Epilogue
Alayah
A Year and a Half Later
“She’s here,” I yelled from the front porch.
I was giddy with excitement as my sister came down the road. Adrienne been away at school for months now, and I was too excited to see my baby. The day she left for college was bittersweet for me. I felt like I had just gotten her back, then she was leaving.
While I was sad to see her go, I knew that it was time for her to go off into the world on her own.
She’d gotten a full-ride scholarship to her dream school, and I would never hold her back from that.
We made the most of our time together before she left and whenever she came home.
Still, that was my baby, and I missed her like crazy.
She wasn’t the only one taking things to the next level.
Even though I had my cosmetology license, I wanted to perfect my craft.
After my conviction was overturned and Charlene came back to work, I took an apprenticeship at a local hair salon.
Without so many troubles hitting me at once, I was able to finally focus on something that brought me happiness.
I’d learned so much from Ms. Joy who, ironically, had earned her license in prison, too.
Most of the girls at the shop had done time.
I didn’t want to say I felt right at home, but I felt inspired.
Ms. Joy had one of the most successful shops in the city.
She offered me so much encouragement when I told her I wanted to open my own natural hair–care spot.
Killian had helped me successfully obtain a business loan, and six months ago, I’d officially closed on my building.
It felt so good to have something of my own after not owning anything for most of my life.
When Adrienne climbed out of the car, I ran down the front steps to her. Scooping her up in a hug, I swung her around like I did when she was a kid.
“You’re here,” I exclaimed.
I couldn’t help but smother her cheeks with kisses when I placed her on her feet. All she could do was laugh and try to push me away.
“Oh my God, sissy. Calm down, I haven’t been gone that long.”
“You were gone long enough. Let me get a look at you.”
She stepped back into a little twirl. I felt like a proud mama noticing how much she had changed and grown up.
While she could still be sassy, she had matured a lot.
A little while after I started therapy, I convinced her and Amiyah to join me.
It was something that the three of us could benefit from growing up in that house.
Therapy had helped Adrienne work through a lot of her anger issues, and I was proud of her.
The last thing I ever wanted was for her to end up like our mother.
Kennedy didn’t make it past her first year in prison.
Not long after being moved into general population, she was found hanging in her cell.
From the story I’d been told, things had been hell for her from the moment she stepped foot on the block.
Child abusers never got it easy on the inside.
That was something I’d seen with my own two eyes.
While they ruled her death a suicide, I couldn’t help but wonder if that was what really happened.
Either way, my heart didn’t hurt for her death.
I felt nothing when I got the call, and I felt nothing now.
Amiyah came running out of the house and down the steps, straight into Adrienne’s arms. She’d been damn near living with us for the last seven months.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she declared.
“I’ve miss you, too, little sister.”
The sound of footsteps approaching caused us to turn to the front porch. There stood my man and our biggest blessing, our four-month-old daughter, Kaliyah Marie Lake. She sat in her daddy’s arms looking around curiously.
Adrienne squealed as she ran up to them. “Give her to me.”
“Damn, I can’t get a greeting?” Killian jested.
She giggled. “Hi, brother in-law. I missed you.”
Killian and I had gotten married in a small ceremony the summer before Adrienne went off to college.
His proposal was just as sweet as he’d always been.
He’d kept me out of the house the entire day.
I didn’t think anything of it because it wasn’t uncommon.
As we pulled into the neighborhood, he handed me a sleep mask with a grin.
“What’s this?” I asked, eyeing him skeptically.
“Just put it on, woman.”
“What are you up to, Killian Lake?”
“Layah.”
I sighed as I pulled the mask over my face. A few minutes later, the car came to a stop. I heard his door close, and moments later, mine opened. He helped me out and lead me to what I knew was the backyard because we hadn’t gone inside.
When we came to a stop, I tried listening for some indication of what he had planned.
Alas, I heard nothing but silence. Then I felt the mask being taken off my face.
My eyes widened at the sight before me. Our family stood around with smiles on their faces.
The backyard hand been transformed into a romantic oasis.
Roses were everywhere. There was a beautiful backdrop with candles leading up to it.
In the middle of it stood Killian, motioning me to come to him.
Tears streamed down my face as I slowly made my way to my man. He reached for my hand and pulled me into him.
“Alayah Chambers, you are the love of my life, my best friend, and my soulmate. I’ve carried you in my heart since I was seventeen years old.
If I’d known then what I knew now, I would have made you mine sooner just so I could love you longer.
I know the journey you’ve had has been less than stellar.
You’ve suffered, but more than that you’ve overcome.
I’m so proud of you. Watching you take back your power has been the most beautiful experience.
“You are so worthy of everything you’ve gained back and even more worthy of what is to come. I love you with every beat of my heart, every part of my soul. If you’ll have me, I want to spend the rest of our lives making you happy.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. Dropping to one knee, he presented it to me. Inside was a beautiful teardrop diamond ring. One hand flew to my mouth as he reached for the other.
“Will you marry me, Alayah? Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
I had no words…none. All I could do was nod repeatedly. He slipped the ring on my finger and stood. I couldn’t control my sobs as I fell into his arms.
Killian had always given me the best form of love. It was pure and unconditional and made me feel seen and heard. Nothing compared to him. Watching him be a father to our unexpected bundle of joy brought me the most happiness next to being his wife.
The relationship with him and my sisters was one of mutual love and respect. He understood that while they were young adults, they still needed parenting. In turn, they respected his stance on many aspects of their lives. If Killian and I said no, there was no pushback, which surprised me.
“Hi, TiTi’s baby,” Adrienne cooed in Kaliyah’s face, causing her to grin.
“Don’t hog her, Adrienne,” Miyah fussed.
“You’re here with her all the time. Let me love on her. Kiki, tell that girl I’m your favorite auntie.”
My baby grinned. I think she loved them fussing over her. She loved attention and smiled anytime someone talked to her.
“Y’all take my baby on in the house,” Killian said. “I’ll grab your bags, Adrienne.”
“Thank you.”
She headed inside with Amiyah fussing the whole way. I shook my head.
“I can’t with them.”
Killian chuckled as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Isn’t this what you wanted—all of you under the same roof?”
“It is.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “My girls. My baby. My man. What else could I possibly need?”
“You know what I need?” he asked, peering down at me lovingly.
“What’s that, Mr. Lake?”
“My favorite set of lips.”
I giggled. “Which set?”
“While I’m partial to both, I will take the ones on your face until I can get to the others tonight.”
I squealed as he lifted me in the air and swung me around. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. Our lips collided in a sensual kiss. My heart was so full.
The sound of the horn blowing broke us apart as both my aunt and uncle and Killian’s parents pulled into our driveway.
Kareem and his family parked on the street, and Londyn parked behind them.
I could see Bridget, Ellie, and Collin making their way down the sidewalk from their home.
Looking down at my watch, I saw that everyone was right on time.
We were celebrating Adrienne being home the best way we knew how… by throwing something on the grill.
I smiled. Years ago, I never imagined this life for myself.
A life outside of prison walls didn’t seem to be in the cards for me.
Now here I was. I had the healthiest relationship with my siblings.
I was surrounded by family and friends. I was a wife and mother.
My future was bright, and my freedom was my own.
Through the secret I carried and the secrets revealed, I’d found solace.
I was home.
The End