Epilogue
Four Months Later
**
When it seems like my mountains to high, and I'm tired of the climb
When it feels like my patience is frustrated with time, I depend on the spirit
**
"To gently remind," Zurmani sings along with the choir, and ordinarily, I would join, but I'm slightly distracted.
"I can't believe you got my son wearing this dress," I lean over to whisper to Zurmani, and her gaze shifts from the front of the church to me.
"Stop being dramatic. It's a christening gown, and he looks cute in it," Zurmani insists while pinching Jalil's chubby cheeks, causing him to laugh.
"Don't encourage your mama's foolery, son. She got you looking like that fat kid from the Princess Diaries sequel during the wedding scene. I'm sorry I failed you, man." Lifting Jalil, I stare into his bright and cheery orbs, smiling when his little teeth show in his mouth.
Jalil is nearly seven months old and will be christened after morning service, which fills my heart with euphoria over doing something for my son that no one ever did for me. Giving him back to God is one of the most incredible things one could do when trying to live a life of faith. Zurmani mentioned wanting to do it, and I met with Pastor Reese to discuss having Jalil added to the baptismal calendar. Since Kyce and Masani didn't do the twins, they will also be christened because it's never too late to dedicate children back to God. For the first time since we've all found our wives, the entire family is attending the eleven-thirty service at Pursuing His Glory Ministries. Kyce, Masani, Ashari, and Kayshon all attend the first service, while Zurmani and I have continued attending the second service because we like to sleep in a little on Sunday mornings.
"I believe the songwriter had us all pegged right when he said... It doesn't matter what you're going through, just as long as you know who's going with you. Can I get a witness this morning, PHGM?" a man's voice cuts into my brief block regarding what's happening in the service, causing me to look to the front of the church.
The organist changes the rhythm and melody, letting me know that the choir is transitioning into a new song. The man holding the microphone continues with his spiel before passing the instrument to a woman wearing a choir robe when she steps beside him.
**
Whatever You do for me
However, things turn out to be
**
The lead sings, and my stomach flips when the lyrics penetrate my body because I can relate. My leg moves from side to side the more the woman sings in a soul-soothing timbre that has me rising to my feet beside Zurmani, who's already standing. When the singer gets to another part of the song, I feel a brush against my arm, causing me to look to my left to see Kyce, who's beside me, and Kayshon on their feet.
**
Your troubles and trials only come to make you strong
I reckon that your present suffering can't be compared
**
"To His glory in you," Kyce and I sing simultaneously, having some familiarity with the words and firm precision in our delivery.
Thank you, God, for working it out for me... for us.
My watery gaze lands on my brothers, and gratitude flows through my body like never before as I continue belting out the lyrics along with the choir.
Several Hours Later
"How mad do you think they're gonna be with us?" Zurmani whispers for me to hear before her gaze shifts to the people in our backyard.
"We ain't teenagers in need of help, so they'll be all right," I assure her.
Zurmani and I are hosting our entire family to celebrate Jalil's christening and have dinner with the people we love. This is the first time both families have been together since we brought Jalil home, and I'm grateful that everyone gets along. Zurmani and I didn't want our family to worry about cooking, so we had dinner catered by a local restaurant. Due to the size of the families, we hired a company to transform our backyard into an intimate setting. There are four rectangular tables under the tents, and the vibes are perfect, so we'll give both companies stellar reviews and recommend their service to others.
"Let's get this over with before I lose my nerve," Zurmani whispers.
"Bet." I kiss her lips before turning to address the attendees. "Can we have everyone's attention, please?"
A hush falls over the space, and everyone's keen gaze rests upon Zurmani and me, making me smile. Zurmani holds a picture frame with a cover, blocking anyone from reading it until we're ready.
"We know that some of you are still mad about us getting married without including you," I say, looking from Zurmani's parents to Kayshon since the three had similar responses to the news of our marriage.
"Tread lightly, Jawaan," Pop Coates warns, causing laughter around the area.
I thought Zurmani's dad would either burst a vessel in his neck or have a heart attack when Zurmani told them we'd gotten married in Florida. Thankfully, his anger didn't last long and he semi got over it when he told me to call him Pop. Mrs. Coates wasn't as unhappy as her husband because she quickly embraced me and told me to call her Mama. Her welcome had tears falling rapidly from my eyes because it would be the first time I had been able to use the term with someone who is now directly tied to me. While Mama Lo has her title, it doesn't hit quite the same since she's not directly tied to me. I affectionately now call Mrs. Coates... Mama C, which she welcomes.
"Dang, what happened, little bro? Let me find out Mr. Coates got you fearful," Kayshon asks, cutting into my thoughts.
