Chapter 3
“Ms. King,he’s the perfect match. I can’t give you any information, because you’ll try to look him up. Trust the process. It definitely works. We have a ninety-seven percent success rate. I promise if you really want this, you won’t be in that three percent.”
“Yes, ma’am. You’re right. I trust the process.”
“Okay. I need your wedding colors, your date, and preferred music. You can email everything to me. I prefer you to do that as soon as possible. He is being notified as we speak about your pending nuptials. Will you have a maid or matron of honor?”
I closed my eyes. I hadn’t disclosed anything to my family. I told them I would be taking a trip to go to a week-long conference for my job. The only person that knew what was going on was Yunique, my boss. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll have a maid of honor. That’s all.”
“O-okay. I’ll get started on your plans as soon as I get the email. I will also email you the information about the venue.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course. Have a great day.”
“You too.”
When I ended the call, I wanted to scream. It had only been three days since my interview. They’d already found a match for me. This was crazy, but I was so damn excited. Despite that excitement, I couldn’t stop the anxiety from creeping in, hoping I was making the right decision. I wasn’t one to waste my money, and I had paid a pretty penny for these services. If I didn’t go through with it, it would be a huge waste.
I closed my eyes briefly then went to the website on my laptop. I always knew what I wanted as far as a wedding went. I had the shit planned to the T, but those plans had included my family. I hated that I was doing this behind their backs, but again, I knew I needed to, if I didn’t want them to try to talk me out of it.
I sent her the colors of cream, beige, brown, and seafoam green. I didn’t particularly care about other songs, but I knew I wanted to walk in to “Risk It All” by H.E.R. and Usher. For the date, I wanted to do this as soon as possible, so I decided on next weekend. Today was Friday, so that would give me a week to prepare. I already had a dress, but it would also give Yunique time to prepare as well.
I wondered if the groom would have family and friends present. If he did, I was more than sure there would be a reception of some kind. In the email, I also made her aware that I didn’t eat red meat. Chicken, turkey, or fish would be fine for me. I loved seafood. Every now and then, I could eat a steak, but for health reasons, I chose to stay away from it. My dad had high blood pressure, and I didn’t want to ignite my genes in that manner.
I chose to eat healthier foods, when possible, especially since I was a big girl. From the waist down was probably three fourths of my weight. My ass had no bounds, and my thighs could start a damn fire when I walked. After completing my email, I closed my laptop and headed to Yunique’s office. We were closed for business, but we were here, making sure the files were organized.
We were extremely busy this week. There was an influx of new patients, and we could barely keep up. When I got to her door, I knocked on the frame. She looked up at me and smiled. “What’s up, G?”
She giggled. I slightly rolled my eyes. She giggled every time she called me G. She said it reminded her of her childhood in Houston. People used to call each other G all the time. Breaking my silence, I said, “They found a match. I need you to be my maid of honor.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Already?”
I nodded as a slow smile spread across my face. She jumped up from her desk. “Girl, let’s shut this shit down. We gotta go shopping!”
I giggled and practically skipped down the hall to get my things. She had me feeling even more excited than I already was. This was really happening. I stood still for a moment and took a deep breath, slowly exhaling it through my mouth. Lord, let this work. Let it be worth every minute and dime invested. For a moment, I felt like I was taking things out of God’s hands, but I convinced myself otherwise.
I had to put in the effort. It was like praying for a job but not applying for any. I had to do my part. This was my part. I wasn’t going into this expecting failure. I wanted this to work. This had to be my forever.
Clayton had the children,and he was blowing my phone up about all the stuff they were doing. I could only smile at the text messages and pictures. Dakota was only two years old, but he looked so excited. Kizzie, who preferred to be called Princess Tiana these days, was even more excited. She was wearing her tiara and smiling big, making me wish I was with them.
Going against my original plans, I called my brother Joel and told him about my plans. He said he and Keondra would be here to make sure I had some people on my side of the venue. I’d chuckled. I’d met his people, which happened to be my people, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they all showed up for me. I’d gotten my hair braided and styled yesterday and had gotten a manicure and pedicure the day before. I was ready, but my nerves were bouncing all over the place.
I was headed to the venue so I could get dressed. Yunique and Keondra would be meeting me there to help me. My gown was sexy as hell, barely covering the essentials. The dress was lace and had embellished flowers all over it. The side split displayed my entire left leg and was mere centimeters away from displaying my lower ass cheek.
I just hoped my groom would be happy with the show I was putting on. My breasts were practically falling out of the illusion panel. I had to get some minor alterations near the split since my hips had gotten a little wider since I’d originally purchased the dress. That was why the split was so high.
When I drove into the parking lot, I saw several cars. I was sure it was the wedding planner from Arranged Hearts and other personnel to help. After getting out of my car, I saw Yunique and Keondra getting out of her car. Kee ran to me and nearly crashed into me. “Hey, sis! This shit is so exciting! I can’t wait to see the nigga you finna be caked up with!”
I laughed loudly. She was a mess, and I loved it. I led them to the entry we were directed to use, and a lady at the door led me to our designated area to get dressed. When I opened the door, my eyes widened. There were several bouquets of flowers placed throughout the room. I turned to the lady, and she smiled. “Wow, this is beautiful.”
“It really is. Your groom outdid himself.”
My eyebrows lifted even more. “He did this? I feel like my small note was nothing.”
“Your note reflected your personality. I’m going to assume that this represents his.”
I nodded as she walked away. Proceeding further into the room, I noticed a gift bag positioned on the vanity. I hung my dress on the rack next to it, put my duffel bag down, and grabbed the gift bag. I pulled the note out and quickly opened it. I was so excited I couldn’t contain it. Yunique was sniffing the lilies in the corner, and Keondra was standing next to me, being nosy.
