DEAN'S POV

"Leah where the fuck are you, I don't have all day."I gritted out through the phone.

I saw a couple of passers-by glance at me with weird looks but I didn't care about them just about my annoying sister who I had been waiting on for half an hour under the scorching sun. Sure I'd spent most of it in the car but still it pissed me off. I hated waiting.

"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"Leah chuckled.

"Leah..."I seethed.

"Calm your tits, I see you looking like a blob of tar. Who wears all black in this heat?"She retorted.

I hang up and pocketed my phone knowing if I replied I would hurt her feelings more than I already had. Thankfully I didn't have to be angry much longer because I saw her familiar head bop up amongst the sea of students walking in and out of university gates.

"There's the best big brother in the world."She cheered launching herself at me in a hug.

I knew she was only doing it to butter me up and like the sucker that I was, I caved and hugged her back.

"You know I hate waiting."I grumbled.

"Yes and I'm sorry, the lecture ran late but I'm here now. What's up big bro?"She asked pulling back.

"You're lucky I love you otherwise I wouldn't have waited."I replied.

"I know."She relented.

I stepped back and unlocked the car opening the backseat to retrieve what I'd brought her.

"Sweet ride bro, who's the sugar mama?"Leah chuckled.

"Someone old enough to be your grandmother, I had to make it somehow."I answered with a grin.

"Mom would have a heart attack if you got a sugar mama but I on the other hand don't mind."Leah praised behind me.

"Shut up you late comer and here, these are for you."I said finally turning around.

Leah's eyes widened in surprise as she saw the bouquet of red roses and box of fancy chocolate in my hands.

"You didn't!"She exclaimed her voice coming out all squeaky.

"I might be an annoying big brother but I'm a good one who loves you. Happy valentine's baby sister."I smiled holding out the gifts for her.

Leah took them from my hands her eyes still wide in shock. I had always dreamed of being able to treat the special women in my life like the queens that they were. Thanks to River I had enough money now and since it was valentine's day I thought I'd do something special for all of them starting with Leah. Jasmine was in school so she wouldn't get any gifts but I'd sent her some money and talked to her so she was sorted as well.

"You really are the best Dean, thank you."Leah sniffled.

I held my arms out for her and she walked into my embrace crying into my chest.

"If you ever date a guy who gives you less than this for Valentines day, don't ever bother introducing him to me because I'll wring his neck for not treating you like you deserve."I warned.

Leah laughed hugging me tighter. "Noted."

I kissed the top of her head and pulled back wiping the tears off her face.

"This is also for you." I said handing her an envelope with six thousand shillings in it.

"Buy yourself something impractical and I mean it, don't spent it on books or shopping, I'll send money for that later. This is for you to spoil yourself."I demanded.

"Yes sir, understood. You know I was only teasing about the sugar mama but now I'm starting to question if it's true. Dean do you need to tell me something?"Leah asked narrowing her eyes at me.

"Life is finally smiling upon us sis. Embrace it and enjoy it. I've got to go now, there's two more deliveries to make."I answered with a smile.

"That's okay, I'll get it out of your eventually. Wait, two deliveries? Jasmine is in school so that only leaves mom. Who is the other special girl in your life?"Leah asked.

River's smiling face immediately came to mind and I couldn't stop myself from grinning like a fool.

"Holy shit! I never thought I'd live to see the day. Dean you're in love."Leah cheered.

"Definitely not. There is someone but she's not even my girlfriend yet so not in love."I denied quickly.

"But still there is someone. Hallelujah, there is hope yet."Leah cheered.

"Okay I'm going now."I chuckled embarrassed at her announcement.

"Where are you going? You haven't told me about your new lady yet. What's her name? What does she do? Where is she from? Is she pretty?"Lean asked firing question after question.

I ignored her and got behind the wheel switching the car on.

"Her name is River, she's from California and she's absolutely gorgeous."I grinned thinking of the blue eyed beauty waiting for me back at home.

"Well I do hope I get to meet this River one day."Leah responded.

"You will."I replied knowing that now River had decided to stay in Kenya, her meet with with Leah was inevitable.

"Thank you for everything Dean, I love you."Leah said leaning in through the window to kiss my cheek.

