Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
Karsyn
When I opened my eyes, I was praying yesterday was a dream, but God it wasn’t.
Psy was sitting on the lone federal blue chair in the corner of his bedroom.
The sun trespassed into the room, blinding me momentarily before I sat up, fully rubbing the rest of the sleep from my eyes.
I rushed to pee, not saying anything to him just yet.
This baby made my bladder control nonexistent. I peed twenty-four-seven.
While in the washroom, I washed my face and brushed my teeth.
My stomach felt like it was rubbing my backbone.
When I was finished, I reentered the bedroom where Posydiann had seemingly not moved at all.
Yesterday’s nap ended up being a day to sleep away.
It was an eventful morning, so I guess a day of sleep was warranted.
“How’d you sleep?” His voice was heavy, weighted like it was that night.
“Good, I guess. Did you sleep or have you been right here all night?” I sat back on the bed, mentally trying to gather myself.
“Couldn’t sleep. So I watched you sleep in intervals.”
I nodded. “What time is it?”
“Six.”
“What’s wrong?” I found myself asking, fear building in my chest because he was too silent and too still.
“Syn.” He said the nickname he had coined for me before rubbing his hands down his face.
“Wait, are you breaking up with me again? Because nigga I haven’t even agreed to get back with you, even after you stormed my fucking wedding.”
“Yo, shut the fuck up for a minute. Let me speak, and that wasn’t your fucking wedding.”
“Okay, then get to your point a little faster.” I glared at him and this fool started laughing.
“Syn. I’m saying I know I fucked up and I had every intention of waking you up and asking you to marry me this morning.
Saying some poetic shit and all that, but all that comes to mind is how much I need you.
When I hurt you, I hurt me. I know we have a lot of making up to do, a lot of talking, but you’re it for me.
So when I pull this ring out of this box and tell you we’re getting married tonight, don’t gimme no lip. Just tell me yeah.”
I giggled because I couldn’t help it.
“What are you laughing at? I’m tryna propose to you and you're laughing at me.”
I shook my head. “You’re a complete lunatic. I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at your delivery. And no, you didn’t propose. You told me I’d marry you.”
He nodded. “Did I lie?”
I stood to my feet, moving the small distance toward him. Once in his reach, he pulled my body into his lap.
“No, you didn’t. I’d marry you barefoot in a swimsuit if that was your request,” I responded honestly.
He kissed my neck. “Good, but that ain’t necessary. I got your dress.” He then pointed to the laundry bag hanging on the hook near the door. I hadn’t realized it, but the hunter green bag had my logo on it. It was from my shop, which meant it was the dress.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“Yup. Couldn’t get married without it.”
I turned my face to him. “How did you get it?”
“I know a young nigga good with locks.”
I giggled. “Posydiann.”
“What, man? I’m not lying. Had that shit handled, amongst other things. So you gonna marry me or what?”
“Now you wanna ask?” I poked fun at him.
“What I say about the lip?”
I giggled even more before finally answering him. “Of course I’ll marry you.”
“Good.” He then opened his hand, showing me the ring that had been there the entire time. Then he slid it on my finger.
I felt like my heart exploded in that moment, like nothing else could make it better. Then it hit me. He said we were getting married tonight, not tomorrow or next week. Tonight.
His face was buried in my neck when I paused. “Wait, Psy, you said tonight.”
“I know what I said.” He continued to kiss my neck, his hand easing up my shirt.
“What about my family? I have to call my mother and Kolton.”
“Kolton stopped by yesterday to drop off your bag and purse. I told him while you were asleep. They’ll be here a little later,” he said between kisses. “Now anything else before I consummate this engagement.”
“Even though that isn’t a thing, yes.”
“What?”
I hopped out of his lap, looking around for my purse.
I spotted it on the dresser on the other side of the bed.
I walked over, grabbed it, then went through it, looking for the sonogram image.
When I had it in hand, I went to him. I sat at the foot of the bed, closest to where he was, my eyes locked on him before he realized what I was handing him.
When he had it in his hand he studied it while I studied him.
“My baby,” he said with a grin so contagious I was smiling too.
“Yes, your baby.”
