Page 164 of Falling Into Gravity

Malik leaned forward, his hand resting on his legs. The heartbeat came fast and clear.

Dr. Gaines paused, adjusted the wand.

“There we go,” he said. “So, right here…is Baby A, and this…” He moved the wand slightly. A second flicker. “…is Baby B.”

Aku’s smiled so big, she knew already…just wanted to wait for Malik to know before she told everyone else. “Two!”

Malik stared. His jaw dropped open. “You serious, cuh?”

Aku snickered at her hood nigga.

Dr. Gaines chuckled. “Very.”

He backed the wand up so both babies could be seen at once—two tiny beings, moving gently on the screen.

Malik leaned forward more, then he just broke. His head dropped onto Aku’s belly and his shoulders shook. “My babies,” he whispered. “My fuckin’ babies…”

She put her hand on the back of his neck, stroking slowly. “You really gon’ be a daddy,” she said, smiling through tears.

The doctor gave them some space, nodding and stepping out of the room.

Malik sat back in the chair, wiping his eyes before taking a deep breath.

“I’m mad I can’t get down on one knee like I’m supposed to,” he said, voice thick and broken. “But Dorothy…Aku…” He looked up at her, everything he felt sitting right there in his throat. “Will you?—”

“Yes,” she whispered, cutting him off before the rest even came out.

Her hands cupped his face. His eyes spilled again.

“I never said you had to build the fairytale by yourself,” she hummed. “We gon’ do it together.”

He leaned in, forehead to hers. “You gave me everything I ain’t even know I needed.”

“And now you’re stuck with me,” she said, smiling.

“Forever,” he whispered. “Me, you, Baby A and B.”

They kissed softly, with the ultrasound screen still glowing beside them—two heartbeats floating steady in the dark. This what dreams were made of—where legacy started to personify. This made their journey worth it—the fall magical.

chapter 28

. . .

4 MonthsLater

A magical energy clipped the air. Magic that didn’t beg to be noticed but pulled at your soul anyway. That late spring light poured in through floor-to-ceiling windows of the venue, draping the room in gold. The ceremony space had been transformed. Somewhere between dreamy and grounded. Yellow brick aisle. Emerald accents. Red poppies stitched onto soft white cloth napkins. The altar was framed with oversized flowers and a glowing sign that read,There’s no place like home.

The Wizard of Oz theme was done tastefully, layered in symbolism. It meant something to Malik and Aku. It had been a part of their journey.

In the bridal suite down the hall, time was standing still. Noodle was fixing the back of Aku’s veil, her hands slow and careful. Her own belly had just started to show and she was already glowing, even in the soft rose bridesmaid dress that made her roll her eyes earlier in the mirror.

Little Lunar kissed his teeth. “I still don’t know how I let you convince me to be your Grooms maid.” He was in a tux the same soft rose of the bridesmaids dresses.

Aku rolled her eyes. “But you did it. Plus, you my bestest man…I love you so much cousin.”

“I love your spoiled ass too,” Lunar smiled, placing a kiss on her head.

Ahvi was adjusting Aku’s bouquet, pressing tissues into her hand between deep breaths. “Aww,” she cooed.

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