"These are the only ones allowed in there to take photos and record." I was finishing up a call with my guard Bo. I wanted him to double-check to make sure that only the journalists I requested were able to film and capture this night.

I had everything set and ready to go. I just picked up my daughter from my sister Mai's new house. They spent the day together while everyone else helped me get everything ready.

"Already on it. I'll hit you back when I know for sure."

"Cool, cool." I went ahead and hung up with him. Julia was in the backseat repeating cool, cool.

I know Diri's been freaking all day, not hearing from us. I told everyone to avoid speaking to her. I didn't want any slip-ups. Although I'm sure, she's suspicious. I wanted this day to be better than the first time I proposed.

I was also nervous. She might not be ready still. Every thought possible raced through me. What if she wanted to wait until after she completed her residency? What if she didn't want anything to change right now? Nothing's worse than bad timing.

The last thing I want to do is put her on the spot around all of our family. I don't want her to feel pressured to say yes. But I'm ready.

I tried brushing away those thoughts and focused on getting back over to Darby's, where everything's ready.

I had the diner closed down for the night with only family and friends. I planned to drop Julia off then pick up Di from work. I needed to convince her to have a late dinner with me at Darby's. Back to where it all began for us. The little diner I met her in.

She's going to flip out when she sees her twin brother and best friend, Charlotte. That was the trickiest part of it all getting them here with there schedules and everyone else's. But we made it happen.

"Ju, don't chew on that." I glanced at her through the mirror. "Stop."

She had a piece of the seat belt strap from the car seat in her mouth.

"I said stop," I repeated, and she stared at me smiling but continued.

Pulling into the diner, I saw Bo standing out front on his phone. I examined the parking lot, making sure all the family members' vehicles were strategically placed unnoticeably. They were.

"I'm not playing. That's nasty, Ju." I peeped at her again after pulling into the vacant parking spot. She laughed before stopping. "So goofy."

Mai had her dressed in all white, matching me. Per my request.

Adira doesn't like over the top expensive things. However, she does like memorable moments. I figured, bringing us back to where we started with our loved ones was the best thing.

I got Ju and me out. I was parked close to the front entrance because I didn't want any of this to hit the internet and spoil everything. I've been checking it throughout the day while setting up. The paparazzi were already lurking, trying to figure out what was what.

My jeweler was here with all the rings I picked out. I knew Diri wanted a simple single diamond. I picked three of the best that way final the decision was hers to choose.

My teammates and coaches were all arriving. The diner was filling up. We even had some of Adiras co-workers from the hospital coming in. I was able to tell her new friend Stacey and quietly relayed the message to the other employees about a week ago.

I waved and thanked everyone for coming then took Julia over to the table where Diri's parents were.

I had to hurry and leave before she had a fit. I met Ben and Tyson outside. They were taking me to pick Di up from work.

Ben had the Escalade pulled up to the door, so I could quickly get in.

We made our way out of the parking lot. They knew I was nervous. They kept trying to lighten the mood the entire ride with little jokes and internet gossip.

"You can't lie. The girl has skills. She bends her knees like that at every show. Had my girl trying to do it." Tyson laughed, talking about a well known female rapper that's killing the game right now.

"I say this all the time. Whatever your signature thing is you're known for, keep at it. That's the world we live in. She's playing some smart moves with her career." I voiced my opinion on the matter, but my mind was elsewhere.

Ben peeped at me through the rearview mirror. "Stop worrying yourself. If she sees you're nervous, she'll know what's going on."

"I just hope she says yes. I'm ready to show her how beautiful forever can be after so much pain." I rubbed my hands down my face leaning back one the seat.

"You got this." Ben made a left at the light. We were five miles out from the hospital.

I went ahead and sent her a text message, letting her know that I was close. My first response to her today. —I know that was petty but also funny as hell.

Me picking her up became a routine for whenever I was home for games.

It was March madness, right before the playoffs began. We're looking to do a repeat of last year and bring home another trophy.

I found out that Nelson and his new girlfriend are expecting and due any day. He completely backed off the whole custody thing after Adira filed a restraining order against him. I haven't heard anything else from him or his lawyer since that long message he sent Di.

Pulling up in the parking lot, I felt myself getting warm. Usually, it would take her a few minutes to get off, but she walked out of the building the moment we pulled up to the front.

She waved, smiling as she saw us in the front entrance. She had her white coat folded in her arm while killing it in a black button-down blouse with silver stones. She paired it with blacks slacks and some all-black heels. She wore light makeup with her hair straightened. She was beautiful.

After the vehicle was in park, I opened the door and made my way over to her.

I grabbed her little black book bag and the book she was holding from her then pulled her to me, taking in her scent. That calming scent I've always loved. "I missed you."

