Bonus Chapter: Aunty Tammy or God mother Tammy??
The house was unusually quiet that evening.
Valerie stood in the kitchen, staring at the small white box on the counter like it might suddenly grow legs and run away. Her heart had not rested since morning. Even now, it was beating too loudly in her chest.
Six months of marriage. Six months of learning each other again in a deeper way. Six months of waking up beside the absolute love of her life.
And now this.
She placed her hand over her stomach unconsciously.
The symptoms had started subtly. First it was tiredness, the kind that sleep couldn’t fix. Then came a strange wave of nausea that would show up when she smelled onions frying.
Her period had delayed, but she brushed it off at first. Stress, she had told herself. Between helping Purity adjust fully into his new role as assistant pastor and running TPKF — The Pastor’s Kid Forum— A ministry she was led to start three months ago, she had been busy.
The first physical meeting of TPKF had just held two days ago. Pastors’ kids from different states gathered in one hall. They laughed, prayed, shared stories of pressure and grace. She had watched them connect and felt proud. God had trusted her with something beautiful.
But even as she smiled through that event, something inside her knew.
She knew.
Still, she didn’t tell Purity immediately. They had planned to have children one year after the wedding. They had prayed about it. Agreed on it. They wanted time, just the two of them to build and enjoy each other.
But heaven had its own calendar.
And tonight, she was going to tell him.
She had set the dining table differently. . She made his favorite meal, Smoky jollof rice, grilled chicken and coleslaw. She even wore the blue dress he once said made her look like “answered prayer.”
When Purity walked in, loosening his tie and calling out, “My babyyy, I’m home,” her throat tightened.
“I am in the dining,” she replied, trying to sound normal.
He stepped in and paused.
“Ah-ah. My love, what is all this?” he asked, smiling. “Are we celebrating something I forgot?”
She laughed nervously. “Babe… just sit.”
He narrowed his eyes playfully. “Valerie, what did you do? You even forgot to hug and kiss your husband.”
“Baby, just sit down.” She proceeded to hug and peck him.
He sat down, still grinning.
They prayed over the meal. His prayer was long as usual, thanking God for growth, for the church, for TPKF, for their home.
She blinked rapidly during the prayer.
After eating for a few minutes, she reached under the table and brought out the small box. She slid it toward him.
He looked at it, confused. “Another gift? Baby, it’s not my birthday.”
“Open it,” she said softly.
He wiped his hands and opened the box slowly.
Inside was a tiny pair of white baby socks.
He froze.
For a full five seconds, he didn’t breathe.
Then he looked up at her.
Then back at the socks.
Then at her again.
“Mama…” His voice came out rough. “What is this?”
She swallowed, her eyes already glossy. “It means… you’re going to be somebody’s daddy.”
His chair scraped the floor as he stood abruptly. She thought for a second he didn’t understand.
Then his hands flew to his head.
“Jesus…” he whispered.
She nodded, tears spilling now. “I’m pregnant.”
He didn’t even realize when he started crying.
He walked around the table slowly, like he was afraid she would disappear if he moved too fast. When he reached her, he knelt in front of her chair.
His hands hovered over her stomach, not touching yet.
“Are you serious?” he asked, his voice trembling like a child’s.
She nodded again, laughing through tears. “I did the test twice. I even went to the hospital this afternoon.”
He covered his face and began to sob.
“God…” he said. “God, thank You.”
Valerie had seen Purity emotional before. She had seen him pray passionately. She had seen him cry during worship.
But this was different.
This was raw.
He finally placed both palms gently on her stomach, like he was handling something fragile and holy.
“We are pregnant?” he asked faintly.
“Yes.”
“But we said one year…”
She nodded…
He laughed softly through tears. “God clearly didn’t attend that meeting.”
She laughed too.
He rested his forehead against her lap. “I’m going to be a father.”
“You already are,” she whispered.
He lifted his head, eyes red. “Are you okay? How have you been feeling? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? You’ve been nauseous in the mornings, abi? That day you ran from the kitchen…”
She nodded sheepishly. “I suspected. I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure.”
“You’ve been carrying this alone?”
“I wanted it to be special.”
He stood up abruptly and pulled her into his arms carefully, mindful of her body. He hugged her tight but gentle.
“You’re carrying our child,” he murmured into her hair. “Mama… Boo boo… thank you.”
She pulled back slightly. “Thank me?”
“Yes. For saying yes to me. For trusting me. For building this life with me.”
She cupped his face. “Baby, we’re in this together.”
He suddenly dropped to his knees again, but this time in prayer.
He held her hands and began to pray, voice shaking.
