Chapter 68 #2
“I like a man that’s quick to action,” Andrea says, breaking the shock in the room, just as Jordan shakes his head in exasperation at her.
“Think about it: we can get married tomorrow and spend time planning a wedding.”
“Not a bad idea,” Andrea says.
Anu is still looking at me, shocked.
“Andy, I think we need to let them discuss, but dude, you just got engaged.” His tone chastises me.
“I like him,” Andrea says to Anu. “But I’ll leave you two to talk.” She gets to the door. “I can have a dress and everything ready like that.” She snaps her fingers.
“Let’s go, Andy,” Jordan reminds her. She pouts at him before leaving.
I turn to Anu, who is still quiet. I sit next to her on the bed.
“I love you, Anu, and I don’t want to wait to be your husband. I also don’t want to be listed as baby daddy or fiancée when you go for your doctor’s visit. We can plan a wedding however long it takes, but I would love to marry you now.” I hope, I’m making a case for our quick marriage.
“Basically, you don’t want me to run away again.”
“There’s nowhere that you will run to that I won’t find you. I just desire very much to call you my wife and don’t want to wait”
“Did you miss all the parts where I mentioned that anyone planning to marry me is stupid?”
“I’d call it smart, not stupid.”
“I’m not sure getting married without my dad and brother is a good idea.” Her voice is low. And I don’t like her feeling sad or questioning us. I turn to her and take her right hand in mine, kissing her palm. I bring her hand to my chest.
“I’m old enough to know what I want, and I really want to be your husband. I understand the family, but this is something we do for us before all the wedding noise. I promise I will still ask your dad for your hand. Please, grant me this wish to be your husband.”
“Are you sure about this? A semi long engagement can give you a chance to bail if you want to.”
“Marrying you is the one thing I’m most certain about in my life, and I have no plans to bail.”
“Okay. Guess I will take a bold step with you.”
“Yes, Princess,” I happily agree and pull her into my arms. My dearest Anu Kuti, soon to be Wyler,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
“You will be messing up my signature. MAK to MAW. Not as cool.” She rolls her eyes.
“What if I promise that you can keep MAK as your stage or professional name only?”
“Good of you to promise, but I wasn’t going to change it.”
I laugh, pulling back from her. I get off the bed and reach for her hand.
“Come on. Let’s give Andrea something to do.”
She laughs.
“You know, she’s going to be an overachiever on this, right?”
“Yep, exactly why you get to relax and let her do what she loves to do best.”
She’s now on her feet. I cup her face
“How are you feeling?” I love her and I also know how good she can be at smiling through pain, which is never pleasant.
“I’m fine. No pain, and not feeling anything with the pregnancy, just my emotional fear.”
“We’re in this together, Princess,” I reassure her.
“I know. So, let’s go and plan our supersonic wedding.”
I smile, and we head to find Jordan and Andrea. Soon as we make it to the living room, Andrea is quick to ask:
“So, are we having a wedding or not?” Her voice is eager.
“Yes, if you are available to help us plan,” I answer, just as Jordan shakes his head like he feels bad for me.
“You know, Andy is going to be all over this, and you better be ready.”
I smile, just the energy I need. Just as Andrea pokes Jordan.
“I got you guys. Please, ignore the party pooper,” she stresses with a raised brow, rubbing her palms in excitement. “MAK, let’s get to work,” she says.
“Not sure I have any plans. You might have to talk to Daniel.” She still sounds unsure.
“Come on, big guy,” Andrea says, linking her arm with mine. “We got this, the party poopers can hang together, don’t worry. We’ll let her pick a dress.” She winks at Anu.
“How gracious of you,” Anu replies.
I let Andrea lead me to another room: it’s an office.
To my surprise, when she brings out a binder, it has all wedding plans and clips.
“I’m helping my sister plan her wedding for next summer, but we have everything we need right here, and some of them are MAK’s ideas.
” Her last words caused my eyes to widen in surprise. “Told you, I got you.” She grins
I nod.
“Thank you, this would be a lot of help.”
“The only thing I don’t have is a priest or judge to officiate.”
I smile because this is my area.
“My godfather is a judge. I don’t think he would mind.”
“Perfect. You get him, and I make some calls for the dress. I know the one she likes.” She pauses. “You don’t mind the price, do you?”
“Long as it’s what Anu wants.” She claps with a wide grin. “Location?” she questions right away.
“My childhood home is available.”
“Good. Any food allergies? And how many people?”
“It’s just me, my dad and maybe two of my friends, the rest is you guys and who ever she wants.” She gives me a thumbs up with a smile.
“Okay. Go and get the judge and let your dad know. I’ll call the one lady that can get us cake, flowers, decoration, food and a good DJ at short notice. Then her dress and stylist. Let’s make this happen.” Her excitement is a delight.
I hug her and whisper. “Thank you.”
“You are so welcome. Plus, I like you guys together.”
“Is there a room I can use to make some calls?”
