Sorry, I should have gotten this out sooner but Carnival is whooping my ass. Rio doesn't sleep. Tank was sitting on the edge of the bed, his large hands gliding over Kayla's belly, spreading warm oil across her soft skin. She lay on her back, propped up by pillows, watching him with a tired but content smile. Five months pregnant, her belly had grown rounder, fuller, and Tank couldn't get enough of it. He was obsessed.

"You get more beautiful every day, lil' bit," he murmured, his thumbs working slow, soothing circles into her skin.

Kayla sighed, her eyes fluttering closed. "Mm, that feels good."

Tank smirked. "I know." He leaned down, pressing a slow kiss right under her navel. "My baby in there gettin' big, takin' up all the space. You feel okay?"

She nodded, enjoying the way his rough palms moved with so much care. "Yeah, just tired. My back be hurting by the end of the day."

Tank frowned. "You tell me when it do. I'll rub that too."

Kayla giggled. "You already do, Tanky."

"Damn right," he said, his voice thick with pride. His hands never stopped moving, smoothing more oil over her belly, watching as her skin gleamed under the dim light. He loved seeing her like this—soft, glowing, carrying his baby. His dick twitched just thinking about how good she looked pregnant.

Kayla peeked at him through her lashes and smirked. "I know that look."

Tank grinned, rubbing slower. "What look?"

"The one where you about to say something nasty."

Tank chuckled, leaning down to kiss her stomach again. "I mean, can you blame me? You look good as hell."

Kayla shook her head with a smile, but she didn't stop him when his lips trailed lower. Tank trailed slow, wet kisses down to the brim of her thong, his lips just barely grazing the soft fabric. His hands never stopped moving, massaging her hips, rubbing slow circles over her thighs as he took his time savoring her.

"You excited for the gender reveal?" he murmured against her skin, his deep voice vibrating through her. "Bout to meet the rest of my crazy ass family."

Kayla's fingers slid into his short curls, her breath hitching when his lips pressed just above where she really wanted him. "Yeah," she breathed, her voice laced with anticipation. "Kinda nervous, though. I know your immediate family, but your extended family?" She let out a small laugh. "That's a lot of people."

Tank smirked against her skin, hooking his fingers into the sides of her thong, but not pulling it down just yet. He loved teasing her. "Ain't nothin' to be nervous about. They already love you." He kissed the spot right above her waistband again, feeling her thighs tense under his hands. "You mine, so you already good in their book."

Kayla bit her lip, her body betraying her nerves and arousal. "Still..."

Tank finally pulled back just enough to look up at her, his light brown eyes filled with heat and reassurance. "Ain't nobody gon' have shit to say but congratulations. And if they do say somethin' slick..." He smirked. "You already know I'll handle it."

Kayla exhaled, a slow smile creeping onto her face. She knew he meant that. Tank didn't play about her, and he damn sure didn't play about their baby.

"I know," she murmured, her fingers still tangled in his curls.

Tank gave her a lazy grin before kissing her belly again, then lower, dragging his lips over the thin material of her thong. "Good," he whispered, voice deep and rough. "Now lemme get back to what I was doin'."

Tank chuckled low as he slid her thong down her legs, taking his time, making sure his fingertips brushed over her skin just enough to make her shiver. He held the damp fabric between his fingers, shaking his head with that cocky smirk she both loved and hated.

"Damn, girl. You stay wet," he teased, eyes dark with amusement as he let the thong drop to the floor. "Ain't even touched you yet, and you drippin'."

Kayla felt her face heat up, biting her lip as she looked off to the side. She knew she'd been extra sensitive since getting pregnant, but the way her body reacted to Tank? It was damn near embarrassing. Every little touch, every little word had her ready, needy.

"I can't help it," she mumbled, still avoiding his gaze.

Tank wasn't having that. He gripped her chin, turning her face back toward him. "Ain't nothin' to be shy about, baby. I love that shit." He leaned in, lips brushing against hers. "Love how ready you always are for me. How you let me take my time and still be drippin' before I even slide in."

Kayla's breath hitched, her thighs clenching on instinct. She was already worked up, and he knew it.

Tank grinned, seeing the effect he had on her. He kissed her slow, deep, before pulling back just enough to whisper, "Now lay back and let me taste it."

