;what's meant to be will always find it's way

Pulling down my shades to hide my eyes from the blazing hot Miami sun, the grass beneath my feet tickling where my heels don't cover. The silk material of my dress brushing against the palms of my hands as I step around the row of white, wooden chairs.

Laughter, chatter and the band who's playing on the stage fills the air.

Everyone dressed in their very best; colourful dresses, tuxedos and suits a like. Ties and bow ties. Women wearing hats with huge flowers sewed onto the front.

I smile to myself as I spot my friends hovering by the long white wooden open bar. The guys clutching onto ice cold beers while the girls sip from champagne glasses. A bright smile on each of their faces as they laugh and joke with one another.

And to think in moments from now it's all going to be over. We're separating, each of us taking life by the reigns and facing fresh challenges head on - only we're not going to be side by side like we're used too.

"Tee." Miles' deep voice calls me as he steps in by my side. "Do this for me, please." He asks, looking down at his red tie that's hanging untied around his neck.

I stretch out my hand for him to take my glass before taking the satin material between my fingers and begin to assemble his tie.

"You're a basketball player who has to wear these for away games, yet you still can't manage alone." I tease. "Not good Miles Carson, not good at all."

He chuckles, looking down at me with his forest green eyes. "Who needs to learn how when they have you or Maddox around, huh?"

I playfully roll my eyes at him, finishing the knot and tightening it up to his fastened top button, laying a small pat on his chest.

"All done."

"Thanks, lovely." he smiles, handing me my drink back.

My eyes fall back to my FIU family, letting out a little snort as Jason jumps into a karate stance trying to fend of Steph's heavy handed bitch slap, I breath out a little laugh.

"How come you're not over there with 'em?" Miles asks, now standing at my side. Sandy brown hair blowing with the breeze.

"I will be. I just like observing them, watching how stupid and reckless they become when I'm not around to keep them in check." I tell him. "Why aren't you?"

Miles shrugs, bringing his beer to his lips. "Had to talk to Coach a minute."

"About next season?" I glance up at him.

He nods. "Yeah, the positions mine if I want it. Freshman ballers."

I smile at one of my best friend. "That's amazing. What are you thinking?"

Miles rolls his neck towards me with a smirk. Green eyes amused. "I'm thinking I'm gonna make each and everyone of them throw up from all the suicides they're going to be running."

I giggle. "You're a mean one, Coach Carson."

He narrows his eyes playfully. "The meanest, Mrs Hunter."

I shake my head.

The nickname Cameron Hills set out actually stuck. More now that I'm actually engaged to the Bulls' shooting guard.

The past five months have been a crazy tornado.

Finals came and went just as fast.

Maddox's first game four months ago was a huge success, I thought my heart was going to burst with all the pride I had sitting in the first row with all the other wives, girlfriends and children of the players. Watching him play the game he loves with a smile on his face and a heart content was something I'll forever cherish.

Once the game ended, I was pulled onto the Bulls court by fellow teammate Thompson, where Maddox dropped to one knee, popping the question in front of a million screaming fans, not to mention everyone watching the game at home.

I cried like a little baby while nodding my head excessively as he slipped the huge diamond ring on my finger - everything was perfect.

I look down at the twinkling diamond and smile to myself.

"And the book deal? When is it being released?" Miles snapped me out my thoughts.

Crossing my arms over my chest, holding the tall, thin glass of water over my arm. "Next week. Taylor wants a book tour and a signing to go with it. Make a bang or some shit." I tell him. "Although I'd rather not."

"How come?"

I pop a shoulder. "Nerves I guess. It's all happening so fast, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. Not even that, there's other shit too." I look down.

Miles stretches his arm over my shoulder and pulls me into his side. "You're gonna be great. Don't worry, we'll all be there to support you."

I place my hand on top of his. "Thanks, Coach."

He gently shoulder bumps me. "Now move it, Tee. It's gonna be starting any minute."

And as it goes, Miles was right. The Dean of Florida International University, Arthur Fenton, stands at the podium and asks everyone to find a seat.

The girls saunter over to me, Steph wrapping an arm around my waist as Hannah does over my shoulder. Smiling and posing stupidly as Steph holds her phone in the air capturing pictures of us in our last moments together, at this school, in this atmosphere.

The guys run up behind up and sweep us off our feet, rushing us towards the front of the squared off section of seats.

"Careful with her, jackasses!" Hannah scolds.

I wish Maddox and Cameron was here.

Before I take my seat, I spot my Mom and Dad on the opposite side, Mom smiling as Dad waves aggressively happy in the air.

I giggle and wave him back.

I drop into the white wood beside Jason and Eli.

Jason leans in and whispers, "Ready to smash this shit, Tee?"

I nudge him with my elbow. "Always."

"Welcome ladies and gentleman, and the graduates of 2022." Everyone erupts in cheers and applause. "We're here today to celebrate the students who have worked hard, showed school spirit and are on their way to becoming outstanding adults as they head out into the world."

Jason wraps his arm around the back of my chair and pulls me. I grin up at my bestie.

