Epilogue
It wastime for our one-year evaluation with Arranged Hearts, and I expected it to go as smoothly as the three-month and six-month evaluations. There hadn’t been a moment over the past year when I’d regretted saying ‘I do’.
Arranged Hearts may have been the vessel, but God crafted our union. Desire was my soulmate, and not a soul could tell me different. Her outer beauty was something to behold, but it couldn’t hold a match to who she was on the inside. Every day, I found a reason to love her more.
Seeing Desire take on motherhood with Azaria was beautiful, and I was grateful for how she showered her with love, affection, affirmations, and so much more. However, watching her as she carried our twins, Aziel Jr. and Azana, was a feeling I couldn’t find the words to describe.
During her pregnancy, I could hardly pull my eyes away from her. I watched her while she slept, getting ready for work, talking on the phone, and moving through the house. I watched her doing any and everything because when we were apart, I wanted to feel like she was in my presence.
“Mr. and Mrs. Harris, it’s so nice to see you again. I’m so glad you brought the babies! Let me see,” Savannah beamed, reaching for Azana.
“That’s my baby sister,” Azaria informed Savannah.
She was very protective of her siblings.
“She sure is. Can I hold her for a minute?”
Azaria nodded but followed her to the other side of the table.
“It’s great to see you both again, and congratulations on winning a second term. I heard it was by a landslide,” Nathan offered.
“Thank you, and yes, it was a very convincing win this time.”
“Baby, look at her. Doesn’t this make you want another one?” Savanna cooed.
Nathan laughed. “You see what you started? If we end up pregnant, I’m sending all the bills to you.”
“We take no responsibility for any babies inspired by the twins,” Desire said.
“They are so cute. You definitely need a disclaimer. So, let’s get started. This meeting is just a formality. I can tell by the light in your eyes that things are still going well,” Savannah said.
“I—go ahead, baby,” I told Desire when we spoke at the same time.
“Thank you, baby. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t found the guts to click submit after completing the profile for Arranged Hearts. I can honestly say I never would’ve given Aziel a chance because I’d made up my mind about the kind of man he was. This man was made for me, and had it not been for you, I wouldn’t be experiencing a love so great.”
“Wow, that was beautiful,” Nathan said. “How about you, Aziel?”
“Shit, how can I top that?” I paused. “When I decided to move forward with Arranged Hearts, I was all in. I knew God would help you find someone for me with whom I could build a love that would last a lifetime. Desire is everything and more. Sometimes, I become overwhelmed by my love for her. It scares me when I think about the lengths I’m willing to go to keep that beautiful smile on her face and make life easier for her. My love for her knows no bounds.”
“Whew! Girl, that man has a way with words,” Savannah said.
Nathan nodded in agreement. “I have to give it to you, too, man. That was nice. I don’t think there’s much more to say besides thank you for allowing Arranged Hearts to orchestrate this union. May you spend the rest of your years in marital bliss.”
Desire looked at me with those almond-shaped eyes, and I saw a reflection of my feelings… pure and unadulterated love.
“I love you, Desire.”
“I love you, Aziel.”
“I love you, Mommy and Daddy.”
THE END