In every lifetime, my baby.
EPILOGUE
18 months later…
“Thank you, Matte.”
“Of course, Mayor Grayson. Need anything else?”
“For you to close my door and confirm the six players on the opposing team of the game at the community center. Not that it matters. No one remembers the losers.”
Chuckling, Matte agreed. “Right. But, I will confirm.”
My team was set. I doubted anyone got past six niggas over six feet who were Berkeley Bred and had the city waiting on a win. Indigo, Milo, Mercer, Sharpe, Cameron, and I met at the rec weekly for the last four weeks, getting familiar with each other’s style of ball handling. The results were pleasing.
“Thank you.”
As the door touched the frame, I tapped the screen of my cell. The FaceTime call connected. I twirled my wedding band around my finger. If there was nothing more in life I was anxious for, it was always her.
“Hi.”
Royce brought a smile to my face. I released my wedding band from the trenches.
“Good morning, my baby. Did I wake you?”
She nodded.
“I’ll call you bac–”
“Nooo. Nooo. I need to get up.”
“Did you sleep well?”
She shook her head.
“Not exactly, but much better than last night.”
“I guess it’s a win.”
“Yes. A small victory, but a victory, nonetheless.”
“How are you feeling?”
Yawning, she responded, “Like I’m carrying a watermelon around in my crotch.”
“Not a watermelon.” Pregnancy humor was her latest discovery.
“A very determined little girl.”
We’d learned of our pregnancy at nearly sixteen weeks. There were hardly any signs of our daughter’s presence. And, Royce had yet to remove her birth control.
Twelve months into our marriage, a visit to the doctor to remove the contraception led to the discovery. Izzy wasn’t planned. Neither were we prepared for her entrance. However, over the last three months, we’d been making the necessary changes to welcome our sweet girl.
“My mother wants us to drop by after our appointment. She prepped your meals for this week.”
Janis was over the moon. Every Monday, she spent half the day preparing meals for Royce to keep her off her feet as much as possible. I understood the concept, but I don’t think my mother understood who her daughter-in-law was.
Royce had time on her hands she’d never had before. She was utilizing every moment that didn’t require rest.
