Page 85 of Unexpected Pass

I panted through another contraction as Kellon got me situated in the car. He ran around to the driver side and climbed in. He didn’t waste any time taking off down the street and flying like a bat out of hell toward the hospital.

We got to the hospital fast, and I was immediately taken to the labor and delivery unit. Everything from there was a blur.The hours blurred into one another. Our parents arrived, and I went on a journey of pain, pressure, sweat, and screams I didn’t even know I was capable of. Kellon never left my side once. He held my hand, fed me ice chips, whispered encouragement, and at one point, literally let me choke him out mid-contraction. He said it was better than me breaking his throwing hand.

“Get this baby out of me now! Before I die!”

“You’re not dying, baby,” he said rubbing my head with a wet rag. “You’re birthing life.”

“Just one last push,” Dr. Gaines coached, and I took a deep breath.

“One… two… three… push!”

“Ahhh!” I screamed.

Finally, a little cry pierced the air. Just like that, my son was here, and I was a mother. The nurse placed him on my chest, and he was perfect—tiny, sweet, and covered in me. I sobbed. Kellon cried too.

“You did it,” he whispered to both of us, kissing my forehead then kissing our boy.

The next day,I watched as Kellon stood at the counter in our hospital room and signed his name on the birth certificate, solidifying his commitment to us… to our son.

Jeronee Kellon Barnes

He looked back at me. His eyes were full of love.

“Our son is perfect,” he said.

“He is.”

“Let’s tell the world!”

Kellon pulled out his phone and snapped a photo of me in the bed holding our son skin to skin with his lips on my forehead. Iwas tired and glowing, but the picture was beautiful. He kissed us both then posted the photo with a simple caption.

@KellonBarnes:He’s here. My first son. My everything. @Phileighthebarber gave me the greatest gift I’ll ever hold. #BabyBarnes #LoveMadeHim #DadLife

Six MonthsLater

The cameras flashing in my face was definitely something I still wasn’t used to, but I was adjusting. It wasn’t like I could shy away from it anymore. Two months ago, I’d become the wife of a two-time AFC champion and future two-time Super Bowl MVP. I had no choice but to take to the spotlight.

We were standing on the Tubi red carpet for the Super Bowl pre-game event, and all eyes were on us, but it was our son who stole the show crawling around and babbling. Dressed in a little varsity jacket withBarnesembroidered on the back, he had Kellon’s dimples, my eyes, and was spoiled rotten.

Kellon scooped him up for the cameras, grinning like the proudest father in the world.

“My good luck charm,” he whispered to our baby before kissing the top of his head.

I stood beside them with my hand resting gently on their backs. My heart was full in a way I never thought was possible. It was surreal watching Kellon walk this path again. It was his second Super Bowl appearance. This time, I wasn’t in the stands. I was right by his side. I could tell that this one meant a little bit more to him because we were a family.

“Mr. Barnes, can we get a few words?” a reporter asked as we reached the interview booth. We both nodded, stepping into frame with ease.

“You’re headed into your second Super Bowl,” the reporter said, smiling. “But there’s been some recent controversy online. Former NFL star, Reggie Davis, made claims suggesting your son may not be biologically yours. Do you care to comment on that?”

Kellon didn’t even blink.

“Yeah,” he said calmly. “I heard what he said. And let me be clear. My son ismyson in every way that matters—blood, bond, and love. End of story.”

I reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze. I hated that Reggie was still haunting us from behind bars. He was serving eighteen years for his crime. Every few months, he or Natalie spoke with a reporter and stirred up shit. I wished they would just do their time quietly and leave us alone.

The reporter glanced toward me. “Phileigh, care to respond?”

Before I could speak, Kellon stepped in again.

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