the night shift
Note:
This is an update on the couple(s) from my first series. I recommend reading All I Need is You before reading this update!
Dean maneuvered through traffic as he switched lanes to get off his exit. It was a little after two in the morning when he reached the suburban community where he and Autumn just recently bought a house. After the birth of their son, Dean Jr, who Dean affectionately called Deej, they realized it was time to upgrade. Their lives changed so fast in a short amount of time that he often wondered if it was too much too soon. He’d kept a close eye on Autumn knowing that pregnancy and now being six months postpartum was a major life change. But she seemed to have taken everything well so far.
When they closed on the house sooner than expected, Autumn adjusted and took her maternity leave a month earlier than she planned. She relished in not lifting a finger while Dean, Grant, and friends moved their two homes into one. Their five-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home was perfect for them. It gave the children room to play and grow. Autumn was still able to have a room dedicated to her art, and Dean was able to keep an office.
After parking the car, Dean sighed. He hoped Autumn was still awake and waiting for him. She texted him a picture of Deej sleeping in his crib over an hour ago. It took six months for Autumn to be comfortable with him sleeping across the hall in his room. Dean didn’t press her, but he was more than ready for Deej to sleep in his room. Their king-sized bed had become crowded with Deej and sometimes Yaya filling the space between Autumn and Dean. He’d woken up many nights to put Yaya in her bed and Deej in the bassinet they kept in their room. He loved his children, but he missed holding his woman throughout the night. It’d been a while since that happened.
The smile on Dean’s face as he walked through the garage door into the family room was a common occurrence since they moved in together. Their home smelled like lavender and chamomile thanks to the oils Autumn used. Dean turned on the alarm before stalking the stairs in search of his fiancée. He stopped at Yaya’s room before remembering she was spending the night with his dad and her pop-pop. Then, he peeked into Deej’s room and walked over to the crib where he slept.
Deej changed so much since he was born, now at six months he looked and acted like Autumn. He had her calm spirit, rarely crying unless hungry; but mostly all smiles and giggles. He was crawling around more trying to keep up with his sister. Yaya loved being a big sister. She’d watched Autumn closely as she cared for Deej from the day he was born. She sometimes thought she was the mother trying to tell Dean how to hold and feed him.
Dean took a moment to look at his baby boy who was sound asleep and half-covered by a blanket Dean had taken from his mother’s place after she passed away. He often wondered how spoiled Deej would’ve been by now because of her. He smiled at the memory of how much she loved having Yaya, he knew she would’ve loved having the both of them. Pushing back the wave of sadness he felt, he leaned down and kissed his son. The loss of his mother was still fresh for him. A year later, and he still was having a hard time. Mother’s Day was especially hard for him, but he pushed his grief aside to make sure Autumn enjoyed her day. As much as she wanted him to take the day for himself, she knew he needed to keep busy.
Dean closed the door still in pursuit of Autumn. He peeked into their room and the only thing he saw was their bedside lamp on, but no Autumn. He knew where she was as he strolled to her art room. The closer he got he heard Sade’s soothing vocals. Lightly, he pushed the door open and smiled. Autumn stood at her easel with her pallet in hand while painting. To her right was a table with tea, a small speaker, and a baby monitor. She hummed along to Sade and swayed her hips. Dean licked his lips as he took in the woman he loved more than life itself. Her long, thick hair hung past her shoulders in a wild fro and she wore an oversized tee that hung off her left shoulder and a pair of spandex shorts. Dean crept up behind her wrapped his arms around her waist. She gasped then sighed when she smelled his cedarwood cologne and settled into his embrace. He ran his nose along her neck and kissed her before tightening his hold on her.
“What are you working on?” he asked finally looking at the canvas.
“I don’t know yet. I’m kinda freestyling right now,” she replied, “How was work?” she turned to face him, careful not to get any paint on his clothes. But it seemed like he didn’t care cause he refused to let go of her as she placed the pallet on the table to the right of them.
“It was cool. Kenneth is learning fast,” he said, referring to the new assistant manager he’d hired.
