Princeton
I was nervous.
I rarely got nervous for anything, was rarely fazed by the big crowds and flashing lights. But my palms were growing sweatier and sweatier by the second as I watched the videos showing highlights for each nominee in my category, listening intently to the crowd’s reaction to each until mine popped up on the screen.
To my surprise, the crowd grew much louder, the clips they chose to include in my video only making me smile in appreciation since they all already felt like distant memories. But I could tell some of it was new to Bella the way she watched in awe as if she was surprised to find out I was actually as good as my record said I was.
When the video came to an end, my nerves returned full-fledged, my hands clammy as Bella pulled one into her lap and gave it a reassuring squeeze as if she could sense my anxiety. But before I could express my gratitude with anything more than a nod, the sound of the card being ripped open put me on freeze as the woman announced, “And the award for Fighter of the Year goes to… “The Prince”!”
Bella’s eyes shot my way with excitement as she popped up from her seat at the same time I did, all eyes on us when I landed a quick kiss on her lips before proceeding towards the stage to the rhythm of house music blended with a steady applause. And on my walk, I was greeted with handshakes and daps from some of my favorite names in sports, being sure to take it all in as I climbed the few short steps to accept my award.
With the trophy in my hand and the spotlight in my eyes, I waited for the crowd to calm down before I released the breath I didn’t even realize I was holding in straight into the mic and said, “Wow. This is truly an honor. First, I have to thank God for every blessing he’s tossed my way, but especially for getting me up after that shot Scotty landed in the fifth round.”
The resounding laughter that followed helped to calm me just slightly as I continued, “To my family, my extended family, my boxing family, you know it’s all love. To the fans who held me down for my entire career and still continue to show love even now that I’ve decided to move on to something new, I appreciate you more than you know.”
There were a few hoots and hollers from up top to show the exact love I had just spoken about. But I could only focus on them for a short second before I turned my attention towards where I had just come from to finish, “And last but certainly not least, to my Bella, the true champion in our house who just recently gave me the greatest gift of all in our beautiful baby girl; thank you. Thank you for your love, your support, your encouragement, your wisdom, your gift of written word. Thank you for always seeing me for me.”
I could tell she was getting ready to cry, but she managed to hold it in by blowing me a kiss instead. One I accepted with a wink before lifting my trophy into the air to say, “Appreciate the award. Y’all have a good night.”
The same applause and house music carried me towards backstage, though I didn’t disappear fully without catching one last glimpse of Bella who was still wearing the proudest smirk. And I honestly couldn’t wait to get back out to her, trying not to be too annoyed by the pictures and media session that followed my acceptance speech, especially now that I had a new appreciation for the work the journalists, writers, and reporters put in behind the scenes. But my generic, quote-friendly answers came to a halt once the energy in the room shifted, my eyes shooting towards the source who called herself trying to be discrete by ducking off in a corner.
Of course I didn’t let her stay under the radar, getting her attention when after finishing my response for another journalist, I called, “You. In the back.”
“Me?” she asked with a finger pointed to her chest, gnawing on her lip once she watched me nod. And while I knew she wasn’t here for work, I was especially amused when she easily put on that hat to say, “You’ve been officially retired for just about two months now. What’s been your favorite part?”
There was no use in even trying to hold back my smile when I answered, “Well, there’s a few things I’ve come to enjoy; mainly eating whatever the hell I want. But I also appreciate the peace of mind that’s come with not having to worry about who’s coming after my title next, being able to truly enjoy the fruits of my labor, and spending lots of time with the two ladies who have my heart.”
I wasn’t at all surprised to see her blushing as the press coordinator swooped in to announce, “That’s all the time we have. Our next winner will be taking questions in approximately seven minutes.” And the second I got from behind the mic, I made a beeline to Bella, wrapping her in an embrace to ask, “How’d I do?”
She was all smiles when she gushed, “You were amazing, Princeton. And you definitely went up a few points in the polls with that speech.”
“Well you know what would make this night even more amazing?” I asked, watching the way her eyes responded with question before I continued, “If you finally let me put a ring on it.”
Her eyes immediately went from softened to shocked as she inhaled a sharp gasp, pulling away to ask, “Oh my… are you serious?”
I was already digging in my pocket for the ring box that had been burning a hole through my pocket all night when I told her, “So serious, B. I mean, I’ve only been holding onto this ring for months now.”
“Shut up!” she squealed, smacking a hand to my chest then using it to cover her mouth as she watched me drop to one knee.
But even when I was down there, I couldn’t help teasing, “What? It’s the truth,” before I popped the ring box open to add, “But it’s also true that I would be honored if you’d be my wife, Bella Stevenson.”
The whole room went still once they realized what was happening, even the latest award recipient tuned in from the podium as Bella rocked back and forth on her heels with her lip pulled between her teeth, her delay adding an extra layer of pressure to the moment. But I would’ve sworn it was only me and her in the room when she finally answered, “I think I like Bella Lattimore better.”
“Is that a “yes”?” I asked for full clarity, watching her nod enthusiastically before swooping her up into a hug.
The room erupted into cheers and camera flashes that I ignored long enough to put Bella back down on her feet so that I could actually put the ring on her finger. But once it was secured, I was quick to pull her into another embrace, stealing a kiss that really had the cameras going crazy.
Somehow, even with all the commotion we were causing, Bella’s eyes were only split between me and her new ring as she gushed, “I see you really weren’t kidding about applying that champion title to everything.”
While I had taken on the task of being a champion long before I really even knew what it meant, I found that it held more value - had more purpose - when those same principles were used towards life outside of twelve rounds in the boxing ring. And though I still wasn’t sure what the next step in my career would look like, there was no doubt in my mind that I’d be able to take on whatever it was when I told Bella, “Now that I got you and Zuri in my corner, I’m practically unstoppable.”
The End.