She slanted her head, pulling back, staring in my eyes. "You have a nice way of showing it. I haven't heard from you all day."

"I know. Sorry about that." I pulled her face towards mine and stared in her eyes until she gave in and kissed me. "I didn't keep you waiting in the front too long, did I?"

"No, I had time for a little read up after sitting in on the surgery today. There was a patient we had with some odd symptoms that I thought came from an acute case of pneumonia. Those symptoms are similar to several different things. After my attending ran a bunch of tests and an X-ray, it turned out to be COPD. It's scary how pneumonia is often misdiagnosed. So I did some research on that while I waited for you to get here." She kissed me again. Both of us weren't thinking about our next move. Especially when we've been away from each other for hours or days. We were in the moment.

"I honestly didn't mean to keep you waiting." I pulled away from her finally and grabbed her hand in mine.

"I'm not mad, and I missed you too. Now take me to see our baby girl." We walked toward the SUV.

"I was hoping we could stop and grab something to eat. I'm starving, babe." I opened the car door.

"Where to?"

"I don't know, maybe Darby's. We can do the crab cakes. We haven't been there in a long time. Keep it low key." I held my breath, entering the car after she did.

"Hey Ben, hey Tyson." She sat down and fastened her seatbelt. They spoke to her from the front seats waving.

"Ok, but what about Julia. She's still with your sister across town." She was finally able to answer me.

"We can get her after. I know you miss her." I took my seat and fastened my belt. Tyson nodded his head before pulling out his phone. He was responsible for notifying Bo and keep him updated on our ETA.

​

"Aww, I hope we get to see Mrs. Wanda. I wonder how she's been."

"I'm sure she's probably there. She works all the time." I grabbed her hand as we pulled out of the hospital.

"I'm so glad to be out of there. Today was the longest day ever." She blew out a breath leaning her head back against the seat. She closed her eyes with a smile on her face. "I know you're up to something, but I won't push."

I laughed nervously, glancing at Ben through the rearview. "Why, because you haven't heard from me all day?"

"I couldn't get in touch with anybody today. Maybe I'm paranoid and don't realize the world doesn't stop for me, but all day?" She shook her head, giggling. "Really?"

I laughed again instead of responding. I knew at this point I couldn't convince her otherwise. I decided to chill back and enjoy the short ride back to Darby's.

Arriving at the diner, I noticed the parking lot was still well organized. It was in a way she couldn't detect a thing. Bo did a great job. Now, if only we could get in and she not notice all of our people right away. That was Mrs. Wanda's job to distract her.

Ben pulled up to the door, Tyson got out and came around to open our door. It was go time.

Opening the door, Adira spotted Mrs. Wanda first. She ran up to her and squeezed her tight. I stood back, giving them a moment. Everyone was seated turned away at different tables and booths.

"I haven't seen you in so long. I missed you." Diri swayed them side to side. She hadn't noticed a thing.

"I missed you too. Next time don't wait so long to come to see me." Mrs. Wanda pulled away and grabbed her hands. "Come on, let's get you seated."

Di looked back at me as I was walking towards them. We took our seats at the booth I once sat in before. My jeweler made his way towards us. Diri's back was facing him.

"It's good to see you again, too, Kenzo." She leaned in and hugged me. "What can I start you off with to drink?"

"I think I'll have some water. It's late, and I don't want to overdo it." Diri grabbed the menu from the table. I agreed on the same thing.

Right on cue, I heard my baby girl yelling momma, momma. Instinctively so Adira gave me an odd look, then quickly stood and turned back towards that small voice. A mother knows her child.

I got out of the booth and got down on one knee as Adira was searching the room, trying to find that voice. She then noticed her big sister Maliha standing across the room with her phone out recording. "Wait what-"

Everyone then stood turning around and yelled out surprise.

Adira screamed, holding her mouth. She was shocked; the look on her face was priceless. She then turned back towards me, noticing me on my knee. She screamed again. Then she turned again quickly seeing my jeweler with a little showcase display of three rings. This time she didn't yell, she gasped.

Her parents walked closer to the front holding Julia. Everyone else followed behind. She took a moment taking everybody in.

"Momma, momma." Julia reached for her but was interrupted by my surprise guest heading toward us.

"Hold on, Ju Ju mommy and daddy gotta handle some business first." Junior came to the front with Charlotte behind him. "Surprise!"

Adira screamed again, jumping up and down, fanning her hands then covered her mouth as tears finally began flowing down her face. "Oh, my God!"

They embraced each other. Everyone in the room was getting emotional. I was getting choked up, and I hadn't said one word to her yet. I knew how much family means to her. It's been about eleven months since she's seen them.

