Chapter 5

Damn,I was getting married today. It felt surreal, but I was beyond ready. Being in the league, I had my fair share of a good time, but it got old quick for me. After the shit that went down with my parents, my father let me know in no uncertain terms that he would not be at yet another mistake I was getting ready to make. He also added that my mother wouldn’t be there, either.

When I got those messages, I couldn’t lie and say the shit didn’t bother me. It bothered me more that he truly didn’t trust a damn decision I made for my life unless he was the one in the driver”s seat. But that was cool. I was going to make things work in the best way I could.

I didn’t bother calling my brother or sister about the wedding. I didn’t want them to feel as if they had to choose. I planned to go through this experience alone and hope my wife understood. I walked into my closet to pull my suit out and my doorbell rang. I checked my watch because I didn’t expect anyone to be here this soon to get me. I ordered a limo because I wanted my wife to feel special when we pulled away from the venue space.

I jogged out of my room and downstairs so I could get the door to let the driver know I would be down in a minute. I snatched the door open and my sister brushed past me, followed by her husband, then Kole. They were dressed up in formal attire.

I stood for a moment by the front door, then closed it to follow them into the living room.

“What y’all doing here?” I asked.

Alexis turned to face me, scrunching up her face at my question, then gripping her hips.

“What kind of question is that to ask? Aren’t you getting married today?” she asked.

I looked between them and they all held the same expression of annoyance. I held back my smile because it made me feel good to know they had my back, even though they didn’t fully support it. I nodded, then made my way for the stairs, leaving her question unanswered. I hopped in the shower, making sure I was cleaner than I had ever been. I wanted to make the best first impression.

It wasn’t like I didn’t usually keep up with myself, but this moment was different. I was meeting the woman I would spend the rest of my life with. I had gotten my hair re-twisted and an edge up. I threw on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt with a matching jacket to the sweats, then slipped on my sneakers before grabbing my suit garment bag, the gift I got my wife and anything else I knew I would need to be right.

I made my way downstairs and my sister let me know the limo was outside and it had just gotten there. I nodded as my brother walked out of my kitchen with a bag of popcorn and a bottle of water.

“Why are you always over here eating shit? You couldn’t eat before you got here?” I asked.

“I had a late night, and now I need to replenish. Your big head ass sister woke me up, rushing me to come over here early. I planned to come to the wedding, but not your house. Yo’ ass wasn’t even ready when we got here, so be glad I didn’t get a nap in too.”

I waved him off because there was no use going back and forth with Kole.

“Aight, y’all ready?” I asked.

“Absolutely. The question is, are you ready?” Alexis asked.

I knew what she was asking without her needing to say the words.

“I’m more than ready. If you hold any doubt, Lex, stay here, man,” I told her.

She held her hands up in mock surrender.

“I’m behind you. If you’re sure, then I am happy for you and will support you with your new wife. Let’s go get you married, baby brother,” she said.

Alexis leaned forward and flicked my dreads before walking around me and heading for the front door. Matthew gripped my shoulder with a smile and followed her out. Kole walked over and gave me a pound before following them out.

I followed them and stopped at my front door. I glanced back inside of my bachelor pad, taking in the fact that the next time I came back, I would be a husband. I smiled and closed the past behind me.

My family got in the car they came in so they would have a way home afterward and I rode in the limo up to the venue space Arranged Hearts provided. They laid out the red carpet for us and I couldn’t be more appreciative. Shit, how they threw a wedding and reception together in just a couple of days would always be shocking to me.

The ride over to the venue wasn’t long, or at least it didn’t feel that way to me. I had been going over some of the questions I would ask her when we got the chance to be alone. I knew I was overthinking this shit, but I think that comes with the territory when you do something like this unconventionally.

Cars were being waved into the parking lot, which shocked me because I hadn’t told many people. So, I figured it was my wife’s side of the family piling into the parking lot. The limo took me over to the groom”s entrance, I guess to make sure this was truly a first look for my wife and me.

I walked through the side entrance and Kole was jogging lightly around the building to follow me inside. The moment we stepped inside, Joy stood off to the side with one of her assistants. She had the biggest smile on her face as she reached out to hug me.

“Hi, I’m Joy the matchmaker.” She introduced herself to Kole.

Kole was practically sopping this woman up with a biscuit, so I spoke up for him.

“Joy, this is my older brother, Kole, my sister, Alexis, and her husband should be trying to find their way over here now,” I said.

Joy smiled knowingly and waved.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kole,” she said, reaching a hand out to shake his.

