finished up our little meeting. Dialing  Queen's number I slid into my F150.

"Hello King," She answered the phone causing me to smile.
"Hey baby. I am on my way to get you, so we can grab some lunch." I say maneuvering through the afternoon traffic.
"Okay where are you coming from?" Queen asked and I could just imagine her twirling her hair around her fingers.
"Just leaving the construction site, I'm about to jump on the highway now." I say smiling like and idiot.
"Okay so about thirty minutes." She responds and I hear papers moving around.
"Yes ma'am, what are you doing?" I ask her.
"Signing forms to approve new projects ideas. I just got out of my millionth meeting when you called. How did things with the inspector go?"
"Oh so you've had a busy morning. Things went great at the house. Carter and his team are in charge of the site perpetration." I say driving up the ramp to head to down town Dallas.
"I can't wait to visit. I want to hammer in the first nail with you King." She said and I felt my whole face heat up. Damn that girl!
"I would like that a lot Queen."
"Good, now are you here yet I'm starving."
Chuckling I pulled off the exit and head towards the office.
"I'm less than five minutes away baby."
"Okay I'll meet you at the front."
"Bring your boys please. I love you."
"I love you too, see you in a few."

Shortly after I pulled up and guess who was there. You's right! The paparazzi where everywhere. Pushing the door open I rush into the building where Queen awaits with her two guards.
"Hi King." She says blushing.
"Hello beautiful." I respond kissing her soft lips. Grabbing her hand I guide her out the door and flashes go wild. Signing I make my way around to the passenger side and lift her, placing her in. Kissing her again I shut her door, quickly jog to the other side and jumped in.

One month later...

Kerstin Pov

Today I was having one of the biggest meetings in my life. After going to marriage counseling I decided maybe we should talk. Not telling Chance about it was the hardest thing I'd ever done. We tell each other everything, but I needed closer and this was the only way.

Pulling into the parking lot I text Chance telling him everything. About who and why not where though. I didn't want him to show up.

Stepping out of the car I look around and spot our secret place. He was sitting there with his back was facing me. Taking a deep breath I walked up to him, gently touching his shoulder. Looking up he smiled at me with sad eyes. It broke my heart and I burst into tears. Standing he quickly wrapped his strong arms around me like he use to do. This is the first time in almost twelve years that's he has shown any kind of affection towards me. Pushing him off me I got angry.

"Tevin I need to know everything. I can't live my life regretting this for the rest of my life. Where did things take a turn for the worse? Why am I the only one who has to deal with the pain?" I say whipping my face.
"I... I uhhh..." Was all he could say before dropping his head.
"Please tell me!" I begged as more tears streamed down my face.
"I deserve to know!" I scream at him jumping up. Pacing as my mind ran a million miles a minute.

"Janay, please just sit it's a lot." He whispers out so softly I almost missed it. He hadn't call me that since our relationship came to a halt. I didn't even think he remembered. Taking a seat beside him I looking out into the open park, the wind blew and the sky was filled with dark clouds signaling the rain was coming. My heart was about to be cleansed.

"It all started right after the triplets were born. At first everything was all good and Kelly and I were happy with the company's progress. When you were born it seemed like life couldn't get any better you were my world. Kelly didn't like that, s-she would... She would threaten to take you away from me and leave me." The rain started poring down.
"I was just excited to have a child who favorited me because to the triplets she was everything. As you got older it only got worse and Kelly joined this group. I didn't think nothing of it until she decided she would run your life. I disagreed and I received a phone call saying you were kidnapped. I rushed home only to find Kelly and this group of men who told me what I was gone do. Or else it would get violent, and for the safety of my family I listened. It was a complete set up and Kelly was behind it all. Turns out she was in debt with Jackson's family. They were running some illegal operations and she played a big roll. That was the last day I brought you here. The last day I could show you how much I adored you princess. You left shortly after that with my help even if you didn't know it. There was no such thing as the Live and Learn Foundation, but I knew it had to look real so I started it when things started heading south and you started pulling away from everything. You were so smart, you still are." He said giving me the first real smile I'd seen in years.
"Especially with Kelly shoving Jackson down your throat. When you graduated early I was so excited I wanted to give you the world and that organization was the only way I could. I still have it you know I've given away billions." He stopped talking and looked me in the eyes for the first time through the rain.
"I know you probably hate me. What kind of man let's a woman control him the way your mother does me. Right? Well it's not just her. You remember when you were in Africa four years after you left?"
Nodding my head I looked at him with sad eyes waiting for him to keep going.
"Well I told Kelly I wasn't gone go through losing my daughter for her foolishness. Three days later I was laid up in the hospital with two broken legs, a broken arm, several broken ribs, in a coma. She had her guys come get me to 'teach me a lesson'. I gave up thinking it was the end of the world. I wanted many times to call and check on you but Kash was my way of checking on you. Everything you did he told me we grew closer over time and he's been trying to help me out of this mess with your mother. They threaten to kill you." He whispered and then broke down. It was my turn to comfort him my poor father. He'd only been protecting me this whole time. But the question of my mothers doing remained. I think I should meet with Jackson next. To get to the bottom of this. If I had to pay I would.

