It was the second half of the game, and we're approaching the third quarter.

My family and I are out here, screaming and rooting for our home team. Kenzos family is here too. His parents are in the VIP box, but his two sisters that are here are seated with us. I haven't met his oldest sister Mai yet. She's out of town.

"Char, did you see that?" I yelled to her beside me. She nodded. We were sharing a box of popcorn. I had my hotdog in the other hand as we looked in Kenzos direction.

"Yeah, dude snuck and hit Kenzo with his elbow. That's the third time he's done that."

Coach called a timeout bringing Kenzo out of the game to cool off. He seems frustrated with the refs.

I took a moment to admire him. His evenly low haircut now dripping wet. Sweat pouring from everywhere. I admired his broad shoulders, the ones I get to lay next to at night. His smooth golden skin tone was making me want to eat him up.

"You're undressing him Di, close your mouth," Jr yelled over the crowd, he peeked over from beside Char.

"Mind your business." I laughed.

Perhaps Kenzo felt me staring because he turned around in his seat, catching my eyes. I smiled and waved. He did a quick kissing face then winked smiling at me. Before I knew it, he was facing the court again. Damn, he's perfect.

The game was tied. Every time we shot the ball, they answered back with one of their own. It was hard to get any gain.

Kenzo headed back in the game. It was like he found some new energy. He came back in at full speed, showing no mercy.

The crowd was loud and chanting all around the building. It was exciting seeing him in action.

I was in my jersey and fitted jeans, chanting and hollering along with the crowd.

My tummy poked out visibly. Kenzo rubbed on it today for good luck before the game.

"They're taking it all the way, playing like this nobody will stop them." My dad stated on the other side of me.

"I can't wait, even though I might be in labor during the playoffs."

"Times moving swiftly." He added.

"Yeah, it is."

"You ever got in contact with Nelson after he didn't show up?"

"No, but he went on social media ranting again. I can care less about keeping up with him. If he wants to be there, he will. Me stressing it every appointment is not good for me." I shifted in my seat a little.

"Yeah, focus on the baby and graduation coming up around the corner."

He was right. I put my energy in jeopardy every time I even think about Nelson.

The game finally came to an end, with another victory. Kenzo broke history during the second half. He also broke so many vets in the game records today, with his triple-double performance.

We exited then made our way out to where he told us to be at which is where his family always meet at. He wants to take us all out for a little dinner. He, of course, called ahead so we would all be dining alone. I'm nervous.

Everyone was getting acquainted and making conversation. The parents and siblings were exchanging words.

"Hi, nice to meet you." I heard my mother say to Kenzos mother. His mother glanced at me. I guess because we never spoke.

After they had a conversation, I decided to join them to break the ice.

"Hi." I smiled at her reaching my hand out.

"Hi," She gave me a look as if she wanted to apologize right then and there, but none was necessary. She shook my hand.

"This was fun. I'm so happy that my family and I could join your family."

She nodded, smiling, agreeing.

My sister called out for my mother, and she then excused herself, leaving me alone with Kenzos mother.

"Listen Adira I'm deeply sorry about what I said at the fans day benefit. That was out of line. I judged you."

"I'm ok. I think time made up for it. It did hurt me but rest assured your son, and I are merely just friends. I don't want anything from him. I don't have any weird motive."

"I know, and my son sure did put me in check about it." Both us giggled thinking back on Kenzos reaction. She then came closer to me and reached in for a hug. I gladly accepted, forgiveness felt so good.

"How's everything going with the pregnancy? Zo said you were having a girl." She continued making conversation with me.

I smiled, rubbing my stomach. "Things are progressing along nicely. Overall I can't complain about baby girl. She's making it easy enough for me."

"That's awesome." She paused, staring at me. "You're so naturally beautiful, inside and out. I see why my son likes you."

I did a little nervous laugh.

Our conversation went on to the father of the child topic. We were talking about her career. Mainly about how many lies she has to clean up daily. So I absent-mindedly brought up Nelson and how he's slandered my name.

It was relieving to release.