Wife-to-be,
Hey, baby. I can’t wait to officially meet you and get to know the wonderful woman I already know you are. I know your nerves are probably all over the place, as are mine, but I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you. I don’t even know who you are yet, but I trust that Arranged Hearts knew exactly what they were doing when they paired us.
I only know a few details about what is happening today. I was informed that your family wouldn’t be present. So, I wanted to do a few things that I feel like someone should do for you. My mother gave me a necklace to let you wear. It could be your something borrowed. I got a ring with a seafoam blue colored stone for you to wear on your other hand (Hopefully it fits one of your fingers) for your something blue.
In the bag is a flower pendant you can wear in your hair. It was my grandmother’s. She wore it on her wedding day. That can be your something old. I bought a bracelet that somewhat matches the necklace. That could be your something new.
I don’t know if I worded it right. It seems like the order is wrong. You get my point though, baby. LOL! Damn, this moment seems unreal. I hope the person that’s there with you helps you to have a great time getting ready for our nuptials.
I want to cater to you in every way… spoil you. I hope you are ready for that experience, because I’m beyond ready. My heart is ready to receive everything you have to offer. See you at the altar, baby.
Your Soon-to-be Husband
I couldn’t stop the tears from falling down my face. He was so thoughtful. I began pulling items from the bag, and the tears kept coming. I was so glad my makeup hadn’t been done yet. The jewelry was so beautiful. The jewelry I brought with me would stay in the case it was in. The bracelet was gorgeous and so was the necklace from his mom and the ring. However, that flower pendant matched the flowers on my dress perfectly.
I broke down because I felt like that was my confirmation that I had made the right decision. My doubts had been trying to overtake me the past few days. This simple but elegant flower pendant made all my nerves take a break. I wasn’t completely sold on wearing a headpiece and veil with this dress. Now I didn’t have to wear it.
Keondra rubbed my back, and Yunique came and sat on the other side of me. “What’s wrong, G?”
“If I have to judge this man just by this, he’s perfect. This was so considerate and thoughtful. They told him that my family wouldn’t be in attendance, so he did the traditional shit that a mother would do for her daughter. He spoke to me in that letter like we already knew one another… like he knew I was the woman he’d been searching for. I’m ready to marry him now.”
“I know that’s fucking right!” Keondra said.
Yunique laughed and hugged me tightly. They had me looking like I was surrounded by two Barbie dolls, with their pretty asses. I was grateful that I told them and they were supportive. Joel would be escorting me in, and I couldn’t be more grateful. We’d only known one another for a year. However, it seemed he understood me more than my brother Daniel did, and he’d known me my entire life.
I chalked it up to Daniel always stepping into the role of being my protector. When Joel met me, he got to know independent Giselle. To Daniel, I was his little sister and always would be. Some things, he didn’t seem to care to get to know about me, because he couldn’t accept that I was a grown ass woman. Thankfully, I was intuitive enough to understand the dynamic and didn’t hold it against him.
“Where is Vegas? Is he on his way?” I asked Keondra.
Joel liked to be called Vegas. It had been his nickname since he was a kid. “He went to the airport to pick up Jungle, Chelsea, Jericho, and Whitney. Fawn is driving. I think more people are coming as well. We had to show up big for you. I think your mom and dad probably would have been supportive as well.”
“I didn’t want to take that chance. I was scared out of my mind. I didn’t need anyone adding to my fear.”
She nodded and said, “Well, let’s get you ready! You have a thoughtful ass romantic, waiting to make you his wife.”
I chuckled and nodded then looked around the room at all the flowers. This was so amazing. I didn’t even know his name yet, but I could only hope that his looks matched his actions so far. There was a knock at the door, so Yunique went to it.
She opened the door wider, and when I saw my sorors walk through it, I broke down in tears. Skyler and Alexz with a Z came running to me, hugging me and screaming out our signature call.
This was so damn overwhelming. “What are y’all doing here?”
“We couldn’t let our sis get married without our support. Fuck all the details. The point is you are getting married!” Alexz said.
I chuckled as I wiped the tears. The thing that nearly brought me to my knees was when my mama walked through the door. I knew Vegas had talked to her. I was frozen in place, somewhat embarrassed for keeping this from her. She made her way to me and swiped the tears from my face. I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m sorry, Mama.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I totally get it. I would have tried to talk you out of this. So you were right in that assumption. However, I will always support you. You’re my only daughter, and there is no way I could miss this moment. Your dad and Daniel are here too. We didn’t tell Clayton though. I didn’t want to overstep. I felt like you should be the one to break that news to him and the kids.”
That was what I loved about my mama. She was never the type to insert herself in my business without my permission. I pulled away from her and grabbed my phone to call the planner and let her know my family was here. She sounded so excited. I thought I would be introducing them to my husband when we came back from the honeymoon. After ending the call, letting her know that I wanted my mother and brothers escorted in, I turned back to my mama.
She was looking at the jewelry. “This is beautiful. He did this?”
I nodded with a slight smile then gave her the letter he wrote. I could see her eyes mist as she read it. Once she finished, she said, “Wow. He’s thorough.”
“Yeah. I think I’m extremely ready to meet this mystery man.”
“So am I,” she said with a chuckle. “Let’s get you ready. I already know you have something sexy.”
“Yes. It’s the dress I bought last year that I showed you.”
“Oh, wow. You looked amazing in that dress. If he isn’t wowed, then I know something.”
I smiled as my sisters all crowded us. I hated that I didn’t include everyone now, but at least they were here, offering their support, regardless. They didn’t take offense to me not saying anything, but I knew I owed Vegas big time.