Tank pressed his big hands against her thighs, spreading them apart as he settled between them. He took his time, trailing slow kisses along the inside of her thighs, letting his breath ghost over her slick folds. He could already smell her arousal, and it made his mouth water.

Kayla's fingers gripped the sheets in anticipation, her breath shaky as she looked down at him. "Tank..." she whispered, already feeling the heat between her legs intensify.

Tank looked up at her, his light brown eyes dark with hunger. "I got you, baby," he murmured, gripping her thighs tighter. He dragged his tongue up her slit, slow and deliberate, savoring her taste. A deep, satisfied groan rumbled from his chest as he licked again, this time letting his tongue flick against her swollen clit.

Kayla's body jerked, her back arching as pleasure surged through her. Tank chuckled, gripping her hips to hold her still. "Uh-uh, don't run now," he said before diving back in.

He licked her like he had all the time in the world, slow and thorough, enjoying every drop of her arousal. He traced soft circles around her clit before sucking it into his mouth, humming against her sensitive flesh. Kayla's legs trembled, her hands flying to his head, fingers threading through his short curls.

Tank rarely ate pussy before Kayla. It just wasn't something he ever cared to do. But her, he couldn't get enough. He loved the way she tasted, the way her body responded, how she melted under his tongue. He needed this.

His tongue delved deeper, sliding into her entrance before dragging back up to her clit. He alternated between sucking and licking, his hands gripping her thighs tighter as she squirmed. "Mmm, you stay sweet for me," he murmured against her, his voice vibrating through her core.

Kayla moaned, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "T-Tank, oh my God—"

"That's right, baby, call my name," he groaned before sealing his lips around her clit, sucking harder.

Kayla's body tensed, a high-pitched whimper slipping past her lips as waves of pleasure crashed over her. Her thighs quivered around his head, but Tank didn't stop. He wanted all of it. He flicked his tongue faster, sucking until her body shuddered with release, her moans filling the room.

Tank pulled back just enough to watch her come undone, his lips and chin glistening with her wetness. He licked his lips, smirking. "Damn, baby... I swear I'll never get tired of this."

Kayla lay there, breathless, her body still trembling as she tried to recover. She looked down at him with hooded eyes, her lips parted.

Tank wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before climbing up her body, pressing a deep, slow kiss to her lips. "Taste how sweet you are?" he murmured against her lips.

Kayla could barely speak, her body still tingling. But she nodded, pulling him closer. She didn't have to say anything. Tank already knew she was ready for more.

Tank smirked against her lips, feeling how breathless and pliant she was beneath him. Her body was still trembling from the way he devoured her, but he wasn't about to let her come just yet. Nah, he wanted to torture her, to keep her on edge, make her crave it until she was damn near begging.

Kayla sighed, reaching for him, but Tank grabbed both her wrists and pinned them above her head. "Uh-uh, baby," he murmured, his voice thick with amusement. "You don't get to touch me yet."

She whimpered, her legs instinctively spreading wider as he settled between them. "Tank..."

"What, baby?" He kissed the corner of her mouth, then her jaw, dragging his lips down the column of her throat. "You need something?"

Kayla bit her lip, arching her back as he ran his hands over her body, his palms warm and rough against her soft skin. His hands trailed down to her belly, rubbing it in slow circles before sliding lower, teasing the space between her thighs.

"You still wet for me?" he taunted, slipping his fingers through her slick folds, groaning at just how soaked she was. Damn, she stayed ready for him.

Kayla whimpered again, her hips rolling up to meet his touch. "You know I am..."

Tank smirked. "Yeah, I know, baby. You stay wet for me."

Without another word, he pressed the thick head of his dick against her entrance, sliding it up and down her folds, teasing her. She gasped, trying to push her hips forward, but he pulled back just enough to keep her wanting.

"Tank," she whined, her body aching for him.

"What's wrong, baby?" he asked, feigning innocence. He rubbed his tip against her clit, just enough to make her squirm.

Kayla glared at him through hazy eyes. "Stop playing."

Tank chuckled, leaning down to kiss her again. "Ain't no fun if I don't play a little." He slowly pushed inside, just an inch, just enough to make her gasp—then pulled right back out.

Kayla let out a frustrated moan, her hands tugging at his grip, but Tank kept her pinned. "Damn, baby, look at you," he mused, watching the way her body reacted. "So desperate for me, huh?"

