Chapter 30
It was three hours before Anika’s wedding, and she was as cool as a cucumber.
I on the other hand was fussing over every detail.
Anika and Dante opted to have a simple wedding at the Little White Wedding Chapel on the Strip.
But there were still details to confirm.
Like the limo that would be transporting us to the chapel and the makeup artist who should be here any minute to glamify us.
Per usual my sister was on auto-pilot. She trusted I would bring her vision to life. But when I asked her what she wanted, her response was more concepts than concrete plans. It was all about this chill vibe. I didn’t know what that looked like, but I did my best to make it happen.
“Don’t you just love my wedding nails?” She flashed her long, blush nails adorned with pearls and gems.
“Beautiful.” I nodded while typing out a text message to the party planner who was busy preparing the reception site and had questions about the tablescapes.
“We should get pizza,” Anika announced.
“What?” My brows curved in surprise.
“Pizza.”
“We have to leave in three hours. We don’t have time for room service.”
“Not room service. Pieola.”
“You want me to order pizza from a restaurant over forty minutes away?”
“Yeah, it will be my last meal as a single woman.”
“Sweetie—”
“Pieola.” Anika flounced away humming a melodic tune.
Danessa: Meet me in the hallway ASAP.
Aldridge: Okay?
We were at opposite ends on the same floor of this luxury hotel. I met Aldridge at the elevator banks.
“How’s it going?” I asked.
“Good we’re playing Call of Duty.”
“Video games … now?”
“Yeah, we still have a few hours to kill.”
“And Dante’s good, no cold feet?”
“He will be at the altar suited and booted.”
“The bride requested pizza from Pieola.”
“Yum.”
“Not yum that spot is clear across town. It’s going to take over an hour to get here and by that time her makeup will be done and she’ll ruin her lipstick from the grease.”
“Let’s take a deep breath. Close your eyes.” I followed his instructions. “Breathe in. Breathe out.” A deep lungful of air filled my chest followed by an exhale. “Breathe in positive thoughts, breathe in levity. Expel stress and perfectionism. Now open your eyes.”
“You think I’m being silly?”
“You’re a perfectionist always have been. But Anika is the type of woman who lets the wind determine her next destination. So stop being so hard on yourself it will all come together. And the pizza will be here in an hour.”
“How did you do that?”
“It takes a village. Now go back in there and enjoy this moment.”
“I love you.”
“We got this.”
“T-minus three hours until game time.” We performed an exploding fist bump before heading back to our respective rooms.
In Anika’s suite she was dancing to seventies love songs. “Hi!”
“Hi, the pizza has been ordered. Mom’s on her way. And the makeup artist just texted to say she’s parking the car.”
“I think that’s cause for a celebration. Dance with me.”
There was so much to do. Like check on the photographer who should be showing up any minute for the get-ready photos.
Jemini was minutes away, which would no doubt raise my blood pressure, and I wasn’t entirely sure where Anika’s wedding shoes were.
Despite all that, I reluctantly tossed my phone on the bed and danced with my big sister on her special day.
I was anti Little White Wedding Chapel but now that we were inside, I had to admit it had its charm. The flowers in the lobby were fake but tasteful and the red carpet added a pop of color when compared to the white walls.
“Welcome to the world renowned Little White Wedding Chapel.” A woman with a deep southern accent and hair piled high to the sky announced. “We have presided over the nuptials of everyone from Frank Sinatra to Britney Spears. Are you two Dante and Anika?”
“Yes, that’s us.” My sister beamed.
“Alright just need you to sign the paperwork and pay the remaining balance.”
Glancing at Aldridge I frowned, this part seemed less about wedded bliss and more about business. Dante handed over his card.
“Alright darling. Last detail is selecting your officiant.”
“We’ve thought long and hard about this, and we are going to go with the Purple Rain package.”
Aldridge couldn’t contain his chuckle which caused Anika to flash him an icy glare. Aldi was forced to offer a swift apology, “Sorry, who doesn’t love the man, the myth, the symbol?”
“Prince … wow. So exciting,” I cosigned.
“That’s why I’m wearing this purple bedazzled garter.” She flashed her leg at me.
“It makes sense. This is all perfectly normal.”
