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I couldn’t stop smiling. My entire family was here, celebrating with us, including Grandpa. He and I had established a really close relationship. I’d gotten to meet my aunt and my cousins. Surprisingly, there was no issue with my mama about it. I believed that her issues with Kenya prepared her for this. She still came to most of my games, but she stopped dropping by my house unannounced. That was a good thing, because more often than not, Kenya was there with me, taking all the dick I had to offer.
Her show with Ledisi was a huge success. Ledisi had caught wind of how she tore that song to shreds and invited her to sing it with her. I was standing nearly the entire time, rooting my baby on. Kenya had chosen not to focus on a solo career. She said she would be good with doing features and background singing. Being in the spotlight wasn’t her thing. I could understand that. I wanted to be sure that her decision had nothing to do with me, and she tried to assure me, it didn’t.
I didn’t believe her though. She absolutely loved spending time with me, and I loved every minute of it. A solo career would be extremely demanding. Had this opportunity presented itself when she was younger or even single, I believed she would have hopped all over it. She wasn’t hurting for money, so it would be all about the love she had for what she does.
The attorney they’d hired regarding her father’s estate and royalties sued the record label, and they ended up paying them millions in back royalties, interest, and fees. There was no evidence found about the speculated homicide claim, so they had to let that go. Kenya, TAZ, and Mama Eunice were so emotional during the proceedings. I was surprised they had even gone to court as quickly as they had.
I lifted Kenya in my arms and spun her around then lowered her. She was so excited. “Thank you, baby.”
I kissed her lips, allowing it to linger while the cameras flashed. Our relationship was always in the news for some reason. It was never any bad publicity, but I supposed people liked something they could look up to or draw inspiration or motivation from, like they did Russell Wilson and Ciara. I often saw our picture with the hashtag ‘relationship goals’. I thought that was funny, because we had only been a couple for three months.
After celebrating with my team on the court and in the locker room and doing interviews, I showered and went out to find my family still outside waiting for me. I went to my mama and hugged her tightly. “Thank you for all your hard work, helping me get to this point, Ma. You are an excellent mother, and I wouldn’t trade you for the world.”
“Even with the mistakes?”
“Didn’t you learn from them?”
She smiled at me then pulled my head to her to kiss my cheek. “You were a joy to raise, and you’ve made me proud in more ways than one. I love you, and congratulations, baby.”
After slapping Noah’s and RJ’s hands, I hugged TAZ, Brooklyn, Grandpa, and Mama Eunice. Everyone was so excited for me. Kenya came to my arms and said, “I’m so proud of you! Let’s go home and turn up!”
I chuckled as we made our way to the car waiting for us. Kenya was right by calling it home. Wherever I lived was where she lived. When the lease ended on her place, she let it go and moved her furniture into storage. Most of her clothes were divided between my Dallas and Houston houses, since those were the two we would spend the most time at. RJ’s architectural firm in Houston had done some remodeling on my house there, and they’d also built us a house in Baltimore. They were fast as hell. That house was done in a month’s time.
With Noah and TAZ being there, I knew it would benefit us. While we weren’t there, Ms. Eunice kept everything up since she’d moved out there. She said there was no sense in her staying in Chicago by herself. She’d gotten transferred to the dialysis clinic there, and her name had moved up on the donor’s list. Hopefully, before long, she would be getting a new kidney.
Once we got to my house and I saw all the cars, I frowned. “Kenya…”
She smiled as she put her fingers over my lips. “Don’t worry. We’re about to turn up, remember?”
She hopped out of the car before I could say a word. Everyone had beaten us here, but there were way more cars than there should have been. When I caught up to her, she was opening the back door. I walked in behind her, and the place went up! That was when I realized the Hendersons had filled my place to capacity and had cooked and everything.
The smile that graced my lips couldn’t be any bigger. Apparently, Kenya loved their asses as much as I did. Lennox and Jakari were the first ones to congratulate me. “Were y’all at the game?”
“Hell yeah! Nigga, you went the fuck off!” Jakari said excitedly. “Forty points, nigga?”
I chuckled. “I wasn’t trying to go to a game six. We needed to wrap that shit up at home.”
“That’s what’s up!”
I made my rounds, giving hugs and handshakes to all the Hendersons and to my aunt Natalie, my dad’s sister. Everyone had shown up and shown out for me, even my maternal grandparents. To say I was such a loner a short while ago, I had a huge family now. I glanced at Jess and Brix, and she smiled big as I made my way to them. “Thanks for being here, y’all. I appreciate it, Brix.”
“Of course, man. You will always have my respect.”
We shook hands, and Jess hugged me, congratulating me. The music cranked up, and when I saw Storm snatch Kenya to dance, I couldn’t help but laugh. I supposed that would be their thing whenever they were around each other. I stood there and watched them dance, openly admiring the woman that I loved.
When they were done, she made her way to me and took my hat and put it on her head. “This is so amazing.”
“It is, baby. I’m glad to be sharing this moment with you. Thank you for this.”
“Y’all want some champagne?” Jakari’s mother asked as she stood next to us with a tray.
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”
I grabbed two glasses and gave one to Kenya. “To the woman I’m gonna spend the rest of my life with. Without you, this shit wouldn’t be half as meaningful. Whenever you ready to go to the next level, let me know. I would have married you a month ago.”
She smiled as I gulped my drink. I frowned slightly, because she was still standing there with hers. “You didn’t let me say what I wanted to say, baby.”
“Oh, my bad. I mean, I can just get another glass. No big deal.”
She chuckled. Once I snagged another one from Mrs. Chrissy, I went back to her. She smiled. “I just want you to know how much I love you and to inform you that we have already gone to the next level in our relationship.”
I frowned slightly. “Okay. I’m confused, baby. I mean, I know we’ve established how seriously in love we are, but we haven’t made anything official.”
“Oh, but we have. Nate, you already know that you’re my one, but the next level I’m speaking of is parenthood. I’m pregnant.”
The End