"Aight, Aight." Jr laughed, turning Di back towards me. It was my turn. All the requested press was present and capturing this moment. Family was here from both sides. Our friends were in the building. Everything went smooth without a hitch.

She turned towards me, doing a little stutter breath as the tears came down. I was doing everything I could to keep it together. Seeing my daughter staring at her mommy and daddy waiting to see what we were about to do. Seeing Diri overwhelmed with emotions and completely surprised.

I took a deep breath and grabbed her hands. She stood, staring intensely into my eyes, smiling at me. "Being back in this place is bringing back such beautiful memories. Both of us were dealing with our stuff and just wanted a night of peace. I came in with my hoodie and hat on trying to be unnoticed."

I continued. "I remember everything about that night. I had just lost a game, and was feeling down about it. You came strolling through the doors in your scrubs. Coming off a long shift from work." I laughed a little. "You were exhausted and sad. Our first encounter might've not been the best, but looking back now it's funny."

Everyone chuckled around the room.

"You ordered damn near the entire menu. I wanted to know you then. You were naturally beautiful without trying. You didn't try to be beautiful; you just were and are." I smoothed my thumb across the back of her hand.

"I thought the coast was clear, and I had gone undetected. But before I left, you made it clear you recognized me. You told me to focus on the next game. —That quote is still stuck in my head today."

I took a breath and cleared my throat. "After getting to know you and developing stronger feelings, you confessed to me that you were with child." A tear I had been fighting rolled down. I quickly wiped it away. "I thought that was the end of us."

"But then I realized when I was away from you. I missed you deeply. My heart ached." My breath did a little stutter in between words. "I was mad at you. I was mad because we made sense, and I needed you my life. Everything I prayed for in a woman I had found in you."

"Leaving you hanging that night was my biggest mistake. But it also turned into our greatest turning point. Which lead to us trying to make sense of it all. —We avoided the relationship topic, and feelings were hurt because of it." I watched her wipe her face listening to every word I said.

"We've been through so much in a short amount of time. It seems like it's been forever. —When Julia was born, I feared for my place in her life and yours. I had grown attached to her even before she was brought into this world. But you assured me every time." I kissed her hand. "I'm ready to make our family official. I'm ready for marriage. To continue to grow our family and build an even stronger foundation."

I looked down for a second to roughly wipe my face. "I pray you want the same, and you're ready." I took a deep breath then gazed in her eyes. My jeweler came closer to us, opening the glass display of rings he held in his hands. She stood nervously, waiting for me to ask her the big question.

"Adira Belle Thompson, I love you so much. —Will you marry me?"

A huge smile lit up her face as she caught her breath. "Yes, I will marry." She nodded her head repeatedly and quickly grabbed the ring displayed in the middle. Then handed it to me.

Everyone laughed and cheered around the room. My teammates were barking and whistling. Shouting out inappropriate things making everyone laugh louder. I can't take them fools anywhere.

I'm assuming the other two rings were too big. They were all similar just different sizes. I knew she would pick the smaller one.

I placed the ring on her finger. She pulled me up and slammed into my lips. I wrapped my arms around her and lifted off her feet. I was the happiest man alive. I whispered in her ear, "thank you."

I spun her around bouncing up and down as I continued tugging away at her bottom lip. She wrapped her legs around me.

We were getting out of hand. My hands made their way to her ass squeezing it. She laughed and pulled away. I remained holding her.

"While I have everyone here together, I have an announcement of my own to make." She spoke loud around the diner. I furrowed my brows before placing her back on her feet, cautiously while staring down at her stomach.

"Oh, no." She laughed. "Not that. I'm not pregnant."

I released a breath. "Phew." Everyone was thinking the same thing. They blew out air too.

"Don't scare me like that. Although I would've been happy." I chuckled then quieted, giving her the floor to speak.

"You and your damn announcements. Spit it out already." Jr added. Everyone laughed again, knowing she always had an announcement to make.

She grabbed her bag and pulled out an orange envelope. "This is for you." She handed it to me.

"What this?" I stared at it.

"Open it." She smiled, then got Julia from her parents.

I waited for her to come back and stand in front of me before opening the envelope. I pulled out the documents inside. She bent down and placed Julia on her feet.

I silently read over the papers flipping through them. They were custody documents. Also a request for a name change and a document regarding adding me to the birth certificate.

"I want the three of us to be a family officially, all the way." She released Julia's hand resulting in her running to me. I was full and felt as if my heart would explode.

I bent down and picked up my daughter. Diri retrieved the envelope from me so I could fully wrap my arms around Ju. Everyone clapped and did their awes around us.