“First door on your left.”
I nod and head back out. I can hear Jordan and Anu laughing. I step into a room that looks like a study room with wooden shelves of books on one side and glass record albums on the other, with two chairs and a desk.
I take a seat and place a call to my dad.
“Hello.”
“Hey, dad. She said yes.” I hear the immediate joyous laugh and the loud bang of his hand hitting something.
“That’s wonderful news. When do I get to meet her?”
“Tomorrow at the house; we are getting married there.”
“Why so quick?”
“She’s pregnant, dad. I just found out, and I want to marry her right away.”
“She’s pregnant; that’s wonderful news!” he exclaims. I know how badly he wants more grandkids.
“Okay, my doors are open.”
“Dad, can you get Judge Kingsley to officiate?”
“He was going to be here tomorrow; I’ll tell him to plan to officiate your wedding. Congratulations, son! And I’m excited to be a grand dad again.”
“Thanks, dad. I’ll stop by in a few hours.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
“Bye, dad.”
Hanging up with my dad, I take out the other phone and push the button to call my brothers on our emergency line. One by one they each answer. Once all five are on:
“What’s wrong?” Bruce asks.
“Nothing this time. She said yes, and I’m getting married in less than twenty-four hours. Who’s in New York right now?”
“Congratulations,” echoes all four.
“I need a best man or two.”
“I’ll be there in five hours,” Adam answers.
“Me too,” says Bruce.
“A day trip for me, but yes,” Luke says.
“I’ll ride with Luke,” Declan says.
“Thanks, guys. White shirt and black suit should be fine.”
“You got it. Or we can all repeat the suit from Luke’s wedding,” Declan says.
“Perfect, let’s do that.”
“Send us the information,” Luke says.
“Will do. See you guys in a few hours.”
“Congrats,” they each say and hang up.
I was expecting at least two, but all four of my brothers make it even better. I leave the room and head to the living room. I find Jordan dancing with Andrea, and Anu, laughing on the sofa. I go to sit with her.
“Are you good?”
“I’m fine. I called Nkem, she just arrived in Chicago and she’s not too happy that she will miss our wedding. She’s threatening to never speak to me again.”
“My friends are coming from Chicago and leaving same day. She can fly in with them.”
Her face lights up.
“Are you sure she can hitch a plane ride with them?”
“Of course, I’m sure.”
“Great, I’ll call her and let her know that she can stop her threats.”
I smile as she gets up right away and heads back to the room she was staying in. I hope she knows she’s not spending the night here.
Andrea comes over. “The lady will be here shortly. Did you get the location and officiant?”
“Yes, and yes,” I answer, and she smiles.
“Perfect, Once Vicky gets here, we can discuss everything else, and your picky bride can get a dress.”
“Thank you, Andrea,” I say.
“You are welcome. I’m just so happy for your two.” She claps and grins happily.
About an hour later, Vicky arrives with gowns for Anu. Andrea is happy to inform me that I can’t see this part.
I have to sit with Jordan.
“Dude, you sure you want to go through with this?” he asks, with a raised brow questioning if I’m losing my mind for wanting to get married this fast. What he’s not realizing is the fact that I’m solidifying our lives together.
She doesn’t get to leave me, and I don’t get to leave her.
After tomorrow, we are stuck together happily forever.
“The real question is, how come you and Andrea aren’t married?”
He leans into his chair and exhales.
“Andrea believes her family is jinxed, and the moment we say I do is when we break up. So, we are never getting married.”
That’s surprising to hear.
“Are you sure though? She seems happy about planning weddings. I’m sure she would like to plan her own wedding.”
“She’s happy planning everyone else’s wedding, never hers.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“I don’t care, long as she’s with me and she’s happy.” I nod, in the end, their happiness is all that matters.
“So, why do you want to get married so quickly?” he challenges, and I chuckle.
“For starters, I truly and deeply want to call her my wife, and have a good reason to follow her wherever she goes. Plus, I don’t want to be just her baby daddy, and I love her.”
“Wait, did you just say baby daddy? Is she...”
I nod.
“Fuck, man.” He chuckles. “You sure as hell don’t play.”
I shake my head. Not when it comes to her, I don’t.
“Not when it comes to her, I don’t,” I repeat out loud, and he laughs.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Okay, you are good to get married. Can’t have my girl be your baby mama.”
“No, we can’t have that. Especially when she’s having a Wyler baby.”
He happily shakes my hand.
“Come on, let’s have a drink.”
The ladies soon come out to join us. Vicky says her goodbyes. Andrea and Anu join us. I pull her closer to me. Jordan shakes his head at me, almost telling me that I’m too far gone. I grin and acquiesce without a word.
“You have a dress?”
“Yes, I got one that I like, and it fits.”
“Good, we should head out soon,” I say.
“We? I was going to stay here, and we meet at your dad’s tomorrow at noon.”
“My fiancée is coming home with me,” I say. I notice Andrea raising her brow with a sly grin.