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Fashion came naturally to me, so it took me no time to create an outfit from the pieces he brought.

“Alright, this is good. Very classic and simple. All you need to do is add your jewelry and it’ll be perfect.”

I stood back and admired my work. Styling wasn’t nearly as fun as designing and creating, but it was certainly less stressful. I loved being about to create something from nothing.

“Thanks, sis. I appreciate you.”

Jett grabbed his cologne and the things he needed for his shower, while I sat back down and let my sister put the finishing touches on my makeup.

After she finished, I checked myself out in the mirror, unable to contain the smile on my face. Serenity knew how to create magic with a makeup brush and some power. I felt like a princess, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt it would look even better once I put on my dress.

Solomon had our outfits delivered straight to the hotel, and I was excited to get dressed and put everything on. He still hadn’t seen the finished product, but he trusted me, and that alone made me excited for him to see it.

“Thank you, sissy. I look so beautiful.”

I turned my face side to side and admired myself in the mirror.

“Girl, please. You and I share the same DNA, you were a bad bitch before I put any makeup on you. All I did was add a little razzle-dazzle to a foundation that was already there. You’re going to shut shit down, and I can’t wait.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate you coming out here with us.”

“Anything for you, baby sis. Plus, I get to rub elbows with all these artists; I might pick up a few more clients. Jett told me I needed to slow down on the traveling, but I still have some time before I have to worry about traveling restrictions.”

I paused where I stood as the words sunk in.

“Wait a minute, are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I shouted a little louder than I had intended.

The smile that broke out on my sister’s face told me everything I needed to know. Serenity had been trying to have a baby for years without success, and at some point she and Jett decided to stop.

“We’ve been waiting for the right time to tell the family, so don’t say anything yet.” Serenity warned me, but I was too busy screaming with excitement. I hugged her tight and told her she deserved this moment because it was true. Serenity was the person I went to when I needed womanly advice without judgment.

“Aww, I’m gonna have another little nugget to spoil.” My siblings had made me an aunty as a teen, and it seemed like they were popping them out faster than I could keep up these days, but there were no complaints on my end. I loved all of my little babies so much.

Serenity wiped the tears from her eyes, with happiness radiating off of her.

“It actually feels good to be able to tell someone. I’ve been terrified to share it with anyone out of fear that something would go wrong. Jett has been encouraging me to relax, but it was easier said than done. I’ve never wanted something so badly before, and I don’t want to do anything to jinx it.”

The worry was evident in her tone, but I wanted her to be at peace.

“You know what Granny has always told us. Whatever God has for us is for us, and no one can take it away. I know you’re afraid, but remember who you are. You are blessed, and everything your heart desires will come to pass. All you have to do is hold on to your faith and let God do the rest. Congratulations, sissy. I already know this little bean will be spoiled and loved beyond capacity.”

“Ugh, this baby has me crying and acting like a soft-ass bitch. Jett’s ass has been loving every moment of it, but I’m already over it.” Serenity lied through her teeth as she sniffled.

“Girl, please. You’ve been as soft as cotton since Jett walked into your life and tricked you out of your heart.” I teased. It was a running joke in our family that my brother-in-law bullied Serenity out of her heart.

“He really did trick me, but I think I love it here,” she giggled.

“I’m happy for you, sissy. Momma is gonna be over the moon when she finds out. She’s been asking who was gonna be the next one to have a baby. Now, she can stop looking at Charity with those pitiful glances.”

Our mother always wanted a big family, and not that her children were having babies; she wanted a houseful.

“I know. I think Charity is leaning towards not having another one, though. Khalil is getting bigger, and he doesn’t want her help as much. I think she’s comfortable with the family she has right now.”

We continued to talk about our growing family, and it made me think about my own life. I used to have dreams of getting married and having kids of my own, but as life progressed, I wondered when it would be my turn. Although I was the baby of the family, I always wanted to settle down and have kids before I hit my thirties.

My dating life had been non-existent and, to be honest, I had no desire to change it. I tried to date over the years, but I seemed to only meet men who wanted someone they could control or walk all over. After being in an abusive relationship, I had a fear of missing the signs again. I couldn’t even say that I ran at the first red flag, because I didn’t even wait to see one. As soon as they said or did something I didn’t like, I blocked them before they could even blink.

My friends told me I was being too hard on these men, but I disagreed. I wasn’t willing to settle with just anybody because I wanted to be in love. The man of my future needed to make me feel safe and loved. I needed the kind of man who stood up for me when I couldn’t stand up for myself. Someone who anticipated my needs because they paid attention to me.