38- To Baby Laurens!

**Saviera's POV**

The smell of bacon and coffee fills the air and the sun softly peaks through the black curtains in Daveed's room. My body is sore, a vivid reminder of last night flashing through my mind and brings a smile to my face. Why in the world has Daveed been holding out on me this entire time? It makes me wonder what other torture devices he might have. I'm half way tempted to go through his closets, but I feel like that would be a violation of his privacy. I'll just ask him to show me. I get up and groan because my body feels stiff, so I stretch it out. It feels like I just ran fifteen miles without warming up first. I've gotten so out of shape.
I find a shirt and a pair of cotton shorts with fuzzy socks in my bag and get dressed. I go into the kitchen to find Daveed and surprisingly another man who looks just like him, but taller and with a longer beard. If only I wasn't already in love with two people, three might be doing too much.
"Hello. You must be the big announcement." Sweet Jesus this man has a deep voice. He sounds like he could be the god of war.
"Yeah, but no. I'm Saviera, it's nice to meet you." I settle for a small wave and make my way over to Daveed. I can't risk having one of those fucking sparks that Zuri talks about if I touch his hand.
"Likewise. I'm Armoni, Daveed's oldest sibling." He flashes a smile that could blind you.
"Zuri would love to take an x-ray of his teeth if she saw him. That's the first thing she thinks about when she meets someone with nice teeth." Armoni looks confused, but Daveed laughs because he's heard Zuri say those exact words about Rory and a few other people in public.
"Who's Zuri?" Armoni asks.
"She's my absolute best friend. I'm sure you'll meet her sooner rather than later." I wonder how he would feel if he knew just how close Daveed and I are with Zuri. There must be a reason Daveed didn't talk to his brothers about the arrangement. I do appreciate him even more for keeping it between the three of us instead of bragging to his brothers or friends about having two women at one point. It shows how much of a man he truly is.
"Is she hot and single?" Oh, so he isn't bashful. That's nice to know.
"She's the sexiest woman you'd ever meet, but completely unavailable. She also prefers red heads, unfortunately for you." I give a grin to soften the blow.
"Ouch." He put his hand over his heart as if I shot him. "You sure are brutally honest. Complete opposite of what Isabella was."
"Who's Isabella?" I assume it's an ex girlfriend based on Daveed's glare that could kill and Armoni's look that tells me he would have his tail tucked between his legs if he were a dog.
"She's no one." Daveed's voice was the coldest I've ever heard. Whoever Isabella is, she's a very touchy subject. As much as I'm dying to know about her, I know Daveed will tell me everything when he's ready. Pushing the subject today when we're supposed to be excited about sharing the news about our baby could ruin both of our day. For the first time ever, I'm choosing to be mature.
"Daveed, can I talk to you alone for a second?" We walk past Armoni and Daveed smacks him upside the head. It takes everything in my body not to laugh because even though Daveed isn't nearly as big, I feel like he would beat his brother's ass in a fight. I'm learning that Armoni is just a big softy and suddenly way less attractive than he was at first glance.
We get into the room and Daveed looks like he's ready to plead for mercy when I put a finger over his lips.
"Let me talk first before you say anything you aren't prepared to say." I grab his hand and lead him to his bed for him to sit, "You don't have to tell me who she is or what might have happened with her right away. I trust you and I love you. When you are ready I expect honesty, but today is about us and our baby. Okay?" He exhales like he's been holding his breath and I can see the tension fading away from his body.
"I promise I will tell you everything. I love you so much, Sav. Thank you for giving me some time." He gives me a kiss that showed just how thankful he is and we return to the kitchen.
"Good, she's still here." He really is good at making matters worse.
"Shut up, Armpit." Daveed responds as he puts the bacon on the plate with paper towel.
I laugh and say, "Do you smell like armpit or something?"
"No. My siblings think that it's funny because I have A-R-M at the beginning of my name, so they've always called me armpit." He grumbles, clearly not happy about his nickname.
"That makes sense. It reminds me of the movie *Holes*." I absolutely love that movie.
"Yeah, they ruined it for me so that's great." He responded.
"I'm stealing a piece of bacon." I reach over and grab two pieces. Daveed is also making french toast and over medium eggs.
"A piece, huh?" He lifts an eye brow.
"Or two. Same difference." He shakes his head and looks at me amused and kisses my forehead.
Armpit whistles, "You've got it bad, brother. It's good to see that look in your eyes."
"Why are you here this early other than to annoy me and my woman?" I can tell he's kidding, but only kind of.
"To eat breakfast, of course." He tries to steal a piece of bacon, but Daveed slaps his hand and he quickly pulls it back.
"Wait until it's finished, Armpit." You'd think Daveed were the oldest. I finish the bacon and head back to the room to get ready for the day while he finishes up breakfast.