"You have a lot on your plate Adira. Don't let this Nelson guy have any power. He sounds like a weak individual." Her nostrils flared just thinking about it.

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm dreaming. Like how could this be my life? I'm usually the calm drama free person. The determined one who accomplishes all of her goals."

"You are accomplishing your goals. This makes me want to apologize even more. You're going through the motion of life. For me to misjudge, the situation was awful on my part. I had four kids with their amazing father, so I can only imagine going through it alone without the father. You're strong, and my son sees that in you." She wiped my little tear that escaped. This was such a weight lifted off of me.

After Kenzos interviews and him getting cleaned up, he made his way out to us. He spotted me talking and laughing with his mom. He had a look of joy in his eyes.

"Hey everybody, ready to go? The owner at the restaurant is there now waiting for us." He stated to everyone, but his eyes never left mine.

Everyone nodded and began heading toward the exit.

I rode to the game with Char and Jr with hopes of riding back with Kenzo.

"I'm coming baby, let me speak to my mom for a second." He spoke softly to me. I nodded then sped my way up to the rest of the family. I found myself beside Jade. She smiled, hugging me from the side while we walked.

"I'm happy to see you and my mom patched things up. She's headstrong, but underneath all of that, I promise you she's good people. She goes so hard for her people, so expect the same thing from her for you. " She stated to me.

"I didn't want to hold what transpired before against her. I get it. It was a lot to take in. Seeing some strange person hanging around her only son, a pregnant one at that."

"Yeah, that's her baby. Mothers and their sons, there's nothing closer.— For the longest time, her job was cleaning up his mistakes. Somewhere along the way, things got out of hand, where she overstepped. She harbored a lot of resentment with my aunt, who passed away. I think she just needed a reminder that her son still loves her."

I nodded understanding. I could only imagine how I'll be with my daughter.

Kenzo and his mom met up with us once we made it to the cars. Ben pulled up next to all the vehicles we arrived in.

"Aight I'll see everyone at the restaurant." Kenzo grabbed my hand. "You're riding with me."

I assumed Ben was going to drive us but no. Kenzo directed me to his dad's car. "They're riding with Ben. I wanted some privacy with you."

I smiled, hugging his arm. "Ok."

We made it inside his dads brand new four-door, Panamera Porsche.

Finally, some alone time.

He reached over between the seat meeting me halfway. Our lips connected. We exhaled breathing our way through each kiss. His hands found their way to my thighs then he slid his hand up to my waist, pulling me closer.

"Thank you." He whispered into my lips before we broke apart panting. I smiled at him.

"You didn't have to make an effort to speak to her, but you did. I thank you for that, after the disrespect and the way she was dismissive as if you were beneath her wasn't called for. Thank you for your pure heart, kindness, and understanding."

The look he had in his eyes I was sure of. I could identify it clearly. I felt the same way. I grabbed his face in my hands and leaned my forehead against his.

He whispered something under his breath I didn't catch. I didn't bother with asking him to repeat it. Truth is I was scared.

I was wrong about being in love once before. Look at my situation now. I never thought I would be a baby momma. Why would I willingly open my heart again?

* * *

Seated at the restaurant beside Kenzo, we were now being served.

Ever since he saw his mother and me talking, he's been smiling and extra handsy.

"This was great, thank you all for coming out and sharing in on this victory tonight."

"I guess that's good you won then." My brother joked making him chuckle.

"Thanks for having us Kenzo and its lovely meeting your folks and your siblings." My dad added. He was seated across from me.

"Thank you, sir." He grabbed my hand under the table and rested it intertwined with his on his lap.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you all as well. You have a beautiful family." His mom spoke, looking around the table.

Every so often, when someone said something funny Kenzo would lean into me. My dad would look my way awkwardly. I know he knows Kenzo and I are feeling each other. Everyone at the table knew that, but he's worried. I can tell, but he's trying to be cool about the situation.

"So Ms. Adira, the mystery woman in the tabloids spotted with my son. — I saw the headline they created." His dad Gabriel said to me.

"I didn't even bother reading it."

