Page 90 of Beyond The Stars

Siasia’s heart threatened to burst out of her chest. Instead of speaking, she pulled him into her arms before snaking her tongue in his mouth. “Close your eyes, Noodle,” she pulled away long enough to say. “I love you, Qamar.”

“I’m going to love you with so much love your mama gone feel it in heaven because God took her back before she could fully experience this. But know, you are her and she is you. It’s beyond the stars for Cynthia too.”

Siasia would never get over how Qamar could always read her like a book. It took him no time to figure out how guilty she felt for having him when her mama wasn’t so lucky. Another round of tears slid across her face. This time they were tears of joy.

“Can I open my eyes now, dang?” Noodle reminded them they weren’t alone, making them pull away from each other.

“Don’t be a hater, Noodle,” Siasia teased as the three of them made their way back to the condo.

“I’m not. I’m just trying to get my yes day started.” Noodle rolled her neck.

They cackled.

27

A YEAR LATER

As the sun began to set over the Emerald City Stadium, casting an amber light across the field, Qamar felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through him. It was finally here—his first professional game as a central midfielder for the Emerald City Kings. After a grueling season spent on the bench, he was determined to make every moment count. The stands were packed with fans, their cheers echoing like a heartbeat, and Siasia and his daughters waved excitedly from the sidelines.

The call Jay had been desperate to get to him was the invitation from his friend that owned the Emerald City Kings. The owner, Three, didn’t need to see anything. The offer was his if he wanted it. The only thing that stood in his way was the fact that the draft was officially over for the season. To go around that, Three made him a sub that sat on the bench for the past season. Now, he was suited up and ready to show the world how they slept on him. Now he was woke—the beast they all knew he would be on the field. One of the best they’d seen in a long time.

The whistle blew, and the game kicked off. Qamar quickly found his rhythm, moving fluidly across the pitch. He intercepted a pass from the opposing team, highlighting the skills he had honed during countless hours of practice. With a deft touch, he dribbled past an opponent, his confidence soaring as he made his way toward the goal. The crowd erupted as he delivered a perfectly timed pass to his forward, who slotted it into the net.

Qamar's heart raced with joy; he had assisted in his very first professional goal.

As the game progressed, Qamar's presence on the field became more pronounced. He orchestrated plays, communicated with his teammates, and even took a shot that narrowly missed. The final whistle blew, and the Kings emerged victorious with a score of 3-1. The stadium erupted in cheers, and Qamar couldn't help but smile, feeling the weight of the past lift off his shoulders.

After the game, Qamar stood in front of the camera for a post-match interview, still buzzing from the victory. "It feels amazing to finally be out there," he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I’ve worked hard for this moment, and I couldn't have done it without my teammates and the support of my family. This win is for all of us. This for The Jig. This for my kids and it’s for Lunar." His hand went to the sky, blowing a kiss.

As he wrapped up the interview, Qamar spotted Siasia and their daughters making their way toward him. Esmeray, her little face beaming with pride, ran up and threw her arms around his waist. "Daddy, you were awesome!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

Belinay, still a bit wobbly on her feet, clapped her hands and giggled, while Noodle, with her ever-curious gaze, looked on, her admiration evident. His eyes zeroed in on his three-month-old namesake who was the spitting image of him. A little boy with his daddy’s looks and beautiful spirit. All that Siasia had dreamed of.

Siasia approached, her smile radiant, and he felt his heart swell. They had come so far together by mending past relationships and building a beautiful family. She had come to an understanding with Janay and although they weren’t close like she and Malaysia, they were in a better place than ever before. Siasia still grieved her mother but she had found solace in her work, and Qamar was proud of her resilience.

As they stood together, Qamar wrapped his arms around Siasia and their children, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. "This is just the beginning," he whispered to Siasia, his eyes shining with love. "Our forever journey is just starting, and I can’t wait to explore it with you—beyond the stars."

In that moment, surrounded by his family, Qamar knew he had everything he had ever dreamed of, and the future looked brighter than ever, but his performance wasn’t over. The cameras panned to the emerging editorial photographer that was making her mark and showing the world what true Black girl magic was. After the shoot with Candi and Jay, she’d been booked and busy working with brands she’d only dreamed of working with. Life was good.

The lights in the stadium dimmed, confusing Siasia until a voice she’d only heard when she snuck a peek into her room filled the stadium.

“I’ll love you today and hate you tomorrow. You keep me safe and bottle my sorrow.” Noodle’s sweet and soft voice melted her heart. “When there’s nothing to say, just always know,” she belted the note while crooning the word, shocking Siasia into tears. “Beyond the stars, is where you are. Beyond the stars, is where our love lies. When you can’t find the joy of tomorrow. Look for me in the stars where our love is, beyond the stars and further than our eyes go.”

Luna joined in, adlibbing while the lyrics pulled on the heart of everyone in the stadium. There wasn’t a dry in on that day. Siasia was so caught up with the big voice coming from her little sister that she didn’t notice the rest of the family, including Candi and Jay, surrounding her. When French went to remove Qamar Jr from her arms, she broke down after seeing Qamar on his knees.

“Yes!” she screamed, jumping up and down before pinching herself to make sure it was real.

Qamar wiped his face of tears. “Mama, you gotta let me ask you.”

“Why when I know what I’m going to say?”

“Come on, Mama. Let me do this the right way,” he pleaded, his eyes twinkling under the bright lights.

“Then hurry up,” she fussed, making them laugh.

“Siasia, will you do me the honor of allowing me to fulfill the promise of forever? Marry me, Mama.”

“I already said yes,” she reminded while stretching her hand out for him to place the beautiful rock on her hands. “You did good, Daddy.” She laughed, admiring the work of art on her hand. It went beautifully with her latest ink on her hand that read art is life.

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