Five-thirty comes around and everyone starts showing up. Armoni hung out here the whole day and was actually a huge help getting things set up while Daveed and I went to the store and got what we needed for the night. Armoni already had the table prepared, sweet tea and fresh lemonade made and washed this morning's dishes. I can finally see his big brother instincts kicking in.
Elliot, the youngest, was the first to arrive with their parents. Evelynn is their mom and Leo is their dad. They are both such beautiful people and so kind. Caroline, Khiya, and Aster rode together and showed up shortly after and then lastly, Devence came. I couldn't imagine growing up with this many siblings. I wonder if Daveed wants a lot of kids. I don't think I want to push all those babies out of my lady bits. Somehow, Evelynn looks amazing and I would have never guessed she gave birth to seven children if I didn't already know better.
Everyone takes a seat at the giant dinning room table and socializes as I go back into the kitchen to help Daveed finish up. Daveed already introduced me to everyone when they got here, so I can hear them making bets about what the announcement might be.
"I bet they're getting married." Said Caroline.
"No way. I bet he's just introducing us to her." Khiya added.
"Doubt it. I bet she's moving in with him. Look how he stares at her." Says Elliot.
In a way, I'm glad no one has guessed the right thing. But it also makes me even more nervous that they wouldn't expect something so serious as having a baby together out of wedlock.
We set the food at the table for everyone to make their plates. I thought we would make everyone's plate, but Daveed said it would take us forever to do and they all like their food put together specific ways, so we're all just digging in. Armoni poured a glass of red wine for Evelynn and he was about to fill my glass when I politely declined saying, "No thank you. I'm in the mood for some sweet tea."
He went on to pour for Caroline, Khiya and Aster. The men either drank lemonade or a small glass of whisky.
"So, what's the big announcement?" Devence asked. He has a clean shaved face and short hair. Still handsome, but looks very sophisticated with glasses.
"Saviera and I have been seeing each other for some time now. We kept things personal up until just recently, but we've gotten really serious about each other." He takes my hand and kisses the back of it.
"I knew you were getting married!" Shouts Caroline.
"Not quite yet." He responds and her smile drops. "We're expecting a baby. And before anyone mentions it, we know it's soon. It wasn't planned, but we don't have any regrets and we're so excited to build a family together. Any negative comments will get you kicked out of my house. You can either support us, or leave." He started off so sweet and then instantly got protective and I wasn't expecting it. Now I don't know where to look or what to do with my face, so I decide to look at Daveed and my joined hands.
"Are you two in love?" Evelynn asked. Her face is serious, but still tender. His siblings decide to stay quiet, even though their faces give away what they're thinking very clearly. Caroline, Armoni, Elliot and Khiya are actually excited. Devence and Aster look very shocked, but not upset and their dad looks like he already knew because he is unfazed.
I look up at her and said with clear certainty, "Madly."
She smiles, "Well that's all that matters. Some will tell you that love isn't enough, but it is. Love is what gives you the strength to fight for one another when the odds are against you. Without love, there is no work or effort. There would be no passion or sacrifice. It isn't meant to be easy, I can promise you that it won't be, but if the love you share is genuine then it cannot be broken unless you allow it. You wake up everyday choosing love and that is what will keep it alive. I'm happy for you both." She raises her glass and everyone else follows her lead.
"To baby Laurens!"Armoni cheers.
"To baby Laurens!" We repeat.
His sisters are already talking about baby names. I love his family.