“Aight, aight! Y’all know me. I don’t usually do speeches, but this ain’t just any night.” He glanced at me. “This is my boy’s transformation.”

Some people chuckled, but he wasn’t joking.

“I’ve known KB since before the cleats and contracts. I knew the version of him that ran from anything too deep, that didn’t open up, stayed in the house, and stayed to himself. You know? The type of nigga that pops out engaged and expecting a child overnight. Phileigh…” He turned to her. “Sis, you’ve gave him peace and purpose.”

He paused. “And to my godson, you already got a father who would burn this whole world down behind you, and that’s a flex, kid.”

The crowd clapped. I dapped Braelon up hard when he sat down. He tried to play it cool, but I knew he was choked up too. Then Mr. and Mrs. Read stood, and my chest tightened.

“I’ve always wanted Phileigh to have the storybook fairytale romance… marriage then a baby. Clearly, that’s not the way your story has played out, and now, I see it’s not about the order but the journey. I’ve watched my baby girl glow these last few months. She’s more herself now than she’s ever been. And you, Kellon, that’s because of you. Thank you for showing her what real love is. I’m so proud of y’all.”

They walked over to us and gave us hugs. Mr. Read dapped me up and told me I’d done good. Their relationship with Phileigh still had a long way to go, but it was moving in the right direction.

“Room for one more!” My mother clinked her glass, and all eyes turned in her direction. I already knew she was coming. My mama wasn’t about to be left out.

“Okay… umm…” She was already crying. “I prayed for this day… for my boy to find a woman who challenged him and loved him unconditionally. I used to tell him all the time to find a woman who loves Kellon Barnes, not KB. Phileigh, baby, you’re everything I wanted for him and more.”

She turned to me, pointing her champagne flute.

“And you, Kellon Barnes, better treat her right every single day. You hear me?”

“Loud and clear, Ma,” I said, and everyone laughed as she made her way over to hug us.

“We want a speech from the groom-to-be!” someone in the crowd shouted. I was sure it was Lolo.

“Nah, I don’t need a mic.” I pulled Phileigh closer. “Just this,” I murmured, touching her belly then her cheek. “You... the baby… this life we’re building… that’s all I need.”

“And you’re all I need,” she whispered back, and right there, with our whole village around us, we kissed and began our new beginning.

Chapter 27