40. Keke

Chapter 40

Keke

T he jasmine-scented night air feels warm as I stand in front of a full-length mirror, smoothing my hands over the silken fabric of my gown. The dress is a delicate shade of ivory, made from layers of satin and lace that float around me, making me appear ethereal. My hands settle on my belly, which is now just beginning to show, a subtle curve beneath the flowing fabric that reminds me of the life growing within me.

The night feels like a dream. Luke’s family had flown in from Los Angeles, bringing with them the kind of glamour that only Hollywood royalty can. His sister, Evie, had arrived with their father, the legendary Edgar P. Smith. His mother, Lilian Welles, a classic beauty and a legend in her own right, stood in the corner, having a last-minute chat with Evie.

Somewhere out on the terrace was Michael, his face probably solemn as he gazed at the crowd. Whitney wasn’t out there, and he wasn’t interested in any of the other women in the audience.

Whitney may have been my boss, but over the past few months, she’s become so much more than that. She’s like the big sister I never had and has taken me under her wing, believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She’s been the rare person in my life who never let me down.

She reaches up, adjusting a loose curl by my cheek. “You look beautiful,” she says, tears in her eyes. “Absolutely radiant.”

I blink back my own tears that have been threatening to fall all evening, and she fans me with her hands, gently chiding, “Party face, party face,” all the while.

But I wasn’t going to be quiet about this, tears be damned. “I wouldn’t be here without you. You know that, right?”

Whitney laughs, a musical sound that makes me smile. “All I did was make sure you saw in yourself what I saw in you.”

Her words release the tears and she quickly fixes my makeup. I remind myself I wasn’t broken because I felt an emotion. The fact that I was crying meant I was healing.

I’d spent so many years hiding from my own feelings, from the idea of love, convinced that it was safer to keep people at arm’s length. And, if I was honest with myself, that was the coward’s way out. Falling for Luke had forced me to confront those walls I’d built. They had served their purpose, keeping me safe for years, but that came at a cost. And now, standing here, I could finally admit to myself that Whitney was right.

I deserved to be loved, to be cherished, to be happy.

I place my hand over hers, squeezing gently as I look up at her. “Thank you, Whitney. For everything.”

She gives my hand a gentle squeeze, her voice thick with emotion as she says, “It’s been an honor.”

The faint sounds of stringed instrumentation drifts in, signaling that the ceremony is about to begin. Whitney gives me one last affectionate smile before stepping back, her hands gently resting on my shoulders as she whispers, “Go. He’s waiting for you.”

I take a deep breath. My heart is pounding but I’m ready. More than ready. I can’t wait to get out there and see my groom.

As I step outside, the sky is awash with pinks and purples, casting a romantic glow over the scene. I walk with purpose, my gaze fixed on the man waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

Luke’s handsome face lights up with awe, as though he’s seeing me for the first time. He wears a dark, tailored suit, the lines crisp and elegant. He’s looking at me as if I’d hung the moon. Every woman’s dream come true.

I can’t believe I’d gotten so lucky.

I barely notice the guests, the whispers, the smiles, the glistening eyes of our family and friends. Or the quiet strength, the love and pride in Michael’s eyes as he watches me. Whitney sits next to him. If what he feels for her is anything like what I feel for Luke, I wish them every happiness in the world. It delights me to see her whisper in his ear and his subsequent smile.

But after that, all I can see is Luke. He takes up my entire vision, as though we’re the only two people in the world. It’s like that every time I look at him, and I hope it always will be.

He takes my hand, his touch filling me with a sense of calm that erases every last trace of doubt. Not that there was any. He is my home.

The officiant begins to speak, her words nothing more than a murmur in the background as I stand there, my hands in Luke’s. The life growing inside of me is a reminder of the future we are building together, the life we will be creating day by day.

I wondered what adventures we’ll have, what it will be like to take our child to school on their first day of kindergarten. To teach them how to ride a bike and how to swim. To show them that the world isn’t a place full of cruelty and greed. That good people still exist.

The way Luke, Whitney, and Michael have shown me.

“Do you, Luke Smith, take Keke Graham to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Luke’s gaze never wavers as he says, “I do.”

A tear slips down my cheek as I give the same answer, “I do.”

She chuckles along with the audience. “I have to ask you the question first.”

Luke beams down at me, and I giggle. “Oops.”

“Do you, Keke Graham, take Luke Smith to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do.”

The officiant smiles as she pronounces us husband and wife. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Luke pulls me close, covering my mouth in his in a kiss that steals my breath. Everything else fades again as we’re wrapped in each other’s arms, bound by a love that has weathered so many storms.

When we finally pull back, I look up at him, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “I love you, Luke,” I whisper, my voice breaking with emotion. “Forever.”

His hand comes to rest on my belly as he smiles, a look of pure joy in his eyes. “And I love you, Keke. Always.”

As we turn to face our family and friends, applause rises up around us, filling me with a sense of belonging I haven’t felt in years. Whitney stands near the front with Michael, her eyes glistening with pride. She catches my gaze, giving me a small, encouraging nod, and I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for everything she’s given me, for being the sister I never had.

Michael approaches us, his gaze drifting briefly to my belly before settling back on my face. He hesitates for a moment, as if he might not be able to find the words. But then he reaches out, wrapping his arms around me in a fierce hug, his voice low and rough as he whispers, “I’m proud of you, Keke. I’m so damn proud.”

I hold him close, feeling a swell of emotion rise within.

He looks at Luke, a hint of a smile on his face as he hugs him. “Congratulations, Luke.” He holds my husband at arm’s length. “I know I don’t have to threaten you into not hurting her, but for the sake of tradition, if you hurt her?—”

“You’ll have to get in line behind me to kick his ass,” Whitney says firmly.

Luke laughs. “You’ll both have to get behind me in that line, because I’d sooner kick my own ass than hurt Keke.”

The evening passes in a blur of laughter, music, and quiet moments shared under the stars. Luke’s family embraces me warmly, each of them welcoming me with open arms, treating me like one of their own. It’s something that will take a while to get used to.

Whitney comes over, clinking glasses with me in a private toast, as she whispers, “To your happiness, Keke. You’ve earned every bit of it.”

I raise my glass. “And to you, Whit. For being my sister and my friend.”

I’ve finally found my place, my people, something I’d never thought possible.

Evie hugs me close and whispers, “If he hurts you, I’ll cut his brake lines.”

“Evie!” I say, giggling.

She merely grins. “Hey, we always wanted another girl in the family. Do we know yet what that bun is in your oven?”

“Too soon.”

“We can always hope. But if I get a nephew instead of a niece, I’ll still love him. Don’t worry.”

And I don’t. With Luke’s family, there’s no question about that. Even though my own father had raised me like a boy, I’d never let that happen to my child. They’d never grow up feeling like a born failure like I had. Our child was going to be surrounded by love and family.

As the night draws to a close, I find myself back in Luke’s arms, his hands resting on my belly as we sway to the music, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. I look up at him, seeing my future, my everything in his eyes.

And as we dance under the stars, surrounded by the people we love, I know that this is only the beginning of a journey we’ll always travel together, side by side, heart to heart, forever.