#also tryna get a good transition for her hair. I like the idea of the locs mimicking the goddess sword grip

[marvelfansince08love]

“It’s you, you idiot. I’m in love with you!”

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Word count:  3060

Warning: My bad writing I guess 

Prompt 13, “It’s you, you idiot. I’m in love with you!”

A/N: Van my darling, my best gal. I hope you enjoy this. I may have been inspired by your baking attempts with this prompt ngl x

Thank you to @canarypoint​ again you legend x

Also Tumblr really didn’t like me uploading this so I’m sorry if it’s all bunched together. 

Tags: @missmonsters2

“It’s you, you idiot. I’m in love with you”

"Okay, I went to five different stores, nearly killed a guy and almost lost the checklist. However, I managed to find everything you needed to make that dish, Myshka" Nat says, rushing through the kitchen; both hands full of bags filled with ingredients.  I wipe the bead of sweat from between my brow and sigh in relief, before leaning towards her and planting a quick kiss to her cheek. 

"You are the best assassin and friend a girl could ask for" Nat fakes disgust as she wipes at her cheek. 

"Yeah, yeah if I didn't like the idea of you trying to woo her so much. You'd be joining the guy at the store" she grumbles while helping me remove all the ingredients from the bags. We both make quick work at preparing the famous Chicken Paprikash dish and with Nat's amazing abilities at being able to read almost every language it almost seemed effortless. 

If we both weren't so bad at cooking.

 I keep an eye on the time, anticipating her arrival home. Wanda, Steve, Bucky and Sam had been sent on an undercover mission almost two weeks ago, the whole thing had been kept under the radar with only a few of us in the know. 

"You think we have enough time, Nat?" 

"Of course, Sam messaged me about half an hour ago. They'll be back in 2 hours that gives us plenty of time to cook this dish and help build up your courage to finally confess your undying love for our, Malen'kaya Ved'ma (little witch). Now stop pacing around, you're making me dizzy" 

Since joining the Avengers over a year ago, I've gotten to know each of them very well, already knowing Natasha and Clint from our Shield days it was an easy transition into the great band of supers, that was until I met Wanda Maximoff. Her sparkling hazel eyes and long chestnut hair framing her beautiful face with that shy smile had me a goner from the moment I laid my eyes on her. After a few weeks of being with the team every day for training and team-bonding sessions, the more I realised how much fun and carefree Wanda could be. After speaking to Clint one drunken night about our blossoming friendship outside of the team buildings and training I was dumbfounded by how shocked he was to hear about that side of Wanda which they all only catch small glimpses off. According to Clint after losing her brother she was an empty shell of herself just moving through life as if it was a chore and not a gift to walk this earth. 

I guess she just needed a reason to live again. 

After that revelation I continued to spend time with her alone, I asked more about her and her life in Sokovia, her face lighting up talking about her family and all the traditions they would follow each year even if her and Pietro weren't overly fond of them. Some nights there were tears as she spoke fondly of her brother and her parents no matter how briefly they were mentioned. She would laugh at all the stories I would tell her about our shield adventures both on mission and around the base, her mouth wide and eyes bright with mischief as I relay the story about how me and Nat unscrewed the screws from one of the vents just enough for Clint to fall through right above Fury's office while he was in a meeting with the council. Since she's been away and radio silent, I've never felt so lost even with Natasha around trying her best to cheer me up and letting me win more sparring matches than ever before. 

I take a deep breath in and settle my nerves before helping Nat continue to season the chicken.

 "Okay so it says that we have to boil the rice in a non-stick pan? How do we tell the difference?" I look at her dumbfounded.

"For someone who's supposed to be the world’s most smartest, most deadliest assassin you sure are dumb" I state, I can feel her eyes burning into me. If looks could kill... 

"Do you want my help or not?" 

"No, no I need your help. Thank you Natalia" I say sweetly, smiling innocently at her. She rolls her eyes and continues with the rice. 

Once everything is in the cooker and pan, we retreat to the kitchen island, a bottle of beer in hand as we talk about anything and everything. After some time had passed, I'm interrupted by Nat's hand indicating for me to stop talking as she sniffs at the air. 

"What is that god awful smell?" 

My eyes widen in fear as I start to notice the smoke coming from the pan. I race to grab the fire extinguisher while Nat tries desperately to turn everything off and open the kitchen window. I quickly release the white foam over the pan cutting the small fire off,  as I step back my foot slips slightly on the wet floor, sending me crashing to the floor but not before I manage to hit Nat square in the face with the foam. I groan slightly at my now bruised ass and tenderly sit up, leaning against the counter behind me.We both sit in silence for a moment before bursting into laughter, Nat joining me on the floor, so we're shoulder to shoulder. 

