19. Zurmani
Several Days Later
"Thank you for agreeing to meet us for brunch. Masani's weird schedule doesn't allow for too much advance notice," Ashari expresses when I slide into the booth across from her and Masani.
Ashari, Masani, and I had exchanged numbers the day the family came to welcome Jalil home from the hospital. Getting a random text from Ashari in a group message for the three of us had me hiking my brows. Adding them to my friend circle isn't far-fetched due to the men in our lives being brothers. In fact, it made sense to add them to my folds, but with my life moving and shaking, there hadn't been time for me to reach out.
"No problem. I hope you don't mind me bringing the baby," I mention, adjusting the blanket on Jalil's legs.
My baby boy is oblivious to everything around him, thanks to the bottle he had shortly after I parked in the restaurant's lot. It was comical to see how fast he fell asleep since he was awake when I started toward the entrance.
"Girl, please. The only reason the twins aren't with me is because Mama wants to enjoy her food without sharing," Masani admits, smiling.
"I hear you. I'm hoping he'll sleep long enough for me to eat and converse with you guys," I say, nodding toward Jalil.
"If not, Auntie Shari will happily hold and give him some loving," Ashari offers.
"Welcome to Nightingales. Can I start you all off with something to drink?" a fair-skinned woman walks up to the table, asking.
"I'll take an apple juice light ice, please," Ashari requests.
"Um, is your peach mango lemonade any good?" I ask.
"If you like super sweet lemonade, sure. I'm not a fan of it myself because it's too much," the server provides with her mouth twisting to the left.
"Ooh, then, no thanks. I'll take a regular lemonade, please," I say.
"I'll have the same," Masani adds.
The server nods and walks away without uttering another word, allowing us to resume our conversation.
"So, what made you guys want to get together? Not that I mind or anything. I'm just curious," I quiz.
"I wanted to share something with you and uh... welcome you into the fold," Masani says, biting her bottom lip, instantly wrinkling my brows.
If this woman tells me anything other than Jawaan's loctician is a married woman with seven kids and one on the way, we're gonna have a problem. Please don't have me changing my opinion of you, Mrs. Masani.
"It's nothing bad, girl." Ashari giggles, although I don't match her humor, especially given that there is no context yet.
"It's not. In fact, it's a great thing and something that I'm extremely excited about," Masani reassures with a bright smile before filling me in on what she's referring to for the next ten minutes.
Hearing Masani speak about how she prayed for Ashari and me before God allowed her to see us has my mouth open. I know Pastor Reese said that I had been destined to be Jawaan's helpmate but hearing this backstory has my ears ringing and a knot forming in my stomach. Being the woman to push Jawaan to his healthy and healed place makes me feel inadequate for the task laid out for me.
For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord... I'm bringing you to your expected end.
"I see the dull look in your eyes, and trust me, I know how you're feeling. Being in the position to execute God's plan can be weighty. Yet, I'm here to tell you that it has been the most rewarding experience of my life," Ashari says.
"To piggyback, I'll also say that adding Kyce to my life meant adding another layer of God's goodness. I never understood what it meant to intercede on behalf of someone else until I had to lay on the floor of my prayer closet for the man I love. God is sovereign," Masani confidently declares.
For several minutes, I sit still, taking in Ashari and Masani's words while analyzing my experience since being with Jawaan. Jawaan can be moody or a jokester to the world and his family, but to me... Jawaan is the one my heart palpitates for at the end of every night. Jawaan is the man who fills my life with purpose, love, and hope for what our future holds. Simply put... Jawaan is God's first blessing to show me that my trials made way for triumph.
"It's good to know I'll have you two to pray me through when life gets heavy. It's not every day that you inherit women who know how to reach Heaven," I admit.
"Now, baby, let me stop you right there. God is still working out my soul's salvation. I married Kayshon, which should tell you everything you need to know. This one over here has a direct line of communication with the King of Kings," Ashari informs me, pointing to Masani, who giggles bashfully.
Bzz. Bzz. Bzz.
My eyes immediately shift to my left, where my phone sits in the front pouch of my purse. Unlocking it, my lips automatically upturn when I see Jawaan's name on my screen.