"You might need to have security with you now." His dad added.

"I'm already on it. I told Bo he would be with her, and I was going to see if she wanted Ben to drive her back and forth." Kenzo spoke.

"I'll think about it. Maybe from time to time but not regularly."

"Whatever you're comfortable with."

"Woah!" I quickly grabbed Kenzos hand, placing it on my stomach. "Baby girl did a strong kick close to my ribs."

"She said mommy don't wait so long to feed me next time," Kenzo said playfully.

"She's going to be so active, probably will come out walking and dancing." My dad took a sip of his water, still studying Kenzo. From the look on his face, I could tell my dad was uncomfortable.

He's protective of me. I think he feels like he didn't do enough to protect me with Nelson. So he's treading lightly.

My mother leaned into my dad, giving a little smile.

"She just like hearing her Zo Zos voice. Every time I'm around talking loud, she starts moving like this." He made a baby talking voice rubbing my stomach.

"Excuse me everyone but if I could have a word with you Kenzo, privately." My dad spoke amongst the table while getting up.

"Sure, yes sir." He stood up, pushing his seatback. "I'll be back."

I nodded.

I know my dad's confused about us, hell I am too. It's just that we don't care to define things. I feel like that's when the complications will come.

I hope my dad doesn't hassle him too much.

They made their way to the front of the restaurant where they'd get privacy.

"This scampi is so good," Jade said, breaking the silence at the table.

"It is," Charlotte added. She ordered the same thing. Jr tried to steal some from her. "Nope, eat your own food."

"Ok, I'll remember that." He retorted, pretending to be mad.

She bumped him. Then swirled him up some of the pasta on her fork. He took it and stole a kiss from her. "Thank you."

My baby sister and Kenzos sisters Gabbi and Jade were laughing and making jokes at the end of the table amongst themselves. As well as my oldest sister, Maliha, and her husband. My nephew was asleep in his dads' arms.

"Are you guys from Los Angeles?" Kenzos mom Mrs. Tanya asked my mother.

"I'm not. I came here from Spain. My kids and husband are from here."

"Wow, what part?"

"A small town in Barcelona." My mother continued to engage in the conversation.

"Oh ok, how long have you been here?"

"Since I was eleven. My parents fell in love. I grew up there until we were finally able to move here."

"Beautiful." His mom smiled.

That's how the conversations were going for a while. Kenzo and my father had been gone for what seemed like ages. I sat quietly finishing up my food.

By the time they came back, everyone was ready to go. We had our food packed and our coats on.

Kenzo walked up to me, resting his hand on the center of my back. "Ready?"

"Yeah, I had your food packed up to take with us."

He nodded, with an earnest look. "Come on."

Everyone was already getting ready to head out the door saying their goodbyes.

"Thanks again, everyone."

They smiled. He grabbed my hand and food. We made our way out the door.

"Bye. I love you guys." I said to my family. I hugged them once as best I could. Kenzo still had my hand.

"Bye princess, shoot me a text when you get in." My dad said to me, and I said ok.

"Good talk, Kenzo." He stuck his hand out for him. Kenzo let me go so he could shake it. They exchanged a very serious look.

We waved everyone off then headed over to Ben with Bo and Tyson's escort.

We settled in the vehicle. Kenzo sat to himself, thinking. I placed my hand on his thigh, tapping it. Without turning his head to face me, he took my hand in his and squeezed it. I sat back and tried to relax.

When we arrived at Kenzos house, we were still quiet. I refrained from asking him anything. I think it's because I'm sure whatever it was him and my father discussed had to be substantial. Perhaps something that would change our dynamic and what we have going on.

We both showered and got ready for bed. I was on one side, and he was on the other facing the opposite direction.

"Are we good?" I asked amidst the silence.

He turned over and pulled me close, so my back was pressed against his chest. He snakes his hands around my waist, resting his hands on my stomach.

"We're good baby, get some sleep." He planted soft kisses on my shoulder. I sighed and shifted a little.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight Diri." He squeezed me gently.

Both of us drifted off to sleep.

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