"Fu—"
"Stay focused, little bro," Kyce interjects before I can finish my statement, effectively doing his big brother's duty of keeping Kayshon and me in line.
"You're right. I ain't stalling no more." Moving in front of Zurmani, I snatch the cover from the picture and return to her side to let the announcement play out.
Roses are red. Violets are blue. Guess what, family? We're expecting baby #2!
"Oh my God! We're having another baby!" Mama C gushes before pushing her chair back and running toward Zurmani and me.
Clapping, congratulations and other well wishes echo around the yard when Mama C advances toward us. Kyce shakes his head with a sneaky grin before pulling Masani to her feet.
"Well, I guess it's a good time to let y'all know that we're expecting again, too," Kyce says.
"Unlike my husband, I'm praying that there's only one this time," Masani adds.
The family excitement becomes louder at hearing Kyce and Masani's announcement while everyone processes the expanding of our family. Kayshon helps Ashari out of her seat while holding onto her growing baby bump as they make their way around the space.
"When I look back over my life, I see all the things God's done for me." Another hush falls around the yard when Mama Lo's singing hits everyone's ears.
"Very appropriate choice, Loretta," Ms. Aretha says happily, and Mama Lo continues singing.
"Been through dangers, heartache, and trouble, I thank the Lord, He rescued me," Mama Lo sings.
"All right, cut to the chorus, Loretta. Three-part harmony, everyone," Ms. Aretha interjects.
"Everybody but Ashari. This is a celebration, after all," I tease, and Ashari frowns.
"Don't worry, you can serenade me with the song when we go home," Kayshon tells Ashari, rubbing her arm soothingly.
"I am still here. It's by the grace of God," everyone sings the chorus in three-part harmony like we're a part of the church choir.
"Kyce... Kayshon... Jawaan... you three are still here, and it's by the grace of God," Mama Lo ad-libs, causing my heart rate to race, and I shift my gaze to Kyce and Kayshon as they head toward me.
"Mama Lo is right, and this moment reinforces Pastor Reese's sermon," Kyce says once he and Kayshon are standing before me.
For a second, my attention shifts when Zurmani is pulled away by Masani and Ashari.
"Right. How fitting was it for Pastor Reese to preach from Psalm 28? I felt like he was speaking directly to us," Kayshon adds, returning my focus to them.
"I've learned that God is sovereign, and though it seems like He's left you in the belly of the whale, like Jonah, His timing is perfect. Who knew three rejected, abandoned, sexualized, broken, and traumatized boys from Baxter County would be living proof that though weapons formed, they couldn't prosper?" I ponder, and a warm feeling spreads throughout my body.
"You said it, little bro. Though the blues of Baxter County tried, they couldn't slay us," Kayshon confirms.
"Okay. Though the devil sent an imp named Rema to slay us... God restored us. Look at the blessings He's giving us," Kyce says, pointing behind him as chatter from our family echoes around us.
Kyce and Kayshon stand beside me, and our eyes intently take in the manifestation of God, allowing us to find healing through the power of the women he sent to restore us.
"We are still here, and it's by the grace of God," I sing low enough for only Kyce and Kayshon to hear before they join in.
When my gaze lands on Zurmani, who is now holding Jalil while watching me with keen eyes, I mouth the sentiments of my heart... "Thank you for loving me, Tigress."
"God, tragedies might have been commonplace, but thank you for restoring us, renewing our minds, protecting our hearts so we would be free to love the women you sent," Kyce utters lowly.
"For never failing us, for being a father and mother to us, for reminding us of Your love, for healing our broken hearts," Kayshon adds.
For not letting me die when the pressure became too great to push through... I didn't deserve another chance, but God, thank you for giving me a reason to praise you.
"That's enough to praise Him because y'all don't know—" I stop when I'm unable to openly communicate why I'm thankful.
"Oh, we did, and our response is why you showed up with her," Kyce declares, and our gazes land on Zurmani, who is now heading toward me with a fussy Jalil.
"I think I'm having a boy because your son's tolerance with me is low," Zurmani says, frowning and passing Jalil off to me.
"Nah, he just knows that Daddy will let him have some cake," I say, smirking.
"Remember that when he won't go to sleep tonight, and you want me to pet that—" Zurmani's eyes fall to my lower region, and she walks away.
"Careful Tigress, I'm not the one who would be sad by a back-to-back pregnancy," I reply to her retreating form.
Like the first time I interrupted her meal with the doctor, Zurmani flicks me off without responding verbally.
"I guess we ain't the only ones with our hands full," Kyce says, reminding me of his and Kayshon's presence.
"My cup runneth over," I affirm, smirking.
Zurmani was hand-chosen just for me, and I don't want no smoke from God because I know Zurmani is what's best for me.
The End