“I appreciate you saying that, Kellon. I apologize this is a lot to take in,” she said quietly.

My mouth dropped. Did Kellon just check my mom? Damn, this man is everything. I leaned into the camera. My eyes bounced from Kellon to my parents.

“I know this a lot,” I agreed. “But the baby is coming no matter what you think about it. We can’t turn back time. I hope you still want to be a part of the process even if you’re mad at the order.”

“I’m not mad, Phileigh. I’m just… worried. I’ve always wanted better for you. I just want you to have the best in this life,” she said, her voice cracking a little. “But if you think for a second I’m not going to be there for you and love on my grandbaby, I’m doing a bad job as a mom.”

My eyes watered, and Kellon pulled me into a side hug. I’d never heard my mother say anything to me that wasn’t judgmental.

“We love you, kid. We ain’t always got it right. Mainly me. My infidelity got in the way of our parenting, and I’m not proud of that, but never get it twisted. We love you. So, we naturally love that baby you’re carrying.” My father spoke up, and the water works fell from my eyes. What was happening?

“It’s a boy,” I said. “The baby’s a boy.”

“What?” my parents shouted in unison.

“How far along are you, Phileigh?” my mom questioned.

“Almost thirteen weeks,” I said. “The doctor confirmed the sex today.”

“Thirteen weeks?” she blurted. “A boy… Oh my God!”

“Yeah, I only confirmed my pregnancy a few weeks ago. I had a lot going on, and I was scared and in denial.”

“We’re having a grandson, Bea!” my father shouted. I’d never seen him this happy.

“Oh my goodness. There’s so much to do.” My mother stood from the table. “I gotta plan a baby shower, go shopping, tell the pastor so we can bless your bell⁠—”

“Ma!” I called out, halting her rambling. “You can’t tell anybody just yet. Kellon and I are waiting for the right time to roll this out to the public. We have to be delicate about it for his image.”

“Take the fun out of it, why don’t you?” My mom sat down. Her mouth was open.

“Your secret is safe with us, baby girl. I get it. You’re having a baby by a professional athlete,” my dad said, rubbing my mother on the back just as my other line began to beep.

Curious, I looked at the screen. It was a New York area code.

“Um, Mom and Dad, I have to take this call. I’ll be home in a few days, though, and I’ll call you tomorrow.”