Page 126 of A Kingpin's Weakness
“I love you too.”
We finally pulled apart, and she slipped off into the crowd, searching for S3. I followed close behind.
“A brother! That’s what you wanted, right?” she asked as she knelt in front of him.
“Yes!” S3 shouted, arms in the air like he just scored a touchdown.
“I know you’re gonna be the best big brother,” she said.
“And you gonna be the best mommy,” S3 replied, so sincere it damn near broke us both. Stormi’s eyes welled up as she pulled him into her arms and kissed his cheek. I stepped in, wrapping my arms around both of them. My family. Right here in my arms.
Who would’ve thought that in less than a year, I’d be planning a wedding with my soulmate and bringing another son into the world? I looked up at the sky, thinking of my pops. Quiet moment between me and the heavens.
Thank you. For this woman. For my boys. For the life we’re building.
“He’d be proud of you,” my mom said as she walked up and joined our circle. “Just like I am.”
I kissed her forehead. “You ready for another grandson?”
“I’ve been ready.”
“It’s gift time. Let’s see if these god daddies really know how to step up,” Rich said, eyeing Southside and RJ like they were about to throw down in a battle.
“Lock in then, nigga,” Southside shot back.
“Best god daddy in the world that’s what S3 would say,” Rich added with a grin.
That nigga right there. I was glad to see my brother smiling, really smiling, after everything he’d been through these past few months. Life hadn’t been easy for him our shared history was heavy. My father’s death still stung, Rich’s parents battling addiction, his grandma gone, the street wars, Lia’s death It was a lot to carry.
I said a quiet prayer for him in my head. I wanted nothing more than for him to get some peace to share moments like this,happy and light, without the weight of the past dragging him down.
That’s why when it came to sharing my kids with him, letting him be a god daddy if he wanted, it wasn’t even a question. He’d always show up for them, just like I’d be there for his. Blood ain’t always what makes a family sometimes it’s loyalty and love.
I sank into my seat, watching the whole room come alive. Family and friends laughing, playing games, dancing, eating. The noise was loud, but it brought a kind of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.
“In the end, it’s all worth it,” King said, sliding next to me like he’d read my mind.
“You ain’t never lied,” I replied.
“We deserve this shit, too.”
“So much good happening makes you wonder when the bad’s gonna show up.”
“We just pray it don’t,” I said, eyes scanning the room. “But if it does, we handle it.” I nudged me. “When you gonna settle down?” I smiled, looking at the ring on my finger and then over at Stormi, who was glowing even from across the room.
“I got my eye on someone,” he said. “Just know you setting the foundation for all of us niggas.”
Before I could say more, Rich, Southside, Rome, Ivan, E, Balbir, and Alden all walked up. Rome pulled out the shots.
“To good karma,” he said, holding his cup up.
“To good karma,” we echoed, throwing our heads back and tossing the shots.
The boys and I chopped it up for a minute talking, laughing, remembering better days, and making plans for the future. But then I caught sight of Stormi sitting down, feet elevated, trying to eat without much luck between the conversation from guest who walked by.
“I’ll catch up with you boys later,” I said, dabbing them up one last time before heading over to her.
Because no matter how deep these brotherhood bonds ran, I always needed Stormi close. Always. I grabbed her right foot and removed the heels she insisted on wearing because they went perfect with her dress and started rubbing her feet.
