𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐃 (18+)

Epilogue

EIGHT YEARS LATER

"Life has no limitations, except the ones you make."

Thandeka Ndaba

______

The day was chaotic. Everyone was just moving around trying to get everything ready. It was Amandla's birthday today. Amukelani gave birth to a bouncing beautiful baby girl and she's been thriving ever since. Today we were planning her birthday party and everyone was stressed. Not only were we planning for her to enjoy her birthday party, but we planned that she was going to meet the woman she's been talking to on the phone for three years, her biological mother, Amu.

They've been having phone calls ever since Amandla turned five years old. We felt it was appropriate and it was the right time for Amandla to be introduced to her. Qophelo and I, we didn't want her to go visit her in jail in fear that she might be scared and not want to go back, so we stuck to daily calls depending on when Amukelani was able to talk to us.

I tried to keep the relationship between Qophelo and Amukelani alive, but even though it's been years there are moments where Qophelo didn't want to believe that Amu really did commit murder. I did keep my distance for the first few years of her jail sentence, but I contacted her because of Amandla. Qophelo has been accepting recently, it was because we were also about to see Amukelani after at least six months.

Slowly but surely, he's getting there.

"My Queen," Qophelo's arms wrapped around my bump from behind. Since I was in a loose t-shirt and leggings, it was easy for him to slip his hands underneath and caress my bump. I was six months along. The pregnancy was a surprise since we planned on having our second child when Lwazi and Olwami were at least 3 years, but they're turning two years in just a few months.

But I still wouldn't have it any other way.

"Hey, sthandwa sam. How did everything go?" I asked, melting in his arms. Qophelo became King when his father died of Cancer a year ago. We married shortly after and moved KwaKhoza. He became extremely busy because he was working on rebuilding KwaKhumalo to what it was. Either Lwazi or Olwami were going to take over when they were grown and it is supposed to be something by then.

Right now the plan was to combine them and then separate them when it was time. Hopefully that did not become a disaster.

"A bit messy but my mother will be helping me out soon so I'm happy." He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "You should go rest up and let me handle this."

"No, I'm already not helping you enough. This is my department. Plus, it's almost done. I'm just overseeing everything. Everyone did well anyway. There are no mistakes, everything looks perfect."

"Well, I still want you to get some rest. So just put everything out for Amandla to wear and I'll get her ready. The stylist is coming soon right?"

Just as he said that, the sound of heels on the floor alerted us to Sindisiwe's presence. "Hey, hey! Where's the cute angel? I'm all ready."

I approached her with Qophelo following closely. "HI, Sindi. My husband is just going to get her ready, you are a bit early so you're going to have to wait a bit. I'm really sorry."

She laughed it off. "Don't worry. I'll wait. I have no other urgent appointments today which is why I came early. It's my fault really, no need to apologize."

I turned to Qophelo, "you can go get her ready." He gripped my chin and kissed me before disappearing upstairs. I pointed to the kitchen, "you want something to drink?"

"Sure."

. . .

My parents were here, with Lwazi and Olwami since they had been visiting. Amandla was with her friends, having her own fun. The twins were also in the kids section where Betty's son was also playing with them. We were just sitting and supervising.

"What time are you going to the prison?" My mother asked, turning her attention to me as the others continued conversing.

I took a sip of my juice. "Not too late. The party end at 2 so we'll go at that time."

"Do you think she's ready?"

I nodded. "Amandla is really mature for her age and I just feel like she can handle this. She's also been excited to meet Amukelani so I just feel like it's the right time."

"And uAmukelani yena? Is she ready?"

"Ma," I reached for hand. "Relax. Everything is going to go well. I'll make sure that nothing goes wrong."

She smiled, squeezing my hand. "I know, baby. I just don't want to stress the girl. She still has a long road ahead of her. She's still going to have to learn why her mother is actually in jail, it's a lot."

I nodded, "I know but by that time, hopefully, Amukelani has her things in order."

"Hopefully."

. . .

It was time to go. I could see that Amandla was both excited and nervous. We walked inside holding hands. We were searched at the entrance, identified and then we were taken to the visiting rooms. We sat down and waited for her. My heart was racing for them. I knew it was so important for Amu to get along with Amandla in person. She didn't want children anymore, for good reason, so her relationship with Amandla was very important to her.

She finally showed up, her hands cuffed in front of her. She spotted us and was accompanied by a guard. She looked really good. Her hair was braided in small lines that just went back, nothing fancy. It made me happy that she was taking care of herself. Her sentence was twenty years but with good behavior, she could serve at least fifteen years.

She sat down opposite us and I could see her hands shaking. Qophelo cleared his throat, "Hey. How have you been?" He broke the ice.

Amukelani looked at him for a millisecond before looking down. "I'm okay. Just holding on." She exhaled before looking up at Amandla, who had laid her head on my shoulder. "H-Hi baby girl. Do you... do you recognize my voice?"

Amandla nodded shyly against my shoulder. "I do." She said quietly.

"I am your," she looked at me and I nodded slightly. "I am your mother. I'm so happy to finally meet you in person." A tears streamed down. "Happy birthday sweetheart." She put her hands on the table and Amandla put hers in them.

"Thank you. I'm-I'm happy to see you too."

I smiled, step by step.

______

A few more years passed by and things were slowly falling into place. Just three years after our visit, Amukelani was let out on good behaviour but she was let out on parole. She got had gotten to know her daughter a bit more and they were finally bonding like mother and daughter. I had my daughter, Minenhle and she was the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I concluded that I was done with children until further notice, now I was just focused on taking care of my family and people.

We were working on building more productive relationships with other Kingdoms to grow KwaKhumalo on its own. KwaNkabinde was willing to work with us since Zweli's father took the throne once again when Zweli was arrested for the murder of his brother. It left the whole place in a mess and Zweli's father had to do damage control.

It was just shocking. The thought of him killing Qophelo when he had felt threatened by him crossed my mind too many times when I heard the news. He could have also killed me. But I just brushed those thoughts off because it's been years and things between us are over. I had not spoken Funeka in forever and it would make me happy if we rekindled our friendship.

But for now, I was happy with the direction my life had taken. I was married to a man I loved very much, who also loved me back and my beautiful children. I had everything I wanted.

And I would change nothing...

______

THE FINAL ENDING.