"Let's agree to never cook again".

 "Agreed" 

"God damn it, look at my shirt it’s ruined! I can't confess anything to her looking like this! She'd think I'm crazy!" I quickly unbuttoned my shirt revealing a thin, white tank top underneath. 

"What the hell happened here?" The most angelic voice exclaims by the kitchen doorway, our eyes widen as we both come to the same conclusion. 

She's back. Early.

I quickly scramble to my feet and try to adjust myself accordingly before sending her a beaming smile which quickly turns in a worrying frown after taking in her tired complexion, her hazel eyes no longer holding that bright twinkle whenever she smiles. A large cut visible across her right eyebrow and Sam standing behind her not looking any better. 

"Oh my god, Wanda!" I race forward and delicately place my hands on either side of her face, my eyes scanning every inch of skin. She winces slightly before grasping my forearms gently and removing them away from her face. 

"Oh Sam, how are you? You want me to help clean up that cut, maybe get you snack" I hear Sam mutter behind us rhetorically.I roll my eyes in good nature as Nat laughs behind me. 

"I'm okay, Lumina mea (my light). You should see the other guy" she attempts a small grin before casting her eyes over to the mess that is the kitchen and Nat quietly trying to salvage the meal, with no real joy. I blush at hearing her native tongue slip through at the end of her sentence even if I don't understand the meaning behind the saying. 

"Again, I'll ask, what the hell happened in here and why can I smell paprika?" Her cute button nose scrunches adorably as she takes in my crumbled-up shirt and Nat's wet face. 

"Oh, well we uh.. decided to try and cook a meal for you guys. We know the mission was rough and wanted to surprise you all, we kind of got carried away" I grimace at my cowardly response, I can feel the disappointment in waves from Natasha's direction. 

Okay so I'm not ready to come out with it yet, sue me. 

"Oh, you could have waited until I got back and asked me to help. You know how much I love to make paprikash"I can see the hurt in her eyes even though she tries to brush it off with a small smile. She knows what a bad cook Nat is and how much she loves cooking for you both after a rough mission. 

Great, you've also offended her.

Good going Y/N. 

There's an awkward silence between the four of us before Wanda clears her throat and takes a step back towards the entrance way. 

"I'm gonna go and get cleaned up, I'll see you both at the party tonight, yes?" She addressed us both, but her eyes stayed locked on mine. I blush slightly at the thought of her wanting my company. 

Please she was addressing you both Y/N, as if you would ever stand a chance.

 "Of course, Wanda, we wouldn't miss it" Nat answers for us as I continue to stare at her. I quickly avert my eyes and nod in acknowledgement. 

"We'll be there" 

Once she leaves a dry towel hits me square in the chest, I instantly catch it while looking up in the direction of the thrower. 

"Come on lover girl, let's clean this mess up and order a take away. I'm starving. Also, Sam "we'll be there in two hours" can you not map out a timescale" 

"Listen I lost a lot of blood tryna get out of that place, forgive me please" he grumbles jokingly as he sulks out of the room, mumbling about never getting any attention for how badass he is. 

*** 

A few hours pass by and before I know it, I'm making the final touches to my makeup. A loud knock echoes in the room before Nat swings it wide open and struts in looking like a red-headed goddess. Her dark green off the shoulder dress clinging to her in all the right places. With one more stroke of my mascara brush I turn and face my best friend with a grin. 

"You ready?" 

"If you need me tonight, I'll be behind the bar, slowly drinking my boredom away" "Hey, am I such bad company?!" 

"Well youuuu, missy is going to charm your way into Maximoff’s pants. Therefore, you will be too busy to entertain me tonight, Myshka" 

"Nat, I don't think tonight is the right time, you saw how she looked in the kitchen today. She doesn't need me pestering her all night" 

"Actually, it's the perfect time! Go an' comfort her and if you manage to slip in that you love her then great!" I roll my eyes in good nature before making my way to my door. 

"Come on, Romanoff. I need a drink" 

*** 

The party is too loud and overly crowded with people none of us really know with drinks flowing around every part of the room. 

"Why does he always feel the need to throw a party every time we finish a mission?" 

"Would he be Tony if he didn't? You gotta give him credit though this party is insane" Nat murmurs beside me, making me chuckle in agreement. 

My eyes are already scanning for the beautiful brunette avenger. Nat notices me searching and shoves me forward slightly. 

"Go find her, I'll be by the bar" with one last shove, I'm left by myself looking out into the crowd. 

My eyes finally land on the brown-haired beauty, I bite my lip as I take in her form. A long black flowy dress falls just past her knees with the straps of the dress sitting comfortably just off the shoulder, giving me a great view of her cleavage. Her hair hangs curled and loose over her shoulders, her red lipstick perfectly in place. 