This man reached out and shook her hand a tad bit too long if you asked me. She giggled while sliding her hand from his. This man was acting like he didn’t see that big ass ring on her finger. She cleared her throat and looked back in my direction.

“How are you feeling this morning? Nervous?” she asked.

“Overthinking is more like it. I just want today to be special for her.”

She nodded with a smile and clasped her hands in front of herself.

“That’s normal with this process, but let me get you out of this hallway so you can get changed. Your bride has a little something for you in the room,” she said.

I lifted a brow because I thought I would be the only one handing out gifts, but I guess I was wrong.

“That reminds me,” I told her, as I extended the small box with a ribbon out to Joy with a letter.

She took it and turned to lead us toward the groom’s lounge. The moment she turned to walk away, Kole”s stupid ass watched her the whole way. I nudged him and shook my head. We silently argued the entire way to the room. She opened the door to reveal a room that almost looked like a man cave.

There was a cherry wood bar on one side of the room, a few chocolate-colored leather sofas, a few mirrors, and a bathroom. They even had a breakfast platter on the counter laid out. My stomach growled at the smell.

“We always know. Make sure you grab yourself a little something,” she said with a smile.

I shook my head. I continued to take in the room until I came across something wrapped in brown paper with a bow. I walked over to it, unable to stop myself because I knew this had to be the gift Joy was referring to. I was interested in anything that would give me a bit of an idea of what she was like.

“I’m going to leave you men to get ready. The assistant will be back when it’s time to get started. Also, relax. This day is special for you too,” Joy announced before making her way out of the room.

I picked up the gift and card, hung my suit up on one hook in the room, then made my way over to the couch to open the gift. Kole took a seat across from me, already eating a breakfast sandwich from the basket.

I looked at the wrapping and could smell her perfume attached to its fibers.

“Aye, you gon’ open it or not?” Kole asked.

I looked up and cocked my head to the side before returning my attention to the gift. I finally tore the wrappings from it and revealed a painting. It was one of the most dope ass paintings I had seen in my life. I placed it to the side and opened the letter.

Dear Husband,

Funny, right, a stranger calling you husband. But I have this feeling that I can’t explain that you’re exactly what I have been needing. I hope I will be the same for you. One promise I want to give you in writing is that I promise to listen more than I speak. I know things won’t be entirely seamless since we will be dating as husband and wife. But I also promise to wear my heart on my sleeve.

You chose to do this just like I did, so you deserve the best of me. I picked this song by Etta James called “At Last” but a band is playing for me to walk down the aisle to since I left the reception song to you. I think it wraps up how I feel and what I will do to make this marriage work. Dang, I got a little long-winded. My bad lol.

Anyway, I’ll be the one in lace.

-your wife (lipstick print.)

I couldn’t help but smile as I folded it up and put the letter back in the envelope. If I ever felt any bit of nervousness, it was gone. This letter almost sounded just like mine.

“What did it say?” Kole asked.

Before I could respond, Alexis walked in with Matthew behind her, but they didn’t close the door.

“None of your business, and Lex, close the door,” I told her.

“Boy, you better not close this door on your mother.”

I glanced back at the door to see my mom and dad standing there. I could tell she had lit into his ass because he looked like he didn’t want to be there. But, I didn’t give a damn. My mom was here, and that was all that mattered at this moment.

I walked over and wrapped my arms around her, then kissed her cheek.

“Niko, don’t go messing up my makeup. This took me a little time, and why aren’t you dressed yet?” she chastised, then questioned all in the same breath.

I smiled, unable to fix my lips to respond. They walked in and closed the door before making their way over to the couch.

“He too busy reading a letter his wife or, soon-to-be wife, sent him. She gave him a picture.” Kole pointed toward me, still eating my food.

I walked over to the platter and grabbed a sandwich before heading for the dressing room. I knew if I didn’t get at least one of these sandwiches, they would be gone before I got finished, messing with Kole. He was skinny as hell, but was always eating; it had always been that way since we were kids. I had to make sure I worked out or I would be all out of shape.

Once I got dressed, I came out of the room with my tie undone. I had yet to figure out this tie shit, but I figured if no one showed up, someone would help me. The moment I stepped out, my mother had a few tears sliding down her cheeks. My dad stood and made his way over to me, then started fixing my tie without a word. I knew this was his way of saying, I still think you’re making a mistake, but I can’t have you going out here looking bad. I took it as a semblance of peace.

Just as he finished my tie, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

The assistant peeked in with a smile. “It’s time.”

I nodded, and my family filed out of the room ahead of me. Forever, here I come.

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