Once You Go Hood.....

Epilogue

~Kyra~

I smiled as I pulled up to the beach house. The smell of barbecue and chlorine filled my nostrils as I got out of my all-black Lamborghini Huracan. I pulled my Gucci duffle bag out of the passenger seat and straightened my blouse and skirt. As I walked around the house to the backyard in the red-bottoms RJ had given me for our 3rd wedding anniversary, I could hear laughter and chattering and music. I smiled wider, watching them before I made my presence known. Seeing my whole family together, enjoying themselves... this was what brought me joy. Some years ago this seemed impossible but when you have a family like mine, a family that is willing to work past issues and love each other unconditionally, it was a lot easier than it seemed. It warmed my heart to know that it was all love here and there was nothing that could change that now.

"Mommy!" I heard a familiar little voice shout. All eyes pointed in my direction as my little munchkin ran to the gate. I laughed as she hurriedly opened the gate and hugged my legs. I kneeled down, smothering Kora in kisses. She giggled that same little giggle I'd fallen in love with. I'd do anyting to make her smile at this point. She had my heart.

"How was school today?" I asked her. Her eyes went big as saucers.

"I got a sticker for good behave-yers!" she said, causing me to chuckle. Kora was only 6 but she had the intelligence of a child much older.

"Baby, it's good behavior." I said as I picked her up and placed her on my hip. As I walked further into the backyard, Jamie, my little sister, came and hugged me. Her and James jr. were almost 15 now. Damn how time flies....

"Wassup, mini-me." I said, calling her by her nickname. I called her that because she reminded me so much of myself. She might have looked like her mom but she definitely had some strong Ford genes in her.

"Did you see them today?" she asked. I chuckled.

For the last couple of years, I'd been managing music artists. When I got pregnant and had to give up the spotlight for a bit, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. The spotlight wasn't my thing anymore, and because I was always good with public relations, it just made sense to go into management. So I began managing RJ and it just felt so right. Next thing I knew, it had become my passion and I do a damn good job at it, if I do say so myself. The newest boy band that had all the pre-teens going crazy just so happened to be my clients and Jamie was a full-out fan girl.

"No, but they did ask about you when we spoke over the phone." I replied. Her jaw dropped and she screamed before she ran off, probably going to call her girl friends and tell them what I said. I chuckled and went to kiss my parents.

"Hey baby girl." said Mama D as she kissed my cheek and picked up Kora from my arms.

"Hey, ma." I said as I kissed her back. She hadn't aged a day these last few years. Still looked just as young and youthful as ever.

"Where's Uncle Rex?" I asked her. Her and Uncle Rex had been dating for the last couple of years. They were so cute together, it was ridiculous. He treated her like a queen and it was just so adorable to watch them be all lovey dovey together.

"He should be on his way. He offered to go pick up the cake." she said. I nodded in understanding before I looked over at Belinda as she struggled to stand up. I chuckled as I reached out my hand to help her up. She was 8 months pregnant at 44 years old. How she was able to do it again, I don't know. I had only had one baby and I KNEW I was done... no matter how much RJ was pushing for another.