Epilogue #2
Since I had been promoted to a higher place within the Sinner’s camp, I treated Uncle Lester and Levi like they didn’t exist. My uncle hated that the twins and I were in a better position in the family business than his son, but he only had himself to blame.
While we spent summers cleaning the casino and running the cleaners, Levi was drag racing and blowing money.
Nowadays, Pluto took the position as an arms dealer, Echo dealt with the legit businesses, and I ran The Sinner’s Spot.
“Lester knows why I don’t fuck with his jealous ass. Kannon forgave him for talking slick when she was pregnant, but I didn’t. Let that nigga stay at the cleaners with his son.”
Pluto shook his head. “You foul for that.”
“Nah. Had I broke his neck instead of his jaw, then you could say that. He better be glad I wasn’t the person who decided his fate. I would’ve kicked him out of the family for being a snake.”
“How are you going to exile him for doing business with the Blackstones when you’re about to marry one?”
“That was business. This here is personal.” I smiled like I couldn’t be called out on my shit. “I need y’all to finish getting dressed. The wedding starts in an hour.”
While everyone found a corner for themselves, I went into the walk-in closet and grabbed my Prada tuxedo. As soon as I was alone, the tension in my chest returned. I had been feeling it since we arrived in Hawaii, but I couldn’t pinpoint the source of my anxiety.
After thirty minutes of making sure I looked perfect for Kannon, I rejoined the group and noticed my mom sitting in a reading chair in the corner. She looked healthier now than when we reconnected, and a smile reached her eyes whenever Easy or I were around.
“What’s up, Valerie? Everything all right?” I kneeled in front of her chair.
“Everything is perfect. I stopped by to grab Nova. The wedding starts soon, and she’s walking down the aisle with her granny.” She shimmied her shoulders.
“Nova is upstairs with her mom. They had a few more pictures to take before the ceremony.”
Valerie nodded as her gaze gripped the floor and her hands came together in her lap. “I can’t stop thinking about how grateful I am for this moment. So many nights, I thought about you and Easy. I was afraid I would never see you two get married and have babies, but I’m here. God is good.”
Her vulnerability made me uncomfortable, but I felt like an ass just watching her cry.
Without dwelling on our past, I pulled Valerie to her feet and embraced her.
Over the last year, the people who knew me best expressed how surprised they were about Kannon and me getting together.
However, I was more amazed by how much progress I had made with EJ and my mom.
After my father’s funeral, I still had reservations about my estranged family, but Kannon and my mom bonded once the baby was born, so the new granny was always at my house.
Some days, I pretended like she wasn’t there, and I only interacted with my little brother.
Still, my dismissive attitude didn’t run her away, and she approached my cold shoulder with a warmth that softened my guard.
“Sometimes, I wish I could bring your daddy back to life, just so I could put him back in the dirt for what he did to us.”
Our shared sentiments made me chuckle as I pulled away. “Trust me. I got some choice words for that nigga too, but being pissed at a dead man will drive us insane. We’re going to enjoy the day without the heaviness of someone’s deceit weighing us down. We deserve it.”
The wedding started right as the sun set.
Champagne-colored chairs accented with black lace lined the beach, and our planner positioned an arch wrapped with dark material and packed with lightly shaded roses in front of the water.
As I stepped down the walkway carved out by candles, I got so caught up in acknowledging my guests that I almost didn’t notice the harpist off to the side.
As I waited for my bride to show face, I held my composure.
I maintained a solid front when some of my cousins in the audience snapped pictures of me, and I was able to hold in my emotions when my mom strolled down the aisle with Nova in her arms. However, when Kannon and Easy came into view, the tightness in my chest became undone.
The closer Kannon got, the harder my nostrils flared, and the faster my tears fell.
A long veil covered her face, but the strapless lace gown that fit her curves mesmerized me.
The six-foot train that trailed behind her was dramatic and picked up tears she left behind.
Over the last year, the chocolate lady let her hair grow, and today, she tucked her inches behind her ears.
I was happy she didn’t remove her septum piercing.
It was a part of her, and I loved every part of my impulsive, thoughtful, ambitious kitty kat.
“Aww, baby. Why are you crying?” she asked once I lifted her veil.
“Because I get to love you, and I know, without a doubt, you love me. When I was younger, I prayed for love on the nights my mom’s absence bothered me.
I prayed for commitment from people close to me.
I prayed for a tribe who trusted me to lead.
I didn’t realize until now that I was praying for my wife and my daughter.
” I kissed Kannon’s tears away as if there weren’t a beach full of people waiting for us.
“You’ve shown me Sinners deserve love too. ”
Kannon squeezed my hands. “And you’ve got mine forever. Now, let’s get married, Tune!”