I blushed.
“It’s a good thing she didn’t marry that man. I never really trusted him to begin with,” Mom said.
“I told Jor not to marry him. I could see she wasn’t happy with him, no matter how much she tried to disguise it,” Junie pointed out.
“And to add to that, you literally signed your life away to Akeem. I understand he's poppin’ right now, but everybody around you could tell you were fading to the back, while he continued to shine. He used you for the cameras, but indoors, y’all barely even talked,” Jessie added.
“Lawd, this is news to me. The way that man was yelling after that man took you, I would have thought he was about to bust a blood vessel,” Ma Sissi said.
“I won’t say that he didn’t love me, but I don’t think he was in love with me, because I wasn’t in love with him. Zion had always been a thought in the back of my mind. I couldn’t shake him no matter what I tried to do.
“I thought marrying Akeem would break this stronghold Zion had over me, but I realize our souls were meant to be. He didn’t forget about me, and I didn’t forget about him. Also, Zion told me multiple times that he was coming back for me. I was just too upset and sad to receive the warning. But now, I feelmore alive than I ever have in the fifteen years I went without him.”
A smile lifted on my face as my eyes went to my love. He was talking with Kasey, Rahmeek, my dad, and his friends.
“The heart knows what it wants. For you both to have that insatiable longing for one another after all these years says a lot about your connection. God knows what He’s doing up there. If you both are meant to be, then it’ll be,” Ma Sissi said.
“I agree. Perfect example of why ya ass shouldn’t have played in Akeem’s face. I know you were using him as a stepping stone, but in the end, he was using you more than you were able to use him,” my mom said.
“That’s true, friend,” Lauren agreed.
Jessie sat up and looked at me. “And you know I've always been team Zion, so I’m glad he busted up that wedding. Homie was only mad because he spent a grip on that wedding, and you ran off on his behind.” She giggled.
“I know. It’s a lesson learned. I have the love of my life back, and I feel good about it. He’s been preparing a life for us while behind bars and bought us a house. You guys have to come see it. It is such a dream.”
“It is. I may have to move in for a little while,” Junie joshed.
“Oh, and while we’re on the subject of houses, what’s going on at this one? It’s not you guys’ anniversary, so what’s with all the decorations?” I asked, looking around the backyard. They all looked at me or looked away with smiles on their faces.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” Mom said, sipping her drink. I looked at her, confused, until I heard the music cut on, and Zion’s voice could be heard over the microphone.
“What’s good, everybody? Can I get y’all’s ear for a second?” I could hear a bit of nervousness in his voice, but he looked so cute when he was being shy.
“Go ahead, son,” my dad encouraged.
“I’m a little nervous because I’ve never done speeches before, so bear with me.” He cleared his throat and then looked out at everyone. “I was young when I lost my parents. I was only eighteen and hadn’t figured out life yet. But I understand the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. I didn’t have that until I lost my people. My best friend's mom stepped up and took me in when I had nobody. Then I met this fine ass—I’m sorry—this beautiful girl who became my best friend.
“She showed me what it felt like to have family, love, and a community that’s willing to ride at dawn for you. She spoke life into me at times when I felt like giving up. Even when I started hustling, getting into the wrong shit, she still stuck by me and never judged me. Never switched up.
“I won’t discredit my homies, because they held me down throughout my stint, and I swear, God has been showing me grace and favor this whole time. I gotta give thanks to Him, and to all of you who stayed with me and never let me fall.” He pulled the mic away from his mouth and dropped his head for a second, then lifted it again. “Dinny, can you come up here, please?”
I stood abruptly. I didn’t know what was going on, but he seemed a little distressed. I hurriedly made my way to him, taking his extended hand in mine.
“What’s wrong, babe?” I asked. “Everything okay?”
He smiled at me. “Everything is perfect. You’re perfect. Yarina always used to tell me to count my blessings. I didn’t know what she meant by that until you walked into my life. You’re my greatest blessing, and I know we were only young adults when unfortunate circumstances pulled us apart, but you were forever right here.” He patted his chest. My eyes misted as I looked into his eyes.
“I already asked your pops years ago if I could take his place as your protector and provider, but I had to ask him again since this will be our new beginning. Glad his answer stayed thesame.” He reached inside his pocket and pulled out the ring box. I tried to hold back my tears, but in doing so, I made the ugly-cry face.
“Zion . . .” I called breathlessly.
“Jordin Janae, there’s no place I’d rather be than with you. We lost a lot of time we could have had together, but the universe knew what it was doing when it let me free on a day you were about to make the biggest mistake of your life.” We both laughed. “But that’s the thing about the universe; it continues to bring shit back to the center. And in that center, it’s always been you and me. Will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Sullivan?”
I nodded profusely before I spoke. “I will!” I exclaimed, holding out my hand to receive my ring. He opened the box, and the biggest diamond sat in the center of it. He took it out and slid it on my finger, then stood to his feet, pulling me into a deep kiss.
I could hear my family and our friends shouting and hollering behind us as I pulled away and looked into his eyes.
“I feel like you got me high to distract me.” I laughed. “You’ve been planning this the whole time?”
“I’ve been planning this since I met you. Even at thirteen, I knew you would be my wife.”
I blushed. “That long, huh?”
“That long. And now it’s about to be official. I made you a promise. It will always be one I intend to keep.”