“Fuck, my baby. I did it.”
“You did it!”
His hands were no longer around my body. They were on my face, holding me still. Holding me close. Holding me tight.
Telling me everything I already knew. Telling me that all Ishmael saw was me. Telling me that nothing else mattered in the moment. Telling me he didn’t see or hear anyone but me. Telling me that he needed this moment as much as he needed me.
“My baby… my baby.”
His lips pressed against mine. He parted my mouth with his tongue. I opened for him. Like I always would.
“My brother the mayor of this BITCH!” Indigo screamed, pouring the bubbling liquid over Ishmael’s head.
Laughter pulled us apart, but he didn’t venture far. Our separation was his attempt to keep the champagne from raining down onto me and ruining my hair and makeup. His consideration didn’t go unnoticed.
Indigo’s arm went around Ishmael, pulling him into his chest.
“I love you, my brother! This is only the motherfucking beginning.”
He looked toward me, holding the bottle in the air.
“Sis-law! This nigga won! This nigga fucking won!”
“Yes.” I laughed, feeling my heart swell with pride. “He did.”
“We just young Black niggas from the ’jects!” he shouted. “They ain’t expect us to be in these rooms.”
I shook my head. “They didn’t.”
He released Ishmael. His brother’s win was liberating. Not only for Indigo, but for us all. My hands collided. Joy spilled from my eyes.
Relief consumed Ishmael. He didn’t stray away. He stayed near my side.
“I’m the motherfucking mayor, my baby.”
“Yes you are.” I laughed, unable to contain my gratitude.
“This is all you,” he told me, pulling me in front of him. “My anchor. You held shit down. Made sure I came out on top.”
“Second place is last place, Ish.”
“Damn right.”
His arm was pulled in so many different directions. But, he didn’t budge. He didn’t move. His eyes were on me. Mine were on him.
“I want you beside me.”
“I am. Always.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“When I’m in front of that podium addressing everyone that believed in me enough to give me a chance, I want the woman who believes in me beside me for the world to see this is no joke. We’re no hoax. I’m real. You’re real. And, what we share is real. Can you do that for me, my baby?”
“I can.”
“Good, Mrs. Grayson,” he replied, his smile big and bright.
