Epilogue
Laikin
T wo years passed, and my career went to even greater heights than I imagined after I won the Daytona 500. I became a married father of twins, and adopted Kayne, who was now six years old, and the best big brother. No matter what, the babies went to him for everything, and Amena sometimes had to fight for their attention, because they were always running behind him. Like right now we were on our way to the Essence Women in Hollywood awards for Amena. After her work with Marlowe made a splash in high profile magazines caused her to get picked up worldwide, we flew around to different countries for fashion shows.
After the birth of the twins, I took time off from racing and focused on my family, taking Kayne to school and traveling with Amena, while she worked and breastfed the kids. I kind of turned into Mr. Mom, but I loved my role. We also swapped every few months to support each other’s work. I focused more on youth-center fundraising to give children more access to after-school programs. Once the Essence banquet is over, we have our two-year anniversary party at Kash and Arianna’s house. As soon as the limo arrived at the venue, both boys got rowdy, trying to get out of their car seats. LJ and Kodey mimicked everything that Kayne did.
“I love you,” she said, her voice sounding breathy as she pulled back from giving me a peck on the lips. My driver opened the door and helped her out first, and she waved at the fans and reporters. Kayne climbed out next, then LJ stretched his arms out for his brother, and I watched to make sure that he wouldn’t fall. Coming out on the other side of the limo, I picked up Kodey, checking to make sure that he didn’t mess up his tux from his bottle. Amena grasped both boys’ hands and posed for pictures, while I stood off to the side, as reporters called her name.
“Amena over here! What’s your boy’s name?” a reporter screamed.
I shook my head at the constant barrage of reporters trying to find out any personal information. We normally kept the kids out of the spotlight—especially on social media. When Sarai got an offer of a million dollars for us to do an interview and take pictures for a magazine, we declined because our kids never asked for this life. Kayne was already known because of how I acted in the beginning, but that made us take a step back and become more private.
Amena’s long, pink, silk-and-lace backless gown draped on the floor. Marlowe surprised her and came up to hug and pose with her.
“Amena did you style Marlowe for today?” Another reporter jumped in to get answers.
“I wouldn’t walk out the house without Amena’s touch.” Marlowe puffed her lips together and blew a kiss to the cameras.
Amena turned her head toward me and extended her hand for me to come closer. I crammed in beside her, still holding Kodey in my left arm.
“I don’t think I can ever get used to you being my wife.”
Amena eyes raised up to gaze into mine. “All yours and more.”
“Laikin, Amena, are you ready to go inside?” Sarai appeared and reached for Kodey. I handed him over. Kayne held onto LJ’s hand.
“Lead the way, boss.” I planted a hand on Amena’s lower back.
Essence had a pink-and-cream theme, with roses in every corner, and pictures of each nominee hung on the walls. People packed the room and our parents decided to stay back to make sure everything was ready for the party. Malik came up, shook hands with me, and kissed Amena on the cheek.
“Watch those lips, bro,” I chastised, pretending to shadow box with my hands.
Malik held both hands up in surrender. “We know that’s your wife, bro. No need to fight over that big fat ring that’s blinding people even a mile away,” Malik jested, holding up Amena’s hand.
“Have to let all these busters know what’s up.” I linked our hands together.
“Baby, the boys,” Amena whispered, pointing at them.
“Your table’s right up front. Marlowe’s presenting the award to you.” Sarai headed in the direction of our table.
Right as we made it to the table, the boys took a seat. Sarai talked with the waitstaff to get drinks for everyone. A few celebrities approached Amena to meet her. I stayed to the side in admiration.
“Thanks, we can for sure set something up.” Amena finished her conversation and sat next to me. I took her by the hand and squeezed, as the announcer of Essence magazine came up to the podium.
“Before we begin, I want to thank everyone for coming out today, and to start off correctly, we’re presenting the first honor to Amena Trenton, the stylist of the year and soon to be Fashion editor of Essence magazine.” The Vice President of the magazine winked at Amena. Caught by the surprise announcement, I cupped her chin, captured her lips, and sucked on her bottom lip, ready to take her back home and show her how much she was appreciated.