"You're welcome, see you soon."

"Bye, say hi to River. Tell her it's her future sister in law."

I laughed as Leah stepped back so I could back out of the parking lot. She waited there until I drove out of the school compound smiling widely at me. It felt really good to be able to put that smile on her face. It meant I was slowly but surely progressing in life to make mine and my families life better. Next stop, mama Dean. Hers was an especially special delivery.

Mom wasn't home when I arrived but Dwayne was, taking advantage of the fact that my mom was not home to watch TV. He knew that he wasn't allowed to watch TV until all his homework was done and I could tell for a fact that he hadn't touched his books. His backpack was abandoned at the door next to his dusty shoes and he was still wearing his school uniform.

"Dwayne, where's mom?"I asked letting myself into the house.

He shrugged at me not even bothering to use his words. I scoffed at his aloofness retrieving my phone to call my mom but there was already a text message from her waiting for me.

Mom❤️❤️
I'm stuck in traffic, I'll be home in fifteen minutes. Wait for me.

What was with all the women in my life making me wait around all day? I couldn't leave without seeing her so I made myself comfortable trying not to get pissed at my own mother for making me wait.

"So turd? What's up with you nowadays?"I asked tossing a pillow at Dwayne.

"Is this your way of trying to connect with me?"He chuckled tossing the pillow back.

I caught it effortlessly placing it next to me.

"Yeah let's call it that. I know you and I will never be super close because of the age gap between us but I want you to know you can always talk to me about anything."I replied.

Dwayne looked at me with a smile on his face. "I know that and yes there's a significant age gap between us but you're my big brother and I respect you. I know I can always rely on you to be there for me."

"Good."I nodded.

"I still hate you though."He grinned throwing a pillow at me.

"I hate you more."I chuckled.

That's how Dwayne and I showed love to each other, by being mean and hitting each other but he would always be my baby brother and I loved him to death.

I watched TV with Dwayne for half an hour and when I was about to call it quits and leave, mom showed up.

"Finally."I exclaimed getting to my feet.

"I'm sorry but I'm here now."My mom apologized patting my cheek affectionately.

I was about to tell her about my reason for visiting when she saw Dwayne's backpack by the door and him still in his uniform and went livid.

"Dwayne Kariuki Kinyua, if I close my eyes and open them and you haven't done what you know you're supposed to do there will be consequences."My mom threatened.

Upon hearing the threat in my mom's tone Dwayne switched off the TV and jumped into action picking up his backpack and running to his room.

"Don't be so hard on him mom."I chuckled ushering her to a seat.

"I have to be otherwise he'd never study or get anything done."She sighed.

"I understand mom. Anyway I came here to bring you this."I said retrieving my presents from the gift bag on the floor and handing them to her.

It was the same thing I got my sister but my mom got more money and a shopping gift voucher to her favorite supermarket.

"Happy valentine's day mom."

Mom was shook as if she was seeing something completely new for the first time. She probably was, in all the years I'd been alive, I had never my father gift her anything for valentines day or even her birthday. I'd never been able to do anything about it before but this year was different. I wanted my mom to know just how special and loved she was.

"Wow, thank you so much Kamau."My mom cried pulling me into a hug.

"You're welcome. You deserve that and so much more."I replied.

I watched my mom cry over her gifts for a couple of minutes murmuring blessings upon my life. It was so emotional I needed to leave before I started crying with her.

"Mama stop crying, it's okay but I've got to go now, I'll see you soon."I said getting up.

"No wait, how are things going on between you and River? Is she all better now?"My mom asked.

"Yes mom she's great, we're going to Nakuru next week and we will be there for two weeks but I'm always available to you so feel free to call me in case of anything."I replied.

"Your eyes just sparkled when you mentioned her name. Am I to assume that your relationship has developed since we last spoke?"

The fact that my mother only needed to look into my eyes to read into everything that I was doing spoke volumes about how much she knew me.

"It's impossible to keep anything from you."I said.

"I gave birth to you and raised you so of course it's impossible."She retorted.

"Well you got me, River and I decided to take the next step in our relationship forward and start dating."I replied unable to hide the smile on my face.