God she's beautiful. 

As I continue to take her in, I notice an unfamiliar arm resting around her waist. I look up to identify the persons whose arm it is and my heart stops as I witness this man lean his mouth to her ear and whisper some bullshit that makes her laugh out, he pulls back clearly satisfied with the response he got from her. As if sensing a presence her eyes turn and rest upon me, a soft smile forming on those red lips. I quickly drop my gaze and turn away from her, heading straight to the bar; trying hard to blend into the crowd.

 "Why the sour face?" Nat questions as she instantly hands me a bottle from behind the bar. 

"You didn't tell me she was seeing someone" I sulk to her before taking a big gulp from the bottle, cringing slightly at the bitter taste. Nat's eyebrows pinch together as if confused by my statement. She leans forward slightly over the bar to peer over my shoulder to take a good look at Wanda and the mystery man. 

"Who? Matthews? Please that guy wishes he could have her. She's just being polite Y/N" Nat tries to reassure me, but I can't seem to remove the image out of my head. 

"It's not like I stood a chance anyway" I grumble grabbing the vodka shot from Nats hand and letting the burning liquid flow down my throat. After a few hours of drinking with Nat; who’s now joined me on the other side of the bar, I start to feel the effects of the alcohol hit me as I laugh out loud from the stupid stories Nat seems to be sharing. Any thoughts of Wanda and her mystery guy fading into the background of my mind. 

Or that's what I keep telling myself. 

In my daze, I quickly lose my balance on the bar stool but before I could hit the floor, I feel a familiar strong arm wrap itself around me, steadying me on the stool. 

"Careful Myshka, you'll end up on your ass" Nat teases as I start to lean heavily against her, sleep fighting to take over. 

"Also, just to let you know Maximoff has been looking over here all night and throwing daggers at me, similar to the one she's throwing right now" Nat says clearly amused at the concept. She leans herself further towards me and traces her finger up and down my arm slightly, my eyes widen in surprise before she leans in and whispers: 

"Just got with it" 

Before I have a chance to question her, I feel a warm body pressed into my back. I gasp slightly at the faint smell of cherries and forest, the smell consuming my senses. I close my eyes briefly knowing that smell all too well. Her lips brush slightly against my ear, making me shiver. 

"Can I talk to you in private, Y/N" I barely have time to nod before her arm is wrapping tightly around me and escorting away from Natasha and out of the room. Once we are alone, she releases her hold on me and starts to pace in front of me, her dress sway slightly with each turn. I stand watching her waiting for her to gather her thoughts, I bite my lip anxiously debating whether to make the first move. She stops suddenly and takes a deep breath in before releasing it into the open air and turning to look at me with a heartbroken expression. 

"You've been avoiding me all night" I gape at her forwardness before replying defensively: 

"No, I haven't, maybe you've been a little preoccupied with prince charming on steroids in there to notice me at all!" She frowns slightly, almost bashfully.

"You mean Matthews? Y/N that guy has a brain of a mouse. I was simply being polite. Anyway, you are one to talk! Are you and Nat ever going to go public because the way shes’s being all handsy with you tonight, you may as well let everyone know!" Now it's my turn to gape at her in shock becoming slightly annoyed.

 I take a step towards her slightly wanting to keep her full attention on me as I feel the word vomit slowly creeping its way up my throat.

"Are you being serious right now?! Me and Nat are best friends that's never even been a thought! Are you so blind to see Wanda?! You think I'd go and pick up your favourite flowers every Thursday even though they make my nose itch and makes me sneeze because I thought they'd brighten up your bedroom? You have plants covering every window sill! You think I'd attempt to cook a dish that I can barely understand let alone cook and make a complete mess of it for just anyone?! Wanda you are always in my thoughts every day, the past two weeks have been torturing for me wondering when you'd be home.  I missed you all the damn time! I missed our nights in where it was just the two of us watching crap reality television because even though we make fun of it we both secretly love the drama" She stares at me in shock, her lip twitching into a smile ever so slightly at the last part of my confession. 

Her silence clearly an invitation for me to continue: 

"But you really want to know what I missed about those nights while you've been gone. I missed watching your beautiful face scrunch up slightly as you slowly doze off with your head falling onto my shoulder. I would stay sitting in that upright position for hours if it meant keeping you like that, close to me. Wanda there could never be a me and Nat... you wanna know why? It's you, you idiot. I'm in love with you!" 

Her emerald green eyes drop to the floor, suddenly finding it very interesting before a wide smile settles on her red lips and her eyes slowly make their way to meeting mine. 

“You love me?” 

“Yes I love you, you idiot” I whisper, shuffling slightly feeling uncomfortable and exposed with my feelings. 