“They have tons of options. You know if you two want we could do a bang bang,” Dante said.
“Do I want to know what that is?” I whispered to Aldi.
“You and Danessa are all dressed up, you could jump the broom right after me and my soon to be wife.”
“I think we’re good. This is your day and Nessa and I are happy to be supporting characters.”
The lady with the big bouffant returned. “Alright who will be escorting you down the aisle.”
Aldridge raised his hand. “That would be me.”
“I’m going to ask everyone else to enter the room.”
I fussed over the hem of Anika’s dress. She settled on a short and flirty blush-toned frock and she looked stunning. “Are you ready to be a Mrs?”
“Yea, I can’t wait to be Dante’s wife.”
Giving her one last hug, I took my place at the altar.
Love was so unpredictable you could be with someone for years and not be ready to take the next step.
While others could meet and instantly know this person was going to be their life partner.
Or in the case of Aldridge and me, you could meet the love of your life, get cold feet and push him away only for Cupid or Eros to manifest other plans.
I knew I was ready to spend forever with Aldi, but was in no rush to jump the broom.
We still had some catching up to do. And I didn’t want to rush through our love story, preferring instead to savor every part.
A slender man dressed in a purple satin suit with hair straightened into a full bouncy updo initiated the ceremony. “All rise for the beautiful one.” When the music kicked in from the speakers, I cringed. They went with “Let’s Go Crazy” when “Adore” was right there.
As the doors opened, I gasped. Even though I was just with Anika a minute ago, she somehow managed to become more stunning in those sixty seconds.
My eyes swept over to Dante and his smile took up half his face.
All I asked was that he love my sister and appreciate all the things that made her special.
At the altar I witnessed the man of my dreams usher my sister into her new life.
It had been months now and I was still impressed by Aldridge.
Each morning, waking up to his face was the best part of my day.
Actually, the morning sex was the best part of my day, but you catch my drift.
When his eyes opened to greet mine, a smile would tug at the corners of his mouth like he was just as surprised to see me as I was to see him.
Then came the hug. Aldridge would scoop me up and press my body into his.
I’d nestle my face into his neck and breathe deep.
The weight of his large hands rubbing my back would cause me to shiver.
Back rubs quickly evolved into back shots that left my legs shaking while begging him to burrow his dick into my soul.
Wait a second. Was this considered a real chapel because my thoughts were not house of God approved. We should focus on the ceremony.
The officiant was a low-budget Prince look-alike.
If you squinted, you could see the vision.
“Dearly Beloved today is a joyous day as we bring forth the union of Dante and Anika. This world can be So Dark, that Baby You’re a Star when you find your partner.
The amount of love in the air makes me Delirious.
And on a solemn note …” Fake Prince dropped the affects, his tone serious as he spoke the next sentence.
“Marriage is a sacred bond that should not be entered into lightly, so if anyone has any objections speak now or forever hold your peace.”
You could hear a pin drop as slowly all eyes turned to me.
“What? I have no objections. Can we please move it along?” A blush took over my cheeks.
At one point I had my concerns, but this was Anika’s life.
And while her choices would not be ones I would make, she was my sister and I was going to stick beside her.
“Excellent. Dante and Anika have written their own vows, which they will exchange now. Dante, you’re up first.”
“We met in a loud, noisy club but even with hundreds of people surrounding us, I knew you were one of a kind. It took me less than twenty-four hours to know I couldn’t live without you.
I was not a man who was interested in settling down.
But you’re the real deal and I just want to be in your orbit for the rest of my life.
I promise to fuck you well and often and with me you’ll never have to want for a thing. I love you Nica.”
My smile faltered at his vows, wanting more declarations of his undying love. Reminder, not your wedding, and not your man.
“Anika, I think Dante is willing to Die For You. Now the bride will say her vows.”
“Dante, neither of us were looking for love but it found us. I went to the Enclave to scam some men out of their money, but I ran into you and you instantly stole my heart. I don’t take life too seriously but love, that’s something I don’t play about.
So, I vow to love the fuck out of you every day for the rest of our lives.
There is no one else on this planet I’d rather huddle through space with. You’re stuck with me forever baby.”