“Father, You did this. We didn’t plan it, but you did. Thank you for trusting us with this soul. Thank you for my wife. Strengthen her, protect her. Let this pregnancy be smooth. Let our child serve you…”
His tears kept falling mid-prayer.
Valerie cried too.
There was something about hearing your husband pray over the life growing inside you that shifted everything.
When he finished praying, he stood and wiped his face.
“Wait,” he said suddenly. “I want to hear it again.”
She smiled. “Hear what?”
“Say it again.”
She placed his hand over her stomach. “You’re going to be a father.”
He laughed and cried at the same time.
“Pastor Purity is going to be a daddy,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Ah. God is funny.”
She teased, “Maybe that’s why He promoted you early.”
He pointed at her playfully. “Don’t start.”
They sat back down, but neither of them could eat anymore.
He kept looking at her like she was made of glass.
“Does your mom know?” he asked.
“Not yet.”
“My mom nko?”
“No.”
He inhaled deeply. “We need to tell them. But first… let me just breathe this.”
He placed both hands on her cheeks.
“My Queen.”
“Hmm?”
“I promise you. I will love this child fiercely. I will protect you both. I will be present. I won’t repeat any generational mistakes. I will not be an absent father.”
Her throat tightened at the weight behind his words.
“I know, baby. I know” she whispered.
He pressed his forehead to hers. “We planned one year. God said six months. That means He is confident in us.”
She smiled softly. “Or He just knows we can’t keep our hands off each other.”
He burst into laughter. “This woman!”
They both laughed until the tension melted.
Then he grew serious again.
“Are you scared?” he asked gently.
She paused.
“Just a little,” she admitted. “It’s early. It’s unexpected. But… I feel sooo much peace.”
He nodded. “Me too.”
He kissed her forehead, then carefully knelt again and kissed her stomach lightly.
“Hello, baby,” he said softly. “It’s Daddy. Please don’t stress your mummy. We are a small but mighty family, okay?”
She wiped fresh tears.
“You’re already talking to the baby?”
“Of course. Ministry starts early oo.”
She shook her head, smiling.
After a while, he carried her bridal style to the couch despite her protests.
“Babe, I can walk!”
“Allow me enjoy this moment joor.”
He sat with her on his lap, holding her like treasure.
Six months ago, they had stood at the altar promising forever.
Now forever had taken shape.
He leaned back and whispered, “Thank You, Jesus.”
And for the first time that night, she felt the full weight of the life inside her.
Their love had multiplied.
The house smelled like pepper soup and fried plantain when Tammy arrived.
Valerie had insisted on cooking herself. Purity had offered to order food. He said she shouldn’t stress but she shook her head.
“I’m pregnant, not fragile,” she had said.
Still, he hovered around her all evening like a security detail.
Tammy was the first to knock.
She stepped in dramatically as usual, holding a small cake box. “If this is one of you people’s random couple dinners where you’ll now start pressing each other’s faces, I’m going back home o.”
Valerie laughed and pulled her into a hug.
Tammy paused.
She pulled back slightly.
“Why are you hugging me like that?” she asked, squinting suspiciously. “What did you people do?”
“Nothing,” Valerie replied too quickly.
Tammy narrowed her eyes further. “Hmm.”
Joel and Daniel arrived shortly after. Joel carried drinks. Daniel brought ice cream.
The boys greeted Purity with the exaggerated handshake that always ended in shoulder bumps.
“Pastor sir,” Joel teased. “We hope this dinner is not for counseling.”
“Or three days fasting announcement,” Daniel added.
Purity just smiled. He looked calm but anyone who knew him well would see the way his fingers kept tapping his thigh.
They all settled into the dining area. Plates clinked and laughter bounced off the walls. Tammy narrated some dramatic story about a client who tried to pay her in “exposure.”
Joel was arguing with Daniel about football.
Valerie watched them all, her heart swelling.
This was family.
Purity caught her eye from across the table. There was something unspoken in that look.
It’s time.
He cleared his throat lightly.
“Guys.”
Nobody stopped talking.
He cleared it louder.
“Guys.”
Daniel paused mid-sentence. “Ah-ah. Why are you sounding like we are in church now?”
Joel leaned back. “Hope you’re not about to say you’re relocating us to another branch?”
Tammy grabbed her glass. “If this is a prayer meeting, biko let me finish my drink first.”
Valerie laughed nervously.
Purity reached for her hand under the table and squeezed gently.
“We actually called you guys for something important,” he said.
The air shifted slightly.
Tammy looked between them.
