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“It’s your world, princess. Whatever you want.” Cam didn’t respond. She jumped on me like she always did. Only this time, she didn’t have to endure a speech afterward from Sky about how I wasn’t a jungle gym.
The two of us laid on the bean bag watching television. It watched me more than I watched it, but I needed it. This ring was burning a hole in my pocket. If I didn’t propose soon, it was a good chance I wouldn’t.
It was no doubt in my mind. I wanted to spend forever with Sky and Cam, but I wasn’t sure if she wanted the same thing. I hoped she did because I’d hate to take Cam and live happily ever after without Sky.
* * *
Christmas Eve.
We’d always spent Christmas Eve together as a family for as long as I could remember. The tradition felt more like torture once we became adults because it didn’t have that same magic. Christmas was about children; now that there were three in our family, it felt different. My mom and aunts were back to going above and beyond to make it memorable.
This year we all gathered at my parents’ house in our pajamas to spend a few hours together, creating memories they’d cherish for a lifetime. I planned to propose there in front of everybody. The more I thought about it, that wasn’t my style. Or maybe it was the fear of Skylar turning me down. Either way, it was now or never, so I gave Cam the signal, and she requested Sky’s presence in her room.
Aite, Mack. Keep your shit together.
Of course, she’s going to say yes. Why wouldn’t she?
Nigga because she doesn’t have to if she doesn’t want to. Lo and Kyerra didn’t have a choice. She does.
Fuck whatever he’s talking about. Sky loves you. She’s going to say yes.
I wanted to believe she would but shit. It was still a fifty percent chance.
“I hope your mom likes the.” Sky’s sentence halted, walking into our bedroom with Cam behind her. “Mack.” I could visibly see her chest heaving up and down. Sky looked nervous, but I was the one down on bended knee.
“Shhh, mommy! Mack Attack has to tell you something.” Cam fussed, rushing her finger to her lips. “Go ahead. Ask her!” Cam urged, wearing the biggest smile on her face.
It was a risk telling Cam what I had planned. She was five and couldn’t keep a secret to save her life. I also wanted her to know that I loved them both. So much that I wanted to spend forever with them. To know I had Cam’s blessing meant the world to me.
“I’ve been infatuated with you from the first day I walked into Paradise’s Dream. Then I got to know you, and your spirit stole my heart. Everything you touch has transformed and multiplied, me included. God created you and Cam for me,” I paused and winked at Cam, who was giggling, before I focused back on Sky, who was in tears. “So Skylar, will you let me have you and Cam forever?” Opening the jewelry box, Skylar’s hand flew to her mouth in shock, disbelief, or both.
“Yes! Yes, Macklen,” she stammered, and I could finally breathe again. Slipping the ring on her finger, she still hadn’t removed her hand from her mouth.
“Let me see! Let me see, mommy!” Cam squealed, but Skylar was too busy assessing the ring herself.
“Aye, I got you one too.” I opened the small box, and Skylar could barely breathe and cry at the same time. She was a snotty ass mess, and I was glad I proposed at home instead of in front of everybody like I had initially planned. “You might not have my eyes or smile, but you’ll always have my heart. I love you, Cam Cam. I promise to always be here for you.”
“Pinky Promise,” she challenged, and I accepted, locking my pinky with hers. I slipped the ring on her finger, which was a perfect fit. Two carats looked good on my baby girl. I planned to coach her up early, so she’d never fall for a nigga like her real daddy.
“I love it! It’s so pretty, mommy. Look! I got one too!” Cam yelled, shoving her ring in Skylar’s face. I knew I’d hear her mouth about spending so much money on a ring she’d probably lose, but it was important to me. Cam was Skylar’s world, and Sky was mine.
I used to crave the idea of meeting my siblings. Maybe it was because I was missing something or unhappy in my own life. I thought that having siblings would fill a void in me. Now that I was genuinely happy, I no longer felt the need.
Sure part of me felt like a horrible human being. They were innocent and simply just another casualty of Trent’s bad decisions. I often felt like I had to swoop in and save the day by solving problems that weren’t mine.
That was my trauma talking. Then I realized I could feel bad and not do a damn thing about it. Maybe one day I’d wake up and feel differently, but for now, I was okay with not pursuing a relationship with Ava or Trent. They’d have to go on their healing journey and make peace with my decision.
This time I chose myself, and it felt good.
We arrived at Mia and Everett’s house in our coordinated family pajamas, and I thought I had walked into the North Pole with as many presents as there were.
“The only thing missing are little elves,” I joked, greeting Xora with a hug.
“I told you we should’ve hired elves,” she replied, turning to Mia and Sophia.
“I was joking.”
“She takes Christmas very seriously,” Gianni added.
