Page 22

Chapter Twenty

Kilo

Liberty was talking my ear off from the second I picked her up.

She had her little bag clutched to her chest, her legs swinging from the backseat like she couldn’t sit still if her life depended on it.

Mel sat up front, turned sideways with her arm draped over the seat, smiling like she couldn’t help herself.

I’ain say much, just taking it all in. The sound of Liberty’s voice, the way she laughed, the way she looked at Mel like she already trusted her.

That shit hit somewhere I wasn’t ready for.

“Do you think my mommy will let me come again next weekend?” Liberty asked, eyes wide as she looked between the two of us.

Mel glanced back at her. “That’s up to your daddy, baby.”

Liberty beamed, kicking her feet again. “I like being with y’all.”

I tightened my grip on the wheel. That shit wasn’t supposed to feel like a punch to the chest, but it did. All that time lost… because somebody decided I wasn’t supposed to know she existed. Mel reached over and squeezed my hand once before letting go. Just enough to ground me.

“Your grandma is gone love you,” Mel told her. “Your cousin, too. They’re a lot, though. Loud and bad.”

“Like Uncle Buck?” Liberty grinned. “He’s funny.”

I huffed out a breath. “Don’t hype him up.”

“Uncle Buck said he’s gonna teach me how to keep the fuck niggas away,” she added proudly.

Mel raised a brow. “Did he now?”

“Yeah. He said we didn’t hang around those kind.”

Mel laughed. “That sounds exactly like him.”

“I’m gone fuck that nigga up. I’ain know he told her that shit.”

We pulled up to my parents’ house, and before I even cut the engine, Liberty was unbuckling herself. Mel gave her a look, then reached back to help her get her things.

“You ready?” I asked, opening the door.

Liberty giggled and grabbed my hand the second she hit the ground. Her little fingers curled tight around mine, and for the first time in a long time, I felt… settled.

My mama opened the door before we even knocked.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” she breathed, hand going to her chest. “You must be Liberty.”

Liberty nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

My mama smiled so wide I thought she was gone cry.

Inside, it was loud, like always when everybody got together.

Laughter, voices overlapping, and something frying in the kitchen.

The entire crew was there. Pops was sitting on the couch with Jet climbing all over him.

Jace and Keenan posted up by the game console.

Sophi in the corner with Kasha’s parents, holding court like usual.

Everybody paused when they saw us come in.

In a manner of seconds, Liberty was swept up in hugs and hellos.

She met everybody, one by one, and didn’t miss a beat.

She was polite, curious, and bold in that sweet way little girls could be when they felt safe.

“Where the girls at?” she asked after a while, hands on her hips.

Buck leaned down next to her. “Ain’t none, shorty. Just a bunch of bad ass lil’ niggas. Get used to it and learn how to fight if you already don’t.”

Liberty just laughed.

Stacks came over and gave me a look. “She’s already fitting in.”

“I know, right,” I muttered, eyes never leaving her.

“She likes Buck,” Mel said, coming up next to me. “Lord help us.”

“Don’t start,” I warned.

“She called him cool,” she whispered. “We’re fucked.”

Mama came and tugged my arm. “Walk with me.”

I followed her out back, the screen door creaking behind us.

“She’s beautiful,” Mama said, voice soft.

“She is,” I agreed.

“You know what I’m about to ask.”

I nodded. “The test is already done. Results in a few days.”

She gave me that look… soft but strong. “And if she’s yours?”

“Then I’m hers,” I said simply. “Whatever she needs, she got it. Ain’t no other way.”

She nodded slowly, then turned to face me. “And Mel?”

I looked down at the counter. “I’m working on it. We’ve been slowly getting back to where we were, but it’s not quite there yet.”

“You lied to her.”

“I know.”

“You hurt her.”

“I know that too.”

“Then make it right, Franklin.”

I nodded again. “I’m trying, Ma.”

We stayed in the kitchen for a few more minutes before she pulled me into a hug and told me to stop being so damn hardheaded.

***

Later that night, we took Liberty home with us.

Mel showed her the room we’d been working on for her.

She had already told me her favorite color was purple, so I had the walls painted a light purple.

The white Queen sized bed sat in the middle of the room with cloud-shaped pillows, and a purple, white and blue comforter set.

A toy chest already half full, and a beanbag by the window.

Her dresser and closet was already stocked, along with her bathroom.

She had her own sixty-five inch TV mounted on the wall and a new PS5 connected to it.

Whatever she didn’t have or wanted to add, she could. All she had to do was ask.

Liberty stood in the doorway, eyes wide.

“This all mine?” she asked.

Mel nodded. “All yours.”

Liberty squealed and dropped her bag, running to flop on the bed. “This is so cool!”

“You need help getting ready for bed?” Mel asked.

“Can you?” Liberty looked up at her, hopeful.

Mel smiled. “Of course I can.”

I watched them disappear inside of the room, the sound of their voices floating back to me like music. I stood there for a long time, hand still on the doorknob.

That little girl already belonged in every part of my life, and so did Mel. All I had to do now… was make sure I never lost either of them.

***

After getting Liberty situated inside of her room, Mel crawled into bed next to me and snuggled up against me.

I rolled over and pulled her close, nose buried in her hair.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“For what?”

“For loving her.”

She turned and looked at me in the dark. “She’s a part of you, so it’s easy.”

And just like that, I knew I couldn’t waste another second.

I kissed her forehead, pulled her even closer, and silently promised myself that whatever came next—I was ready.