Wedding Day
I w o k e u p to lips on my shoulder and a big, warm hand palming my ass. “Mmm,” I mumbled, eyes still closed, stretching slowly. “You trying to start up again? Keon, I’m really not gonna be able to walk down the aisle.”
Knuck chuckled low, his voice scratchy as he replied, “Nah… just remindin’ you what you signin’ up for.”
Knuck laughed, got out of bed, and pulled on his boxer briefs. “Let me talk to him. He can’t be extra today. It's our day.”
While he went to handle Kassim, I adjusted my bonnet and headed to the bathroom to shower and brush my teeth. My mother had a presidential suite at a downtown hotel booked for me and the girls to get pampered and ready. An hour and a half later, I was buckling my seat belt, nerves bubbling.
“You sure you got everything y’all need?” I asked, checking my lip gloss in the rearview mirror.
“I’m straight, baby,” Knuck reassured me with a kiss on the forehead. He added, “I’ll meet you at the altar, aight?”
I squinted at him and asked, “You gonna be on time?”
He laughed. “Fuck you mean? Hell yeah.”
“Okay,” I exhaled. “This is the last time I’ll see you until…”
“‘Til you walk down that aisle,” he finished for me, grinning. “Lookin’ like my dream and I’ma be standin’ there like that’s my fuckin’ wife.” My eyes burned with tears. He smiled and kissed my lips before whispering, “I love you, Nyomi.”
“I love you too.”
The drive to the hotel was peaceful and reflective.
I had an old school playlist on shuffle—Mint Condition, Mary, Jagged Edge, and Mya.
I rolled down the window a little, let the cool breeze hit my face, and turned the volume up just as Mya started singing You.
I mouthed the lyrics as my phone lit up with a text from my mother.
I wiped under my eyes and smiled at the road. Yeah… I’m ready.
Pulling up to the front of the hotel about fifteen minutes later, I barely had time to park before Mikki’s loud ass rental screeched into the spot beside me.
She jumped out of her car, bonnet still on her head and her face bare, laughing loudly and waving her iced coffee like it was a damn trophy. I cracked up at the sight.
“Bitchhhh, it’s finally happening!” she yelled.
Sia climbed out of the passenger side in an oversized hoodie and fuzzy slippers, already dabbing her eyes. “I’m so happy for you!”
I laughed as adrenaline shot through me; nerves tangled with excitement when I stepped out. “My stomach is in knots.”
“Girl, that’s love nerves. You good!” Mikki said as she came over to my car and helped me grab my bag. “You’re about to be a whole wife! Period.” When we entered the bridal suite, it was already buzzing. The glam squad was already set up with folding chairs, ring lights, and organized chaos.
“Oh, hey, sis-in-law!” Keema waved from the makeup chair, wearing a foil cap. “Hurry up before my bro has a meltdown if you’re late gettin’ to the altar.”
Monae sat beside her in a sage-green robe, scrolling TikTok. “I want my lashes to give diva!”
My mother, standing by the doorway, checked her phone. “Wedding planner says linens are down, centerpieces are lit, and there’s a surprise that was just confirmed.”
“A surprise?” I blinked. “Like what?”
Mikki snorted. “Well, duh, that wouldn’t make it a surprise, right?”
“Shut up!”
???
“A l r i g h t l a d i e s , who is ready to cry?” the lead stylist and makeup artist announced. The chatter died when I stepped from the living room area.
My gown hugged every curve, and my hair was elegant, pulled up with pieces framing my face. Makeup beat. Diamond drop earrings glimmered each time I breathed.
Keema’s hand flew to her mouth. “Sis-in-law, you are disrespectfully fine.”
Monae fanned me with a disposable lash wand. “Photographer better catch my angles ‘cause I might faint.”
Mikki’s jaw dropped. “I’m about to cry right now.”
Sia dabbed tears. “No, because… girl, you look like somebody’s rich wife.”
My mother stepped forward in her champagne gown, voice trembling. “You look like a dream, baby.”
“My girl…” My voice cracked.
She took my hands. “I prayed you would know joy, that your heart would be cherished, that you would stand before someone who loves you the way I always prayed.” My bottom lip shook when she said that.
“Do not do it!” Mikki screeched. “Do not ruin that bomb ass makeup, please!”
Laughter lit up the suite. I blinked the tears back and fanned my face with my hand. “Okay. I’m good. I’m good.” I exhaled—steady and sure. I was ready to walk into forever with the crash out of my life.