Chapter 22 Chanel
Chanel
“I still can’t believe that you and Vincent were dating almost a whole dang year and you didn’t tell us,” one of Chanel’s
coworkers said.
Chanel glanced over and saw Freda’s tight expression. The woman had all but stopped talking to her after finding out; she
most often sent her a message whenever she was needed instead of calling. And whenever someone mentioned the relationship,
she’d get up and leave. Like now. Chanel had gotten a few hostile glares from other people, but Freda’s slight hurt the most
because she’d thought they were friends.
Of course, the woman had directed her anger only toward Chanel. She was still all smiles when it came to Vincent.
“So are you ready for the wedding and the wedding night?”
“Yes and yes.” Although truthfully, for the past month, she’d started to have some reservations.
Vincent had canceled on her at least three times, and it brought back memories of her father doing the same thing, until one day he just never returned.
Chanel realized that his school workload was increasing as he progressed through the program, but it hurt all the same.
When they were together, she had no doubts about his love.
The anxiety and hesitation only seemed to rear its ugly head late at night, while she lay in bed alone.
She hadn’t said anything for fear it would make things worse.
She loved Vincent and wanted nothing more than to be with him from now until forever.
Chanel hoped everything would level out once he completed the program.
“Ready, baby?”
Vincent’s voice snapped her out of her musings. “Yep. See you in two weeks,” she said to her coworker.
“Enjoy, you two.” Then quietly she added with a wink, “See you tomorrow.”
Chuckling, Chanel threw up a wave and headed for the exit with Vincent trailing her. They’d invited a select few of their
coworkers to the wedding, including their bosses.
“I can’t wait to have you all to myself for two weeks,” Vincent said, kissing her hand. He started the car and pulled out.
“I can’t wait either.” They planned to spend ten days in Barbados, then come back and get the rest of her things moved into
his condo. They’d decided to table going house hunting for the immediate future. One of Jada’s friends would be moving into
the duplex so she wouldn’t be alone, which made Chanel feel better.
He stopped to pick up his tuxedo and the last few things they’d need for their trip before going over to the church for the
rehearsal. Afterward, the wedding party went to the Bradleys’ home for dinner.
Chanel started to feel a little overwhelmed and excused herself to go stand outside on the deck. Although the calendar read
December, somehow Los Angeles didn’t get the memo. Instead of cooler winter weather, it felt more like late spring with temperatures
in the upper seventies. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly, then repeated the process twice more. Please don’t let me be making a mistake.
The sliding glass door opened, and Tariq and Kamryn stepped out. She quickly and discreetly wiped away her tears, hoping neither
had seen.
Apparently Kamryn had, because she was across the space in a flash. “You okay, Chanel?” She wrapped her arm around her shoulder.
“Whatever it is, we’ve got you. You’re my little sister now.”
She opened her mouth to say she was okay, but with Kamryn’s concerned gaze, comforting voice, and big sister hug, the truth
about how she’d been feeling tumbled out before she could stop the words. “I know he’s been studying really hard, and with
work increasing . . .”
“Not an excuse,” Tariq said, cutting her off. “I’m going to talk to him.”
Chanel caught his arm. “No, no, it’s okay. I’m sure everything will be fine once he finishes.”
“It’s not okay, and I know that Vincent will agree.” He gave her a quick hug. “It’ll be fine, and I promise to leave him alive,” he
teased.
Before she could say another word, Tariq pivoted on his heel and disappeared inside. “I don’t want to cause any problems.”
“You’re not,” Kamryn said. “Have you talked to him about it?”
“Not really.” She stared out over the yard. “I was scared it would mess things up. Growing up, every time my mother tried
talking to my father when he was checked out, it turned into a war zone—screaming, throwing things. Then he’d leave for days,
sometimes weeks, until one day he never came back.”
“I’ve gotten to know Vincent over the past couple of years, and I can honestly say I don’t believe he’d respond that way.
I get it, though. Our past sometimes gets in the way of our present and future. But you don’t have to be ruled by those things.
