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T h ev e n u ew a sdecked the fuck out when we pulled up. That Springtime air felt different now. The entrance had big white columns covered in pink petals, eucalyptus, and shit. A thick ice block carved wit’ “K & N” sat near the doors, water drippin’ into a tray so nobody slipped.
Two security guards in black suits stood by the doors and nodded when they spotted me. Guests crowded behind velvet rose-gold ropes and lifted their phones the second my red soles hit the pavement. The weddin’ planner, Hersha, herded us through the doors where Keema and the rest of the bridesmaidswere. Seein’ them in their dresses hit me in the chest. They all looked pretty as fuck.
Keema bumped my fist. “Twin, you cleaned up nice for your bride-to-be. Scared of you.”
“You already know,” I told her, grinnin’ and shit, but my heart was poundin’ like a muthafucka.
Hersha’s voice shook. “Okay, people. It’s almost go time. Order is groom, music change, bridesmaids, ring bearer, and then the lovely bride. We roll in sixty seconds.” We formed by height, and I breathed once, heavy as Wock slapped my shoulder.
“You got this, bro.”
The double doors opened up, and Rich Homie Quan’sWalk Thrublasted. I walked the aisle wit’ petals coverin’ the runner, chain heavy, tux crisp, head high. Cameras flashed like the paparazzi and shit. At the altar, I chucked my chin at the officiant and winked at Ma Deb sittin’ in the front row on their side full of family. I squared up wit’ my arms in front of me as the lights dimmed. The DJ killed the track, and the pianist rolled into Monica’sFor You I Will.
Mikki strutted in wit’ Wock first, and Sia came down the aisle second wit’ Kev. Next, Keema floated down wit’ Antt, whisperin’ “yeah, nigga” and finally, Monae glided wit’ Wayne, tongue out and shit. The bridesmaids took their positions as each one of my niggas dapped me up before takin’ their positions beside me.
I nodded at Granny in the front row and she hit the button on the small ass remote in her hand. Everybody broke out in gasps mixed wit’ooohsandawwsas Kassim rolled down the aisle in his matte-black mini Escalade labeledRING SECURITY.That fat ass weddin’ ring gleamin’ from the light chain ‘round his neck. My heart thumped. The mini escalade stopped and Uncle Buck scooped him, passin’ me the ring wit’ a dap.
The lights dimmed to a soft white as everybody stood up and turned to look down the aisle. Nyomi stepped in, and I damn near lost my breath at the sight of her ass. Fuck. She was even more beautiful in that bad ass lace dress that hugged every curve, veil floatin’, diamonds blinkin’.
Her hair was all curled up, and she had soft makeup on her face. Carl guided her, but she stared only at me, lips quiverin’. He was lookin’ like a proud-ass stepfather, all fresh in his black tux. That shit hit me, and my eyes burned, but I kept it G, dabbin’ at ‘em. Nyomi mouthedI love youand I mouthed it back. When she reached the altar, the pianist stopped playin’, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Carl kissed her cheek, placed her hand in mine, and dapped me up.
“You look fuckin’ beautiful, baby. Damn,” I whispered, my voice shakin’ for the first time all day.
“Thank you, babe,” she breathed, her smile bright and her eyes glistenin’.
Officiant cleared his throat and straightened the lil’ binder he was holdin’. “Family, friends, and all loved ones, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Nyomi and Keon inholy matrimony. This is a celebration of love, commitment, and the strength they have already shown just by standing side-by-side.”
He paused, glanced at us, and kept on. “Marriage is not entered into lightly. It is built on honor, trust, respect, and, most of all, an unshakable love. Keon and Nyomi have chosen to stand before you to pledge their lives to each other. Today, we hold them up and promise to support their journey as husband and wife.”
My chest tightened, and I felt every word settle in my fuckin’ bones. Nyomi squeezed my fingers once, her diamond engagement flashin’ under the lights.
The officiant continued. “As witnesses, you are not here just to observe this moment, but to encourage them, hold them accountable, and remind them of the vows they make today. If anyone present knows a reason why these two should not be joined together, speak now or remain silent forever.”
Except for sniffles, silence rolled through the venue as I peered over my shoulder, darin’ anybody to speak up. Nyomi chuckled, shakin’ her head when I turned back to look at her, cocky as shit.
The officiant smiled, lifted his binder again, and spoke directly to her. “Nyomi and Keon, it’s time for your vows.” We both took a deep breath as I peeped Ny look over her shoulder. Mikki handed her a small card, and then my beautiful ass bride looked back at me.
“I used to think love had to look a certain way,” she said softly, her voice thick wit’ emotion. “It had to be soft and perfect.Routined. Predictable. But then I met you… and I learned that love could be a loud, complicated, beautiful mess.”
Her lips trembled as she glanced up at me for a second, then kept goin’.
“You chased after my heart in a way I wasn’t used to and caught it. And I let you in to see parts of me I didn’t show anyone. You held me when I didn’t know I needed to be held. You carried me. You believed in me. And most importantly… you gave me a love that was real.”
A tear slid down her cheek, and I reached out to wipe it.
“You’re not just the love of my life, Keon. You’re my home. And there’s no one else I’d rather do forever with.” Nyomi sniffled and smiled. “I love you.” When she was done, she was tremblin’ when Sia handed her my weddin’ band. She looked at me, eyes glossed as she guided it onto my finger, holdin’ it there for a second.
The crowd was whimperin’, and shit, snifflin’, and so was the bridesmaids. Shit, I think I even heard this nigga Wock sniffle a time or two.
The officiant turned to me. “Keon…”
I took a big ass breath, rubbin’ my thumb over her knuckles, lookin’ Nyomi dead in the eyes. “I ain’t gon’ lie,” I started, voice low. “I didn’t grow up thinkin’ I’d be somebody’s husband. That shit just didn’t seem to be in the cards for me, feel me? Streets ain’t teach me ‘bout no fairytales and all that.”
Some folks chuckled gently.
“But then you came into my life, Ny… and you flipped my shit upside down from jump.” I shook my head, my chest tight. “You was pushin’ me away and that only made me go harder to get you ‘cause I knew… I knew you was gon’ be my wife and the mother of my kids. For real. You stood on business wit’ a nigga and made me soften up a lil’ bit, slow down the crazy.”