She whimpered, nodding quickly. "Yes, please... stop teasing..."

Tank groaned, loving how needy she sounded. He gave her another slow, shallow thrust before pulling back again, making her whine louder.

"Nah, baby," he murmured, his voice laced with dominance. "You gon' take this dick exactly how I want to give it to you."

Kayla whimpered again, frustration clear in her expression, but she knew better than to fight him on this. Tank liked to control the pace, to make her feel every second of it.

"You feel so good," he groaned, pushing inside her again, just a little deeper this time. She clenched around him, and he hissed, his grip on her wrists tightening.

Kayla's breath was shaky, her body on fire. She was already so damn close, and he knew it. That's why he was taking his time, dragging it out.

Tank smirked, watching her come undone beneath him. "You wanna cum, don't you?"

She nodded frantically. "Yes, please..."

He licked his lips, giving her another slow, torturous stroke. "Not yet, baby," he murmured. "I'ma make you beg for it first."

Kayla let out a desperate whimper, her body trembling with need. Tank had her exactly where he wanted her—and he wasn't done playing with her yet.

Kayla's frustration reached its peak. Her body was aching for another release, the teasing, the slow strokes, the way Tank held back—it was too much. She needed to cum, and if he wasn't going to give it to her, she was damn sure about to take it.

The moment he pushed back into her, slow and deep, she acted on impulse. With surprising strength, she pushed against his chest and rolled them both over, landing on top of him. Tank let out a startled grunt, his eyes widening for half a second before his lips curled into a smirk.

"Oh, so that's how we playin' it tonight?" he murmured, gripping her waist, but before he could take control again, Kayla slammed her hips down, making both of them moan in unison.

The clapping sound echoed through the room as she rode him, her thick thighs gripping his sides, her ass bouncing with every desperate grind. Kayla threw her head back, her curls falling down her back as she worked herself on his dick, chasing the release he kept snatching away from her.

"Damn, baby," Tank groaned, gripping her hips tighter, watching the way she owned the moment. "You tryna kill me?"

Kayla didn't respond—at least, not in words. Her mouth fell open, breathy moans pouring out of her as she picked up the pace, her wetness making every movement slick and effortless.

She slapped her own ass, feeling Tank twitch inside her at the sight. "Fuck," she moaned, rolling her hips as her walls clenched around him. "Oh shit... oh my God..."

Tank was completely mesmerized, his grip tightening as he let her take control, something she didn't do often. But damn, she looked so good on top, the way her brown skin glowed, the way she bit her lip, her breasts bouncing every time she slammed down on him.

"Yeah, baby," he rasped, his voice thick with arousal. "Get that nut."

Kayla whined, her head falling forward as she pressed her hands to his chest for leverage. "Yes... yes, fuck," she panted, her rhythm becoming more erratic as she got closer.

Tank groaned, his stomach tightening as he felt her getting there. He wanted to touch her, to take control, but he didn't—he let her have this.

Kayla's thighs began to shake, her moans turning into desperate little cries. "Oh my God... oh my God... I'm gonna—"

Tank gritted his teeth, watching her, feeling her. "Do it, baby," he encouraged. "Cum all over me."

And that was all it took.

Kayla let out a sharp gasp, her body locking up as the orgasm ripped through her, her walls clenching so tight around him that Tank nearly lost it himself.

"Ohhh, shit," she moaned, her voice trembling as her climax crashed over her. She kept moving, kept grinding, riding it out until the pleasure became too much, until she finally collapsed against his chest, panting hard.

Tank groaned, wrapping his arms around her, still deep inside her. "Damn, girl," he murmured against her ear, his voice thick with satisfaction. "You tryna make me nut first?"

Kayla, still dazed, let out a weak laugh. "You were playin' too much."

Tank smirked, rubbing her back. "Aight, you got that one. But now?" He gripped her ass, flipping her back onto her back with ease, his body still ready for more.

"I'm gettin' mine."

Tank's smirk deepened as he hovered over Kayla, his weight pressing her into the mattress, his thick hands gripping her thighs. She was still trembling from her orgasm, her body soft and pliant beneath him, but that didn't mean he was done with her. Not by a long shot.