Jawaan:
When are y'all coming home? I'm lonely without my family. *sad face emoji*
"From your smile, I already know Jawaan is summoning you. Tell him we're kidnapping you until it's time for y'all to leave for vacation," Ashari says.
Me:
According to Ashari, we'll be home just before we head to the airport for our vacation. *thinking emoji*
Jawaan:
Tell big sis, I play about a lot of things, but losing sight of my family will never be one of them.
The hostility coming from Jawaan's response instantly halts the humor Ashari had been going for with her statement.
Reassure your man to put his mind at ease, girl.
Me:
You will never be in jeopardy of losing us. We'll be home in about two hours.
Jawaan:
Say less. I love you.
"How did you sleep last night?"
"Like I was lying on a bed of cotton. Best sleep ever," I reply, smiling.
"I'm sure since you were practically lying on top of me all night. You're lucky you're cute, and I love you, or I would have pushed you on the floor," Jawaan says, smirking.
My mouth opens and closes several times before giggles escape my mouth when his eyes twinkle with merriment.
"Wow. Give a guy free access to your pearl and he gets beside himself."
"Tuh. Thanks to your cockblocking son, I ain't been home since he came home."
My chest expands at your and son in the same sentence because I'm still in awe of God's goodness. Getting a chance to celebrate Jalil's life while creating memories with Jawaan is gonna be great. We arrived in Destin, Florida, late last night, and after a full day of traveling with a baby, sleep was the first order of business once we got settled. Jawaan and I took turns showering because Jalil was wide awake. I'm hoping baby boy will cooperate at least once so Mom and Dad can get some time in the large soaking tub in the bathroom. The bathroom amenities alone have me ready to let Jawaan plan our future vacations because he did a great job booking this location.
"Do you think this is too much sun for him?" Jawaan asks.
Looking at the carrier strapped to my front, a warm smile slides into place at seeing Jalil resting without a care in the world.
"Nope. A little sunlight will do him good. I thought you wanted to dip his feet in the sand."
Jawaan and I are sitting on the beach only steps away from our hotel, adding another brownie point to Jawaan's expert planning. Watching the sunrise while hearing ocean waves will be another memorable experience for the three of us. Of course, Jalil is too young to know what's happening so we'll have to run this back when he's able to understand the significance of this moment.
"My boy is too cozy to disturb, but hopefully, he'll wake up before you can get tired of getting sand in your ass." The cocky yet teasing smirk on Jawaan's lips couldn't be more sexy than from this vantage point.
I'm at peace, which has me beaming with joy because this is definitely the best way to kick off day one of our babymoon. Jawaan's foresight to remove us from our hometown to bask in our new dynamic was genius.
"I'm not sure if you're Cleo's best friend anymore. She looked pretty put out when we took her to the doggy daycare place."
Cleo whined while hanging her head before looking between Jawaan and me like we were leading her to be spayed. The downcast expression in her eyes had me focusing on everything but her when Jawaan practically dragged her into the facility.
"Tell me about it. Her moody ass nipped my hand the minute I handed the leash to the worker. With so many changes in a short period, I might need to take her to lay on somebody's rug to help sort out her issues."
"What?" I ask, giggling.
"I'm just saying, if humans can see somebody for their troubles, then Cleo can, too. My girl needs someone who'll be gentle and understanding because she's going through it."
Jawaan's straight face and sad eyes have my giggles turning into full-blown laughter, making Jalil jump from the boisterous noise.
"Oops, I'm sorry, baby," I say, running my hand up and down the carrying flush against my front.
"Wait, don't soothe him back to sleep. Let's capitalize on the moment." Jawaan quickly moves to me before removing an unhappy Jalil from the carrier.
A wide smile upturns my mouth at the deep frown on Jalil's face that's turning beet red by the second. His cute little body looks like an inchworm when Jawaan attempts to turn him to face the water. Despite the early morning, the sun is doing a great job of heating the air around us. Jalil is only wearing a onesie to accommodate the summer-like temperatures filling the space around us.
