“Y’all ready?”
Cheers erupted.
“One... two... three!”
The bouquet sailed through the air.
Kennedi wasn’t even trying to catch it. She had her hands up defensively, ready to deflect. But somehow—maybe the universe had a sense of humor—the flowers curved directly toward her and landed square in her palms.
She stood there, stunned, holding the bouquet.
“It’s giving planned!” she shouted. “I don’t need?—”
And then she felt it.
The warm rush between her legs, the pressure releasing.
Splash.
For a second, nobody moved. Then Shadow looked down at the floor.
“Kennedi... did you just...”
“Oh my God.” Kennedi’s voice came out strangled. “Oh my God, my water broke.”
Chaos erupted.
“HER WATER BROKE!”
Kennedi stood frozen, bouquet still clutched in her hands, a puddle forming at her feet. The single women scattered. Blake grabbed her arm to steady her. Spirit was already pushing through the crowd, shouting for Rolani.
Monroe’s voice cut through the noise, “UNCLE RO! AUNTIE KEN’S WATER BROKE!”
And then he was there—Rolani, cutting through the crowd like nothing else existed. His face was a mix of panic and focus, his hands immediately finding her shoulders.
“Baby. Look at me. You okay?”
“My water broke.”
“I know. I see that. You okay?”
“I think so. I—” A contraction hit, sharp and sudden, and she doubled over, grabbing his arm. “Oh. Oh shit.”
“Okay, we gotta go. Now.” He was already moving, arm around her waist, guiding her toward the exit. He pulled his keys from his pocket and tossed them to Robin. “Bring my car back to the house. I’m taking her truck.”
Outside, the valet had already pulled the Range Rover around—matte black, fully loaded, a push gift Rolani had surprised her with a few weeks ago. He helped her into the passenger seat, reclined it slightly, and made sure she was comfortable.
“Breathe, baby. Just breathe.”
“I’m trying.” Another contraction. She gripped the door handle. “They’re coming fast, Ro.”
“I know. The hospital is fifteen minutes away. I’ll make it ten.”
A FEW HOURS LATER…
The day had surprised her.
Being pregnant stretched her in ways she hadn't anticipated — the exhaustion, the weight, the way her body stopped feeling entirely like her own. But delivering her son was a different challenge entirely. One that didn't ask for permission and left no room for argument. She had done something today she would never fully be able to explain to anyone who hadn't done it themselves. She was still sitting inside it, feeling the limits of who she had been and who she was now, understanding they were not the same person.
