Cinnamon

by ChaShiree M.

  I dress in a little black dress, a pair of silver heels, and no makeup or jewelry. I want to be cute, but with the amount of energy I no longer have since this pregnancy, I also want to be comfortable. When I get in the car, no one mentions my lack of fanfare and I am grateful. With the way my emotions have been, I might have broken down in tears if they had.

  Sitting in VIP feels almost like a foreign affair considering all that has changed since our last visit here.

  “What you want?”

  The one thing we can always count on not changing is the waitress from hell. Maizie. This chick has a major chip on her shoulder, unless you have a dick. Then she is all sugar and bubblegum. I let all the other girls order first before I answer. “Just a water for me please.”

  “Are you serious? Water?”

  “Yes, that is what I said.”

  “Whatever.” She says, and stomps away. Guess she didn’t learn from her last altercation with Lily. Some chicks just don’t get it.

  “I am all for whatever you want to do. But, you come to a club and order water? What’s going on?” Leave it to Jazz to get to the heart of things.

  “Nothing really. Well at least nothing that won’t be over in say… seven and a half months.”

  Lily is the first to get it and she immediately jumps up screaming and squeezing my neck. It doesn’t take long for the rest of them to get it.

  “Damn Cinn. Going from one extreme to the next. I am so happy for you girlie.”

  “Thanks Jazz.”

  “We will be the best aunties ever. Just you wait.”

  “I expect nothing less. Especially from you Rainee.”

  “To Cinn and Brad and their new little baby and future.”

  “Here. Here.”

  I thought I had found my happy place when we started Five Dames Inc. and made ScentSations. Boy was I wrong. Everything wonderful in my life is not built of the ‘things’ in it, but the people surrounding me. My girls, my man and my baby. Those are the things that matter.

  Four Months Later

  “HEY PARKER. DON’T FORGET TO go and pick-up Cinns’ parents from the airport in an hour. I don’t want her stressing over anything today.”

  “For the hundredth time, I got this. Felicity and I will be there to get them on time. Tell my big sis not to worry.”

  “I thought Felicity had a meeting with some potential employees?”

  “She does. She has two right now and then three tomorrow. She said she didn’t want to miss this for the world and so she didn’t schedule any for this afternoon.”

  “Awesome. Having her there will definitely make Cinn happy. Alright, she has been quiet for too long. I need to go check on the little mama. See you tonight.”

  Hanging up the phone I take a deep breath and let it out. The past four months have been a whirlwind. After proposing and finding out about the baby, everything went on warp speed from there. We immediately agreed that we needed to move into a house. Neither of us wants to raise our baby in a condo and I have a house, but we want something that is ours. So, we went house hunting and found the perfect six-bedroom house right down the street from her headquarters. We contemplated what to do with the condo and decided it would be the perfect place for Felicity, while she started her new journey. Turns out she agreed.

  I was hunkered down and ready to do battle with Cinn, figuring she was like every other woman on the planet that needed a wedding that took years to plan. I get that for women this stuff is important and believe me, no matter what a man says to you the wedding is a public claiming for them, so they love them just as much. But, I was not about to wait any less than three months for her to be my wife.

  However, in a shocking twist unlike any other, despite the urging from my mom and hers as well, she didn’t want a wedding. She wanted to go to city hall with a few of her closest friends and family. So, exactly one week after I asked her to marry me in front of 10 of the people we loved the most, dressed in a vintage all white Vera Wang lace sheath dress, and me in a Black and white Armani Suite; we pledged our love and devotion to one another and she became Mrs. Cinnamon O’Donnell. We opted to have a big celebration at Le Fleur after, and that seems to have made her extremely happy. Me, I was over the moon. It felt good to know that all of the waiting I did paid off.

  I never questioned my life. Never wondered if I was happy, content, or even satisfied. Just, went through life assuming I was because I had money and power. It wasn’t until meeting Cinn for the first time, that I started to look and see the holes that existed in the very place I dwelled. My head and my heart.

