Finally, the day was here.

Her dream come true. The Grand Opening of the Ice Kingdom Mall.

Not in her wildest dreams did she think something she playfully thought of would be happening. She could remember from as early as twelve years old saying there needed to be a second mall in Springfield. The city was small but big enough to have another major mall. Most of the residents were happy with the one mall and half a dozen Walmarts.

Not her.

She liked nice things, and she liked to shop, not buy everything online. Malls were a dying breed. Everyone shopped online now. She figured the best way to beat the ease of shopping online was to give them a shopping experience at her mall.

There were two different full spas that provided every service invented and then some. Ten designer dresses only stores, a dozen outlet designers brand stores, several jewelry, and trinkets stores, about twenty shoe stores because she was a shoe girl, a kids play area, a teen game room, a men's sports bar, and seven restaurants connected, not counting the food court that held a dozen more food options.

Every time she got an idea, she would ask the architect if it was possible to add and he would. Nothing like this in Springfield, Missouri or the surrounding area. They would get people from all around wanting to shop at the Ice Kingdom Mall.

Still, she was nervous that no one would show. Times were hard and people were down and out on their luck. Money was tight. She was lucky she did not have to worry about money anymore, but she grew up worrying about money every day. Maybe no one had extra spending money to shop.

It was the weekend after Thanksgiving, so Black Friday was over. Some people had done the bulk of their holiday shopping. She wanted to be open a month ago, but it kept getting pushed back, so she was lucky to catch the holiday season at all.

Everything happened for a reason. She said a prayer and got ready for her day to spend at the mall.

Jolene came into her dressing room holding a crying IceeJay.

"I think he senses you are about to leave."

"Aw, my little fat man." She took the baby out of her arms and rocked him. "Mommy has to go to work, but when I come back, I will play with you and cuddle that chubby face and hold you all night."

He calmed down, but not because of her. He positioned himself to be fed because the boy was always hungry.

"Okay, I'll feed you now. Jolene is there enough milk stored for the day? I feel like all I do is pump for this boy."

"Plenty, we will be fine. I think he just prefers you, some babies are like that."

That made her feel guilty for being a working mom when she could have easily been a stay-at-home mom. Stay home, feed the baby from her breast, not a bottle. Be the only one changing his diaper and holding him when he cried.

She knew she was not the only woman in the world to ever work and leave their baby, but it still felt brutal. IceeJay was three months now, he still needed her. After today's mall opening, she would spend less time working and more with him.

And not to forget the baby she was carrying now. How was she going to do it?

The only way she knew how. Just do it!

After IceeJay was fed and happy, she finished dressing and headed to the garage to get in her car. She could walk to the mall, but she thought it best to not show up sweaty and stinky at her big event. She knew her sisters would be there, and all their friends. She wondered if her father would be there. Her brother she had yet to meet?

Icee was still away but she promised him she would Facetime him so he could see everyone. Everyone who was anyone in the city showed up for the Grand Opening. All her sisters. Her bestie Ginger and she hated the city, but she liked to shop. The mayor and his wife. A lot of out-of-town people. Old friends and frenemies even showed up.

Like her ex from college, Sylvester. She spotted him, and she knew he saw her. He better not say a word to her.

Some old friends from college she grew apart from, but of course, they were there trying to get a hookup. Nobody was getting anything free unless their name was Kelly, and even then she may charge her sisters.

"Girl, we did the damn thing!" Fayme shouted out to her holding a glass of champagne.

She held sparkling apple juice, so did Krystle. They had not announced their pregnancies to the world, but of course Fayme knew.

"Let's make today a success, and every day," Krystle said.

"And to Black Girl Magic!" She smiled and sipped her drink.

Along with her security, she walked around the mall and greeted some of the shoppers. Took a lot of photos if they asked and pretended she was the celebrity. She was only married to one, but sometimes she got to bask in Icee's shadow and she was okay with that. All she wanted was to make a difference in her city, all over the world in fact.

"I want to take a picture too."

She rolled her eyes before she turned to see Sylvester trying to get through her security. Now if she ignored him, he would call her names and think she was too good to speak to him now. She plastered a fake smile on her face.

"Sylvester, nice to see you here."

He wasn't even from Springfield. He was from St. Louis, and after graduation, he moved back to St. Louis. He only came here to cause some drama.

"Baby, you look good," he said with a grin, still a distance away from her, the guards not given the okay to let him closer.

"Baby?" Krystle scoffed. "Boy, get your ass out of here. You have some nerve!"

"And I know Kitty too nice a chick to get your ass thrown out of here, so you might want to leave on your own," Fayme added.

"Oooo, who is that sexy guy?" Ginger whispered in her ear.

"No, just no," she said to her. "Sylvester, thanks for coming to the Grand Opening, but I don't have time to chit chat and-"

"Surprise!"

It was Icee, complete with an entourage, walking over to her. She smiled so hard and ran up to him, jumped on him and kissed him. She missed her husband. The weeks were getting too long and she wished he was home for good.

"What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't miss your big day, babe." He held her tight. "This shit fire!"

"Icee, it means so much you're here. Babe, you're the best."

"I know," he said with a wink. "Come on, let's shop it up in our mall...ahem, I mean, your mall."

"No, it's ours."

She walked hand in hand with Icee and her girls as they finished shopping, meeting and greeting everyone. She walked so much her feet were so sore, she had to take off her heels and put on some tennis shoes she bought. The mall was still jumping when she and Icee decided to make their exit because he was only there a few hours.

"Let me see my son!" That was the first thing Icee wanted when he stepped into the house.

"Wait," she held him back. "Can we enjoy some...adult time before you go get him?'

"Babe, I can hug my son some and fuck my wife in the few hours I have in Da Field. Ya hear me?"

She laughed at him as they both rushed through the house and into the nursery to get IceeJay. Icee loved on him for a while before he left him with Jolene and they made their way to their room.

She stripped her clothes off before they even hit the bed.

"Babe, you're still sexy as hell!" Icee grabbed her, kissing her and pulling her on the bed. "I missed kissing you. I miss holding you and just being with you, babe."

"I know," she said, snuggled against his neck.

"You need to come up to Toronto with me these last few weeks. Now that the mall open and err'thang babe, what's your excuse?"

"I still have the baby and to run the business and...."

"Do that shit with me, just for a bit. Babe, bring my son with you. I got you. Let's do it up in Ole Canada. You and me."

She smiled. She liked the idea. She did have people in place that knew what they were doing and could handle things in her absence. Randi was a lifesaver for sure. He was too smart to be her assistant forever. Leaving him in charge while she went away with Icee, but when she came back, he deserved a promotion.

"Okay." She slid her hands in his pants. "Now why are you still dressed? We only have a little time to-"

"You ain't said but a word."

A/N: Success brings the crazies. I know I tease about Sylvester...the ex that broke Kitty, but you'll have to wait a long time for that in the series.

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