Before I can turn and hide away from my embarrassing confession, I feel warm, soft lips press hard against my own, the taste of vanilla chapstick lingers on my lips as I brush my tongue gently against her bottom lip making her gasp, granting me access. Our tongues clash, both fighting for dominance before pulling away slightly, my teeth catching her bottom lip gently and tugging at the soft skin softly before letting go with a small pop. 

"If I'm an idiot, I'll be an idiot who’s in love with you too" she whispers breathlessly into the open air between us, her forehead resting gently against my own. 

I smile.  

[hopeishappinessff]

Chapter 61... Continued

By the time we got back to Ms. Joyce’s house, I was completely worn out and ready to tap out for the day. What I craved more than anything was a nice, soft bed so I could sleep for the remainder of the day. Unfortunately, I knew I’d have to wait for that though… it was now time for us to get all cleaned up and ready for the birthday dinner we had planned for Chris. Together, Ms. Joyce and I planned the dinner and made reservations for at least twenty people at a lavish restaurant downtown.  After Chris and I parted ways in my driveway, I ventured into my own house so I could get freshened up and change into my outfit for the night. The attire for the night was semi-formal and I had the perfect outfit for the occasion that would also transition well into the remainder of the night. I figured I would wait for Destani to come over to worry about my hair and makeup and I knew that wouldn’t take long, since I planned to wear my hair in its most curly and natural state for the night. After grabbing my outfit from my closet, I laid it out on my bed and headed to my bathroom for a quick shower.  A short while later, I exited the steamy retreat and headed back into my bedroom wrapped snuggly in a towel to call Destani. She answered after a few rings and I told her I was ready for her to come over so she could help with my hair and makeup. We hung up after she let me know that she was on her way and I decided to go ahead and slip on my outfit. I pulled on a matching black lace thong and bra set first then lotioned up my entire body in a shimmer creme. I moved on to my black lace OUTFIT and decided to wait for Destani to arrive before finishing up with my gold accessories and shoes.  Nearly half an hour later, Destani finally came bustling into my room hauling a dress bag and a few smaller bags. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, her face was absolutely blank and it was at that moment that I realized she hadn’t done a single thing to herself to get ready. "Destani... what are you doing?" I asked with my hands on my hips. "What are you talking about?" She asked, rushing toward my bed to place her bags down. "Why aren't you dressed?" "Um... first of all, you look fucking amazing! And second… bitch, I was not about to come running down the damn street in a dress and some heels with a full face of makeup. I figured I would just get dressed here." She huffed. I laughed at the distraught expression on her face and shook my head "Are you doing my hair in here or the bathroom?" "The bathroom... come on. I’m seriously feeling this romper though. I see you tryna cut up for yo nigga tonight… got the cheeks all out, yes honey!” She exclaimed as she playfully tapped a hand against my bottom while I moved ahead of her. I continued to laugh aloud as I reached back to swat her hand away her and bolted into the bathroom before she could touch my butt again. We finally emerged from my bathroom nearly an entire hour later and we were finally fully dressed, made up, and ready to go. I grabbed my small black quilted Channel clutch purse and quickly scurried along behind Destani who’d already stepped out of my room. We strutted downstairs to the den and I instantly grinned like a proud mother the moment I noticed Chris leaning against the wall leading into the den. He smirked when we locked eyes and the butterflies that’d been running amok in the pit of my belly returned full force. He looked as handsome as ever in the OUTFIT I picked for him for the evening, yet I found it insanely difficult to keep my eyes on him for more than a few seconds at a time.  Stepping off the last step and stopping in front of him, he reached for my chin and gripped it gently as he tilted my head back and eyed me closely "You look so fucking beautiful, you know that?" I smiled bashfully and bit down onto my bottom lip "Thank you. You look… very handsome. Do you like the outfit?" He glanced down at himself, quickly lifting his head back up to meet my gaze "Nah, I don't…" My smile dropped into a frown in a second and while I stared at him in complete and utter horror, He only chuckled and shook his head at my expense.  "I love it... you know me so well." He smirked. I breathed a sigh of relief and stepped closer to him when I felt him squeeze my waist tighter in his hand. He slid both of his hands up to cup each side of my neck and I clutched onto his sides as we stared directly into each other’s eyes.  He meshed his lips together with mine and barely gave me any time to reciprocate the action before slyly slipping his tongue into my mouth. His tongue danced about skillfully and though I missed the feeling of the piercing that’d been removed after his accident, the sensation of his twirling appendage alone left me breathless and weak in the knees. I could hear the sound of Destani clearing her throat off to the side of us and I nearly forgot about her presence altogether, until Chris hesitantly pulled back from me and glanced at her with a smirk before licking his lips and staring down at me.  "Well I have never,” She started as she dramatically pressed a hand against her chest and blinked rapidly with her mouth hanging open, “You two are something else. You just gone stand there and make out right in my face with not a single regard for me. Would you like to stay here and just take that shit to the bedroom or what, you… heathens!”  "My bad Dez,” He chuckled as he pressed a hand against my lower back and eased me forward, “We good to go now. Especially since Sy promised me a threesome later tonight. You wanna join… we’re still looking for the third person?”  I just about gave myself whiplash from turning around so quickly to smack him hard on the chest and he cackled even harder “Stop telling people that… that’s not true!” “I just can’t with you two… I swear, I cannot! This nigga done turned my best friend the fuck out… Lawd have mercy!” Destani exclaimed.  “Oh shut up Dez!” I laughed, though I could feel my cheeks heating from embarrassment. She reached back for me suddenly and latched a hand onto my wrist, pulling me forward to stand at her side. “What time is he supposed to get here?” She spoke in a hushed tone as she leaned in close. “He should be here any minute now. I made it clear that he couldn’t be a minute late.” I said as I reached to unlock the front door. Mere seconds later, I could hear a vehicle approaching outside and I glanced at Destani before cracking the door open to peer outside. The driver was indeed right on time and I couldn’t contain my grin as I turned to face Chris who’d crept up behind me and waited patiently for me to open the door. I reached back to grab ahold of his hand and pulled him outside with Destani already well ahead of us, speaking to the driver out in the driveway.  "What is this Sy?” He asked with the most priceless expression on his face as he stared out at the Cadillac Escalade limousine with a customized birthday message scribbled along the windows for him.  "It’s your ride for the night babe. Let’s go!" I said, quickly locking the front door. I grabbed his hand once more and stepped down off the porch, leading him down the driveway toward Destani who stood there giggling with the driver. Grabbing her hand as well, I turned to the driver with a pleasant smile and dragged Destani and the birthday boy to the butterfly door of the limo so we could begin our night.  -- I stared down at Jaylen with a warm smile and watched as he sucked on Chris’s finger contently. I found it quite amusing to watch him hold Jaylen in the crook of one arm while he used his other hand to eat. After directing the driver of the limo to pick up the remainder of the group, Chris was in a world of surprise the moment we arrived at the restaurant. One entire half of the building was reserved just for him and the space was filled with all of his closest friends and family. He was bombarded almost instantly by birthday greetings and several congratulatory compliments from those who didn’t know about his son.  I shifted my gaze over to the table full of gifts just for him near the end of the main table. He ended up with quite an assortment and I was surprised that people even took the time to actually go out and spoil him like it was Christmas. When I initially asked him what he wanted from me specifically, he gave one simple answer… for me to never leave his side. Though I was sure he meant exactly what he said, I already had an idea of an actual gift that would be something meaningful for the both of us. So I settled on a simple necklace COMBO that included the date he swept me right off my feet and officially claimed me as his.  The moment he laid eyes on the ‘his’ and ‘hers’ pendants, he seemed to either forget where we were or not care at all that we had a room full of spectators as he took it upon himself to swoop in and lay the most sensual kiss on my lips. Everyone around us ooh’d and aww’d as he ended that kiss with an onslaught of sweet pecks against my lips, but I was left with blushing cheeks from utter embarrassment. I finally snapped out of that daze a short while later when I felt the warmth of his body against my side. I turned to face Chris just as he leaned in close to me, whisking me right up to cloud nine from his intoxicating aroma alone. "You good babe?" He asked only loud enough for me to hear as he continued to cradle Jaylen in his arm.  I nodded quickly and furrowed my brows "I'm fine. Why?" "You just look out of it… I just wanna make sure you not gettin bored or nothing.”  With a reassuring smile, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against the side of his neck "I could never get bored with anything that has to do with you." Tilting his head back away from me, he stared down at my lips with his own bottom lip tucked into his smirking mouth and just as he moved in for yet another kiss I could hear someone clearing their throat from across the table.  "Would ya'll please quit caking over that baby's head," I snapped my head up and glanced across the table to see Destani staring right at me with a smirk on her face, “"Yes I said it, quit caking... we don't wanna see that and neither does Jaylen. And Sy can you come to the bathroom with me? Please." With a shake of my head, I laughed along with our audience and dropped my napkin onto the table, quickly excusing myself as I stood from my seat.  I trailed along behind Destani as she weaved her way through the dense restaurant toward the restrooms. The moment we set foot into the space, she made a beeline for the vanity mirror stretched across the length of one wall and whipped out a small makeup kit from her clutch. I stood a few feet behind her with my arms crossed tight over my chest and most of my weight shifted over to my right leg. "Destani... what are you doing?" I asked. "Um, touching up my makeup… what it look like?" She replied as she carefully applied another coat of nude lipstick to her lips.  "Is this what you called me in here for?" “No...” She paused as she glanced through the reflective glass at me, “Can you be a patient for like five seconds or what?”  I rolled my eyes at her and moved back to lean against the wall behind me. I figured she was prepared to take forever to finish up all because she knew I was annoyed with waiting for her and the thought alone irritated me. With a roll of my eyes and a scoff, I pushed away from the wall and made a move toward the door. Our waiters and waitresses were supposed to be bringing Chris's surprise birthday cake any minute, but with Destani standing there taking her sweet time I just knew we were gonna miss it.  I just about made it all the way to the door to exit, but Destani was quick to swing around to face me “Where you going?”  “Back to the table. I don’t wanna miss Chris’s surprise Dez and you’re being slow.” I complained with my face contorted into a frown.  Her lips twisted up into a mischievous smirk and after tossing the tube of lipstick back into her purse, she crossed her arms over her chest and eyed me from head to toe “Why are you being so impatient and snappy with me?" "Because you're being slow, I already told you! Now please come on." I demanded.  "Did the birthday boy already get some loving this morning, or were you planning to wait until later?" She asked suddenly. Her question caught me completely off guard and my head jerked back in surprise as I stared at her in shock.  "What are you talk..." "Matter of fact, when's the last time you gave him some ass, excluding today?” She probed. "Destani, what does that have to do..." "I think you're pregnant." She blurted with the most somber expression. The space around us washed over with a thick layer of silence and I stared at her with my mouth hanging open. I was so overcome with shock that I nearly failed to notice the bathroom door swinging open directly toward my face. I stepped aside just as the woman on the other side of the door pushed it completely open and walked in. She noticed me as the door closed and she immediately offered a sincere apology for almost smacking me in my face, but I could only bring myself to smile at her and lock my eyes right back on Destani.  "Why would you think that Dez?" I whispered harshly.  "Well, because… you’re just different lately. I don’t know, I can’t quite put my finger on it… not to mention, you got a serious glow and I swear your hips are getting wider.” She explained confidently as if she just knew this to be a fact.  With yet another roll of my eyes, I smacked my lips loudly and huffed "Look, I really don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re the one who did my makeup like this to give me a glow and my hips are not getting wider… I am not pregnant!”  She dropped her gaze from my eyes and down to the front of my romper and smirked before looking back up at me with her head tilted curiously "Yeah… right. I don't know, maybe I'm just imagining things or something. Maybe I just... yeah, I think I’m just imagining things." The way she turned back toward the sink with that smug smirk still on her face left me rolling my eyes, but I remained calm and quiet so I wouldn’t give her any other reasons to believe her assumption.  "But that's not all I wanted to talk about though," She said, adjusting her clutch purse so she could close it, “I see everybody joined Chris to celebrate his big day, but it’s obvious that one person is missing." It didn’t take me long to realize exactly who she was referring to. I noticed almost immediately the moment we set foot in the restaurant that Rashad was absent from the festivities, but my only concern was that Chris was happy and kept a smile on his face all night… with or without his long lost friend.  "I noticed. But it’s alright… I just wanna make sure Chris has fun tonight and I know that will happen with or without Rashad." I said.  "You’re right… you’re absolutely right. We’re all gonna have fun and I plan on choosing a nigga tonight, because you know Chris be having those fine ass friends that don’t nobody know about… I know they’ll be there tonight too! I ain’t need little lame ass there blocking my swag.”  I laughed and shook my head as we finally ventured out of the restroom and back toward the tables.  -- The bass of the music thumbed through my veins and I couldn’t help but sway from side to side as we approached the front door. Chris stuck to my backside like glue from the time we climbed out the limo to the time we stepped foot through the door. With the crowd of people surrounding us and stopping us every few steps to greet him as if he were a celebrity, I was surprised he managed to keep at least one hand at my waist as we walked. I gawked at the gorgeous house ahead of us and by the time we were inside, I’m sure I resembled a kid in Disney World as I took in the splendor of it. I knew the boys had met with Mike, the party planning master, a few times to put the whole thing together, but I had no clue they would end up with something this phenomenal.  Only a few feet into the foyer of the mini mansion, Chris was bombarded with even more people than I cared to have around me, so I managed to slip out of his grasp and I made my way to a sitting area off to the side of the front door. I claimed a seat on one of the plush chairs and eyed the immense crowd that seemed to have tripled in size around Chris. With a smirk, I shook my head at the sight of him basking in all his glory.  "Last time I checked, this nigga wasn't no damn celebrity." I could hear a distinct voice to my left and I turned to see Tameka standing with a brow raised with Nalay and Destani on either side of her. She shook her head as she glanced over at Chris and took a seat on a longer couch across from me.  "I know right... and all these damn groupies just blowing his head up even bigger than it already it is." Destani cackled and slapped hands with Tameka who laughed right along with her. I turned my attention back to him in the center of the crowd and watched as he grinned widely and tossed his hands up in the air, shouting into the crowd eagerly prompting them to cheer like he really was some big celebrity. He bounced around to the music and led them all off toward the living room where a huge dance floor was set up with two DJ booths in each corner.  Nearly an hour in, the party had livened up tremendously. There weren’t many people standing stagnant and lingering in the vast space… the dance floor was jam packed with hot and sweaty bodies. Even the girls and I had managed to squeeze into the mass and we bobbed along to the music. Chris had disappeared somewhere in the throng of people, but I wasn’t concerned with where he could be. I was actually enjoying myself with my friends and I didn’t see a need to follow his every move.  The more I danced carefree and laughed aloud with the group, the more I could feel an incessant bumping against my backside that was quickly starting to irritate me. I continued to dance along to Yo Gotti’s Act Right, but that bumping just continued on and eventually I swung around and glared at the couple who grinded against one another right against my butt like there was no one else in the room. Even as I stared right at them in utter disgust, they kept on with their freak fest so eventually I turned away from them with a roll of my eyes and attempted to maneuver away from the group.  “Wait… where you going?” I glanced back when I felt a hand gripping my arm only to find Destani staring at me.  “It’s really hot… I’m gonna go sit down for a minute.” I shouted over the music. She stared at me for a while, knitting her brows curiously as she nodded and released my arm after I grinned to assure her that I was fine.  I was well on my way to yet another sitting area not far from the dance floor, but my attention was suddenly snatched before I could even reach a seat. I spotted a group of girls dancing like a couple of strippers straight from Magic City and I swore my heart stopped as I stared right into the center of the small circle they’d created. The guy that stood there was all too familiar and though I could only see him from behind, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that he was my boyfriend. My boyfriend… surrounded by a group of wanna be strippers. I had no clue how to react as one of the girls boldly turned to face him and ran the tips of her fingers seductively along his left cheek, pulling him closer to her by the front of his shirt.  I knew I didn’t want to create a spectacle in the middle of that dance floor in front of everyone by confronting him, so I whipped around and continued on to the sitting area without looking back. I ran my hand through my hair to toss it back out of my face and leaned back in my seat with a huff. Only seconds after I made myself comfortable on the couch, I felt a hand against my right shoulder and I turned to see Dontay hovering above me, with a face drenched in sweat.  "Wassup? Why you sitting over here by yourself?" He asked, pulling the end of his shirt up to wipe away a bit of the perspiration from his face.  I shrugged my shoulders and stared off into the crowd "I got tired and hot and I didn’t wanna end up passing out in the middle of the dance floor." He chuckled and turned to look off into the crowd as well "You ain’t gotta be all sarcastic girl." I laughed, but kept quiet as my eyes scanned over the scene and unintentionally roamed right over to Chris. The girl who’d previously been in his face had now hooked her hands around the back of his neck and he stood there with his hands limp at his sides with a bored expression as her friends bounced and twerked on either side of him. He kept his head raised and hadn’t even bothered to glance down at her as his eyes roamed constantly over the crowd.  "You see your boy?" Dontay asked.  "What?"  "Your boy," He repeated, nodding his head in Chris's direction, "I think he’s looking for you." "Yeah, I beg to differ.” I muttered, rolling my eyes and turning my head. "Actually, I think he really is." He nudged me gently with his elbow and I turned to see Chris staring directly at me with a smirk. He leaned down a bit, never breaking the eye contact with me, and whispered into the girl’s ear. She rolled her eyes and jerked her head back with attitude and immediately stopped dancing. He took that as an opportunity to slip out of her grasp and without hesitation he squeezed through a few dancing bodies to make his way toward Dontay and I.  "Wassup bro?” He greeted Dontay first once he reached us and I made sure to keep my gaze everywhere but on him, "This party is fucking insane man! Ya’ll fucked it up with this one.”  "Aye nigga, you know we can only do it big for the big man himself… no less!" They both burst into a fit of laughter and dapped each other up then Dontay glanced over at me then peered at Chris with a smirk.  "Well," He cleared his throat and stood from the arm of the couch beside me "I think Imma go hit the dance floor again... gotta figure out which one of these hoes is coming home with a nigga tonight!”  They dapped once more and the moment he walked off, Chris took it upon himself to plop down in the chair beside me after pulling it up right in front of me. “Why you ain’t out there dancing babe?” He asked breathlessly.  