𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐂𝐘: Bronny James

47

Sophia's POV:

The game was over, but I was still floating.

We were all standing near one of the arena's private exits—me, Bronny, LeBron, and Bryce. Security was keeping fans and cameras back, but even with the space, it still felt like everything was spinning. The lights. The noise. The people shouting congratulations from far away. My phone hadn't stopped buzzing since I stepped off the court.

I looked down. 14 texts. 9 missed calls. All from Angeline.

I let out a shaky laugh and showed Bronny my phone. "She's gonna blow it up if I don't call her back."

He smiled and kissed the top of my head. "She probably screamed through the whole second half."

"She probably cried more than I did," I joked.

LeBron looked at us with that proud-dad expression again. "I gotta say... that was one hell of a halftime show."

"Yeah," Bryce added, shaking his head with a grin. "You set the bar way too high for the rest of us, man."

Bronny just laughed softly, eyes still on me. "I didn't do it for the crowd. I did it for her."

I felt my cheeks warm again. I still couldn't believe this was real. I kept staring at the ring on my finger—shiny, perfect, slightly heavy like it needed time to settle in. I gently rubbed my stomach. This baby was going to grow up in a house full of love. And that meant everything to me.

LeBron clapped Bronny on the back. "So... when's the wedding?"

Bronny shrugged, looking over at me. "Whenever she's ready."

I blinked. "I mean... I just got proposed to like fifteen minutes ago. Let me breathe."

Everyone laughed.

Bryce leaned against the wall and nodded at my stomach. "You know, your son's already got a cooler proposal story than anyone I know."

I smiled. "He better grow up and appreciate that. His dad put on a whole arena show."

Then I felt my phone buzz again and finally picked it up.

"Angeline, I'm fine!" I said, laughing as I answered. "Yes, I said yes! Yes, you can be my maid of honor. No, I didn't pass out—barely. I'll call you when I get home."

Bronny chuckled as I hung up. "She's probably dancing in the dorm right now."

"She is," I said. "I heard music in the background. Juju's probably recording it."

LeBron looked between all of us and smiled, but then his voice got serious. "You guys are stepping into something big. Just make sure to hold each other down when the noise gets loud."

"We will," Bronny said, looking at me.

And I believed him.

I didn't know what the future would look like. But standing there with the James family—engaged, pregnant, loved—I felt more ready than ever.

Just as we were about to step out of the arena tunnel, a familiar voice called out from behind us.

"Bronny!"

We all turned around, and there she was—Jeanie Buss—walking over in her signature blazer and heels, a kind smile on her face. She had the graceful energy of someone who'd seen it all, but still cared deeply.

Bronny straightened a little and greeted her politely, "Ms. Buss."

"Jeanie," she corrected warmly, then turned to me. "And you must be Sophia."

I smiled, slightly starstruck. "Yes, hi. Nice to finally meet you."

She extended her hand and I shook it. "The pleasure's mine. Welcome to the Lakers' family, Sophia."

"Thank you," I said, trying not to sound too nervous.

She looked back at Bronny, her expression softening. "First of all, congratulations to both of you. That proposal was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen inside this arena—and that's saying something."

Bronny let out a small laugh. "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."

Then, her smile faded just a bit. "I also wanted to say... I'm sorry. About everything that happened with Taylor. We were all misled, and I know how deeply it must've hurt."

Bronny nodded slowly, taking in her words. "It did," he said honestly. "But I understand now. I've had time to sit with it."

Jeanie looked between us. "We recently learned that Julie's biological father is a professional baseball player. Xavier Castillo, he plays for the Dodgers. He and Taylor had a brief thing before she got serious with you, Bronny. She... made a mistake. A big one."

Bronny took a breath, then nodded again. "I forgive her. I just... I wanted Julie to be okay."

"She is," Jeanie said gently. "She's doing much better now. The doctors say she's expected to make a full recovery and live a normal, healthy life."

Bronny let out a breath like he'd been holding it in for weeks. "Good. That's really good."

Jeanie smiled again. "I know it's been a lot, but you've carried yourself with grace through all of this. And now, with Sophia and the baby on the way... you have a whole new chapter ahead of you. Don't let the past dim that."

Bronny nodded, and I squeezed his hand.

"Thank you, Jeanie," he said.

She nodded, then waved to all of us. "Take care of each other, alright?"

"We will," I said.

With that, she walked off down the hall, her heels clicking softly against the concrete floor.

Bronny turned to me, a thoughtful look on his face. "It's weird... I still care about Julie, even though she's not mine."

"She knows you loved her," I said. "And now our son's going to have a dad who already knows how to love that deeply."

He looked at me, eyes soft. "We're really doing this, huh?"

I smiled, lacing my fingers with his. "We are."

Then, together, we stepped out of the tunnel—into the flashing lights, the roar of fans in the distance, and whatever came next.

END OF CHAPTER 47.