Chapter 30 #2
My man-eating sister had been tamed. Never thought I’d see the day, but Dante clearly had the magic touch because my sister had never been more sincere than in this moment.
She loved him. So it didn’t matter that she was getting married in a small room which smelled slightly like lemon pepper hot wings by a knock-off Prince impersonator in a ruffled shirt with his chest hair out.
“Nothing compares to the love a bride has for her groom.”
The Prince song puns were getting a bit long in the tooth.
But I guess that’s what you get when you select the Purple Rain package.
Our therapist confirmed during the first family session that I was a smidge judgmental.
Okay she didn’t add a percentage to it, but she did call me out.
Don’t get me wrong, this is something I already knew about myself, but hearing a medical professional cosign it was a bit jarring.
“This may spark a bit of controversy, but I know all Dante is thinking right now is Do Me Baby. I’m not going to keep you waiting. It’s time for you to kiss the bride.”
Dante scooped my sister in his arms, kissing her passionately for three full minutes.
I’m talking all out tongue, love bites, and audible moaning.
At one point, Aldridge covered his eyes because what was on display was clearly bedroom behavior.
Who has a mini make-out session in front of their parents?
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Sexy Motherfuckers, Dante and Anika Caldwell.”
The newlyweds danced out of the chapel to Prince’s Kiss.
If the ceremony was intimate, the reception was the complete opposite.
A grand hall with all white everything. From the marble dance floor to the flower arrangements with roses, magnolias, peonies, and orchids.
When we arrived the cocktail hour was already well underway, filled with friends and family ready to celebrate with the happy couple.
Anika even invited some of her frenemies, no doubt to silently brag about her good fortune.
Knowing my sister, the thought of her friends secretly envying her life was part of a successful wedding day.
Anika and Dante entered the hall to oohs and aahs from the crowd and immediately spun into their first dance as man and wife.
I took my duties as maid of honor seriously and was currently at the bar ordering the couple’s first drink.
While I waited, massive arms enveloped me.
A smile crept over my face as my body melted into Aldridge.
Spinning around, I beamed up at the adoring face of the man of my dreams.
“One thing about Dante and Anika they know how to throw a party,” he said.
“It’s over the top and grand just like their personalities. I kind of love it.”
“Well, I have to say you are without a doubt the finest maid of honor I’ve ever seen.”
“You’re bias.”
“I just have good taste.”
“Can you keep a secret?”
“Yes.”
“I’m surprised this shit actually happened.”
“Not a secret. Sometimes love hits like a freight train.”
“The fact that Dante made all my sister’s dreams come true tonight makes him brother-in-law of the year in my book.”
“Dante is a lot of things. But he seems to be all in with your sister. Literally from their first meeting he had stars in his eyes.”
Anika came bounding toward us. “Did you see us out there? We practiced our first dance for weeks.”
“It was great. I would’ve probably omitted the part where you twerked against him but—”
“What, you didn’t like that modest display of affection?” Aldridge teased. “That was my favorite part. Well, it’s a tie between that and when he hoisted you in the air like Patrick Swayze in that one movie.”
“That was actually the best part,” I agreed.
“When we practiced the lift I fell a lot. Had to go to the hospital for head trauma but in the end it all came together.” I laughed nervously, hoping she was joking.
The bartender knocked on the bar top signaling my drinks were ready. Grabbing both, I handed them to Anika. “For the bride and groom.”
“Thank you. I’m gonna get so fucking wasted.” She took both drinks to the head. “Alright, I’m going to find my husband.” She cackled flashing her wedding rings before walking off.
“Did she say head trauma?”
Anika found Dante in the crowd of people and their faces lit up, elated to be reunited even though they’d only been apart for minutes.
“Are you okay?”
“I feel like a shitty sister for not taking her and Dante seriously. But when I saw how sincere she was during the vow exchange, it all made sense. This hasn’t been some massive con she actually loves him.”
“He feels the same.”
“It’s like the end of an era. I never thought my sister would settle down and get married.”
“It was a beautiful day.”