"It makes me happy to see you happy Kamau but you have to remember that she's only here for a while. She doesn't have much time left here."My mom advised.

"I know and we talked about that too. River is going to stay in Kenya."I explained.

"Wow that's a big move, she's staying here for you?"

"Partially but she has her own personal reasons too."I replied.

"Well you're both adults so I trust that you're making the right decision but remember you're older than her Kamau so do right by her. Girls make impulse decisions when they are in love so make sure that she is making the right one."My mom advised.

I didn't want to tell my mom that River was staying in Kenya because if she moved back to the US her father would force her into an arranged marriage. It was not my story to tell so I kept my mouth shut.

"I hear you mom, thank you."

I hugged my mom goodbye and went to Dwayne's bedroom to bid him farewell. I found him at his desk doing his homework like the good mamas boy that he was.

"Yoh turd, I'm leaving."

"Bye then, don't let the door hit you on your way out."

"Ha ha, very funny. Here, I have something for you."

"What?"He asked finally turning to me.

I raised my brows and he got up with a grumble approaching me.

"I didn't think you'd appreciate getting flowers since they are a girl thing but I got you this."I said giving him two thousand shillings and a brand new watch I knew he had been wanting.

I saw his eyes widen as he teared up for a moment but it was gone before I could blink.

"If this is you trying to buy my affection, I'll let you know that I'm a bit more expensive."He retorted taking the gifts from me.

I laughed at his cheeky self flicking his forehead. "Just say thank you."

"Thank you D.K, you're the best big brother ever." Dwayne sniffed the macho facade falling.

"Happy valentine's day baby bro."I said pulling him in for a brief hug.

I half expected him to push me away but he surprised me by hugging me back. I pulled away, kissed the top of his head and left feeling proud that I was finally able to do something nice for my whole family.

I had one more delivery to a very special lady waiting for me back home.

On the drive home I couldn't help but think about my mom and sister's reaction to me telling them that I was now dating River. It's probably because they never expected me to settle down so soon when I'd made it clear that it was something I'd do in my thirties. But then River showed up with her beautiful self, soulful eyes, rose red lips and that plan was blown up to bits.

I was scared that I'd do something wrong or say something stupid to piss River off and she would dump me. We were also from very different and diverse backgrounds. She was a white rich girl born in wealth and I was a struggling Kenyan hustler trying to do right by his family. Our differences are what brought us together in the first place but our similarities are what brought us closer. River was an unexpected surprise in my life and even though I wasn't ready for her, I would embrace her with open arms. I was scared yes but I was more hopeful of the future River and I could create together.

When I arrived back home I retrieved River's rose bouquet from the back seat and her gift box crossing my fingers that she would like it. I'd never surprised a woman I had feelings for before so I hoped I'd gotten it right on my first try.

I tried opening the door when I got to my floor but it was locked.

I'd never had to knock on my own door before but apparently there was a first time for everything. I shifted the items in my arms and held them behind me.

"River."I called out knocking again.

"Coming."She replied.

"Why is the door locked?"I asked hearing her footsteps coming closer.

She didn't reply just opened the door with a big smile on her face. She looked beautiful dressed in an orange long sleeved dress with a floral pattern on the skirt and a v-neckline giving me a view of her ample bossom. Her face was all made up with her hair up in a fancy but and she was wearing heels.

"Going somewhere little lady?"I inquired.

"No, I just wanted to dress up for you."She smiled.

"Well you look beautiful, I mean you always do but today, sheesh."I grinned leaning in to peck her lips softly.

She blushed biting her lower lip. "Thank you."

"Are you going to let me in?"I asked since she hadn't moved away from the door.

"Yes of course come in."She said stepping aside with a nervous smile.

I thought I had been the one going to surprise River but she had turned the table around on me. There were rose petals everywhere, candles lighting up the dimly lit room and fairly lights strung up on the walls. A romantic dinner settling was laid out on the table complete with wine, strawberries and apple slices dipped in chocolate and a couple more finger foods.

"When? How?"I asked River turning to her with surprise written all over my face.

"Before you get angry and start assuming things I ordered everything online. I only left the house to go to the gate to collect my orders."River explained herself.