  Now, everything I am, want, and need is wrapped up in this tiny little brunette, sexy, and spunky package. And, in the little bundle she is keeping safe and warm for us. My father used to say, “Brad money is just money. It comes, and it goes. Its fickle. Now love, love is everything. It is stable, long lasting if you nurture it, and it is the strongest substance imaginable. Place your bet on love son.”

  Now I know what he meant, and he was right.

  Now that I have her, I have everything.

  I am so excited, I am literally vibrating. Today is going to be such an exciting day. First, I am going to be launching my new signature fragrance Red by Cinn. I have launched a signature fragrance before, sure. So, have all of the ladies. But this is the first time I am launching as a married woman, who is happier than she has ever been, so it feels like the first time. Plus, there is something extra special about this party that no one else knows but my husband. It is also going to serve as a gender reveal party.

  Brad and I decided that we wanted to wait and find out with the people we love. So we had the doc put it in an envelope and we took it straight to the party planner, who is the only person that knows. We have no idea what she has planned, but we are more than a little anxious to find out what’s cooking in my oven.

  Life has been great. Beyond my wildest dreams.

  I have never met a more doting, caring, and possessive man in my life. But somehow, he has mastered the art of being all of that and intuitive and nurturing at the same time. There isn’t anything on the face of the planet that I can say I want, and he is not going to try to get it to me in record time.

  His family has been so welcoming and awesome, that it made me realize my family was never as close as that. My parents were great. Truly, but they were always more focused on one another, so Lissy and I always got the leftovers. Hence, the reason she rebelled so hard. When I called my mom and told her I was getting married, I had never seen her take such an interest in something in my life, so full on. When I told her, I was not having a wedding, but a party and that Brad’s mom was handling it, it was like a match got lit under her. All of a sudden, she is making monthly trips out here and when I told her about the baby she and my dad decided they needed a vacation house here.

  I must admit, it has been nice having real parents, as an adult.

  Just as I am about to walk up to the center of the room, my sister enters with my parents. I am happy to see them here to help me celebrate. They have never come to one of my launches or the opening of my company. So, this is a good step.

  “Hey mom. Hey dad. Thanks so much for coming.”

  “We wouldn’t miss this for the world. And how is my little grandbaby?”

  “Doing fine. Still cooking and kicking.” I say laughing. This baby is extremely active. Must be a boy.

  “Well big sis, anything you need me to do?”

  “Nothing. Thanks for asking though. You can head on over to Parker.”

  She gives me the stink eye, but I don’t care. I am proud to be her big sister and I just want her to be happy.

  She has been doing phenomenal. After everything died down, I took her out to dinner with a realtor and presented her with a check for one million dollars to go towards her business; that I wholeheartedly believe will succeed. Once Brad heard about the business from Parker, he decided he wanted in on it and he has become a silent partner. I am so proud of her. What I
find the most interesting though is her and Parker. They won’t come out and confirm they are an item nor are they dating anyone else, but to be around the two of them together is to need a fan and a hose. They are red hot and I cannot understand for the life of me what is holding them back. I guess time will tell.

  Speaking of time.

  “Hello everyone. I would like to thank you for coming. As you know, we had a launch this morning of Red by Cinnamon. I am happy to announce the sales projections for this weekend are at an all-time high.”

  Waiting for the applause to die down, I motion for the girls to come up here with me.

  “I would like to take a moment to once again thank my girls. My sisters in arms. You ladies did not have to jump on this crazy bandwagon with me when I came to you years ago with this idea. But you did. You all absolutely jumped head first in with me and I am so glad you did. I love all of you.”

  Not surprising, we all hug and cry. Then, of course like the true aunts they are they all lean down and hug my tummy like the baby can feel it. Weirdos. I think smiling.

  “In celebration of the success of the launch and of every year we have been in business, we are giving away free bottles of Red as well as $100 gift cards to the shoe outlets in our main lobby. Also, in your gift bag you will find samples of the new makeup line we are manufacturing, which should be launched early next year. Plus, One cosmetics will be an original of its kind. You will find a pamphlet with all you need to know. Aleeza please wave.”

