• • • SEVEN YEARS LATER • • •

IT HAD GONE down to the wire. Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks had been filled with immense energy with both teams giving their all and wanting to leave with a championship win.

The New Orleans crowd chants as there is a little less than a minute left. The score is 110-109 with the Pelicans having the lead. Bucks have the ball and are looking to get the lead back and hopefully win from there.

Milwaukee's point guard, AJ Johnson, dribbles the ball up, looking for an open teammate. The Pelicans are on the defensive end while the crowd continues to chant DEFENSE.

Pelicans star guard, Y/N L/N, keeps his eye on AJ while he shouts at his teammates.

"Missi, keep low! Keep low!" He points at Zion Williamson nearby. "Stay on Giannis!"

AJ ends up passing it to Giannis. Despite his age, the Greek superstar was still a skilled and dominant player. He holds that ball and dribbles it in front of Zion.

At the same time, Pelicans' guard, Dylan Harper, goes to double Giannis. This leaves his man, Isaiah Evans, open for a moment and Giannis decides to throw it to him.

Unfortunately for him, Y/N read the play and knew the pass was coming. He quickly leaves AJ and gets into the passing lane, where he steals the ball. The New Orleans crowd cheers loudly at the play...and since the clock was now at a little under 25 seconds, things looked very good for the home team.

"L/N steals the ball!"

"What a defensive play!"

"The Bucks have to foul!"

Immediately, the Bucks do just that. They foul Y/N and are now forced to play the foul game. Y/N lets out an elated shout as he knows they're in a good spot after the previous play.

Now at the free throw line, the crowd starts chanting MVP to the twenty-five-year-old. He kisses the star tattoo on his ring finger before bouncing the ball twice, then makes the free throw.

They're now up two. He daps up Zion, Dylan, and his other teammates on the floor before getting the ball back. Again, he does the same ritual: kissing his tattoo before bouncing the ball twice.

He makes the final free throw. With the Pelicans now up 3, the Bucks have to make something happen.

After their final timeout, the Bucks are on offense. The clock winds down as the crowd continues to chant for their team. They pass the ball around some more before Isaiah Evans gets it in the corner and attempts a three.

His misses. Y/N runs in the grab the rebound and with only a few seconds left, he throws the ball to the other side of the court as the time runs out.

The buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the match and officially crowning the New Orleans Pelicans as 2031 NBA Champions.

"And that's it! The Pelicans are champions for the first time in franchise history!"

The benches are cleared and they run onto the court with the five that are already there. Y/N embraces Zion, the two jumping around and cheering as they are soon dog-piled by the rest of the team.

Soon after the team's impromptu celebration with each other, they were officially crowned champions by the commissioner and given the Larry O'Brien trophy.

That was not all though, as they also awarded the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy to Y/N L/N, for his amazing series against the Bucks. They surely would not have made it to the Finals without his contributions throughout the season and his play in the postseason.

Once that was over, it was time for some interviews and scrums with the media. But before that could begin, Y/N wanted to see the two most important people in his life. They were there at the game so he knew they'd be around in the halls.

As he walks, he hears a shout from a child.

"Dad!"

Y/N looks ahead and sees the six-year-old boy. He beams as he gets down on a knee and opens his arms.

"Junior!"

His son, Y/N Junior, embraces him. He kisses the boy on the forehead and carries him.

At the same time, he looks forward and smiles at the young woman walking up to them. His wife, Hailee, smiles at Y/N.

"Hey, honey."

He grins softly. "Hey."

The two kiss. Junior sticks out his tongue and reacts.

"Yuck! Too close!"

The two parents laugh. Hailee immediately goes to kiss their son on the cheek and the boy giggles. Y/N simply beams as he watches the two.

"You were amazing." Hailee tells Y/N.

"Yeah!" Junior adds. "So cool!"

Y/N nods and chuckles.

"I did all I could knowing you two were there. You gave me strength. Confidence." He looked at Hailee. "I know you had faith in me."

Hailee softly smiles, taking his left hand and brushing her thumb over the star tattoo on his ring finger. Y/N had gotten it to always remember and have some part of her with him as he played since he couldn't wear his wedding band while in action.

It is also a reminder of the miracle he was given: Hailee. He had gotten the tattoo around the same time they found out her leukemia was cured. It was like a gift from God, one that Y/N would never forget or neglect.

They were each other's miracles. Y/N had been there for Hailee at a time when she thought she was going to die, and Hailee had been there for Y/N at a time when he doubted himself and had no faith in his goals.

They saved one another...and now with Hailee cured, they can continue being together, supporting each other, and keeping those miracles alive.

Moments later, a staff member calls out to Y/N.

"It's your turn for the press conference."

Y/N nods. He looks at his son in his arms.

"Wanna join me?"

The boy beams. "Really? Yes!"

They look to Hailee, who honestly had the final say in things. The young woman smiles and was very okay with letting her son join her husband for the press conference.

"Go ahead. I'll watch you."

Again, the boy is excited. Y/N kisses him on the cheek and walks off with Junior to the door the staff member called out from. Hailee watches, a smile still on her face.

• • •

THE FAMILY WAS back in the Valley where they had grown up. With the season over, Y/N now had the entire summer to fully spend time with his loved ones and friends, and this included those back in Los Angeles.

Y/N parks their Ford Explorer across the street from his mother's house. He gets off and opens the door for Junior who immediately hops out.

"Ready to see grandma?" Y/N asks.

"Yeah!" He exclaims. "I hope she made cookies!"

Y/N chuckles. His mom rarely baked cookies for him growing up but now she does so all the time for Junior. He appreciates it though and loves how much of an affectionate grandparent she is.

As he shuts the door and walks to the other side where Hailee is, he notices a sly grin on her face. He arches a brow.

"What?" He asks.

