Page 68 of A Major Love

“Let me go find my man. He had no idea that Major was my daughter’s father until I introduced them. He’s a huge fan and might talk Major’s ear off. Congratulations again.”

“Thank you.”

Rahkia walked away, and for the first time since Major proposed, I had a few minutes to take it all in. There was a time when my mind wouldn’t allow me to believe that this moment was possible, but my heart always knew.

Every time thoughts of Major invaded my mind, I worked overtime to push them away, but my heart held on to him as if loving him was what gave it the strength to keep beating.

A set of strong arms around my body and a kiss on the cheek pulled me from my thoughts. I let my head fall against his chest and angled my head to look up at him.

“Hey, fiancé,” I greeted with a smile.

“Hey, fiancée. What are you over here thinking about?”

“How much I love you.”

“Good, because I love you too, in a major way.”

One Year Later

When the idea towrite my memoir came to me, I thought it would be a great way to close out my career as a boxer and share a little about my life because I was such a private person. I began thinking about who could help me bring the idea to life, and the first and only person who came to mind was Dynastie.

Not only did I believe she was the perfect person for the job, but if she agreed, it would force me to do something I’d put off for far too long—not because I didn’t want her back in my life, but the fear that she didn’t feel the same way.

Never in a million years did I believe, almost a year and a half later, that my memoir would be aNew York Timesbestseller,that my documentary would win several awards at film festivals, and would be predicted to break records on all streaming platforms.

Tonight, we were having a special, private screening of my documentary in my hometown of Waukegan at the Genesee Theatre. The tickets sold out in thirty minutes, so I was excited to have the support of my city.

My fans didn’t know it yet, but several of my paintings would also be on display and available for sale. It was the first time they would be seen by the public, and I was a little nervous about how my work would be received.

After winning my final boxing match by a knockout in the sixth round, my name was mentioned in conversations with the greats, and I was honored. My opponent challenged me to fight a third time almost immediately after the fight, but I declined because I had nothing to prove.

Two months ago, Dynastie gave birth to our second son, Major Love Lloyd. None of us could get enough of him, but Dynastie was nothing short of obsessed. I understood because he was perfect.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Dynastie said as she entered our bedroom.

“Do what, Lovie?”

“Leave MJ. He’s too young, and he needs his mother.”

“We don’t have to go if you don’t want to leave him, baby.”

“No, Major. You have to go, and it wouldn’t look right if I didn’t go with you, so that means I have to go too.”

“You just gave birth two months ago, so I don’t give a damn what it looks like, baby.”

“Tonight is a big deal for you and this city. I don’t want to miss it.”

I pulled her into my arms and kissed her forehead.

“First of all, none of this would be possible without you, baby, so this is a big deal for us. I want you with me, but if you want to stay with our son, I understand, and I won’t be upset.”

She sighed. “I’ll get dressed.”

I chuckled at her indecisiveness, but I expected it. She’d barely been away from him for a full hour since he was born. She was an outstanding sports journalist and photographer, and I couldn’t ask for a better wife, but motherhood . . . Let’s just say the role was meant for her.

Two weeks after I proposed, we found out Dynastie was pregnant. Apparently, when she rushed off to Onyx City with only her purse and backpack, she left her birth control pills behind. We ended up staying there for a month, and MJ was conceived during that time.

We had a small wedding three months after my proposal, and two months later, my memoir and documentary were released. In between all that, I defeated the only person who’d defeated me in a boxing match and secured my spot in boxing history.