Trust me, it’ll be okay. There’s no question whether Vincent loves you. He just needs a little reminder of his priorities.”
“Chanel.”
Kamryn gave Chanel’s shoulders one last squeeze. “I’ll be inside if you need to talk.”
Passing Vincent, she leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Once the door closed, Vincent came and wrapped Chanel in his strong arms. For a moment, he said nothing. “I’m so sorry, baby.
My brother—”
“I didn’t ask him to—”
He cut her off with a kiss, then smiled. “I know you didn’t, but that’s what good big brothers do. He reminded me that I had
this amazing and beautiful woman who’d agreed to spend the rest of her life with me, and I had pretty much pushed her aside.
Yes, between work and studying, it’s been kicking my butt, and I’m so used to shutting everything and everyone out, but I
should’ve done a better job communicating with you, and I definitely shouldn’t have been canceling our dates. It’s context,
but not an excuse.”
“I understand that it’s a lot.”
“Yes, but you are my first and most important priority. I don’t even know if there are enough words to explain how much I love you, and
I don’t want you to ever regret saying yes.”
The tears started again. “It’s not all your fault. I should’ve told you how I was feeling and about my insecurities.” She
repeated the same things that she’d shared with Kamryn. “I try so hard to keep those things under wraps, but there’s always
this tiny voice that asks what if you do the same.”
Tilting her chin, he met her gaze. “Sweetheart, that will never happen. I can’t leave you.
I won’t leave. Ever. I promise I will always do my best to not only tell you how much I love you, adore you, but also show you.
You are my everything, Chanel. I’m sorry, so sorry,” he said softly, placing butterfly kisses all over her face.
“From now on, we talk about everything, no matter how uncomfortable. Deal?”
“Deal.” The quiet strength in his voice melted her fears. He hugged her tight, and she clung to him, grateful they’d scaled
this hurdle.
“We’re in this for life, and I can’t wait to be able to call you my wife.”
Besides her sister, Chanel had never had anyone that she considered close enough to share her hurts with and tended to keep
everything bottled up inside. Whatever it is, we’ve got you. You’re my little sister now. She’d have to thank Tariq and Kam and couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
“Oh, sis, you look so beautiful,” Jada said. “I wish at least one of our parents had been sober enough to be here.”
Chanel smoothed a hand over the fitted gown, which hugged her curves. “Thanks, and me too. But it is what it is.” After telling
her mother that she was engaged and asking over and over if she would come, she’d hoped that, just maybe, her mother would’ve
gotten herself together in order to see her daughter get married. But nope. She couldn’t be bothered. It solidified what Chanel
had always known. Unless Charlotte Reynolds accepted the help that she and Jada continually tried to offer, they would never
have a positive relationship. This line of thinking only made her sad, so she pushed it away, determined to focus only on
the good. “Okay. No more talk about our nonexistent parents. Today is my wedding day, and I’m only going to think happy thoughts.”
She had an incredible man and his family who loved her. Nothing else mattered.
“You’re right.” Jada gave her a strong hug. “I’m so happy you found your forever love. I hope to be as fortunate.”
Dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a tissue, Chanel said, “He’s out there, and when the time comes, you’ll know it.”
“Chanel.” The wedding coordinator stuck her head in the door. “It’s time.”
“Okay.”
“See you in a minute,” Jada said, going to the door. She stopped and turned back. “Don’t forget to walk slow and make sure
there’s a little hip action. You want everybody to get a good look at that dress and have Vincent’s eyes popping out of his
head.”
Chanel laughed. “Girl, get out of here. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”
Between the two, Jada had always been the more outgoing one and lacked a filter. She couldn’t wait to see the man brave enough
to take Jada on.
“I’m just sayin’.” She strutted out the door.
Taking a minute to center herself, Chanel took a couple of deep breaths and let them out slowly, then headed for the sanctuary.