“What happened?” she asked immediately, her playful tone softening. “Is everything okay?”
Valerie nodded quickly. “Everything is fine.”
“Very fine,” Purity added, and he couldn’t help the smile stretching his face.
Daniel leaned forward. “Then say it na. Don’t build suspense.”
Purity glanced at Valerie. She nodded.
He exhaled.
“We are pregnant.”
“WHAT?!” Joel shouted.
Daniel’s spoon dropped into his plate.
Tammy froze.
She didn’t blink.
“What did you just say?” she whispered.
Valerie’s lips trembled into a smile. “I’m pregnant.”
Tammy’s hand flew to her mouth.
“No.”
Valerie nodded slowly.
Tammy stood up abruptly, knocking her chair back. “Oh my God, you’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
Tammy started crying immediately.
Not cute tears but ugly, full, chest-heaving tears.
Joel jumped up too. “Ah-ah! Tammy! Why are you crying like somebody died?”
Tammy ignored him and rushed around the table straight to Valerie.
“You’re serious?” she sobbed, grabbing Valerie’s shoulders gently. “You’re really pregnant?”
Valerie nodded, tears forming in her own eyes again.
Tammy dropped to her knees in front of her chair just like Purity had done two nights ago.
“Jesus,” she cried. “Jesus, You did it again.”
She placed both hands on Valerie’s stomach carefully.
“I can’t believe this,” she said through tears. “After everything. After everything you both went through.”
Daniel rubbed his face, stunned. “Bro.”
Joel just kept shaking his head in disbelief. “Six months only. You people wasted no time.”
Purity laughed, but his eyes were shiny.
Tammy was still crying.
“You deserve this,” she whispered to Valerie. “You deserve joy that stays. You deserve softness. You deserve this peace.”
Valerie reached down and cupped Tammy’s face.
“You were there,” Valerie said gently. “You were there when things were hard. You prayed with me. You fasted with me. You carried me. God will carry you too. My God will suprise you for me”
Tammy shook her head. “Stop oo or I will cry more.”
Daniel stood and walked over to Purity. He pulled him into a tight hug.
“I’m proud of you,” he said quietly. “You’re going to be a solid father.”
Joel joined in, hugging them both. “
Pastor Daddy,” he declared loudly. “This child must know tech early.”
They all laughed through tears.
Tammy finally stood and wiped her face.
“Wait,” she said suddenly. “How far along?”
“About two weeks,” Valerie replied.
Tammy gasped. “And you kept it from me?”
“We just found out properly,” Valerie said defensively. “And we wanted to tell everyone together.”
Tammy sniffed dramatically. “I will forgive you because you’re hormonal.”
Purity chuckled. “Thank you, Aunty Tammy.”
Tammy turned to him sharply. “Don’t start calling me aunty o. I’m the child’s godmother. Nothing wey una wan tell me.”
Joel clapped his hands. “Aunty Tammy loading.”
Tammy threw a napkin at him.
But her face softened again as she looked at Valerie.
“Are you okay though?” she asked, serious now. “How are you feeling? Morning sickness? Tiredness?”
Valerie nodded. “Small nausea. But I’m fine. The doctor said everything looks good.”
Tammy exhaled in relief and pulled her into another hug slower this time, careful.
“I’m so happy,” she whispered into her ear. “You have no idea.”
Valerie felt her own tears spill again.
Across the table, Daniel raised his glass.
“To answered prayers,” he said.
Joel lifted his too. “To unexpected blessings.”
Purity looked at Valerie before lifting his.
“To God’s timing,” he finished softly.
They clinked glasses.
Tammy suddenly burst into tears again.
“Oh God,” she cried, laughing and sobbing at the same time. “I’m so emotional. I don’t even know why I’m crying this much.”
“You cry at everything,” Joel said fondly.
“Shut up.”
She looked at Purity then, her expression turning fierce.
“You better take care of her,” she warned. “If she lifts anything heavier than spoon, I will fight you.”
Purity raised both hands. “Yes ma.”
Daniel smirked. “You see why she’s single. Too much aggression.”
Tammy gasped. “Excuse me? If I catch you ehh!”
Laughter filled the room again.
But beneath the teasing, something deeper lingered.
Gratitude.
They had watched this couple almost lose each other.
They had watched them fight for love.
Now they were watching their love multiply.
After dinner, they all moved to the living room. Tammy insisted on praying.
They formed a circle.
Tammy held Valerie’s hands tightly.
Her voice broke as she prayed.
“God, thank You for rewriting beaut6 stories. Thank You for restoration. Thank you for trusting them and us with this child. Protect her body. Protect this baby. Let this home remain peaceful. Let this child be a sign that love fought and won.”
