5 years later

"Hello, I want to welcome you to the launch of Khari Valentine's first signature shoe. Usually we do our shoe launches at our NIKE World Headquarters in Oregon, but this athlete specifically requested his hometown. At NIKE, we are truly inspired by legends. Although Khari Valentine is a young star, he is a legend in the making. In three years, he's accomplished what most stars in the league accomplish in ten years. He was NBA Rookie of the Year, All-Star MVP, League MVP, 2x NBA Champion, and 2x Finals MVP. While he is the King of the Court, he has yet to make his name in the shoe world. Today, that changes. It has been such an unique experience to work with him on designing his first signature shoe. The Khari 1 is defined by extreme precision as well as explosive performance and it has everything Khari needs in a basketball shoe."

"In a word, it's the best. What do you expect from and for Khari Valentine? That speaks for itself. Ladies and gentlemen of New Orleans, get on your feet and make some noise for Khari Valentine!" I walked out to a screaming crowd with a huge smile on my face. The kids were going crazy and I never imagined that it would be because of me. I shook hands with the host before waving back to the crowd. I took my seat beside him and took it all in. Getting here wasn't easy. So much had changed in five years. I was blessed, to say the least. "First off, let me say congratulations to you."

"Thank you."

"This seems, to you, like more than an endorsement. What does this means to you in the grand scheme of your career?" He asked.

"Um, it's just another stepping stone that I'm truly proud of." I looked at him. "This company has been supportive of me through it all and I'm just so appreciative of it. To be apart of such an elite group of guys is a blessing. It means that I'm kind of doing something right."

"It is an amazingly exclusive club. You're only the 21st athlete to be a Nike Signature Athlete. That says a lot. Joining the Lebron's, Kobe's, KD's, Kyrie's, and so on. Did they give you any advice?"

I shook my head. "Nah, I think they've been good examples though. I've watched how those guys presented themselves in times like these. How they've built their brands and things like that. So, I'm just taking notes."

"You're probably the quickest guy in the league right now and you specifically designed the shoe to fit your game. What's special about this shoe? In your own opinion."

"Um, I think it's just the hyper fuse construction that goes in the shoe. It keeps me locked down. The NIKE zoom cushioning is soft and I was really adamant about that. I enjoy being comfortable in my shoe. I also like my shoes light so I think this is good for me. It'll feel like I'm playing on the clouds." I looked into the crowd. "But, the most important thing is the grip. I really can't wait for you guys to test it out."

He allowed the crowd to clap a little before he continued with the questions. "What about you? I know you can't wait to play in it." He chuckled.

I nodded, chuckling as well. "I really can't. I'm excited. It has finally arrived and I just cannot wait to wear them on the court. You look good, you play good. I love how the shoe looks so I know my game is gonna go to the next level."

"What's your favorite part of the shoe?" He asked.

I grabbed the shoe and turned it so the bottom was facing up. "The bottom. The hex technology. It adds flexibility to the shoe. It adds more explosiveness and it's durable. I think this is the first time NIKE has done this and I'm glad it's with my shoe." I laughed a little. "I just think that it's going to make me more explosive on the court and I think I'll be able to jump higher if that's possible." I smirked.

"Right! If that's possible." He added.

"I also like the personal touch on the shoe, as well. They added my recent accomplishments on the heel of the shoe which is pretty cool. Hopefully as the years go on, I can keep adding to it."

"Let's talk basketball. You've had an amazing year this year. You're fresh off your first league MVP and you've led the Knicks to back to back titles with your all star teammate in Duane Guerra. Is this surreal to you? I mean, you've only been in the league three years."

Shifting in my seat, I nodded again. "Yeah it is. I think, for me, it's just setting goals and reaching them. I know many can't say that they reached their goals this early, but I don't take it for granted. I still go to the gym and work on my game. Duane and I can get better which is why I still don't think we've hit our ceiling."

"How did college rivals turn into good teammates and even better friends?" He looked at me.

"Along the way, I think we realized that we had more in common than we believed. I think he's grown since college and so did I. The tension wasn't necessary and we just got over it. We're NBA players and the ultimate goal is a championship. That's why I recruited him as hard as I did last summer. I knew we could do damage together."

"That's good. Also, you just released your new book, Khari's Healing, last month. It's already number 1 on the best sellers list. Can you talk about that for a moment?"

"Khari's Healingis a book that I've been wanting to release for a long time. I actually wrote the book the latter part of my freshman year in college. It's just documenting my life, honestly. A kid from New Orleans who went through the darkest times with seemingly no way out. Basketball was my way out. However, I talk about how God was my healer and how my wife was my angel."

"Awwww." The audience cooed.

"You guys need to go read that book, too. I did and I learned a lot from it." He said as he looked into the crowd. He turned back to me before grabbing the shoe off the platform. "The shoe will be available everywhere, right?"