  When she steps forward, I take a second to let them applaud her as well.

  “Now, before this Malay gets underway, this is also a surprise party of sorts. My husband I decided some weeks ago to not find out the gender of our little Angel, until today in the presence of all of you.”

  Of course, the crowd erupts in giggles and more applause. Especially our parents who have been bugging us since the sonogram to tell them.

  “So, without further ado, the party planner apparently is passing out pins to all of you. She is going to have balloons released into the room from the ceiling, and when we count to 10 you are all going to pop them. Inside is confetti, the color of which will tell us the gender.”

  “Ok. Is everyone ready? Release the Balloons.”

  Downfalls a cacophony of white balloons. Followed by silver glitter and red orchids. Absolutely stunning. Choked up and unable to move passed it, I look at Brad and he pulls me to him and nods. I need him to continue. I am too emotional.

  “Alright everyone. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Pop them.”

  One after another pops and flying everywhere is pink glitter, confetti, and gardenias.

  “A girl Brad. We’re going to have a girl.” I am both crying and laughing because his face has become pale and pasty in a matter of seconds. A girl is his worst nightmare. He says he can only handle one of me. Well serves him right. I think a girl is just what he needs.

  “It’s going to be ok Brad. We got this.”

  “Your right little Cinn. I got you and you got me. I love you baby.”

  “I love you too Brad. Thanks for coming for me.”

  And right here and now in his arms surrounded by all this love, from everyone we love, life couldn’t smell any sweeter.

  The End

  Birds of Paradise

  The Life She Couldn’t See #3—November 16

  Searching for His Life—Ren’s Story 1.5

  Taking Back His Life—Mikhail and Phoenix 2.5

  Dirty Series

  Dirty Little Brat—December 14

  Dirty Little Princess

  Dirty Master

  Standalones

  6—Taboo love story with a twist

  Another Man’s Treasure

  Birds of Paradise Series

  The Life She Left Behind

  The Life She Wished For

  Works written with MK Moore

  Moosehead Minnesota Series

  Marry Grinchmas

  Sterling and Kennedy

  A Rose for Max

  The Time Between Us

  Queen of Hearts Ink Series

  Inked Heart

  Inked by Him

  Inked By Her

  Ink My Soul

  Other Works by ChaShiree M.

  Charity Anthology (Suicide Prevention)

  Letting Hope Enter

  First, I would like to thank my family for being so supportive even though I am often checked out when in the zone. I love you.

  To Chelle, Colbie, CJ and Deedra—Ladies this has been a blast. I feel so blessed to have worked with all of you. I found some true friends. Love you all. So, what are we doing next? LOL

  To Melinda. My bestie. My editor. My rock. Thank you for always believing in my vision. No matter how complicated it is.

  Trisha. You are a trooper. As my other bestie our Saturday morning talks have gotten me through more than you know. I love you.

  To Amanda, the crazy part of my brain. I am so glad to have met you. Glad they have the internet over there. Bahahahahah. But seriously you are the best PA ever and an awesome friend and sister.

  To the VSquad. Your continued support is unparalleled. Love you ladies. #SquadCultMob4Ever

  ARCangels. You are always ready when the time comes, and your honest feedback is vital to my growth. Thank you so much for your words and willingness to read, review and spread the word.

  Last but not least, LIFERS!!!!! Your continued participation, support and fun, is the light for my sometimes dark soul. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  ChaShiree M. lives in Chicago Il. With her family.

  She believes she has just begun to find her voice in writing and this makes her very excited.

  She loves to read in her spare time and when she isn’t doing either of those, she is traveling to different book events with her friends.

  She is caring, loyal and sarcastic as hell.

  And she loves to meet new people.

  You can reach, follow and talk to her with the following links:

  FB Page

  FB Readers Group

  Bookbub

  Amazon

  Goodreads