The Ride

Chapter One

Emilia

Let's go Cards! Let's go Cards! Let's go Cards!

No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 1 Virginia.

The atmosphere was electric. A Saturday afternoon in December at the KFC Yum! Center. Fans from both schools were on their feet going crazy. Fun to watch and even more exciting to be apart of.

Aubrey, Elena, Madison, Chubbs, Spoons and I had hopped on a jet early this morning for a 4 hour flight from California to Kentucky to support Max. Since his first game in November, he's been killing it. As a true freshman, he earned a starting position on the floor after averaging 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assist and 3 steals coming off the bench in the first five games of the season leading the Cards to a 14-1 start.

In this short amount of time he started receiving national attention, being recognized as one of the most prolific and exciting rising stars in collegiate basketball. We were all so proud of him and made sure that he always had his support system at every game, whether it be us, mom and dad or his grandparents.

Tonight's game was huge for him and his team. They had the opportunity to make a statement by defeating the current No. 1 team in the nation.

"Say go uncle Max! Go uncle Max!" Aubrey playfully cheered, bouncing Madison in his lap who was smiling and clapping along with him.

Our baby girl would officially be 5 months old tomorrow. She was getting so big and developing her own little personality. Along with smiling, reaching for things and chewing on her hands, she's been trying solid food, mimicking facial expressions, rolling over and holding her head and chest up on her own.

Of course I had to dress her according to the occasion. She wore a red pin-dot Louisville onesie that sported Max's number on the back, with a red tutu, a pair of white Nike's and matching headband to style her thick curly hair.

"Yeah Tookie! That's what I'm talkin' about! That's my brother!" Elena jumped out of her seat as Max hit a layup at the buzzer heading into halftime with a 36-21 lead.

"Slow down before you hit that poor woman in front of you," I laughed seeing as her barely missed the lady's head with her belly who was sitting in front of us.

"I'm not even that big, this seating space is just...tight," she flipping her hair over her shoulder and taking her seat, "ooh quick get an off guard of me."

Elena was now four months along and super excited about being a mom. She and Gelo finally moved into their new home in Los Angeles, where they would be hosting a gender reveal next weekend. I was so anxious to figure out if aunties baby would be a boy or girl and I couldn't wait for he or she to arrive in mid May.

She looked away standing in a cute pose holding her belly, which I had to admit was a little bigger than mine at four months but she carried it beautifully. One of the only things being pregnant hadn't changed was her style. Full glam as always, hair laid and wearing the highest heel she could find. Today's look was black jeans, thigh high stiletto boots, a Louisville sweater, matching red lipstick and a high sleek ponytail.

Lord, if they have a girl I could only imagine what that house would be like. Poor Gelo.

"Uh oh. I think somebody's got a stinky diaper, mama," Aubrey wrinkled his nose, "lets go change."

"I'll go babe," I offered.

"Nah, I got it. I'll be right back," he reached down, grabbed her diaper bag and swung it over his shoulder.

Chubbs trailed behind him, as headed off to the bathroom in full dad mode.

It was like second nature to him. He loved being involved with everything having to do with his daughter. Changing diapers, giving her baths, taking night shifts, tummy time and being the first one up with her in the mornings. Sometimes, he'd even take her into the studio with him at night when he was working on his album just so he could be the one to put her to sleep.