“Yeah?” I turned my head toward her, still rocking December in my arms, one arm wrapped behind Autumn’s back.
She bit her lip for a second, eyes scanning the room—watching my mama laugh with Axel, Vanessa helping in the kitchen, Big Mama cackling with Uncle Murder and Aunt Sherry. “I’ve been thinking,” she said finally, voice just loud enough for me to catch over the hum of the room. “About the back and forth. How tired I’ve been… how much easier things could be if we weren’t always saying goodbye every other week.”
My chest tightened a little, but I stayed quiet, letting her talk.
“I think I’m ready,” she said. “To move to Cali.”
I blinked. “Word?”
“It won’t happen tomorrow, or next week, but I’m ready to start making plans, babe. It’s been a year. And yeah, it’s hard to leave what I built… but I’m building something new now. With you and her.” She nodded down at December.
“You dead serious?” I asked again, looking her in her eyes, needing to know this wasn’t just a holiday high talking.
Autumn tilted her head, eyes soft but locked in. “Quamaine, I’m all in. I don’t wanna do this part-time anymore. I’m ready.”
I exhaled slowly, kissed the side of her forehead, and smiled against her skin. “Say less, baby. We gon’ make it happen.” Her fingers slid between mine as she leaned into my side, and just like that… everything felt even more solid than it already did.
As we moved towards the kitchen, it smelled like good ol’ soul food. We all ended up around Big Mama’s table like tradition told us to. The clank of silverware and plates just added to the soundtrack.
Plates loaded up with fried turkey, baked mac and cheese, greens, yams, fried chicken, pot roast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and hot water cornbread. Nobody touched Vanessa’s green bean casserole. I made a mental note to kick it with Axel about her bringing random ass dishes to events.
Across the table, Big Mama was in full storytelling mode, going on about how I used to be the “bad lil’ boy with the peanut head” who ran up and down the block with a busted BB gun. Everybody laughed except me.
“Aye, why we bringin’ up old shit?” I muttered, scooping more yams onto my fork.
Taj smacked her lips. “Now, Vanessa, sis, that ring is everything. It’s giving bridezilla for real!”
Vanessa grinned. “Why, thank you, boo.”
“Don’t gas her up too much,” Axel added with a chuckle. “She already thinks she runs the new house.”
“And do,” Vanessa replied, raising her glass with zero hesitation.
Laughter broke out around the table again.
???
B yt h et i m ewe pulled up to the church for December’s christening, everybody was half full from dinner and tipsy from the spiked cider Big Mama “didn’t mean to” drink two cups of. Axel pulled out a leather-bound Bible like he was about to help the pastor run the service, and Aunt Sherry was already dramatic as fuck and crying.
I held the car seat with December bundled in ivory and lace. “You ready for this?” Autumn asked, fixing my collar and brushing lint off my shoulder.
“Yeah, let’s do it,” I said, voice lower than usual.
She smiled and kissed my cheek, then reached back to grab the diaper bag. I heard Taj already cussing out one of her twins on the church steps for dropping a Capri Sun on his outfit.
“I told you not to bring juice! Now look at you! Sticky and tacky!”
Uncle Tone was trying to light a Black & Mild in front of the church until Axel snatched it and gave him thatnigga don’t embarrass melook. And my mama kept trying to take selfies on Snapchat, but the filter wasn’t working.
“Can y’all get it the f…? Damn. Come on,” I snapped, rubbing the bridge of my nose.
The choir hummed softly. Pastor Gaines stood at the pulpit, motioning us forward. When we reached the front, Pastor held out his arms, and Autumn carefully passed December to him.The moment he raised her gently and spoke her name, I felt something thick lodge in my throat.
“December Love Thevlin,” Pastor said, voice steady. “We bless you, cover you, and present you to the Lord.” He anointed her forehead with oil. “She is a gift of love… a reminder of healing… and the beginning of a new legacy.”
Autumn’s hand slid into mine. My woman by my side. All this love around me had a nigga a little emotional and shit. I tilted my head back and closed my eyes.
“Yo,” Uncle Murder said way too loud from the third pew, “Is Woods cryin’? Aye, look at him!”