By the time she finished, everybody’s eyes were wet.
Purity pulled Valerie into his side, kissing her hair gently.
Joel looked at them and shook his head.
“See love, Up love oo,” he muttered.
Daniel smiled softly. “It’s beautiful sha.”
Tammy wiped her face one last time.
“I can’t wait,” she said quietly. “I can’t wait to carry this baby.”
Valerie smiled. “You’ll be the Over sabi aunty and godmother.”
“Period!!! As I should,” Tammy replied.
The night stretched on with more laughter, more teasing, more dreams spoken out loud.
But later, when everyone had gone home and the house grew quiet again, Valerie leaned into Purity on the couch.
“Today felt really special,” she whispered.
He nodded.
“It was good telling our people,” he said. “Our village.”
She placed his hand over her stomach again.
“Our baby already has so much love.”
He kissed her temple.
“And it’s only just beginning.”
Tammy did not plan to cry in a supermarket parking lot.
But life rarely asked for permission.
She had parked by the roadside earlier because the tears would not stop.
Thirty-two felt heavier tonight. The congratulations, the baby news, the joy she genuinely felt for Valerie, it was real. But so was the ache sitting quietly underneath it.
“God, you said mine was close,” she whispered against her steering wheel. “You promised me last year. Abba, I’m still here. Single and in no talking stage. I am tired” She broke down in heart wrenching tears.
After a while, she cleaned her face, drove to a supermarket, and told herself she would eat nonsense and watch something cheesy and sleep it off.
The cold air inside the store hit her face. She welcomed it. It numbed things.
She picked up a basket. She added Ice cream, chocolate, pasta. Something indulgent.
She turned into the baby aisle by mistake, distracted, and….
Her basket knocked into someone’s cart.
“Oh… I am sorry,” she muttered automatically.
“It’s okay,” a calm voice replied.
She looked up and everything slowed.
He wasn’t flashy. No designer logos screaming for attention. Just a simple black T-shirt, well-fitted jeans, and sandals. Clean, neat and effortless. His hair was in short, tidy locs pulled back loosely. His beard was trimmed but not overly shaped. He looked… finr.
Her eyes dropped to his cart.
She saw diapers, baby wipes and formula.
Her chest dipped slightly.
Of course.
“I’m sorry,” he repeated, softer this time. “I wasn’t looking properly.”
His voice was deep but gentle. The kind that didn’t rush words.
“It’s fine,” she said, already stepping aside.
He noticed her eyes lingering on the diapers.
He followed her gaze.
Then something in his expression shifted like he understood what she had just assumed.
“Ohhh it’s for my child,” he clarified quietly.
She blinked.
“Oh. Yeah”
He nodded once.
“I have a 5 month old,” he added, almost as an afterthought.
He held her gaze for a brief second.
There was a pause. A small one. As if he was measuring whether to say more.
She shifted her basket from one hand to the other, suddenly aware of how messy she probably looked. ightly swollen eyes, no makeup, emotional exhaustion clinging to her posture.
He studied her face for half a second longer than necessary.
“Are you okay, tho?” he said gently.
She almost laughed.
“Is it that obvious that I am not?”
“A little.” he smiled.
She sighed, embarrassed.
“Well. It's just life. I will be fine,” she said lightly, brushing it off.
He nodded like he understood that word deeply.
“I hope it gets lighter,” he said finally.
The simplicity of it made her throat tighten.
“Thank you.”
He gave a small nod, adjusting his grip on the cart.
“I should let you get back to your…” he glanced at her basket, “comfort food.”
She looked down at the chocolate and ice cream and almost smiled.
“Don’t judge me.”
“No judgment,” he said calmly. “We all cope somehow.”
Something about that sentence shook her.
She wondered briefly what his coping looked like.
Then she stopped herself.
This was a stranger.
A stranger with diapers, quiet eyes and a voice that could other put her to sleep or disrupt her sleep.
“Take care,” he said.
“You too.”
He began to walk back down the aisle, steady steps, no backward glance.
But she watched him go.
Something about him felt… familiar. Very familiar and peaceful.
Hi babiesssss…….
Hiiii… Surprise Surprise 🫢🫢
Let me leave you guys to tell me how much you love me in the comments😂😂
Btwwww. I miss Purity and Valerie so much 🥹🥹… Especially Tammy🥹
Are you ready for Tammy's story??
Episode 1 drops soon…….. Maybe next month🫢
God will help me butter your bread baby girl
Thank you ehnn
We are pregnant!! 💃💃