Modern Family

Chapter Fifteen : You Make Me Feel

Chapter Fifteen | You Make Me Feel

I sat in the director's chair, my legs stretched out in front of me, a soft blanket tucked around my lower body to protect the fragile lives growing inside me.

Bed rest had become my routine, an unplanned detour in the whirlwind of my career. I missed the stage, the lights, the adrenaline of performing, but I had to accept that this was what was best for my health right now. I knew I couldn't risk anything that could harm the babies.

So, with the help of my trusted team, and following the recent direction that Reeva took with her latest music video, we came up with a creative workaround: a music video starring Trinity and Jonathan, two people who were as natural in front of a camera as they were behind the scenes.

The set was bustling with energy, a hive of activity as crew members adjusted lights, cameras, and props. Trinity stood at the edge of the set, her eyes scanning the script and her face lit with that infectious spark of hers.

Jonathan was nearby, running his hands over his hair, making sure every strand was in place before filming started. He caught my eye and winked, that mischievous smile of his tugging at the corners of my lips. He was always playful, always there to make sure I didn't take myself too seriously.

"Okay, we're ready to roll!" called out the assistant director, and I nodded, signaling that I was good to go. My heart thumped in my chest as the first take began.

The song, You Make Me Feel, was different from the rest of my album. It was an outpouring of emotions, a celebration of love at its highest, most exhilarating point. The lyrics I had written felt like they were part of me; raw, honest, and fearless.

I watched Trinity and Jonathan move through their scenes. They didn't need direction—everything between them was instinctive. Their chemistry was perceptible, the kind of chemistry that made the camera want to zoom in and stay focused on them. It was mesmerizing to see them in action, making the song come alive with every glance, every touch, every shared laugh. My heart swelled with pride. They were perfect.

The crew was busy, making sure everything went off without a hitch. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. I hadn't been this involved in a project in a while, and while I wished I could be on set, I felt like this was the next best thing.

I leaned forward in my chair, watching as Trinity spun in her long, flowing dress, her expression one of pure bliss, and Jonathan reached out to catch her, their laughter echoing in my ears.

A loud "cut" rang out, and I pushed myself up from the chair, wincing slightly as I adjusted the blanket around my legs. The set had a warm, welcoming hum to it as people moved to prepare for the next scene. I stepped onto the set, feeling the energy shift as I walked in. Trinity noticed me first and broke into a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Hey, boss!" she said, throwing an arm around me and pulling me into a tight hug.

Jonathan was right there, his arms outstretched, and I launched myself at him before I could think twice. We embraced, and I felt the warmth of his body and the steady thrum of his heartbeat. We laughed, and the sound felt so light, so free. It was a rare moment, one that reminded me of simpler times before the fame, before the hustle.

Trinity squeezed in beside us, and the three of us stood there, the laughter flowing, the weight of the moment felt but unspoken. Jonathan's hand rested on my stomach, and Trinity's palm was pressed gently against my back, both of them grounding me in the present. It was a strange thing, feeling so safe with them both, surrounded by the chaos of the set and the buzz of conversation.

"We're going to film the next scene soon," Jonathan said, his voice a low murmur. His hand moved in small circles on my side, a comforting gesture.

"Yeah, I know," I said, glancing up at him with a smile. We were all wrapped in our little bubble, oblivious to the fact that photographers had slipped into the room and were snapping away, capturing the candid moments that would soon circulate online.

Before I could process it, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Kayla standing there, a wide grin on her face, flanked by Jacob, Reeva, and Zilla. Reeva leaned into Jacob, who wrapped his arms around her from behind. Their shared quiet affection felt like another scene in the story of the day. Kayla and Zilla, ever the life of any gathering, were hugging and joking, their laughter mixing with the chatter of the crew.

The photographer called out, urging the assistant director to keep filming, and I felt a tingle run down my spine. It was a perfect tableau, the kind of moment that couldn't be planned but was meant to be captured. I was aware of the looks we were getting, but I didn't care. We were happy, and for once, that was enough.

Jonathan leaned forward and kissed me on the forehead, a gentle, protective kiss that brought warmth to my chest. It was one of those small gestures that spoke louder than words.

"Everything's perfect," Trinity whispered to me, and I nodded, eyes glistening as I took in the scene before me. Everything was perfect.

The filming continued, and we all took a step back, letting Trinity and Jonathan continue their work. I watched as they threw themselves into the scene, the way they moved and laughed together. It felt like a story being told, a memory being etched into reality.

The next morning, I was sitting in my studio, the video from yesterday playing on repeat. My fingers drummed the arm of the chair as I watched the moment with Trinity, Jonathan and I light up the screen. It felt surreal to see it all come together so effortlessly. The assistant director and editor came over to discuss the final cut.

"You know, Tookie, we could make some changes if you want," the assistant director said, eyes scanning my expression.

"No," I said softly. "Leave it as it is. It's perfect."

And it was. The music video was released on YouTube, and within forty minutes, we hit four hundred thousand views. The comments flooded in: people calling it my best video yet, others marveling at the chemistry between the leads. The most common questions were about me, Jonathan, and Trinity. Were we more than just friends? Did they play a special role in my life?

I was tempted to answer, tempted to give people something, anything, but I knew better. Some things were mine to hold, private and untouchable. I could talk about music, about art, about my career, but when it came to the deeper truths—those were mine alone. So, I left the questions unanswered, and I was okay with that.

At the end of the day, I knew that I was happy. The world could ask, speculate, and theorize. But the only thing that mattered was what was real to me. I watched the video once more, a smile spreading across my face.

Trinity and Jonathan, their laughter, and our shared moments—those were the memories I'd hold close, untouchable, and forever mine.