Page 94 of The Fake Play

The way Luke, Whitney, and Michael have shown me.

“Do you, Luke Smith, take Keke Graham to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Luke’s gaze never wavers as he says, “I do.”

A tear slips down my cheek as I give the same answer, “I do.”

She chuckles along with the audience. “I have to ask you the question first.”

Luke beams down at me, and I giggle. “Oops.”

“Do you, Keke Graham, take Luke Smith to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do.”

The officiant smiles as she pronounces us husband and wife. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Luke pulls me close, covering my mouth in his in a kiss that steals my breath. Everything else fades again as we’re wrapped in each other’s arms, bound by a love that has weathered so many storms.

When we finally pull back, I look up at him, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “I love you, Luke,” I whisper, my voice breaking with emotion. “Forever.”

His hand comes to rest on my belly as he smiles, a look of pure joy in his eyes. “And I love you, Keke. Always.”

As we turn to face our family and friends, applause rises up around us, filling me with a sense of belonging I haven’t felt in years. Whitney stands near the front with Michael, her eyes glistening with pride. She catches my gaze, giving me a small, encouraging nod, and I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for everything she’s given me, for being the sister I never had.

Michael approaches us, his gaze drifting briefly to my belly before settling back on my face. He hesitates for a moment, as if he might not be able to find the words. But then he reaches out, wrapping his arms around me in a fierce hug, his voice low and rough as he whispers, “I’m proud of you, Keke. I’m so damn proud.”

I hold him close, feeling a swell of emotion rise within.

He looks at Luke, a hint of a smile on his face as he hugs him. “Congratulations, Luke.” He holds my husband at arm’s length. “I know I don’t have to threaten you into not hurting her, but for the sake of tradition, if you hurt her?—”

“You’ll have to get in line behind me to kick his ass,” Whitney says firmly.

Luke laughs. “You’ll both have to get behind me in that line, because I’d sooner kick my own ass than hurt Keke.”

The evening passes in a blur of laughter, music, and quiet moments shared under the stars. Luke’s family embraces me warmly, each of them welcoming me with open arms, treating me like one of their own. It’s something that will take a while to get used to.

Whitney comes over, clinking glasses with me in a private toast, as she whispers, “To your happiness, Keke. You’ve earned every bit of it.”

I raise my glass. “And to you, Whit. For being my sister and my friend.”

I’ve finally found my place, my people, something I’d never thought possible.

Evie hugs me close and whispers, “If he hurts you, I’ll cut his brake lines.”

“Evie!” I say, giggling.

She merely grins. “Hey, we always wanted another girl in the family. Do we know yet what that bun is in your oven?”

“Too soon.”

“We can always hope. But if I get a nephew instead of a niece, I’ll still love him. Don’t worry.”

And I don’t. With Luke’s family, there’s no question about that. Even though my own father had raised me like a boy, I’d never let that happen to my child. They’d never grow up feeling like a born failure like I had. Our child was going to be surrounded by love and family.

As the night draws to a close, I find myself back in Luke’s arms, his hands resting on my belly as we sway to the music, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. I look up at him, seeing my future, my everything in his eyes.

And as we dance under the stars, surrounded by the people we love, I know that this is only the beginning of a journey we’ll always travel together, side by side, heart to heart, forever.

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