Page 76 of Hood Legacy

“What’s good, Hood?” he answered.

“I want to propose to Legacy, but I don’t know how,” I said, getting straight to the point.

“Yo mama left a letter for that,” he said. “Stop by the house and get it.”

“Bet, I’m on my way.” I hung up the phone, grabbed my shit and left. Mama wasn’t here, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t get the needed advice. My girl was looking out for me, even from the grave.

* * *

“Nah, don’t ask no questions, and stop trying to remove the blindfold,” I said as I moved Legacy’s hand. I helped her up the stairs without tripping and opened the door to the building. I looked around, making sure it was set and everyone was in position.

“Aceyn,” she sighed in annoyance, and I chuckled. I’d been in charge all day, driving Legacy crazy, but I didn’t care. I worked with Xoey plus Twelve and Mercy for the last month to ensure this engagement was perfect. She was busy trying to get ready for the season opener, and I used that to my advantage.

“Will you just chill, Point Guard,” I said as I moved her hand from the mask. I was nervous as hell and wanted to make sure I got this right for her. “Alright, stop walking.” I held her waist and positioned her to where I wanted her to stand.

I stepped around her, adjusted my tux, and cleared my throat. Around me, our friends and family stood, dressed in their best, looking good as hell. I blew out a deep breath and nodded. Legacy looked good as fuck in the mermaid-styled dark blue dress that Mahogany had spent the last few weeks making just for tonight. Corinthians came to the house, straightened her hair, and did her makeup.

“Aceyn?”

“Don’t take the mask off yet,” I instructed. “I just want you to listen to me first, okay?”

“Okay,” she said slowly and nodded.

“You asked me a million times what tonight was about, and I told you the same thing each time.”

“Easy or hard way,” she interjected, and I chuckled.

I wiped my hand over my mouth and nodded. “Right, easy or hard way, and I appreciate you not giving me a lot of shit about my answer.”

“Did I have a choice?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“Nah,” I replied.

Everyone in the room started to laugh, and Legacy tilted her head as if trying to figure out what was happening and where we were. Her hand went to the mask, and I quickly stopped her.

“Not yet,” I said, shaking my head even though she couldn’t see me. “Not yet.”

“Aceyn–”

“Just listen,” I instructed. “Listen to what’s being said.”

I looked over her shoulder to Mercy and nodded. My mama's laughter filled the room, and my eyes watered; instead of a letter, she’d made a video for me to play when I proposed.

“Legacy,” Mama sighed as she continued to laugh. “My son loves you, baby, harder than I think he can even imagine.” The sound of Legacy’s laughter filled the room, and she smiled. “He’s nervous; I know it because I can see him now, watching you while you play in the water in Bali. Yes, baby, I can see how much he loves you, so I’m making this video. When he proposes, I won't be there physically but know I am in spirit, dressed and ready to see him get down on one knee.”

I pulled at my pants leg, pulled the ring from my pocket, and got down on one knee.

“Put your hand out, baby girl,” she instructed, and Legacy did. I took her hand, kissed her knuckles, and rested it against my forehead. The tips of her fingers gently rubbed against my head as if she were trying to comfort me, and I smiled. “Now, listen to me carefully, okay?”

“Okay,” Legacy said out loud, even though Mama wasn’t here.

“Be patient, but push him. Don’t let him back you into a wall; fight back. He may be the head of your household, but you are the heart. You have accepted him as Hood but loved him as Aceyn. Understand that he will always be Aceyn for you. Hood is for the people in the room to love, but know that he will be Hood for you when he needs to. You will be his wife. Love the man that I raised in your honor. Take your blindfold off, baby.”

Legacy lifted her blindfold, and her eyes filled with tears as she looked down at me. I smiled at her.

“The man you are looking at is the best version of himself because of you. He will not intentionally hurt or disappoint you. He will fiercely fight for you. He will see you as everyone else in this room does. You were never meant to be picked, Legacy; you were meant to be seen, and they see you. We see you because you were meant for us to see you. Love my son with the same intensity that he loves you, and watch how much you both flourish.”

The screen went black, and then a slide show started. “Look up, baby,” I said. Legacy’s eyes went from me to the screen behind me, and I watched her eyes light up with joy. Mama truly did me a solid by taking pictures of us in Bali and then afterward. They were candid; some were hanging out, and others were with her and Pop. My favorite was Mama and Legacy on the couch. Legacy’s head was in Mama’s lap; she was asleep, but Mama was watching her with so much love that I knew my baby felt what it was like to be loved by a mother and would give our children that same love. Mama came back to the screen with a smile on her face and the sunset behind her. She was at home, and I could hear me and Legacy laughing in the background.

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