I shrugged my shoulders and glanced at his perspiring face “It was getting really hot and I was getting tired. I was dancing but I just wanted to take a break.” He stared at me for a while with that handsome smirk and with his legs spread on either side of mine, he leaned in close to me “You still tired?” I cut my eyes at him as I crossed my arms over my chest “Yes.” He smacked his lips and tilted his head to one side, cutting his eyes at me as he did so “No you not… come dance with me.” I shook my head and rolled my eyes at him trying not to snap from the sudden irritation that surged through my veins “I really don’t want to Chris… I’m still tired and my feet hurt.” “You not tired,” He said as he maintained that stance with his eyes now squinted at me, “What’s wrong?” I shook my head adamantly and leaned back in my seat “Nothing, I’m tired… that’s all.” He leaned in even closer to me and reached out to grip my chin, forcing me to face him “That’s not all… what’s wrong?” Snatching out of his grasp and staring past him toward the dance floor… I failed to realize that my leg was quivering as I sat there with my arms crossed over my chest, but Chris noticed almost immediately and he leaned to one side so that his face was directly in my line of vision “What’s the problem babe? Why you acting like that?” “I’m not acting like anything Chris. Shouldn’t you be out there dancing … everyone’s probably waiting for you.” “Fuck everyone… I want my girlfriend to tell me what’s wrong. Better yet, tell me if I did something wrong.” He pressed on. His determined interrogation was truly getting under my skin, but I focused on keeping my demeanor calm because I had no desire to ruin his birthday over my own petty attitude. As my eyes continued to take in each and every dancing body in the near vicinity, I mistakenly glanced over at the group of girls that’d been dancing all over him before he came to me. I glared at them for a short while then rolled my eyes and dropped my gaze back on him.  He glanced over in their direction then furrowed his brows and eyed me carefully “That’s why you sitting over here? You upset ‘cause they was dancing on me earlier… right?”  I cut my eyes at him and shook my head with a sigh “I never said I was upset with you. All I said was that I’m tired… but if it would make you feel better to believe that, then whatever.”  I attempted to stand up from my seat to move away from the ensuing argument, but I wasn’t nearly quick enough for Chris who had a hand around my waist within only a second “Baby, why you acting like this? No it wouldn’t make me feel better to believe that… I just want you to talk to me… tell me what’s on your mind.” I sighed and shut my eyes as I stood there focusing on just the feeling of his hand grasping my side. I refused to start a fight with him in the middle of the party and though I was nearly just as territorial as he, my reaction was totally different than his would have ever been if I was caught dancing with someone other than him. So rather than continuing on with my harsh attitude, I turned to face him and sighed through a smile.  “I really am tired Charlie… I’m not upset with you about anything, I promise. Today is your birthday and I understand that every single person in here probably wants to spend some sort of time with you… they all wanna be near you. I’m not gonna be that bitter girlfriend to stop you from enjoying your day. So I’m telling you right now that I’m not upset or angry with you, so just get that out of your mind and stop worrying about me.” I explained.  He stared up at me with his lips twisted to one side then smirked suddenly and pulled me down by my waist into his lap "Do you understand how much I love you? You too good to me.”  I smiled and chuckled softly, wrapping my arms rightfully around the back of his neck as he cupped my face to pull me in closer to him "I don't wanna ruin your night... I just want you to have fun with no worries or stress okay." He nodded and pressed his lips against mine, pulling me in as close to him as he could, allowing me to enjoy the sensation of his plump lips before Dontay, BJ, and Mike abruptly closed in on us. I barely had time to climb down out of Chris's lap before they snatched him up from his seat to drag him off toward the dance floor. I could feel someone tugging at my wrist in the process and I failed to figure out who in the midst of the chaos.  I’d assumed that perhaps it was now time to surprise him with his birthday cake and I was surprised to see the mass of people on the dance floor parting like the Red Sea as the boys dragged Chris through and he dragged me along behind him. I hadn’t noticed it before, but the DJ had shut the music off completely and the colossal space was washed over in a sea of murmured whispers. The boys dragged him to the front of the crowd and I nearly slammed right into his back when he stopped abruptly in front of me. I could barely see over his shoulder from where I stood behind him, so I rolled onto the tips of my toes and leaned in against his left shoulder to figure out what was going on.  There, only feet away from him, stood two white men and a black man… all dressed in police uniforms.  "Are you Christopher Maurice Brown?" One of them spoke up once Chris was standing directly in front of them. "Yes… is there a problem?" He asked, looking from one officer to the other. I continued to stare over his shoulder and my heart slowly began to sink as they glanced back and forth between one another before one finally stepped forward to speak. "Mr. Brown... we have a warrant for your arrest..."