Chapter 43: Moments of Reflection

The countdown to the NAACP Image Awards was in full swing, and Aaron’s apartment buzzed with the hum of preparation. Kimberly sat on the couch, a planner open on her lap as she jotted down ideas for their outfits. Aaron, meanwhile, was pacing the living room, practicing lines for an upcoming audition.

“Do you think it’s too bold if I go with something metallic?” Kimberly asked, glancing up at Aaron.

He paused mid-line, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Huh? Sorry, what?”

Kimberly smirked. “I said metallic. For the Image Awards.”

Aaron set down his script, finally focusing on her. “Metallic? You’d look stunning. But then again, you’d make a paper bag look like couture.”

She laughed, throwing a pillow at him. “Charmer.”

Aaron caught the pillow and tossed it back, joining her on the couch. “What’s the theme for this year?”

“‘Celebrating Black Excellence in Entertainment,’” she replied. “It’s fitting, considering your nominations.”

Aaron shook his head, a modest smile gracing his lips. “Our nominations. Don’t forget, Kelv’s in the mix too. We’re all making waves this year.”

Kimberly reached over, lacing her fingers with his. “You’ve earned it, Aaron. And it’s just the beginning. I hope you see that.”

He studied her face for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Sometimes it still feels surreal, you know? Like, I’ve been grinding for years, and now it’s finally paying off. But it’s not just about me. It’s about us, too.”

Kimberly tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

Aaron took a deep breath, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “This—what we have—grounds me. Keeps me focused. I don’t think I’d be handling all this success the same way if it weren’t for you.”

Her heart swelled at his words, but before she could respond, his phone buzzed on the coffee table.

“Kelvin again,” Aaron said, rolling his eyes playfully as he answered. “What’s up, bro?”

Kelvin’s voice came through the speaker, full of excitement. “Man, I’ve got a surprise planned for Kehlani, and I need your help pulling it off.”

Aaron raised an eyebrow, putting the call on speaker. “A surprise? What kind of surprise?”

“A whole day dedicated to her. Brunch, a spa treatment, and then dinner at that rooftop spot she loves,” Kelvin said. “You know I’m not great at planning this stuff, so I need some advice.”

Kimberly chimed in, “That sounds perfect, Kelvin. Just make sure it’s personal—something that shows her how much thought you put into it.”

“Exactly,” Kelvin agreed. “And speaking of personal, Aaron, don’t think I didn’t notice you dodging my question earlier. When are you putting a ring on it?”

Aaron froze, glancing at Kimberly, who was pretending to focus on her planner but was clearly eavesdropping.

“Kelv, you’re supposed to be the one asking for advice, not stirring the pot,” Aaron said, his tone light but firm.

Kelvin laughed. “Alright, alright. But seriously, man, don’t wait too long. She’s a keeper.”

Aaron ended the call with a shake of his head, but Kelvin’s words lingered in the air. As the evening wore on, he couldn’t help but think about them—about the life he and Kimberly were building, and the steps they’d take to make it even stronger.

For now, though, they had plenty to celebrate and even more to look forward to. And with the awards just weeks away, the future felt brighter than ever.

The evening transitioned into a quiet lull as Kimberly and Aaron sat together on the couch, the city lights casting a soft glow through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Kimberly’s focus had returned to her planner, but Aaron’s mind wandered back to Kelvin’s parting words.

“Kim?” he asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence.

She looked up from her notes, tilting her head slightly. “Yeah?”

Aaron hesitated, his usual confidence wavering for a brief moment. “Do you ever think about what the next step for us looks like?”

Kimberly blinked, surprised by his question. She set the planner aside, giving him her full attention. “Of course I do. I mean, we’ve talked about our goals, our careers...but if you’re asking about us specifically, then yeah, I think about it a lot.”

Aaron leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I’ve been thinking about it too. A lot more lately, actually. Especially with everything happening—the nominations, the projects—it feels like we’re in this whirlwind. But you’re the constant in all of it, Kim. And I want to make sure I don’t take that for granted.”

Kimberly’s heart skipped a beat. “Aaron, you don’t have to worry about that. You’ve always made me feel like I matter, like we matter. I never doubt how you feel about me.”

He turned to face her, his dark eyes searching hers. “Good. Because I want to do this right. I want us to build something solid, something that lasts. But I also don’t want to rush it.”

Kimberly smiled, reaching out to place a hand on his cheek. “We’re already building it, Aaron. Every day. Whether we’re planning a gala, rehearsing lines, or just sitting here like this, we’re laying the foundation. And when the time’s right for the next step, we’ll know.”

Aaron covered her hand with his, leaning into her touch. “You always know what to say.”

Kimberly grinned. “That’s part of my charm.”

They shared a laugh, the moment feeling both light and meaningful.

Suddenly, Aaron’s phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text. He picked it up, reading it aloud. “From my agent—‘Don’t forget, your fitting for the awards is tomorrow at noon. Don’t be late.’”

Kimberly’s eyes lit up. “I can’t wait to see what they’ve picked out for you. Something sharp, no doubt.”

Aaron smirked. “You’ll have to wait and see. But what about you? Have you decided on your look yet?”

“I have a few options in mind,” Kimberly said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “But I’m waiting to hear more about the theme for the Met Gala. I want something that can carry me through both events if needed.”

Aaron nodded, impressed by her foresight. “Multitasking queen. No wonder you’re so good at what you do.”

Kimberly chuckled, leaning back into the cushions. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Pierre.”

As the night wore on, they continued to talk, their conversation weaving between work, dreams, and the shared life they were building. The future felt like an open book, with chapters still unwritten, but they were ready to fill the pages—together.