“It was. And she’s a beautiful bride. And the wedding was exactly what she wanted, no compromises and that’s what I love about my sister. She’s always going to be unapologetically her authentic self.”
“That’s all anyone can ask for. Now come dance with me.”
After toasts, dinner, and cake cutting, it was time for the garter toss.
Dante used his teeth to remove the garter and the moans Anika made were obscene.
Upon retrieval, he twirled the garter in his hand before handing the garter to Anika and claiming her bouquet.
The two cast devilish grins before heading in Aldridge and my direction.
Dante made a big show of handing me the bouquet and Anika, well Anika stuffed her garter in Aldi’s mouth.
“You’re next, my dude,” Dante shouted. Aldridge tried his best to conceal his disgust while removing the garter.
“Are you okay?”
He flicked his tongue like a dog. “Am I gonna have to get shots?”
I hit him playfully with the bouquet.
By midnight I was feeling great and was out on the dance floor with Anika and Jemini shaking our asses to Juvenile “Back That Azz Up.” Even I had to admit we were some bad bitches.
We may not always agree, but my sister and mother knew how to have a good time.
And Jemini was in heaven because this reception was a smorgasbord of fine eligible men, and she was making the rounds.
Anika tossed her arms over my shoulder, and we slow danced to a bass-heavy XYZ Baby song. “Sissy, thank you so much for being there for me.”
“Of course.”
“I know you didn’t approve, but you stood by me.”
“You deserve the world, and I just needed to make sure Dante was capable of giving that to you.”
“He’s great, he really is.”
“Yep, I’m so very happy for you, and I meant every word in my toast.”
“You do know you’re so next?”
“What?”
“Aldridge has that look in his eyes. And you know he’s a family man.”
“I’m cool with where we’re at for now.”
“I’m calling it, this time next year you’ll be a Mrs.”
“Hmm.”
“And then we’ll be two bitching Mrs.”
“Oh my God, I love you. You’re drunk, but I love you.”
“Drunk and horny. I think it’s time to wrap this shit up. I’m ready to be stretched out by my husband. I’m talking …” Anika backed her ass up into me. “His dick has a hook in it and my coochie is a pinball machine.”
“Remember you were going to work on oversharing?”
“I never promised that.”
“I’m gonna make sure your driver is ready to go.”
Squeezing her hand, I rushed to the exit.
Once Dante and Anika leave, my maid of honor duties would end and I was ready to retire my bouquet.
Aldridge helped me gather the guests outside for the farewell with bubbles as “I Wanna Sex You Up” played over the speakers.
Dante carried Anika to the car, and they waved as the limousine pulled away from the curb.
Anika popped out of the sunroof and screamed, “Bye Nessa, I love you.”
I buried my face into Aldridge’s chest, hoping to conceal the tears filling my eyes. Anika being happy was all that mattered. She may be my big sister, but I always felt the responsibility to take care of her, mostly because she never thought anything through. But she and Dante seemed to fit.
“You did a really good job supporting your sister.”
I dabbed my eyes to prevent additional tears from falling. “I feel like a proud parent. My baby is all grown up.”
“Dante has it from here.”
“I can’t believe I’m related to playboy basketball player Dante Caldwell.”
“Playboy no more.”
“I’m just glad it’s over. This past week has been a lot. Between Jemini and my sister, I’m wiped.”
“Two weeks in Greece will fix you right up.”
“I can’t wait.” I squeezed his waist.
“You know this wedding got me thinking.”
“Really, about?”
“About our happily ever after.”
“Baby, this right here, you and me, is our happily ever after.”
“I’ll accept that for now. But I’m itching to say vows and make things official.”
“Oh just you wait, we’re gonna make things real official all over that private island you booked.”
“I can’t wait.” He leaned in and I rose to my tiptoes to meet his kiss.
“Since the bride and groom have made their exit can we sneak out and get Fatburger on the way home?”
Aldridge caressed my cheek. “Yes, whatever you want.”
“I like how that sounds. I do.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
“Too late.” I giggled.