Without another word ,he was on his feet. “You’re my baby too.”
I grinned. “Really?” He lowered his frame between my legs, pushing me back on the bed.
“You knew that already.” His hands were at the hem of my underwear.
“Probably.”
When we finally made it downstairs, it looked like a complete madhouse, and of course when I offered to help, Junnie told me no. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t allowed to do anything, but I was summoned over to their grandmother’s house.
On the walk over, I was praying she had food because I was starving. Judging from the strict schedule I was given by Junnie, my only free time was the next hour and a half. After that I was to be in hair, makeup, and some sort of spa treatment she had scheduled to come to the house.
Upon entry, I smelled food instantly. I was in the right place.
“Morning.” I smiled at her the moment she looked up from the pot she was stirring. She was dressed in a white housecoat, her usually ponytailed silver hair in rollers atop her head and her glasses right on her face.
She smiled, joy filling her beautiful face. She was happy to see me while I was happy she had cooked. I mean, I was happy to see her too, but this baby made me greedy. Yes I was blaming the baby this early on, had to be considering I didn’t even eat breakfast before I found out I was pregnant.
I was pulled into a hug the moment I was in arm’s reach, then she asked me to hand her a dish from the cabinet.
“Have you eaten yet?” she asked, her tone just as sweet as ever.
I shook my head.
“Then sit down, so I can feed you. They’re gonna be pulling you every which way, so let me feed my babies.” She smiled widely, letting me know she knew.
“He told you.”
That toothy smile of hers widened. “Nope, but you just did. I've been dreaming about fish all month.”
I laughed.
“You know I knew it was something different about you. From the moment I saw the way he looked at you.” She laughed to herself.
“While he kept downplaying it and saying you both were just friends, I knew there was more. As a matter of fact, it was in the way you both looked at one another. Stolen glances and even clearcut thoughtfulness.” She set a plate in front of me.
I giggled. “I think we both were. It was easy that way though, trying to ignore what was right before our eyes.”
She joined in on the laughter. “It is, but today is your day, baby girl. I know you and him hit a rough patch, but I believe that is behind you. He knows how much he needs you and you know how much you need him, so there will be no more parting; it’s just you and him.
Communication and understanding is key. And when he gets flippant at the mouth, a brick across the skull will do the trick. Spare the rod, spoil the man.”
I smiled widely, then busted up at that last part. She knew damn well if I busted her grandson upside his head she’d be ready to bust me upside mine.
We talked for a while longer while I ate and she cooked.
She reminded me so much of my mother’s mother.
She was a sweet soul with the most loveable countenance, but from being around her a few times, I knew she had no problem cursing anybody out.
After our time together, Junnie came barreling through the back door with a clipboard and a mug meant for Posydiann but handed to everyone else.
“You know, as last minute as this is, this feels more like you. As a matter of fact, I feel more love in this space than I’ve experienced in a while.
I may have threatened my future son-in-law, but this right here is actually what I expected when it was your day.
Not the bullshit you allowed your father to trick you into,” my mother said from behind me.
I looked up from the intricate design of the dress and locked eyes with her through the mirror. After breakfast this morning, I had a spa treatment, then hair and makeup, which all just finished.
“You look beautiful, my dear,” she greeted, eyes holding tears as she stepped forward.
Tears were in my eyes as well. “Thank you, Mommy.”
“One thing I don’t have to worry about is your safety or wellbeing. My new son-in-law also has that covered.” She grinned.
“You’re gonna wear that word out, aren’t you?”
“Probably.” She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes before they could fall.
“I hope we are not crying in here because it’s almost time for you to walk down the aisle.” Posydiann’s mother pointed to me, then looked at my mother. “And me and you to celebrate.”
Apparently they had already been introduced, so I didn’t have to do that part. I did get the chance to see them talking, enjoying one another, which made me smile even bigger.
Yesterday nothing felt right. It felt like I was barely fitting into a mold, like I was at someone else’s wedding, about to watch them say I do.
But now here I was, about to marry the man who somehow went from breaking my heart to putting it back together.
We had a long road ahead of us, but this felt like a step in the right direction, like it made more sense out of everything. He made sense…