Page 50 of Faded Rhythm

Epilogue

Two months later

The sun hangs low over the horizon, casting warm streaks of gold over the Atlantic. The waters off Gros Islet are as clear as glass and as blue as the sky. My yacht bobs gently with the tide, anchored just far enough from the beach to feel like our own little paradise.

The girls have been here for two months and they’ve already taken to their new lives. It’s amazing to see. But kids are resilient. I know that better than most.

Sable never went back, not even to pack. I hired people to do all that, and we sent for Ebony to bring the girls. She spent a week here and fell in love, so I know we’ll be seeing her again soon.

Right now, the girls are fishing with me off the back of the boat, their little rods clutched tight in eager hands.

They squeal every time they feel a nibble, and Rae, half-excited, half-scared, always looks like she’s ready to bolt.

I guide their hands, trying not to laugh too hard when Kelice reels in a clump of seaweed and declares herself the winner.

But my attention is divided.

Sable’s floating on her back in the surf, her yellow bikini gleaming against the water, her belly curved like a sunlit mountain. Her hair fans around her like a dark halo, dancing in the ripples. She looks like every dream I’ve ever had come true.

I snap a photo and make it my new lockscreen. I feel like I change that thing four times a week. But my life is picture perfect right now. How could I not?

She’s been my peace since the day I first saw her, but this is a new level. She’s glowing. Full of life. Full of love.

I remember the first picture I ever took of her. She was on her back then, too, but she was anxious, scared, and upset. Gone are those days. Never again. As long as I’m breathing, she’ll have the life she deserves.

I must have dozed off. The deck is hot under my back. The sun is above now, and too bright to open my eyes.

But my ears are working just fine.

I hear Sable’s voice. “Girls, come on. Let’s do it now. Shhhhh.”

Their excited giggles echo around me, followed by the pitter-patter of little bare feet on wood.

And not a minute later, Rae screams, “Wake up, Papa J!”

I sit up, blinking myself conscious as Kelice and Sable appear carrying a birthday cake like it’s a sacred treasure.

They set it down on the deck and start to sing. The girls are off-key, but my lady sounds perfect. I stare into the tiny fires, my eyes welling up. When they finish, Kelice tells me to make a wish.

I close my eyes and realize I don’t want anything else. So I simply thank God for answering my prayers. The blessings didn’t come right when I wanted them to. They came when they were supposed to.

I open my eyes just as Rae adorns me with a pointy birthday hat. I blow out the candles, and they erupt in cheers. I blink the tears away and give them all hugs.

Sable lingers, whispering, “Happy birthday, baby,” in my ear. I give her belly a kiss, smack her ass, then cut into the cake.

“How’d you know?” I ask as I hand Rae a small piece.

“AJ told me,” Sable says with a grin. “But the better question is, why didn’t you tell me?”

She’s being playful because she’s not really upset by this. Just curious.

“You know how I am about birthdays,” I say with a shrug. “I learned to stop expecting people to celebrate me. I lowkey forget sometimes myself. It’s whatever.”

“Not anymore,” she says with a grin. “We celebrate everything around here. Especially you, my love.”

I nod because I don’t have the words. But I don’t need them. Some moments are so perfect, words would only ruin them.

So I just feel.

Later, I open my presents at the kitchen table.

The girls can’t stop bouncing—too much sugar, I suppose—and Sable is adorably impatient as I unwrap each gift slowly and carefully.

Kelice gives me cologne. Rae gives me new AirPods.

Sable gives me a sleek silver watch and a DVD player.

She remembered me talk about missing my movie collection.

“Thank you,” I say. “But y’all don’t understand.” I look into Sable’s eyes. “Having a family is the best gift I’ve ever received. I love you. All of you.”

The girls throw themselves into my arms. “Love you, too, Papa J!”

Sable watches with tears in her eyes, and I’m legitimately living inside an old family sitcom.

It’s lit.

“You ready? It’s almost four.”

Sable nods.

We walk down the hall together to the study. She sits in front of the computer and clicks into a video meeting. A woman’s face appears, smiling and sharp-eyed.

“I’m Carmen Watkins,” she says. “Nice to meet you, Sable.”

They make a little small talk, then get down to business.

“Alright, I’m recording,” Carmen says. “Sable, why do you want to do this?”

Sable lifts her chin, her voice steady. “I know the police will never be able to do much with the evidence I sent over to you, Carmen, but I want the story told. I want everybody to know that The Texican didn’t kill Redd Clay.

He’s been living under a cloud of suspicion for sixteen years.

It’s time to give that man his life back. ”

“Why did you reach out to me specifically?”

“You run the biggest hip-hop themed website in the world. You have credibility with your audience. And journalism has the power to sway public opinion. I just want my dear friend to be vindicated, and I know you know how to write a compelling story.”

Carmen nods. “Then let’s get started.”

I kiss Sable’s forehead, squeeze her shoulder, and step out quietly.

I’m so proud of her. She took what could have been a life-altering secret and dug deeper to find a way to help somebody else. That’s what I love about her. That’s truly her gift.

Carmen agreed to redact any mention of Mila and the paternity. There was enough damning information in the files to prove Dime’s involvement without it.

In my room, I open my safe and pull out the small velvet box sitting on the top shelf.

The diamond shines almost as brightly as Sable.

I was supposed to propose today, but her birthday surprised trumped me.

I pull out my phone and text Ebony.

Pushing it to tomorrow

She replies immediately.

Boooo! J/k. Just don’t forget to facetime us before you do it

I got you

We’re so excited.

Welcome to the family Julian :)

I exhale slowly and smile.

I have a family now.

God did.

The End