Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
WEDDING DAY…
“Okay, you guys just keep helping the bride fix her strap, and I’m going to get a few candid shots,” the photographer instructed as the ladies helped Troi get dressed.
They’d already had their hair and makeup done, and it was nearing time for them to head out to the venue.
It seemed like the hair products and mix of perfumes were like a toxic scent bomb to Yanna’s nose, and she was doing all she could not to get sick.
She made a mental note to google and see how long morning sickness lasted because she didn’t think she could stand it longer.
“Lady bug, are you okay? Do you need to sit down?” Layla asked, noticing that Yanna looked a little queasy.
“Um, yea, maybe just for a second. I think I ate a little too much at breakfast. That mixed with all the different smells is making me nauseous.”
“Okay, yea, take a seat. I’ll make sure you get something to settle your stomach before the ceremony.”
“Don’t make a fuss, Mumma Lay. I’ll be fine.
“I’m always going to make a fuss about my grandbaby lil’ girl.” Layla winked at Yanna before going back over to Troi.
“Are you sure you don’t want to try and eat?
A little piece of toast and some ginger ale, maybe?
” Janis questioned, sipping from a cup of orange juice.
She was surprised the champagne being passed around the room wasn’t affecting her and was glad she came to the suite to witness Troi getting dressed.
It had been so long since she’d hung with her sister, daughter, and niece, and she instantly clicked with Layla.
So far that morning had been the best time she’d had in years.
“Ma, don’t you start too, seriously, I’m fine. I’ll eat after the ceremony, that way I don’t have to fear throwing up in front of everyone.”
“Okay, let one of us know if you start to feel weak, Jaiyanna.”
“I will.” Yanna smiled, almost not recognizing Janis in such a mother hen mode.
It took them nearly fifteen minutes to get Troi into her dress, and once she was finally zipped, Yanna’s eyes began to tear up.
Troi was simply breathtaking. The Pantora gown fit her perfectly--- classy with just the right amount of sex appeal.
When they’d gone shopping in New York for her dress, Troi had fallen in love with it immediately.
The fit and flare style gown had a mesh illusion with intricate draping and crystal appliques.
The top was spaghetti strap, but one strap was made completely of authentic Swarovski crystals and was designed to teasingly hang from her shoulder.
Troi had dropped an extra couple thousand dollars to extend her train, and it was exquisite.
“Pooh, look at you, you look so beautiful.” Yanna fanned her face in attempt to not ruin her makeup.
“Oh my God, don’t you start crying because if you cry, I’ll cry, and I can’t mess up my makeup.”
“I can’t help it; my best friend is getting married. What am I going to do without you?”
“The only way you’ll ever be without me is if one of us is no longer breathing.”
“Oh, you won’t even be without me then because I’ll just haunt your ass.” Yanna chuckled through her sniffles.
“Crazy ass girl. Ain’t like you not gone be at the house almost every day anyway,” Layla added.
“Exactly. Onyx knows we’re a package deal, so he’s already prepared himself for a life with you too. He’s got plenty liquor and Tylenol for all the expected headaches.”
“As long as he knows.”
“Okay, we gotta stop this before we all be crying and end up late because we have to get our faces redone. Troi, we have like five minutes, so we need to get that veil on.”
Ready to go, the ladies headed down on the elevator, where they met the rest of Troi’s bridal party.
Since they had a little time to spare, the photographer wanted to get a few more pictures of just the ladies.
The resort was picturesque, so the grand lobby served as a perfect backdrop.
After they were done taking pictures, they all loaded onto the Sprinter en route to the wedding venue.
“Yanna, listen,” Troi stopped Yanna as they were climbing aboard. “When we get to the venue, I need you to do something for me.”
“I’m listening.”
At the venue, Kas stood in front of Onyx, helping him fix his tie. The coordinator had come by a few moments prior and let them know they had about fifteen minutes until go time. The wedding party was being lined up, and Kas soon needed to go out as well.
“You nervous, nigga?”
“Hell nah, fuck I look like being nervous? Baby stuck with a nigga regardless, this just a formality.”
“An expensive ass formality.”
“Fuck yea. But shit, once we start renting this venue out, we’ll make a lot of that money back. How you feeling, though? You sure you good?”
“I’m straight. I’ve been at about 90% for like two weeks.”
“Good, but still, let somebody know if you start feeling bad.”
“Nigga, I said I’mma be straight.”
“Ight, come on, let’s get this shit over with so I can get my wife alone and start trying to make us a lil’ girl.”
“Damn nigga, Kian can barely formulate a full sentence yet. Troi Baby coochie probably ain’t back to regular size and you talking ‘bout another one.”