“Keep that up we’ll never get to our party.” Amena wiped the lipstick off my lips, rising out of the chair, and kissed each boy on the top of his head. I removed my phone from my pocket to take pictures and video. Marlowe held up the award and spoke. Kayne started to get up and run to the stage, and Kodey tried to follow, but I stopped him from climbing off his seat.
“Amena, I tell you all the time what a great eye for detail you have, knowing the perfect fit for people’s personalities.” Marlowe pushed the microphone closer.
The entire room cheered and roared in excitement, then Marlowe stepped to the side and let Amena speak.
“Thank you, Marlowe, the entire fashion industry, and the magazines that have supported my journey. Most of all, I want to thank my family and friends for sticking by me—especially the love of my life, Mr. Laikin Trenton.” Amena pointed at our table.
I blew a kiss to her and picked up Kodey to sit on my lap. As soon as she finished, we continued to talk and celebrate, before leaving to get to our anniversary party.
* * *
Loud music and claps echoed throughout the living room as the boys ran through the front door. I took Amena by the arm and helped her remove her shawl, greeting our family and friends. Brett slapped hands with me, giving a man hug, and I reached my parents with a hug and kiss. Pictures of our kids and our wedding were hung around the room. We walked out to the backyard, with more friends and extended family coming up to us. I held Amena’s right hand, then pointed to the table full of gifts.
“Two years of marriage, and three kids.” Kash passed a drink to me.
“Taking after you, bro.”
I let go of Amena’s hand so she could greet our friends. Malik and Sarai arrived from the event a few minutes after us.
“When did we become our parents?” Brett shook his head, gulping the drink down.
I scanned the backyard and then I noticed all my friends were married with kids now, no longer the playboy bachelors.
Amena interlocked our arms, laid her head on my shoulder, and I kissed the top of her head.
The music roared around us. “Proud of you.”
“Proud of us,” Amena replied, as our three boys ran around the yard engulfed with their friends and cousins.
The day Amena and I reconnected, letting the hate go had never been more freeing than when she accepted my proposal on that same road when we took a drive up the coast.
Remembering my plan, we pulled to the side of the road, and I pretended to check something from the engine, then got her out of the car and dropped to my knee.
“Laikin, are you serious?” Amena held a hand over her mouth in shock.
I captured her hand, kissed her palm, and held the two-carat ring in my hand.
“Amena, will you do me the honor and be my wife?”
Cars drove by and honked. Tears poured down Amena’s cheeks as she nodded her head.
“I need words, Pepper.”
“Yes, I will marry you.” Amena threw her hands around my neck, smashing our lips together.
Snapping her fingers in my face, she said, “Laikin.” Her lips were pressed shut in confusion.
“Come here.” I bent my head down, capturing her lips.
The softness of her pouty lips and our tongues clashing together caused me to back up and put a little space between us before we ended up making another baby.
Amena brushed her hand across my lips, cleaning up the excess lipstick. “What are you dreaming about?”
“Life with you.”
“Daddy, can we play the car game?” Kayne ran up with his brothers trailed behind.
Amena reached down to pick up Kodey. “Kayne, I don’t want you to get dirty.”
My boys loved pretending to be race car drivers, and pretending to work on cars so I got custom uniforms like mine with their names on the back. We’d go to the K1 and race for fun. I even wanted to have a track built in the backyard, but Amena shot that down.
“You ready to ride, Kayne?” I placed a hand on top of his head, ruffling his curls.
“Yes! Come on, Mom, can I please go?”
“Just like your father.”
I buried my head in her neck, whispering in her ear. “You can ride me later.”
Amena’s eyes fluttered, lust taking control.
“Let’s go, son.” I fished my keys out of my pocket, taking Kayne by the hand and leading us out.