Page 98 of When Love Takes Over
“I agree.”
We rode in silence for so long that it made me uncomfortable.
“Are we good?” I asked hesitantly.
“We’re fine, but can I ask you something?”
“Always.”
“Do you want children?”
“Honestly, I didn’t think I wanted them. It wasn’t something I thought about often because I’ve never dated anyone I’d want to have children with, and my life wasn’t conducive to bringing children into the world.”
“What about now?”
“Kenzo, I love you, and I would love to create life with you and add to the Goode legacy.”
“When?”
“I want to finish school first.”
“You don’t think you could’ve told me that instead of lying to me?”
“I didn’t?—”
“Omitting information is lying, Malyah.”
“I’m sorry for not being upfront, but you know how we started. I even told you I didn’t think bringing a child into it was smart, and we never discussed your expectations in great detail.”
“I thought I made what I wanted clear a few times, but regardless, you never explicitly said no, and you signed the contract. I assumed we were on the same page.”
“I don’t want to argue. I’m sorry for not making myself clear, but I’m telling you now. I want to have our baby, but not until I finish school.”
“Waiting isn’t an issue, baby. You're my wife, but this is your life and your body. The lack of communication is what hurts. I thought we were in a good place and that you felt comfortable talking to me about everything.”
“We’re in a great place, and I do feel comfortable talking to you about everything, but since I didn’t tell you in the beginning, I was nervous about how you’d react.”
“I understand, but when I came home and decided not to tell you what happened between Callie and me, I learned that communication is one of the most important keys to a successful marriage. From that point on, I vowed to tell you everything, no matter how big or small. We’re still learning, baby, but let’s always keep the lines of communication open. Okay?”
“Okay. I love you.”
“I love you more, baby. You ready to have some fun?”
“More than ready.”
Two Years Later
“HaveI told you how proud of you I am?” I asked Malyah as I held her in my arms.
“I think you’ve told me about a hundred times today, but I don’t mind hearing it again, and again, and again.”
“I am so proud of you, baby. You didn’t just graduate at the top of your class; my wife is the muthafuckin’ valedictorian.”
“Period!”
We’d just arrived home from her graduation and snuck down to our apartment for a few minutes to ourselves. Her partywould be held in the backyard in about an hour, and once that got started, it would be hours before we’d be alone again.
“You should’ve seen Gramps when they called your name. We had to make him sit down and beg him to quiet down.”