"Nah, I ain't forget," he murmured, dragging his lips down her throat, over her collarbone, his deep voice laced with amusement and lust. "You think you can take what you want and just be done?"

Kayla whimpered, her hands clutching at his broad shoulders, her nails lightly digging into his skin. Her breath was still uneven, her body overly sensitive, but that didn't stop the heat from pooling between her legs again.

"Turn over," he ordered, his voice calm but firm.

Kayla hesitated for a second, her body still weak from her release, but Tank wasn't in the mood for hesitation. He grabbed her waist and flipped her onto her stomach with ease, pressing his palm into the small of her back, keeping her in place.

"You already know how this go," he murmured, gripping her ass, spreading her open just to see how soaked she still was. He groaned, running his thumb along her swollen folds before slapping her pussy lightly. "Damn, girl. Still this wet for me?"

Kayla let out a shaky breath. "Y-yeah."

Tank smirked, sliding his dick between her slick folds, teasing her. "Say it."

Kayla swallowed, her body shivering. "I'm still wet for you."

"Good girl," he praised before pushing inside her again, slow and deliberate, making her whimper. He filled her completely, stretching her all over again, her walls pulsing around him.

Tank pulled back just as slow, letting her feel every inch before slamming forward, making her cry out.

"Again," he murmured, his deep voice brushing against her ear. "Say it."

Kayla bit her lip, her voice shaking. "I'm still wet for you."

Tank grinned, his hands gripping her hips as he set a slow, deep rhythm, his strokes hitting her exactly where he knew she needed it. He leaned down, pressing his chest against her back, his mouth right by her ear.

"Now, say you're mine."

Kayla shuddered, gripping the sheets. "I'm yours."

Tank didn't respond right away. Instead, he pulled out completely, making her whimper at the loss, before slamming back into her with a deep thrust.

"Say it again."

Kayla's breath hitched. "I—I'm yours."

Tank hummed in approval, rolling his hips deeper, making her toes curl. "Good. Now say you ain't ever leavin' me."

Kayla's mind was foggy, her body overtaken by pleasure, but she managed to breathe out, "I—I ain't ever leaving you."

Tank smirked against her neck, but then... he stopped moving. Completely.

Kayla whined, wiggling her hips, desperate for friction, but he held her still, his grip tightening.

"You rushed that," he muttered. "Say it again. Slowly."

Kayla let out a frustrated moan, her body screaming for more. "Tank, please..."

He chuckled darkly. "Slowly."

Kayla's hands clenched into the sheets as she tried to focus, despite the overwhelming need building inside her.

"I... ain't... ever... leaving... you."

Tank groaned, clearly satisfied, and rewarded her with a deep, punishing thrust that sent a sharp jolt of pleasure through her entire body.

"That's my girl," he rasped, picking up his pace, each stroke harder, deeper, more relentless than before.

Kayla's cries filled the room as he took complete control, pushing her right back to the edge. Her body tensed, her thighs shaking as she clawed at the bed, trying to hold on.

"Say my name," he commanded.

Kayla gasped, her vision going white-hot as she felt her orgasm creeping up again. "T-Tank!"

"Louder."

"Tank!"

Tank's deep groan vibrated through her as he drove into her harder, sending her spiraling into her release. Kayla's body arched, her climax slamming into her so hard she nearly blacked out.

But Tank still wasn't done.

He kept going, dragging her through wave after wave, making her feel everything, pushing her past her limits.

Kayla sobbed his name, her body unable to take anymore, but Tank only smirked.

"You ain't ever leaving me, huh?" he murmured against her ear, his strokes turning slow and deliberate again, teasing her.

Kayla could barely form words, but she managed a weak, breathless, "No... never."

Tank smirked.

"That's what I thought."

Tank rolled his hips slow and deep, dragging out every inch of pleasure until Kayla was trembling beneath him. He wasn't in a rush—he wanted her to feel everything, to be completely overwhelmed by him. His strokes were deliberate, his grip possessive as he kept her pinned beneath him, her body completely at his mercy.

Kayla's breath hitched, her overstimulated body shuddering from the intensity. She was already wrecked, her mind floating somewhere between pleasure and exhaustion, but Tank wasn't letting up. His strokes remained slow, deep, intentional.

"Tell me you love me," he murmured, his warm breath teasing the shell of her ear.