"That thought did cross my mind and I'm glad you stuck to the rules but still, why?" I asked.

"It's our first valentine's day together and it would be sad not to celebrate it thus all this. Surprise."River grinned.

I had been making my family emotional all day but now it was my turn to be rendered speechless.

"Happy valentine's day Dean."River whispered walking closer to me and kissing my cheek softly.

I turned to her and pulled her closer to me kissing her lips hungrily not caring if I'd smudge her lipstick.

"Happy valentine's day waridi."I whispered our lips a breath apart.

"I know you're hiding something behind your back."River whispered pulling back.

She held her hands out and I smiled giving her the gifts and bouquet.

"This pales to what you did."I murmured embarrassed.

"Are you kidding? This is wonderful, thank you Dean."River beamed her eyes sparkling in excitement.

I sighed in relief because her reaction was genuine meaning she enjoyed the gifts.

I kicked my shoes off and slid on a pair of clean house slippers.

"I can't believe you did all this."I exclaimed taking a seat on the sofa.

"You know it's not only girls who are supposed to enjoy valentine's day. It's a day for lovers meaning two people and that's what we are. I had to do something nice for you as well."River replied moving to the kitchen to retrieve a huge mason jar for the flowers. I didn't have a vase but the mason jar was big enough to fit the flowers. She placed them in the middle of the table after adding some water.

"Roses are called waridi in Swahili. I found out that today when I ordered the petals."River said taking a seat next to me.

I smiled because finally after a month a half together she had finally found out what the nickname I called her meant.

"Your signature red lipstick is the first thing I noticed about you. Your lips reminded me of rose petals and each time you smiled, your beauty rivalled that of a rose flower."I explained.

"Ever the romantic. Thank you for the roses, being you and being mine. You have changed my life Dean, given me purpose and a home when my life was falling apart. You're everything and more I always wished for in a man."River confessed her eyes on me.

I pinched her chin between my thumb and forefinger bringing her face closer to mine.

"You deserve all the happiness in the world and I'm glad I can be the one to give it to you."I replied bridging the gap between us.

I kissed her savoring the taste of her soft lips. River pulled herself onto my lap, straddling me as she deepened the kiss. Her hands wound around my neck as she tugged at my hair making me groan. My hands gripped onto her bare thighs as her skirt rode up feeling myself get hard at the feel of River invading all my senses. The woman was sexy in all senses of the word.

"Go out on a date with me."I whispered breathlessly.

"What?"River chocked out pulling back to look at me.

"Not today, it's late and too much of a cliche to go out for a first date on valentines day but will you go out with me?"I asked River.

It was a spur of the moment ask but I wanted to take River out on a proper date and show her off as mine.

Her face up lit up in a smile."Yes I'll go out with you."

"Perfect."I grinned kissing her again.

My stomach growled ruining the moment as we pulled apart.

"Time to feed you."River declared getting off my lap.

"You ordered food?"

"No I cooked."She replied

"You cooked?"

"Don't laugh. I know how to cook Dean."She scolded walking to the kitchen.

"But I've been cooking for you for the past month plus and you didn't say anything."I scolded.

"I offered to help the first couple of days but you turned me down so I stopped. Dinner is served."She replied placing a plate of rice, chicken breast and a side salad infront of me.

"Wow, this looks good."I complimented.

"Enjoy."River said joining me on the sofa with her own plate.

The food tasted even better than it looked. River was a good cook and even though I enjoyed cooking for her, I needed to allow her into the kitchen more.

She poured us some wine to enjoy with the food.

"You're amazing you know that."I smiled at River admiring her.

"Right back at you."She grinned popping a chocolate covered apple slice into her mouth.

I kissed her softly licking her lips tasting the chocolate on her tongue.

River had just made my first every valentine's day memorable and I couldn't wait to spoil her in return.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Today I had absolutely no mood to update this chapter or even write but I didn't want to give writers block a chance so I hope you guys enjoyed it.

I can't believe I'm going to be single for valentines day for the fourth year in a row. Why does love hate me when I love love so much?

Happy End month my darlings, I hope you all had a better January than I did. May February, the month of love be kind to all of us bringing with it immense love and joy.