“Kas, I’ll knock yo ass out if you ever mention my wife pussy again.”
“Shit, I’m just saying. Better make sure she---” Kas’ words faltered as his attention was drawn to the door being opened. It was like his body and mind were frozen in time, and he couldn’t will himself to move.
Following his brother’s line of vision, Onyx’s eyes lit up when he noticed Yanna walking into the room. “Yanna!”
“Nyx, I missed you!” Yanna held up her dress, jogging to close the space between her and Onyx. Onyx gripped her so tight, he lifted her from the ground.
“I missed yo’ ass too, man. Look at you, you got hair.
” Onyx observed, smoothing his hand over Yanna’s bob.
The wedding hairstylist put a jet black rinse in Yanna’s hair, gave her a silk press and added a few tracks.
The look not only made Yanna’s facial features stand out but made her look a little more mature at the same time.
“Yea, it look good, huh?”
“It does.” Onyx smiled, elated that Yanna seemed to be doing well. He’d spoken to her once since the night in the hospital and knew she’d reconnected with her father.
Yanna could feel the heat on the side of her face from Kas’ staring.
She was trying so hard not to look at him but knew it would be weird and she’d come off as petty if she didn’t acknowledge him.
As soon as her eyes connected with his, she wished they hadn’t.
Her brain and mouth forgot how to work together, and she fought to get her words out.
“K-Kas, hey.”
“Hey,” Kas responded simply. His eyes roamed her, noting the subtle changes in her face and body.
Noticing the awkwardness, Onyx tried to ease the situation. “Oh, Yanna, tell them we about to come out now.”
“Oh, yea, about that,” Yanna stated nervously, finally remembering why she’d gone into the room.
“Ah shit, Troi Baby done ran off on you.”
“She know better…right?” Onyx asked Yanna, not liking the look on her face.
“Well… not yet.”
“Fuck you mean, not yet?!”
“Calm down. She’s in the other room, but she said she not marrying you until you make up with Ms. Layla.
Because one of the reasons she fell in love with you was the way you treated your mumma.
She won’t feel right reciting vows to you knowing there’s discord in the family,” she repeated Troi’s words verbatim.
“What the fuck? Aye, Onyx, you want me to go yoke her ass up right quick? She tripping.”
“Kas, please. Damn, Troi, don’t she know it’s bad luck for me to see her and shit?”
“She don’t believe in luck, but just to be on the safe side, she’s hidden.”
“Fucking aggravating as hell. Let’s roll.”
Onyx left the room with Kas and Yanna in tow. They marched the short distance down the hall to where Troi’s room was.
“Um, what’s going on? The bride is in there, you can’t—”
“Give us a minute.” Onyx cut the wedding coordinator off and entered the room. “Baby!” He called out.
“I’m in here.” They heard but didn’t see her.
“What the--- bruh, yo ass in the closet?” Kas inquired.
“Am. And I’mma stay right here until y’all settle whatever needs to be settled, so hurry up.”
“This was not my idea, she insisted,” Layla spoke up, standing from the sofa.
“C’mere, mumma.” Onyx called to her, and she strode over. He grabbed her hands in his as he spoke. “You do know there’s nobody in the world I love more than you, right? Kas, Troi, and Kian are the only people that come close, but you… you know you’re my whole world.”
“And my boys are mine.”
“We know that. I was in my feelings, but I realized you were coming from a place of love and weren’t purposely trying to hurt me. I get it, I really do. I just need you to understand I’m not ready for that yet.” He spoke of having a relationship with his father.
“I understand, and I’m not going to force it. I shouldn’t have tried to. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t owe me an apology; I owe you one. The way I spoke to you was unacceptable, and I’m so sorry for that.”
“It’s okay, my big baby. I knew it was all emotion.”
“Yea, I was going to say all this when we had our dance, but you got a dramatic ass daughter-in-law.”
“Aye, not too much on my baby, now.” Kamilla laughed.
“Did he lie? Trapped in the damn closet like Robert.”
“Shut up, Kas!” Troi yelled from the closet.
Onyx wrapped his mother in a bear hug and kissed her on her cheek before letting her down. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Baby!”
“Hmm?”
“Can we get married now, please?”
“Say, Yes Onyx,” Kas demanded, mocking his brother.
“Yes, Onyx.” Troi laughed from the closet.
“Let’s get this show on the road.”
“Bruh, you know you gone have to deal with that the rest of yo life?” Kas joked as he and Onyx left the room.
“Alright, they’re gone. Troi, bring your dramatic ass on!”