Kayla gasped, her lips parting, but the words didn't come out fast enough.

Tank's hand slid down, rubbing over her belly where their baby was growing, his touch almost tender. "You don't love me?" His voice was low, teasing, but there was something possessive underneath it.

Kayla whimpered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I do..."

Tank's jaw tightened. That wasn't good enough.

His hand came down hard on her ass, the sharp smack echoing through the room. Kayla yelped, her body jolting forward from the impact.

"Nah," Tank muttered, gripping her hip as he thrust into her slow and deep again. "That ain't what I wanna hear."

Kayla tried to gather herself, but Tank didn't give her a chance. His hand landed on her other cheek, the sting making her cry out again.

"Tell me," he demanded, his deep voice like a command.

Kayla's body arched, her fingers clutching at the sheets as she struggled to catch her breath. Her mind was spinning, the pleasure and the dominance making her head foggy.

"I love you," she finally gasped out, her voice shaky, desperate.

Tank hummed in approval, but he still wasn't satisfied. He leaned down, pressing his chest against her back, his lips brushing against her ear.

"You need to love me like I love you," he taunted, his strokes hitting even deeper, making her whole body tense up.

Kayla moaned, barely holding on, her body ready to snap all over again. "I do, I do, I love you so much, Tank—fuck—I love you, baby."

Tank smirked, satisfied now, his grip tightening on her waist. "That's more like it."

Tank didn't stop—he kept going, dragging her through every wave of pleasure, knowing exactly how to push her over the edge. His strokes were deep, his grip firm, his dominance undeniable. Kayla could barely breathe, barely think, as her entire body tensed beneath him.

And then it happened.

Her climax hit her hard, a guttural moan ripping from her throat as her body convulsed beneath him. The pleasure was so intense, so raw, she didn't even realize she was squirting until she felt the wetness coat her thighs and soak the sheets beneath them.

Tank grinned, proud, watching her completely unravel. "That's my girl," he murmured, gripping her waist tighter, slowing his movements just enough to let her ride it out.

Kayla's body trembled, her limbs weak, her mind foggy from the intensity of her release. She gasped for air, her chest rising and falling rapidly as the aftershocks continued to pulse through her.

Tank leaned down, pressing hot kisses against her shoulder, his lips brushing her damp skin. "You good, baby?" he asked, his voice deep, teasing, knowing damn well he had her gone.

Kayla barely managed to nod, her face buried in the pillow, her body still twitching from the pleasure. She let out a soft, breathy laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "You tryna kill me?"

Tank smirked, rolling onto his back and pulling her onto his chest. "Nah," he said, rubbing slow, lazy circles on her ass. "Just makin' sure you remember who you belong to."

Kayla shivered at the possessiveness in his voice, knowing she'd gladly let him remind her every night. Hell, after that orgasm, she already knew she was gonna want that again tomorrow.

As court arrived the next day, Fred Howard, Frank Hampton, and Tank Carter walked through the courthouse doors, their presence commanding attention. Roy sat in the back of the courtroom, his sharp eyes scanning the room, ready to handle anything at the snap of his bosses' fingers. His posture was relaxed, but there was an undeniable tension beneath the surface—one wrong move, and Roy was prepared to act.

Tank wasn't stressed. If anything, he was eager. He wasn't the one in the wrong. Vince had trespassed onto his family's land, threatened Kayla, put his unborn child, nephews, and niece in danger, and most of all put terrorized Kayla. That was enough to make Tank see red, but he kept his emotions in check. He wanted this handled the right way, at least for now. He was pressing charges, and Fred made damn sure they'd stick.

Fred had been up late the night before, making calls, ensuring every piece of leverage was in place. One of those calls was to his father, Calvin Howard Sr. At sixty years old and retired, Calvin should've been enjoying his quiet years, but nothing thrilled him more than the law—especially bending it to his will. Corruption was his game, and he played it well. But this wasn't for the fun of it.

"This is personal," Fred had told his father.

And Calvin Sr. took that seriously. He didn't like anyone messing with his family, and that included in-laws. So, while Fred and Frank were handling things on the legal front, Calvin was behind the scenes, making sure the charges against Vince were piled up so high there'd be no way out. A judge who owed him a favor, a prosecutor who understood the assignment—every piece was being moved into place.