"Uh, I don't think Simba is feeling being pulled from his comfortable position and sleep, Mufasa."
The sun beaming on us somehow gives me a Lion King image, although we're far from a desert and nature setting reminiscent of what was used in the movie. Jawaan ignores me, gently sitting, causing me to stand and move closer just as he prepares to make footprints in the sand with Jalil's feet.
"Hold on. I want to get a picture of this," I insist, halting Jawaan's movements.
"Hurry. Little man ain't feeling this at all."
Grabbing my phone, I trip over my fingers, trying to open my camera app because Jalil starts whimpering, letting Jawaan and I know just how much our antics bother him. Jawaan gently positions Jalil's feet in the sand, and I almost forget to capture the moment when my eyes become misty. Snapping back-to-back pictures, I lock my phone before wiping my eyes and sitting beside my family. My heart swells with so many feelings that my breath hitches, matching the steady stream of water flowing from my eyes.
"Awe. Come here, crybaby," Jawaan murmurs, placing Jalil in the cusp of his left arm, allowing me to snuggle into his right side.
"Oh my gosh. How did you... when did you set this up?" Tears fall from my eyes when I see the candlelit private dining set up in the exact area Jawaan, Jalil, and I was in this morning.
Jawaan did his big one with the small rectangular table with a red velvet tablecloth over a white one. A candlelight centerpiece is in the middle, and two chairs with white covers and red bows tied around the top. A heart ring with red rose petals surrounds the area. There is also a baby carrier holder to the left of the first chair, which makes me smile. Jalil's car seat is already resting in the holder, waiting for him. Jawaan is carrying him while holding my left hand. His ability to hold Jalil with one hand and my hand with the other is a skill I'm unsure I could achieve. Jawaan releases my hand when we reach the perimeter of the heart enclosure and turns toward me with an unreadable expression in his orbs.
"I want to say something before we continue. Can you promise to keep an open mind, though?"
Oh God, what is Jawaan about to say?
I bite into my bottom lip until it throbs like my pulse, and I nod, unable to respond verbally. My mind swirls when Jawaan walks away and places Jalil in his car seat before returning in front of me.
"From the moment I saw you holding Little Man, I fell in love with you. Only I didn't just fall in love with you. I poured my heart into you. In that singular moment, I invested my time in you to dive into all your layers and choose to dive into more each day. I chose you yesterday. I choose you today. I will choose you tomorrow because you are my person. I?—"
A gasp escapes my mouth when Jawaan lowers to one knee and pulls a ring box from his pocket before continuing his spiel.
"I choose you for the rest of my life, and I'm praying you will do the same. Zurmani Unique Coates, will you do me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me by becoming my wife?"
Jawaan's image becomes blurry from the tears falling from my eyes when he opens the box to show a stunning diamond ring that competes with the glow from the candles. Not wanting to give Jawaan a reason to doubt my receptive love, I swallow the lump in my throat and provide my answer.
"Yes. I'll marry you, Jawaan." I accept his proposal in a shaky tone.
"Wow. Thank you." Jawaan taps his chest while looking heavenward before pulling me into his chest and sealing my yes with a passionate kiss that increases my heart rate.
The Next Afternoon
"Do you, Zurmani Unique Coates, take Jawaan to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold. In good times and bad. In sickness and in health. For as long as you both shall live," Pastor Reese asks.
"I do."
My parents are gonna kill me when we get back home.
After consummating our engagement, I agreed to marry Jawaan today, but I'm blaming it on the haze of post-coital bliss I was in. Only, I didn't realize that my fiancé had our new pastor on standby so the joke was on me because here we are getting married. Letitia Baxter, her husband, Pastor Reese, Jalil, Jawaan, and I are the only people in attendance. I learned this morning that Letitia Baxter is Jawaan's counselor who had been excited to participate in today's festivities.
"Do you, Jawaan Emmanuel Young, take Zurmani to be your lawfully wedded?—"
"I do," Jawaan answers, cutting Pastor Reese off, causing Letitia and me to giggle at his confident, firm, and quick response.
Well, God, thank you for keeping your promise to me. I can't wait to see what you do next.