I nodded my head. "Yes, it will. I'm also giving away free shoes to all the kids who's at this event right now." The kids erupted in cheers. "So, you may want to stay so my staff can get your sizes and we can give you the shoes. I will stay and sign each and every shoe."

"Alright, well I know they're happy about that. Congratulations on everything man and I hope you have another great season." He extended his hand and I shook it, firmly.

"Thank you." I took the mic off and headed to where the kids were. The staff was already getting the kid's sizes so I headed to the back to see Malia first. She was playing with Kamari, our four year old son. Malia got pregnant when we she lost her virginity. We didn't learn until about six months later because she didn't have the symptoms of a pregnant woman. She was still having her menstrual cycle and everything so it was a shock.

Of course, Mrs. King was disappointed. She hated me too which caused Malia and I's relationship to be really rocky after he was born. Mrs. King didn't think Malia would be able to finish school on time, but she did. I went into the NBA draft after my sophomore season because of them. I needed to provide and plus, I didn't want to risk getting injured again. That really didn't hurt our relationship because I was drafted the New York Knicks so she and Kamari was still able to see me while she was still in school.

I was about 12 hours from getting my Bachelor's degree like I promised my mom. I didn't lose sight of that. I just had to do what I had to do. Malia and I eventually fixed our relationship. We just got married last summer and she is 6 months pregnant with our second son. Oh yeah, Mrs. K and I are back cool. Nothing a paid vacay couldn't fix.

"Daddy!" Kamari yelled, shaking me out of thoughts.

He wiggled out of Malia's arms to run to me and swooped him up, kissing his cheek. "Wassup little man? Being good for mommy?" I briefly eyed her before returning my focus back to him. He nodded his head quickly.

"Yeah, or I wasn't gon get no cookies." He pouted, causing me to chuckle.

"Hey baby. You did good. I'm so so so proud of you." Malia said, kissing my lips repeatedly. I mumbled a thank you and kissed her back. Kamari cleared his throat causing her to pull away. I eyed him which made her chuckle. He was really a mama's boy and was always cockblocking. It never failed. I could understand, though. For a while, he was mostly with her while I was doing my thing here. I'd only see him occasionally in person. However, once she graduated, I moved them to New York.

Putting him down, I placed my hand on her belly. "I hope you don't be a mama's boy, too."

Malia placed her hand around my neck. "Aww, someone's jealous." She said as she smirked. I playfully rolled my eyes and kissed her again, gripping her ass in the process.

"Nothing to be jealous of when it's really mine." I said cockily. She bit her lip and winked causing me to chuckle. Malia's baby weight really did make her body look even better. She thought that she was getting fat, but I told her that thick thighs saved lives. "You wanna come out with me while I sign these kids' shoes?"

She yawned a little, shaking her head. "No baby.. I'm a little tired. It's been a long day. I need a nap or something. Your son has been really active today." She responded, rubbing her belly.

I nodded my head, understanding. "Ok, well tell Marley to take you home and I'll be there shortly."

She nodded her head, kissing my lips again before turning to Kamari, who was playing with one of his toys. "Marriiii." She called causing him to lift his head to up to meet her eyes. "Do you wanna go home with mommy or stay here with daddy?" She asked.

He thought it over for a minute. "I wanna go with you."

"Of course." I mumbled. Malia giggled, gathering his toys and placing them into his bag. I took it from her so she wouldn't have to carry it. Kamari latched his hand into hers and I led them out of the building. I signaled for our driver Marley and he ran over to open the door. I placed the bag into the backseat and watched as Malia buckled Kamari in. Once he was secured, she closed the door and walked back over to me.

"Still coming to Makayla's Annual Dance Recital tonight?" She asked.

I sighed, totally forgetting about that. "Thanks for reminding me."

She looked at me weirdly. "You sure you don't need a break because you've been forgetting a lot lately." She lifted her eyebrow. "And if you forget our anniversary, you and I will have a problem." I knew she wasn't joking. Malia's attitude had been really bad every since she was pregnant with our second son. I wanna say it's the hormones, but I think she's just been hiding this side of her.

"I'm not missing our anniversary, Lia." I cupped her face with both hands. This summer I was having troubling balancing my career and my love life. I was fresh off a championship which meant endorsements were pouring in and things like that. I knew Malia felt like I was way down her priority list, although she's never said it. But, I was planning on showing her just how important she was to me. She was being supportive through it all so I needed to show her how much it meant. "Basically after today, I'm all yours for two weeks. We can do a baecay."

Her eyes lit up. "Greece!"

I chuckled, kissing her forehead before kissing her again. "Yes, Greece. Now go on home and get some rest." She nodded her head, kissing me again. "Love you."

She turned to me before getting into the truck. "I love you too." She said. She closed the door and I watched them pull off before I headed back inside to sign shoes.

****

I walked into our home immediately finding Kaleigh and Ty on the couch watching tv. I noticed Malia balled up on the couch, sleeping peacefully. "Well, you spoke him up." Kaleigh said looking up from her phone. I lifted my eyebrow and she turned the phone to me, showing Danielle on the screen.