Tank didn't even know the half of it. And that was intentional. If he found out just how deep Fred and Frank were pulling strings, how far Calvin Sr. was willing to go, how William was paying for Vince's defense— Tank might just lose his damn mind for real this time.

The courtroom was already filling up. Vince sat at the defense table, looking every bit like a man who thought he was untouchable. He had a smirk on his face, but that was before his attorney whispered something in his ear. Vince's smirk faltered as he glanced over at Tank, then Fred. The realization was settling in—this wasn't going to be a slap on the wrist.

Frank leaned over to Fred. "He's starting to feel it."

Fred smirked. "Good. That means the fun's just gettin' started."

The bailiff called the court to order, and everyone stood as the judge entered. Judge Alan Whitmore was an older man, stern-faced, with a reputation for being fair but ruthless when warranted. He had no patience for foolishness, and Fred had made sure that every piece of evidence and every charge was airtight before stepping foot in this courtroom.

Tank sat between Fred and Frank, his face unreadable. He wasn't nervous—if anything, he was itching for Vince to try something stupid. His knuckles flexed as he remembered how close that bastard had gotten to Kayla, how he'd walked onto his family's land like he had a right to be there.

Vince, on the other hand, was starting to sweat. His lawyers, Daniel Reese and Jules Fontaine, was whispering furiously in his ears, but it wasn't doing much to calm him down. It was becoming clear that Vince had thought this was going to be a simple case—trespassing, maybe a fine, a slap on the wrist. But that was before he realized just how deep the charges went.

"Docket number 25-1349, State of Georgia versus Vince Taylor," the clerk announced. "Charges include criminal trespass, child endangerment, assault, and making terroristic threats."

Fred smirked slightly. The terroristic threats charge was a stretch, but it was sticking for now, thanks to his father's connections. It carried weight, and that was all that mattered.

Judge Whitmore adjusted his glasses and looked over the case file. "Mr. Fontaine, your client is facing serious accusations. How does he plead?"

Fontaine stood, buttoning his suit jacket. "Not guilty, Your Honor."

The judge barely reacted, flipping through the file. "Very well. Prosecution, what's your stance on bail?"

Frank was already on his feet. "Your Honor, the state strongly opposes bail."

Vince's head snapped toward Frank, and Fontaine immediately interjected. "Your Honor, that's unnecessary. Mr. Taylor has no prior record—"

"Mr. Taylor was found trespassing on private property, making threats against the residents," Frank countered smoothly. "One of those residents was a minor. Given the severity of the charges, we believe he's a flight risk."

Judge Whitmore considered this for a moment, his gaze shifting between the attorneys. Then he turned to Vince. "Mr. Taylor, do you own a passport?"

Vince hesitated. "Uh... yeah."

Whitmore sighed. "Bail is denied. Defendant will remain in custody until trial."

The gavel came down.

Vince slammed his hands on the table. "What the hell?!"

Tank smirked, but Fred didn't even react. He leaned over to Frank and said lowly, "That's step one."

Frank nodded. "Step two starts now."

Roy, still seated in the back, pulled out his phone and sent a quick text. A message was already being delivered—to the right people. Vince wasn't walking out of here, and neither were Caldwell and Fontaine.

Their time was up.

The Carters weren't doing anything small when it came to Tank and his first child. The oversized tent was already a sight to see, draped in elegant ivory and cream fabric, with soft string lights being strung up for an evening glow. Long banquet tables were being arranged with matching linens, while floral arrangements of hydrangeas and roses in neutral tones were carefully placed in tall vases.

Sherri supervised everything with her hands on her hips, eyes narrowed as she directed the workers. "No, that table needs to be centered. We ain't 'bout to have lopsided seating."

Tamera and Tanya were double-checking the decorations, while Georgia and Gwen handled the catering setup. A barbecue station was already being prepped on the side, with ribs, chicken, and sausages marinating. Coolers were being filled with ice for the signature drinks. This was a full-scale Southern celebration, and it needed to be perfect.

Sherri wasn't just doing this for the grandchild on the way—she was doing it for Kayla, too. The girl had won her over and been through too much, and tomorrow, when the rest of the family met her, Sherri wanted her to feel nothing but love.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Tank was sitting on the porch, sipping a cold bottle of water, his shirt off, sweat glistening on his chest from the morning sun. He had handled some of the heavy lifting before his mama shooed him off, saying, "Go 'head and let us work. You done enough."