Since his businesses were thriving and he was no longer living the bachelor life, he’d hired an assistant manager at Redstone Bar & Lounge, while Don, the assistant manager at Linx took on more duties. YaYa’s, the club he and Grant opened in L.A. was also doing exceptionally well; in fact, he hired two assistant managers and was looking into moving to a bigger venue.
“I’m thinking of having another sip and paint soon,” Autumn said before twisting her lips like she was in deep thought. “My inbox is filled with questions about the next one.”
Autumn’s art gallery had become a haven for young creatives in the area. Not only did she use her gallery to showcase the artwork of millennials, but she also held open mic nights, did a rotating series featuring an artist of the month, and recently she’d hosted a few pop-up events. She allowed creatives no matter their medium– whether it be paint, clothing and accessories, or authors – the ability to showcase their work to her ever growing audience.
Ivy recently launched Autumn’s website and managed her social media which caused an increase in her visibility. Currently pregnant with her second child, Ivy spent more time working from home. Grant also spent less time traveling and more time with his growing family. Whenever he went away for work, his mother stayed with Ivy and Gabby. But most times, Ivy’s mom came to help her.
“That’ll be dope. Last time you packed out the place,” Dean said with a smile.
She shrugged while dipping her head trying to hide her growing smile. The first paint and sip she held was far more of a success than she planned. The event was held on Valentine’s Day, it was her first event since having Deej and she was feeling a little unsure of herself. Tickets sold out within a week and the venue was filled to capacity. The overwhelming support she received motivated her. Now that Deej was a little less needy, she was able to get back in the habit of painting every day.
“The baby has been asleep for about an hour,” Autumn said changing the subject.
“Oh, yeah?” Dean gripped her butt and pulled her closer.
She nodded and pressed on her toes to kiss him. Her arms wrapped around his neck deepening their kiss. Dean always kissed her like it would be their last, placing slow pecks on her lips, lingering for a moment, before sucking on her bottom lip.
“I love you, Chubs,” he professed, lowly in her ear. Her eyes fluttered open and she bit her bottom lip.
“I love you too.” She grabbed his hand pulling him toward their room. Before going inside, she took a quick look into Deej’s room to make sure he was still sound asleep.
Dean tugged on her hand until she was flush against his chest. “He’s fine. Daddy needs some attention right now though.”
The look in his deep-brown, almond-shaped eyes made her mouth water. He leaned down and captured her lips again, emitting a whimper from her as he walked backward to their bed. She straddled his lap and cupped his face never separating or stopping their heated kiss. His fingers played at the hem of her shirt before going underneath, raking across her goose-bump covered skin. He smiled at how after all this time, she still reacted this way with him. She exhaled audibly when his fingers grazed her ribcage before he reached for the clasp of her bra.
Momentarily, he opened his eyes. Her eyes were already on him, filled with adoration and love, but mostly heat. In one swift motion, he removed her shirt then his. Rolling them over so he was on top, he looked down at her and smiled. She was just as beautiful as the night he’d met her at his club. But watching their child grow inside of her and seeing her taking care Deej and Yaya made her even more beautiful in his eyes. It amazed him how he fell deeper in love with her by the day. He couldn’t wait for the day when she walked down the aisle to celebrate their love in front of family and friends.
Just as he was getting ready to remove her shorts, faint cries came from the monitor on their nightstand. Dean kissed his teeth and Autumn chuckled.
“It’s your turn, daddy,” she said with a hint of amusement in her tone.
Dean laid over Autumn using his elbows for support for a few seconds hoping Deej’s cries would subside and he’d fall back to sleep, but once his cries grew louder, Dean stood from the bed and sighed.
“You should’ve come home sooner.” Autumn shrugged as she settled in bed.
Dean headed across the hall feeling slightly disappointed in his sudden change of plans. Carefully holding Deej in his arms, they went to the kitchen to warm a bottle of milk. He settled on the couch and turned the TV on in search of something to watch. It would be another hour before Deej fell asleep and Dean knew Autumn was tired. If he would’ve gone to the room, she would’ve stayed up and eventually, took Deej to rock him back to sleep.
“Looks like it's you and me tonight, buddy,” Dean said before kissing Deej on the forehead.