"Wassup Dan?" I spoke, taking the phone from Kaleigh.

"Hey bestie!" She greeted warmly. That smile on her face made me smile all because it has been a long road for her as well, too. After Randy was killed, Danielle slipped into a deep depression and ended up dropping out of school. She just couldn't handle it. She got herself together and last year, she launched a nonprofit organization dedicating to ending violence in urban communities mainly in New Orleans. Right now, she was on her world tour.

"Where you at now?" I asked as I took a seat in the chair, sighing a little.

She changed the camera to show me her view. It was beautiful wherever she was. "I'm in Bali, Indonesia."

"Too rich for me." I joked.

She turned the camera back on her, rolling her eyes playfully. "Boy bye. I'm trying to get like you and Malia. Trying to get a Caucasian home. Honestly, truly."

I chuckled lowly, trying not to awake Malia. "When will you be back?"

She shrugged her shoulders lightly. "I don't know. I'm not sure if I'm ready to jump back into reality. This is something I really needed and I'm not ready to let it go. I may go to Greece when y'all get there and bring me a little boo or whatever."

"Who? Bumpy?" Kaleigh jumped in.

"Fuck no. I rebuke it!" Danielle yelled into the camera.

Ty laughed loudly causing me to glare at him. He immediately stopped when I looked over to see Malia shifting in her sleep. "My bad." He mumbled.

Once she didn't wake up, I looked back in the camera at Danielle. "Why not?" I smirked.

"You know why." She rolled her eyes.

I did know why. Her and Bumpy had started dating seriously the beginning of this year. Everything was all smooth and they even hooked up Kaleigh and Ty, which was shocking because Ty wasn't a one woman man. Kaleigh was everything he was looking for in a woman, though. After her back and forth relationship with Elgin, she needed something new. Elgin ended up in prison for armed robbery and assault on a pregnant woman. Kaleigh dodged a bullet. Bumpy and Danielle just didn't work out. Bumpy still trying to find himself really and Danielle already knew what she wanted. She was dating to find her husband. Bumpy cheated, though.

"Yeah I know. I don't wanna have rough up my homeboy again." I said honestly. When I found out that Bumpy cheated, I beat his ass. It caused us to fall out for a while, but we made up. I was mad at him, though. Given what Danielle had been going through, that was the last thing she needed. He was the first guy she had given a chance after she lost the love of her life. If he wasn't ready, that's all he had to say.

"Me either. We don't need bad publicity like that again. You're building your brand now so no more fist fights." She pointed her finger at me. I nodded, knowing that she was right. "By the way, congrats on your first signature shoeeeee! I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks sis. Wish you were there to see it. These kids really love me here."

She nodded. "You're like Lebron in Akron and Cleveland. But, don't go home and play for those sorry Pelicans." She scoffed causing me to laugh. She didn't have to worry about that. My second home was New York. I was like their adopted child bringing home their first championship in years.

"Alright, well you finish enjoying Indonesia. I'll talk to you later." I looked at her.

"Ok pumpkin. Love you!"

"Love you too."

I handed Kaleigh back her phone and hit Ty on the back of the head for laughing loud. He smacked his lips, rubbing the spot that I hit. "Stop hitting my baby." Kaleigh said shooing me away. Ty playfully stuck his tongue out and I threw up the middle finger. I went over to where Malia was and picked her up bridal style. "We're gonna head out, Khari. We'll see y'all tonight."

I nodded and they left. I carefully took Malia upstairs to our bedroom, not before checking on Kamari, who was sound asleep. Placing Malia on the bed, I noticed that her eyes fluttered open and before I could move, she pulled me back onto the bed with her. "Hold me." She mumbled.

"Ok." I kicked off my shoes, and got into the bed with her. She snuggled close to me and placed her leg over me while putting her face in my neck. I wrapped my arms around her waist and she sighed in comfort. "You miss working?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Not really." She mumbled. "I enjoy being a full time mommy, but I am going to go back so I can start my practice. Never know when you're going to leave me." She joked.

"Never. Wanna know why?"

She shifted a little, lifting up my shirt to rub my chest. "Why?"

I fingered her curls gently. "Cause you got me wrapped around your little finger."

She chuckled against my chest. "I haven't said that since we were in college."

I nodded. "Yeah, I miss you saying that."

She pulled away a little to look into my eyes. "Don't get it twisted, boo. I will always have you wrapped around my finger." I felt her hand enter my shorts as she grabbed her best friend. I sighed at the contact. "Him too." She whispered, placing kisses on my neck. Malia is no longer the naive, innocent girl I met my freshman year. She's the reason why she's pregnant. Her aggressive ass.

"Didn't the doctor say that pregnant sex is good for the baby?" I asked, trying to confirm.

She giggled again, biting my bottom lip. "Yes. Yes, she did."