Epilogue
A Year Later
The last twelve months of my life were an emotional rollercoaster like I’d never experienced before.
Five months after I returned to Sand Cranes, my mother passed away.
Neither the Harris nor Black family ever judged the conflicted love I had for my mother; they always supported me along the way.
My grieving process was filled with love and support from the funeral arrangements to my random emotional outbursts; they were there for me every step of the way.
The first few months were rough, but I was in a much better place mentally and physically as we returned to Aruba to celebrate our first anniversary.
I officially received my acceptance letter from Sand Cranes University for Summer admission, so we were there to celebrate before I started taking classes.
Although I had more than enough money to last a lifetime with my father’s life insurance payout and assets, I still wanted to follow my dreams. After spending nine years away from the people who loved me most, I decided to forgo UC Davis and attend Sand Cranes.
Luckily, I wasn’t starting as a freshman with zero credits.
I had successfully completed enough dual enrollment and AP classes in high school to qualify for junior status.
In two years, I would have a BS in Biology with a concentration in animal biology, so I could apply to veterinarian school.
We were in the middle of our last day in Aruba, and my arm was stretched across a tattoo armrest stand while the artists brought our vision to life.
It was my first and only tattoo, and it hurt like hell.
I was sitting in Sneaux’s lap, but even that wasn’t enough to distract me from the needle stabbing into my skin.
Her hands gently ran up and down my back as I coached myself to breathe through the pain.
The sharp electric hum stopped as Michael lifted the needle.
My eyes popped open, praying that he was almost done, but he only shaded half of the pink flamingo.
“AHHHHHHHH!” I squealed. “I thought we were done.”
Sneaux and Michael laughed at my exasperated cries.
“You doing good, bae,” Sneaux kissed my exposed shoulder while Michael wiped the excess ink away, then dipped his needle in the ink cap and got back to work.
“I know the matching tattoos were my idea, but why didn’t you tell me how much they hurt?” I whined.
“It ain’t that bad,” Sneaux replied as Michael went back to shading.
I squinted and practiced my slow breathing again. “I forgot I’m talking to a woman who practically has a sleeve on both arms and a throat tattoo, that’s expert level pain. You just sat there and got your flamingo on your forearm and my name across your neck like it was nothing, had me fooled.”
“You are doing good though. You’re almost done,” Michael chimed in. “Just relax and talk to me. How did y’all meet? How long have y’all been together?”
“We’ve officially been together for a year now, but we’ve known each other since we were in fifth grade. Sneaux’s cousin is best friends with my older cousin,” I explained.
Since my return, Terrel continuously talked shit about how I changed Sneaux.
Which was really his way of saying I ran a strict program, and Sneaux wasn’t allowed in the strip club with him on a regular basis.
That was a once in a blue moon type of thing.
Sneaux had ass and titties at the house.
However, those complaints stopped when Mikel started running around with Terrel again.
I ran a strict program, but Mikel’s wife, Jericka, didn’t, and that was their business.
The three of us conversed to help keep my mind off the pain for the duration of the tattoo. We learned about his family and invited him to Flamingos if he ever came to Florida. Before I knew it, the needle stopped.
“You’re all done,” Michael announced maybe fifteen minutes later.
Sneaux’s hands rubbed up and down my sides as my eyes popped open. Michael wiped away the excess ink and revealed the cutest flamingo tattoo, identical to the one Sneaux just got before me.
“It looks good. It was worth the pain, wasn’t it?” Michael inquired.
“It’s beautiful. Definitely worth the pain,” I admitted, climbing off Sneaux’s lap once he was finished cleaning it up.
I excitedly snapped a few pictures of the fresh ink and sent them to Deja.
We had grown closer over the last twelve months, and she was definitely someone I considered a friend.
She only kissed Sneaux on the cheek and never truly had feelings for her, so I could get past that.
Plus, we were practically family since she popped up married to Levi the day after my impromptu welcome home party.
Sneaux paid Michael and hit him with a hefty tip before we exited the tattoo shop. Bill was pulled up near the exit when we walked out, and Sneaux opened the door to help me inside before he could get out.
“Aruba has been so much fun. I’m so happy we got to stay the full length of the trip this time,” I announced.
All I Need by Method Man and Mary J Blige started playing on the drive back to our villa, and I immediately joined in, singing the song to Sneaux.
She laughed, leaning over to kiss me between the lyrics.
I was so into Sneaux and my singing that I almost missed the two trucks in the driveway.
My mouth clamped shut, and my eyes squinted.
“We still have until tomorrow morning? Did these motha fuckas double book our villa?” I wondered.
“No, I hired a chef for our last night here. Dinner by the pool since we can’t get in with these fresh tats,” Sneaux looked out of the window.
“I think we’ve done enough swimming for the entire month,” I expressed as Bill opened the door for us.
He helped me out, then I turned to help Sneaux.
We went inside, and whatever was cooking smelled amazing.
I trailed Sneaux through the oversized villa until we were outside.
It was nearing dinner time, and the pleasant aromas reminded me of that.
When we stepped outside, the pool immediately caught my attention.
My woman never ceased to amaze me. Being with Sneaux was a never ending fairytale.
Bright pink flower petals drifted across the water’s surface, and in the center, white flowers were positioned with the proposal.
Will You Marry Me? The rich, sweet floral scents tickled my nose as I felt a slight tug on my hand.
In the midst of me turning to face Sneaux, I was distracted by the whistles and applause coming from the wrap-around villa balcony. Quinn, Terrel, Levi, Deja, Aunt Bunny, and Sneaux’s parents were hanging over the balcony. Terrel’s silly ass had a poster board that said, “Welcome To Death Row.”
More cheers came from the interior of the home as my Uncle Mitch and his immediate family spilled outside, filling the few steps that led to the pool.
Mr. Luis whistled, calming everyone down.
“Y’all making me regret flying everybody out here.
My baby ain’t even proposed yet. Shut the fuck up!
” His words quelled the crowd, and I finally turned back around to focus on Sneaux.
She was down on one knee, and I cupped her face, leaning in to peck her lips.
“Milani, I’ve known you only get one true love since the day I admitted that I was in love with you.
You always tell me how perfect I am, but you’re truly perfect.
Smart, loving, caring, and supportive to a fault.
I’ve told and shown you that you’re mine and you’re never going anywhere.
So will you do me the honor of making it official and marrying me? ”
I pulled Sneaux back up to her feet and stared into her tear rimmed eyes.
Just seeing me happy made her happy. How could you not fall madly in love with someone like that?
“Sneaux, you’ve always seen me, loved me for me, and gone the extra mile to make me feel special every single day this past year.
You dried my tears when I fell apart and were my biggest cheerleader when I received good news.
Of course, I want to spend the rest of my life loving you and nurturing the bond we share,” I exclaimed, bouncing on the heels of my feet.
Sneaux slipped the ring up my finger, and I didn’t bother to admire it.
She could’ve slipped a rock on a silver band onto my finger, and I wouldn’t have given a fuck.
I just wanted to smother her with kisses to make sure she could feel how much I loved her.
While I devoured her lips, our families celebrated around us again.
I swear nothing in life ever felt so real or right.
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