As she got there, the wedding party had begun to enter. She’d chosen Jada as her maid of honor, with Taylor and Giselle as
bridesmaids. Kamryn had declined in order to be with her daughter. Shawn was stepping in as best man, while Austin and Tariq
served as groomsmen. She and Vincent had wanted to keep everything small.
When it came time for her to make her entrance, butterflies started an all-out party in her belly. The doors opened, and the
music started. She glanced up and met Vincent’s smiling face. Holding his gaze, she took one slow step after another. Halfway
down the aisle, he came toward her.
“From now on, you will never walk alone.” Vincent took her arm in his, and they continued to where the minister stood.
If she didn’t already love him, those words alone would have solidified it. And she planned to tell him and show him how much they meant to her. The ceremony took less than twenty minutes, then his lips were on hers, a slow, drugging
kiss that further sealed their commitment.
“I love you, Mrs. Bradley.”
“I love you too.” And she loved the sound of her new name.
After what seemed like hours of photos, everyone headed for the hotel where the reception would be held. Chanel couldn’t recall
a time in her life when she’d been so happy, felt so free. She danced, sang, and cheered on Mama Yvonne and Papa Aaron as
they took over the dance floor to “show the young people how it’s done.”
By the time things began to wind down, Chanel was more than ready to start her wedding night.
“Welcome to the family, baby sis.” Austin placed a kiss on her cheek.
“Thanks. I’m really glad you were able to be here. Our day wouldn’t have been complete without you.”
“Yeah, I know,” he teased.
She laughed. Because he’d been deployed to the other side of the country, she’d only had an opportunity to see him a handful
of times. “So I guess it’s true what they said about you being the family jokester.”
He shrugged. “Probably, but it’s all good. I gotta keep the family lively.”
Chanel had no doubts about that from all the stories she’d heard. “If you say so. How long are you going to be here? I think
Taylor mentioned it, but in all the wedding prep, I completely forgot.”
“Three more days, which is why while you and Vince are on your honeymoon, I’ll be having another one of my own.”
She followed his gaze to where Taylor stood laughing with Kamryn while holding her new niece. The love he had for his wife
could be clearly seen in his eyes. “You two enjoy, because I definitely plan to enjoy mine.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. I think I’m going to dance with my wife.” He hugged her again. “I’m glad Vince has you in
his life.”
“I’m glad to have him in mine.” Chanel watched his fluid strides as he crossed the ballroom and smiled. Yep. Taylor is going to enjoy her weekend too.
“Finally, someone who knows how to plan a wedding correctly.”
She turned at the sound of Giselle’s voice. “Oh, I don’t know if there’s one correct way to plan one. I think it’s pretty
cool to see the variety of ways people choose to celebrate. Big, small, private, or even eloping, I love to see it all.”
“You don’t have a problem with someone not including the family in their wedding?”
“Not if that happens to be their choice. Weddings are expensive, and maybe the couple would rather use the money they would’ve
spent on a wedding for a down payment on a house or to pay off their bills so they have a clean start.” She hoped she was
giving Giselle something to think about. Clearly the comment had been meant to cast a negative light on Kamryn’s and Taylor’s
ceremonies.
“You about ready to head out, sweetheart?”
Vincent’s timing was perfect because Chanel could see her new sister-in-law gearing up for one of her rants, and today, of
all days, Chanel didn’t want to deal with it. “I am.” She turned to Giselle. “We’re going to say goodbye to the parents, then
we’ll see you later.”
“You two enjoy yourselves.”
Curving an arm around Chanel’s waist, Vincent said, “Trust me. We’re going to enjoy each and every second of our honeymoon.”
Though his words were directed to Giselle, his heated gaze never left Chanel’s, and she resisted the urge to fan herself.
Once all the goodbyes and hugs were accomplished, the two of them took the elevator to the suite where they’d spend the night
before their flight out tomorrow.
The large, two-room suite, with its plush carpet, elegant furniture, and huge king bed, was gorgeous. She came back from her
quick tour to find her husband still standing with his back braced against the door. The reality slammed into her at that
moment. Husband. She was a married woman now. And I plan to enjoy every moment of our lives together.