"They want a lot of money and they been watching you grow into this beautiful young woman you are today. These men seek control. Jackson is there income at the moment but they think if you two get married it will set them for life and they won't have to worry about anything. I've offered them millions and they decline. I offered them billions the didn't want that either. I was ready to give up everything but they only want the marriage."
"How much do they want?" I ask again because I had way more than the tabloids knew about. Billions of dollars was an understatement to my wealth. I had learned to invest in the right things and it paid off.
"I don't know princess. They don't want money."
"Have you tried to divorce Kelly?"
"Yes she won't sign the papers."
"Okay well if you want to leave her you can give her everything. I know you've worked hard to built your brand but it's not worth your happiness dad."
With that three letter word his whole demeanor changed. His back straightened, his eyes grew bright, his tears stopped and the rain even stopped. We both were drenched. Standing I hold out my hand and we walk to my Jeep. Driving to a local Walmart we run in to but dry clothes. First grabbing his thing and then grabbing mine. After changing we head to a local cafe. My father told me about how crazy my mother actually was and some of the dangerous things she had done to him. He wanted to leave and as of today he would. He would be moving into my apartment for the time being and will be assigned five body guards.
"It's time we repair our relationship." I say grabbing his hand smiling at him.
"I'd like that a lot princess."

Deciding to turn my phone back on I prepared for the worse. Deciding just to take my father with me I headed that way once we left the cafe. He had taken a cab to the park for safety reason.

"He is going to be so made at me." I say out loud.
"It's going to be okay, I can tell he loves you he will forgive you. Me on the other hand I have to apologize and he probably does really hate me."
"Oh dad, I've never not told him something like this!"
"It's okay dear he will understand. Slow down, or we won't make it in one piece."
"Yes sir." Smiling to myself I get us to the house in one piece and Chance runs out the house looking super stressed out.

Snatching my door open he kisses me hard.  "I am so mad at you right now!" He fusses and kisses me again. I like this kind of anger. Smiling I push him back remembering my father in in the car.
"Chance wait a minute, we aren't alone."
After that he stands and looks over. Seeing my father he looks at me then walks into the house. Looking over to my father he just nods and we both head into the house.

Once the triplets showed up everything was explained to them and Chance.  Chance loosened up a little and agreed to help me. Then him my brothers and my father disappeared into his office to have a 'man to man' talk as he called it. His own parents even had shown up shortly after along with Carter. Letting them in I lead the men to his office and me and his mother headed to the kitchen where Kim sat.

"Congratulations!" She squealed as soon as we were alone. I guessed she noticed I didn't want to talk about the situation. Grateful for that I smiled and looked at my ring. 
"Thank you, Mrs. Sophia." I say blushing as I washed my hands.
"Nonsense call me mom for now on. I've always wanted another daughter! Carter better hope to it I need one more." Laughing I started pulling out the food for dinner.
"I need grand babies too so start working on that ASAP please and thank you!" She say and I smile. Kim laughed and tended to my little nephew.
"You sound like Chance." I tell her. Smiling she clapped her hands and starts chopping the bell peppers.
"He loves children. I'm surprised you aren't pregnant now actually. Unless you are... Oh my please don't tell me you are!" She frozen mid chop.
"Ker! Oh my goodness! Are you?" Kim's whisper yells over the sleeping baby.
"No we aren't pregnant... yet. How about I'll tell you two first; deal?" I say looking at her smiling.
"Deal!" Sophia says and continued chopping. N
"We thought we were though." I tell them and their eyes snap up to mine.
Chuckling I remember going on think I was pregnant and he knew I wasn't.
"He made me take 15 test! And then wouldn't tell me if I was pregnant or not until after he asked me to marry him." I tell them.
"He is so dramatic." She said laughing.
Two hours go by and the men finally join us and my dad looks a lot better not as depressed and sad as before.

Thank you Lord for such a strong and understanding man.
I whisper before being wrapped in his arms.

"I love you, my Queen." He says softly in my ear.
"I love you more, my King." I say turning in his arms.
"So competitive." He whispers in my ear before biting it.

"Ew stop it guys." I hear Kevin say before everyone laughs.

Gathered around the table we were about to pray just as there was a knock at the door.
Chance went to open it and it was his sister Sabrina with a beautiful round belly and her husband not to far behind her.

Our families were together for the first time.

______________________
ARAYAIK🌹