His gaze kept drifting to the door, knowing Kayla was inside, still knocked out. She was sleeping harder these days, that pregnancy wearing her out, and he wasn't making it any easier, keeping her up the way he did the other night. A slow smirk spread across his lips. He wasn't sorry about it, though.

Sherri walked up onto the porch, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. "Boy, you better make sure Kayla up and eatin' soon. I don't need her gettin' lightheaded tomorrow with all these folks comin'."

Tank chuckled, standing up. "Yes, ma'am. I got her."

As he stepped inside the house, the cool air hit his skin, and he walked back to their bedroom. Kayla was curled up on her side, the soft rise and fall of her chest steady. His baby was out like a light.

He sat on the edge of the bed, brushing a few stray braids from her face. "Lil bit," he murmured, his deep voice a low rumble. "Time to get up, baby."

Kayla groaned softly, turning her face into the pillow. "Mmm. Five more minutes."

Tank smirked, running a warm hand over her belly, then lower, rubbing her thigh. "You know I'll wake you up another way..."

She peeked one eye open, giving him a sleepy side-eye. "Tank..."

"What?" His grin widened. "Just sayin'. You know I'm good at wakin' you up."

She huffed but stretched her arms over her head, finally sitting up. "You play too much."

Tank kissed her forehead, then leaned back. "C'mon, mama said you gotta eat. Can't have you passin' out in front of all them folks tomorrow."

Kayla rolled her eyes but smiled, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. "Fine. But after I eat, you rubbing my feet."

Tank chuckled, standing up. "Ain't no problem. Long as you sit that pretty ass in my lap while I do it."

She laughed softly,as she sat up to stretch. By the time Kayla got herself together and stepped into the kitchen, the smell of food had her stomach growling on sight. Georgia had already come in and made sure something was set aside for her—cheese eggs, bacon, buttery biscuits, and fresh fruit on the side.

Tank was already at the table, leaning back in his chair, waiting for her like he knew she'd need help getting settled. As soon as she sat down, he pulled her legs onto his lap, already working his strong hands into her sore feet.

Kayla let out a deep sigh, grabbing her fork. "Mmm. I ain't even take the first bite yet, and I already feel better."

Tank smirked, his thumbs pressing deep into her arches. "Told you. You sittin' up here carryin' my baby, last thing I'ma do is let you be uncomfortable."

She took a bite of her eggs, her shoulders relaxing as she chewed. "You actin' right today, Tanky. I like this."

He chuckled at the nickname, rubbing slow circles into the ball of her foot. "You tryna say I don't always act right?"

Kayla shot him a look between bites. "You know you don't."

Tank grinned but didn't argue. She wasn't lying.

Just as Kayla was finishing up, Sherri walked in, wiping her hands on her apron. "Kayla, baby, you feelin' alright? You need anything?"

Kayla smiled, sitting back in her chair. "I'm good, mama. Tank got me straight."

Sherri eyed her son approvingly. "Good. He know better."

Tank shook his head, but he knew it was all love. His mama had already warned him weeks ago—make sure Kayla was taken care of at all times. It wasn't up for debate.

Sherri sat down across from them, her expression turning serious. "Now listen, y'all. Tomorrow is gon' be big. Everybody flyin' in, family you ain't seen in years, Tank. And Kayla, I know this your first time meetin' everybody, but baby, you already family."

Kayla's heart warmed at the words. She knew how much family meant to Tank, and she wanted to make a good impression.

Sherri continued, "I already told these folks they gon' come correct. Ain't nobody 'bout to be side-eyin' or whisperin' nothin' slick. We 'bout to celebrate y'all and this baby, you hear me?"

Tank nodded. "Ain't worried 'bout that, mama."

Kayla nodded too, feeling more at ease. "Thank you."

Sherri patted her hand. "You welcome, baby. Now, y'all go on and relax for the rest of the day. Ain't no more lifting, ain't no more runnin' around. Tomorrow gon' be busy, and I want y'all well-rested."

Tank stretched, pulling Kayla's foot back into his lap. "I ain't got no problem with that."

Kayla laughed, knowing full well that meant she was about to be trapped under him for the rest of the evening. And honestly? She didn't mind one bit.