I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears right now. We’d just gotten word that Mylo had been nominated for a Grammy in two categories, Album of the Year and Best New Artist. In my opinion, he deserved to walk away with both. He was one of the most hardworking people I knew. He kept me in the studio for sixteen hours at a time just to create. He was authentic and it was crazy how I witnessed him write verses like it was nothing. The lyrics lived in his soul and he gave me a new appreciation for true artists. The world did the right thing by making Mylo famous.
The day his album dropped, we were recording and he told me how nervous he was. With this being his second studio album, the stakes were higher. Expectations were greater and Mylo knew he had to deliver. When Jay told us his album had gone number one and sold over two hundred thousand units the first week, neither of us could believe it. The shit felt like a dream come true. Naturally, the album being talked about brought buzz around my name. I had more inquiries from artists than I could handle and I was grateful. Now that I had a family, I had grown man shit to think about.
Celeste and I had settled on getting a house within the next few years. For now, we’d live in my condo and she’d rent her townhouse. She had talked about selling it at first but decided it was worth keeping. She hadn’t stayed there in months but went by to check on it every now and then. Phillip also occupied the space when he came to town. He and Celeste were growing the bond only a daughter could share with her father. He was so invested in her wellbeing that it felt like he’d been around from the beginning. I was truly happy she’d reconnected with her other half. As a person, our identities were everything.
Phillip’s situation was different, but I could never hang around a nigga who didn’t take care of his kids. That shit would always separate the real from the fake. Niggas who were deadbeats just for the fuck of it never had my respect.
“Bro, I’m about to turn the fuck up tonight. Ain’t no way I can get news like this and not pop a bottle of the finest champagne,” Mylo said through the phone.
“Fa'sho, man. You already out in Cabo, might as well take that shit up a notch. Congratulations to you and the wifey. You know I’d be there if I could,” I explained.
“It’s all good, bro. You got the baby coming any day now. I know you probably wouldn’t be able to focus on having a good time if you were here anyway. But when I get back, we need to celebrate together. These nominations are for both of us. I wasn’t in that studio by myself, my nigga.”
“I feel you, man. But gon’ ’head and finish enjoying your honeymoon. Y’all be safe and I’ll holla at you when you get back this way.”
Ending the call, I set my phone on the table and focused on Celeste. She was rubbing lotion on her stomach and waiting for me to explain the phone call. She was now nine months pregnant and getting bigger by the day. It seemed like her belly grew overnight. I looked at her every day and still couldn’t believe shewas carrying my legacy. I didn’t care if we had boys or girls, but I was happy I was getting a son. I felt like God’s favorite every time I thought about it.
At the last minute, Celeste decided she wanted to do a maternity shoot. She said she wouldn’t make me take any pictures if I didn’t want to, but that was bullshit. There was no way she’d take pictures and capture memories I wasn’t a part of.
“Mylo really got nominated for two Grammys?”
“He did. I’m still in shock. Like, a project I worked on is nominated for a Grammy.”
“We kept telling you it would happen. I’m happy for you, but not at all surprised. You’ve worked so hard for this. There was no way it wouldn’t pay off in the end. Hell, I thought you would’ve guessed it when those royalties started coming in. Not only did you produce most of his album, you co-wrote two songs with him. Those publishing royalties have been coming in by the ass load,” she stated as she flashed her ring finger.
The engagement ring once there had been replaced by something much bigger. The new ten carat, radiant cut diamond was the size of a grape on her finger. My dad took the VVSI to a new level when he helped make that ring. No light was needed because that ring would shine regardless. Both of Celeste’s rings were the most expensive things I’d ever purchased. I’d always had money, but Mylo’s album doing so well made me a millionaire. Having seven figures in my bank account was something I’d only ever imagined. Waking up to it in real life was a feeling I couldn’t explain. All I knew was that it was time to go harder.
“I know, baby. It all feels like a dream. When something you only imagined becomes something you can hold, it’s a shocking feeling. I’m happy as hell though. Life is finally starting to take me to the next level. A nigga is making money from doing what I love and I have a healthy baby on the way by the love of my life. Alot of shit has happened in between, but baby we made it. We’re makin’ it.”
Celeste and I kept talking as I helped her pack three outfit changes. The only item left was the white dress she’d be wearing first.
“Bae, why’d you wait so late in the game to have this shoot? We could’ve done all of this a couple of months ago,” I said as I helped her into my truck.
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it. Well, I knew I wanted to, but didn’t know if I’d have the time. Between going back and forth to both Luxe Addiction locations and making sure everything was good for my maternity leave, I thought it wouldn’t happen,” she expressed.
“The shoot is only an hour or two out of your day, baby. I told you the first time you brought it up to book it. Now, your ass can barely stand.”
“You’re so dramatic, Shane. I can stand. Can we go to JJ’s when we leave? I have a taste for a chicken and fish dinner. I can taste the mild sauce now.”
“Yes, ma’am. I can do that. Do you think you’ll go past your due date?” I questioned.
Celeste was due in a few days, but the doctor told her there was a chance she’d be getting induced. Apparently the first baby rarely came on the due date or on their own. As of now, she was set to have a vaginal delivery. The countdown was on and I hoped my boy decided to come on his own. I didn’t know what the hell being induced meant, outside of them forcing him to make his arrival. I wanted the process to happen naturally. He’d come when he was ready. We finished getting everything ready last week. His room was decorated while his crib and the rocking chair Celeste wanted waited on his arrival. The diaper bag and car seat were already loaded in my trunk.
“I don’t think I will. I’m thinking I’m gonna have him before or on his due date. I’m feeling fine right now, but I don’t see myself lasting past this week. I told Phillip the same thing and he said he’d be flying in tonight. Him and Sade,” she said, referring to Phillip’s wife.
“I figured he’d be here sooner or later. Are they staying at the townhouse?”
“They are. I’m glad I’ve been able to see them more often.”
“I know. I can tell you’ve been happier since he came around. How do you feel about Sade?”
“She’s sweet. I like her a lot. I think she completes Phillip.”
“That’s what’s up. You never told me if having her around bothered you or not.”
“It doesn’t. I’m glad Phillip has someone. He deserves to be happy. It just wasn’t meant for him and my mom to be together. No one can ever replace my mother, but I won’t act funny with Sade when it comes to the baby. She’s part of Phillip and I wouldn’t be like that unprovoked,” she answered.
“Real shit, baby.”
