Epilogue Everly
The bedside lamp illuminated our bedroom, casting a soft light that wrapped us in its glow. I stood by the dresser, slipping into my sleeping clothes, the fabric soft and comforting against my skin. In the bed, Real was propped up against the pillows, cradling our infant daughter, Nairobi. He had that look—half-awake, half-in-love with our precious little girl—and my heart swelled at the sight.
“Can’t believe the wedding is in a few weeks,” I said, glancing over my shoulder at him. “Feels unreal.”
Real smiled, his eyes warm with affection. “I can’t wait to see you in that dress. Madame G is almost done with the alterations, right?”
I nodded, a grin spreading across my face. “Yeah, she said it should be ready by next week. I just hope it fits like she wants. You know how picky both of us can be.”
“You gon’ look stunning, Love. I know it,” he said, his voice low and smooth, as he gently rocked Nairobi. “I’m already imagining you walking down that aisle to me. Shit gets my dick so hard.”
“Real!” I fussed, then laughed softly.
I climbed into bed beside them, pressing myself against my fiancé’s side. “You just saying that,” I teased, leaning over to give my baby a soft kiss on her forehead.
“Trust me, I mean it,” he replied, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes. “You so fuckin’ beautiful to me. Always have been.”
My face warmed with a blush, and I blessed him with a lingering kiss before lifting my phone from the nightstand.
“Theory finally accepted that guy’s offer to take her on a date.”
“Yeah, you told me,” he mumbled, all dry.
Whatever.
“I wanna check on her,” I explained as I dialed her number.
What I didn’t say was that after dealing with another devastating blow—Targen’s abrupt disappearance and total silence—my cousin had shaken herself off and decided to get back to the business of living. I was excited to hear about her night.
“Hey, girl!” she answered, sounding bright and cheerful.
“Hey, T! Just checking in. How was it?” I asked, settling back against the headboard.
“Girl, it was good! I’m actually just getting home,” she said, her tone bubbling with enthusiasm. “It was nice. He’s sweet, and I might see him again.”
Real’s ear-hustling ass grunted. I elbowed him sharply.
“That’s so good, baby! You deserve it,” I replied, my heart lifting at her news. “Tell me everything!”
She laughed, and I could practically hear the smile in her voice. “His name’s Malik. You know we met in an online writers’ group. He understands so much about me, Ev.”
“Y’all gonna have to hang out more, then. Get to know each other,” I encouraged, imagining her appearing with a good man on her arm, her radiant smile lighting up our family gatherings.
Another grunt. Another elbow.
“Damn, girl,” Real hissed.
I pressed my index finger to my lips.
“Oh, definitely. I want?—”
Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the warmth of our conversation.
“Theory?!” I yelled into the phone, panic rising in my chest. “What happened? Are you okay?”
Indistinguishable noises filled the line, and my heart raced as I called her name again, my voice frantic. “Theory! Talk to me!”
But the call dropped, leaving me in a suffocating silence. I stared at my phone, frozen in place, dread creeping into my veins.
“Love?”
The sound of Real’s voice snapped me out of my stupor.
“Real! S-something’s wrong w-with Theory! She screamed, and th-th-then the call ended!”
Real’s expression shifted from calm to concerned, but he didn’t jump out of bed. “Love, just breathe. It’s probably nothing.”
I looked at him incredulously.
“N-nothing? She… she screamed ! That ain’t nothing!” I stumbled over my words, urgency filling every syllable. “What if she’s in trouble? We gotta call 911!”
I reached for the phone I had dropped, but he grabbed my arm.
“Wait a second,” he said, laying the baby down. “Don’t panic. You don’t even know what happened.”
I shook my head, frustration bubbling over. “You don’t understand! She sounded scared. I know her, Real! We can’t just sit here!”
He reached for my hand, his grip firm and calming, but I felt like I was about to explode. “Love, I promise you, Theory is fine. Just… just give it a minute.”
I loved Montréal Idris Hamilton, but in this moment, I wanted to fight him. He was too calm, too relaxed when my cousin could be in very real danger. Then, a realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Wait,” I said, the pieces falling into place. “Why you not bothered? You know the trauma she’s already been through.”
He was suddenly busy gathering our baby’s things and heading out of the room.
“Real!” I called.
He turned, and his attempt to look innocent was laughable.
“What?”
“I said why you not bothered?”
He shrugged. “I just feel like she’s fine.”
“Oh, you just feel like that, huh?”
Real nodded, a small smile creeping onto his face as he walked to my side of the bed and pulled me into a hug. He pressed a kiss to my temple, and I let out a shaky breath. I decided to try him one more time.
“I think I’m going to call 911, just to be safe.”
“Love… baby… I can’t let you do that,” he said softly.
Yeah, I figured that . I shook my head as he squeezed me close.
“The audacity of him,” I spat.
“Yeah, I know. Kinda comes with the territory.”
Theory was physically safe.
But emotionally?
Closing my eyes, I prayed my cousin’s strength.