"Without further ado, the class of 2022, everyone!"

I clap and cheer, faltering when I hear that infamous eye screeching whistle. My head snaps, darting around when I spot my gorgeous fiancée standing at the back of the seating area, his baby brown eyes already mine as his lips turn up into a huge, breath taking grin.

I cheese at him as he blows me a kiss.

He's here!

The ceremony gets on the way as we sit and wait patiently for our names to be called. Miles, Ed, Mason and Hannah have already been called up.

They're all going to be staying at FIU for another year.

Hannah to take extra classes.

Miles is becoming the assistant Coach as he takes leadership of the incoming freshman ballers. Ed and Mason are spending another year playing ball for the Knights - hoping to bring home the championship, again, next season.

Eli was promoted to Captain of the Knights. He and Hannah are moving into our old apartment.

Never thought I'd see the day where my brother settled down and turned into a domesticated cat.

Proud, amused and happy for them.

Steph was taking a job offer that Thalia Ashford's parents dangled in front of her as a scout/part time model. Safe to say Steph jumped at the chance for fame and a firm hand in the modelling world.

"Jason Cooper. Stephanie White and Tori Quinn." The dean called out.

Jason grabbed my hand as we stepped through the crowd and up onto the stage.

Accepting our degrees and getting a picture taken, we made our way back down.

My eyes finding Maddox's who's now standing with my earth angel - Cameron Hills.

Instead of heading back to my seat, I hobbled down the makeshift aisle and raced towards my two boys, swinging an arm around each of their necks.

"You're both here!" I exclaim.

I hear them both chuckle as they place their hands on my back.

I pull back, give Maddox a kiss before jumping Cammy.

"You look so good! How are you feeling?" I ask.

Cammy breathes out a deep chuckle. "I'm good, Mrs Hunter. Look at you, all dressed up, graduating, glowing and shit."

I giggle, "I'm so happy you guys are here."

Maddox's go to move is to now place his hand on my growing stomach, a now, very visible bump.

"Like we're gonna miss my baby mama's graduation." Maddox playfully chides.

Yup, you guess it. I'm pregnant. Very pregnant. Five months and three days to exact.

Are your wheels turning? Are you clicking on?

If not, let me help you out.

Maddox Hunter was absolutely right when he said 'I think we may have just made a baby' that night at the hotel before his drafting ceremony.

We did indeed create a baby.

"How's my niece doing?" Cammy smiles, looking down at my swollen stomach, giving it a fist bump - a thing he does every time I'm around him.

"Wait, wait!" I rush out. "You didn't give me chance to record it."

Cammy rolls his dark eyes. "You and this god damn TikTok trend."

Guilty. I record a quick video every time Cammy fist bumps my stomach so when our little girl is born and they fist bump in the flesh for the first time, I can stitch all the snaps together.

I do the same with Maddox, although his isn't a fist bump, it's half a heart shape he makes with his fingers against my stomach. I plan on taking any and every memory I can for when our daughter grows up.

I want to show her how cool his extended family were and how much she was loved before she was born.

"You guys touching my baby up?" Jason taunted with a grin as he walks up behind me.

Maddox snarls at his boy which causes Jason to laugh.

"Fuck outta here, idiot." Maddox hisses.

As everyone else began to gather round us, my heart swells with the love I have for each one of these individuals who came into my life as strangers and will remain in my life as family.

The girls are my daughters' aunties, the guys are uncles, my soul mate is the daddy and Cammy? He doesn't know it yet but he's an uncle and the god father.

"Come with me." Maddox whispers into my ear as I laugh at something Jason said.

I look up at the gorgeous, tanned, dark haired, brown eyed Baller and nod.

Lacing his long fingers with mine, he leads me towards the flower garden at the back of the park building.

"Where are you taking me?" I ask.

My man laughs. "Forever impatient, aren't you, Bella?"

"You still have to ask?"

"Do you?" He shoots back with a raised brow.

"Touché, asshole." I mumble under my breath.

He comes to an abrupt stop beside a floral wall decorated with pink, white and yellow flowers. The beautiful blossoms look like a spring day on a summers eve. Colourful, bright and beautiful.

Maddox snakes his arms around my waist and pulls me as close as my bump will let us. One hand dips into his suit pants pocket while the other rests on the small of my back, bringing it between us he drops a set of keys in front of my face.

I gasp. "They accepted our offer!?" I beam.

His eyes soften as they crease in the corners. "They accepted our offer, baby. We've got our new home!"

I wrap my arms around his neck and tug him in as tight as I can. "Oh my god, we're fucking home owners!"

His deep, velvety chuckle vibrates against my chest as he places playful kisses along my cheek and jaw.

"So, what ya say, Mama. . . Ready to spend the rest of your life with me?"

"Bit too late to say no now, don't you think, Baller?" I tease.

"You little brat." he tickles my sides. "I hope our daughter doesn't have your attitude, I'll be grey before I'm 30."

"You love me." I tug on his bottom lip with my teeth.

"I love you, Bella and mini Bella, with everything I am, beautiful."

"We love you too, Daddy."