She shakes her head. "Nothin'."

"Uh....nah, it's something."

Hailee shrugs and they make their way toward the house. Her sudden demeanor makes him laugh. It's as if she's hiding something.

"Oh, you're gonna tell me." He says.

"Nuh-uh." She retorts.

"Don't make me get it out of you."

"Still nuh-uh."

"You asked for it then."

Y/N immediately goes to Hailee and tickles her sides. She lets out a laugh and tries to get away, but the young man grabs her and picks her up bridal style. Meanwhile, Junior looks back at them.

"Ah!" Hailee exclaims with a giggle. "You're crazy!"

Y/N continues holding her and exhales. "Crazy for you."

Hailee smirks before leaning in and kissing him on the lips. Y/N kisses back as he still holds her bridal style in his arms.

Junior just giggles. He had been used to his parents having these spur-of-the-moment lovey-dovey moments. Sometimes he finds it weird or yucky, but he knows that it is because they are deeply in love. He appreciates having a household full of love and care, they are examples he looks to.

The three keep walking. Before they can get to the door, Hailee, still in his arms, speaks to them too.

"Oh, Anna called earlier and said she'd be in the backyard."

"Oh, okay." Y/N replies and motions with his head to their son. "Let's go to the back."

Y/N is about to put his wife down, but she keeps a tight grip on his neck and he feels it.

"What...?"

"Nope. You're not letting me go."

"Are you serious?"

She replies in a singsong manner. "Not yet."

Y/N shakes his head, adjusting his grip on her legs and waist.

"You're something else."

She smirks. He continues to carry her as they walk along the side of the house to the backyard. Once they make it there, he is bombarded with sudden shouts.

"Congratulations, champ!"

Y/N looks around and sees not only his mother, but his dad, his dad's wife, Hailee's dad, his friends, including Andres and Michael, and several other family friends from the neighborhood.

"What is this?" He asks.

Hailee replies. "Surprise! This was the secret. Your mom told me about this party they were planning and not to tell you."

Y/N lets out a breathy chuckle. He is in such shock that he doesn't realize that he's still standing there with Hailee in his arms.

"You can let me go now, baby." She adds with a giggle.

"Oh!"

Y/N puts her down and she stands on her feet. Anna comes up first and embraces her son.

"Congratulations, sweetie." She says amidst the embrace. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you, Mom. What I've done, is all for you."

His father, David, goes up to him next. He pats his shoulder and pulls his son in for a hug as well.

"That was frickin' awesome, man. You're a superstar!"

"Like you've always said, Dad." Y/N replies with a smile.

He nods. "I know."

As Y/N greets his friends and other people, Hailee also says hi to her father. The two embrace and he kisses her on the cheek.

It was always a great time whenever Henry got to finally see Hailee. Since they mostly lived in New Orleans during the season, visits were sparse and they only communicated via phone call or FaceTime.

"You get over here all right?" He asks her.

"Yeah. But, you know Junior...not much an airplane person."

Immediately afterward, the boy calls out.

"Grandpa Hank!"

Henry smirks. "Speaking of..."

The boy runs up to him and embraces him. Hank carries his grandson in his arms.

As he looks at him, Henry smiles. He never thought he'd ever have the chance to hold a grandchild. He always thought Hailee's passing was inevitable like his late wife.

But...he was given a miracle, and he was going to cherish every single moment of it.

The celebration went on through the night. There was food, music, games, and some dancing. Anna put out all the stops for this party, but she emphasized that it wouldn't have been possible without the help of her neighbors and friends.

As the late hours arrived and the party came to a close, there were only a few people left, including Y/N and his family.

Junior is falling beside Anna on the hammock. Henry is sitting down talking with David and his wife, Evangeline. Andres is playing a card game with Michael and sharing laughs.

Then there is Hailee and Y/N. They are the only ones in the middle of the backyard dancing to the music from the stereo system. Close by Skip Marley is currently playing.

I just wanna be close to you
And do all the things you want me to
I just wanna be close to you
And show you the way I feel

Y/N holds her right hand with his left and has his other at her waist. They dance slowly to the music, the two smiling hard like teenagers madly in love.

"I gotta say..." She begins. "You've gotten better."

Y/N chuckles. He remembers the first time they went out on a date and danced. He's definitely improved since then.

"With age comes experience," Y/N replies. "Besides, I had a good teacher."

Hailee scoffs. "You're definitely not talking about me."

"No. I'm talking about my mom." He says with a smirk. "But...you're the reason I asked her to give me lessons."

Hailee smiles. He continues.

"You made me feel...something. You made me want to try things I've never done...and do things I was too scared to do. You having faith me in made me...fearless."

So then, girl, when we touch
I feel your desire
And day through the night
You light my fire

Amidst their dance, Hailee's eyes get watery. Y/N notices and although he knows they aren't tears of sadness, he still gets worried and questions her.

"What's wrong, baby?" Y/N asks with a soft tone.

Hailee shakes her head and lets out a breathy chuckle, sniffling as well.

"Nothing." She replies. "I just still can't believe how lucky I am."

Y/N smiles. The teary-eyed young woman continues.

"I've been blessed. Everything I have...God blessed me. He blessed me with you. I—I asked for a miracle...and it turned out to be you."

Y/N is touched by her words. He never saw himself as her miracle, it was always the other around. Hailee is the best thing to have happened to him. She is his gift from God. His miracle.

Y/N says nothing in response and just kisses Hailee passionately. She reciprocates, letting go of the hand she was holding as they were dancing and now wrapping both arms around his neck. Y/N keeps his hands at her waist.

I just, I just
Can't help I wanna close to you
All night wanna stay close to you, yeah

The couple parts, their foreheads touching and looking into each other's eyes as they both softly laugh. They continue to dance as the song comes to a close.