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The soft hum of music filled the house. Not loud or overbearing—just enough to underscore the moment. Aubrey stood in the booth in his home studio, mic on, headphones in place, and a familiar bundle balanced in one arm.
Aaliyah.
She was squirmy in her oversized headphones, her chubby fingers clinging to his hoodie, brown eyes wide as she took in her surroundings. Her baby babble echoed through the recording equipment as Aubrey grinned.
"Say 'Dada,' baby," he whispered into the mic.
Aaliyah blinked, let out a high-pitched giggle, and bounced against his chest.
"Da-da!" she finally chirped, and he laughed low and warm, tapping the stop button with his free hand.
"Let's goooo," he muttered proudly, kissing her temple. "You're a natural, lil mama."
He played the recording back on loop, hearing her babble melt into a tiny laugh that lit up the space like sunlight. He wasn't going to sample it—this wasn't for the album. This was just for them. For one day, when she was too grown to remember what her laugh sounded like at eight months. When she rolled her eyes at him and slammed bedroom doors. When they had to explain to her who she was before she ever knew the world was watching.
This moment was for keeps.
Across the city, Jasmine adjusted her blouse as she stepped into her office, already halfway into her first coffee and knee-deep in emails. She was answering a note from her editor when her phone lit up with a name she hadn't expected: Oli
She hesitated, then picked up.
"Hi, Oli. Everything okay?" she asked, eyes narrowing at the suddenness.
"All good, all good," Oli said, a little too enthusiastically. "Actually, better than good. I've got something I think you're gonna wanna hear."
Jasmine sat back slowly. "I doubt that."
He chuckled. "Okay, fair. But I'm calling on behalf of Vogue Canada. They want you, Jas. Cover, feature, full spread. November issue."
Her brows furrowed. "You're kidding."
"I'm very much not," Oli said. "They want an interview, your take on motherhood, your work, your perspective being married to—"
"One of the biggest superstars in the world," Jasmine finished flatly. "Yeah, I know the tagline."
He was silent for a beat. "It's not about Aubrey, Jas. It's about you. They're interested in you. You've carved a lane. You're smart, you're eloquent, and they love how you've stayed real."
Jasmine sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Oli, I'm not trying to be a public figure. I don't want to perform motherhood or marriage for a magazine."
"I hear you. I do. I just... think it might be a nice moment. Especially with the baby on the way. A chance to share it on your terms."
