Roman exhaled through his nose, shaking his head like he was fighting tears and laughter at the same time.
Reagan and Reece stood together, smiling gently. “Congratulations.”
The room erupted—not loud, not chaotic, but deep, respectful, and full.
Roman pulled both girls into a hug as they stepped away.
“That was beautiful,” he whispered, voice thick.
Reagan smirked. “She ate.”
Reece shrugged lightly. “I write.”
Everybody laughed and applauded.
Roman leaned down and murmured in my ear, “Who you think is next, baby? If Bryce gets up there and starts crying, I’m revoking his card.”
I elbowed him. “You better hush.”
He kissed my temple. “I’m just saying.”
The DJ cleared his throat. “Okay, . . . now somebody else who’s been waiting for this moment. Nana Nan, come on up here.”
NanNan stood slowly. The room rose with her, not because they had to, but because respect stood up before you even thought about it.
She approached the mic with a quiet authority only elders carried, and when she looked at me, her eyes shimmered.
“My baby,” she said softly.
I was already crying.
NanNan took a breath. “Y’all know I don’t do long speeches, because I’m from the generation where we say what we mean, and everybody better listen and go sit their tail down.”
Laughter sprinkled throughout the room.
“But tonight . . . I gotta say this.”
She looked at Roman. “Roman, I was watching you.”
Roman straightened like he was getting inspected.
NanNan smiled. “Don’t you stiffen up, boy. I ain’t finna fuss at you.”
The crowd laughed again.
NanNan turned serious. “I watched you love Solè with intention. I watched you show up. I watched you become safety for her without trying to own her. And that’s rare.”
Roman’s eyes stayed on her, respectful.
NanNan looked back at me. “Solè has been carrying folks all her life. She has been the strong one for everybody. I prayed she’d meet somebody who wouldn’t make her fight for love. I prayed she’d meet somebody who would be steady and fight for her.”
NanNan’s voice broke. She paused, gathered herself.
“And God answered me,” she said.
The room got so quiet you could hear sniffles.
NanNan lifted her chin. “I don’t know how much time I got left, but I know this. I got to see my baby loved right. I got to see her chosen. I got to see her safe.”
