Chapter 22 Titan
Tonight was off to a good start. Everything I had set up was going according to plan.
When Dr. Baxter gave us this assignment, I knew I had to make sure it was intentional.
Intimacy without it leading to sex had never been our style.
We’d been more intimate since coming home, and I had to admit that it felt nice.
Different, but nice, especially after being so damn toxic for so long.
No part of me wanted to fight with her anymore. I didn’t desire to get a rise out of her or be petty. From the moment I slid that ring on her finger, I wanted us to be better. We just went about it all wrong. Shit, we started this marriage off all wrong,
Now, we had no choice but to get it right.
Dinner was a success. It might have been crazy to be in expensive ass clothes eating greasy food, but it was the nostalgia I was going for.
The event planner I hired to decorate the diner did a hell of a job.
I’d been all over Pinterest looking for inspiration to show her, and it was well worth the money I paid her.
Now we were back in the limo, headed for the next location. This was the part of the night I was most excited for. By the time we were twenty minutes outside of city limits, I got a text letting me know everything was a go.
“Who’s texting us?” she asked, peering over into my phone.
“You nosy as hell,” I said, tucking it away. “It’s just confirmation of the next part of our date.”
“How many people do you have in on this?”
“A lot. I told you tonight is special. It’s a lot of moving parts behind the scenes, love.”
“You working hard for some ass tonight.”
I grinned. “Ass or not, I wanted to do this for us.”
She smiled as she rested her head against my shoulder. “You realize once you start this cutesy shit and I like it, you have to keep it up?”
“That ain’t no problem.”
“And you realize my brothers are going to tease you relentlessly about you being whipped when they are very much the same.”
“I’ve grown to know that shit talking is their love language. Look how they do Quaid.”
“They won’t admit it, but they definitely love him and the way he steps behind Jaeda. I’ve never met two more perfect people for each other. Well, except Maceo and Shar.”
“With their freaked out asses.”
“They ain’t the only ones,” she said, giggling. “Shar told us that Jaeda and Quaid were fucking in the maze right before their wedding.”
“My boy! The way Jaeda makes eyes at him, I know my guy gives her the business.”
“Trust me, he does. We got a firsthand account of her losing her virginity. To say I was shocked by the things that man said to her is an understatement. Quaid has this innocent look, but that mouth. . . shit had me blushing.”
I chuckled. “That’s my nigga. You think I didn’t teach him how to get women when I took him under my wing? Come on now. I hand-crafted that man into a nerd version of me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure, take credit for his glow up.”
“Don’t believe me? Ask him. He’ll tell you.”
“Oh, I will.”
The car came to a rolling stop, and the driver cut the engine. A few seconds later, the door opened. I turned to myself and pulled a scarf from my pocket.
“Turn around.”
“Um, what is that for?”
“Turn your ass around, woman, damn.”
“Don’t make me do you like Tina did Ike in the back of that limo.”
“Baby. Come on.”
She huffed and turned around. I covered her eyes, making sure not to tie the scarf too tight. Grabbing her hand, I slid out of the car and pulled her behind me. She clung to my arm as I walked her to the front door of the building.
“You better not let me trip,” she muttered.
“I got you, woman.”
Pulling open the front door, I led her inside. The space was dope as fuck. I’d dropped so much money to get this shit done on such a short notice. I was a little worried that it wouldn’t all come together, but my event planner assured me she worked best under pressure. Damn, did she deliver.
I walked Mia through the double doors and up the long aisle. It was deadly quiet in here and exactly how I needed it to be to pull this off.
“Something smells good. Are we eating again?”
“Something like that. Watch your step,” I said as we came to a set of stairs.
When we came to a stop, she sniffed the air.
“Daddy? Titan is my dad here?”
I looked over at Senior, who wore a grin on his face. This damn girl knew her father anywhere.
“Everybody is here, love,” I said.
I removed the scarf from her eyes and turned her to see that all of her family from both sides was in attendance, along with mine and my team.
Dr. Baxter was here too. Mia’s mouth dropped as she took in our surroundings.
We were standing in the biggest venue space I could find.
I had to call in favors and make a few threats to get it, but it was worth it.
We’d done this once before with none of our loved ones, so it was only right that they be in attendance this time.
The space was decorated in shades of white, black, and pink with gold accents.
I’d gone to every flower shop in the city and surrounding areas to get enough white roses delivered for this.
Senior was a big help in all this. When I spent the day with him and my brothers-in-law, I had a long talk with him after everyone was gone.
“Can I holla at you for a minute, Pops?” I asked as everyone walked out the door.
“What’s up?”
“I know I didn’t do this right the first time. So, I’m coming to you as a man to ask for your blessing to marry your daughter again.”
He smiled and crossed his arms. “Is that right?”
“Yes, sir. I ain’t the most romantic nigga, so I might need some help to pull this off. I want to plan a recommitment ceremony. We’ve been through a lot, man. We’ve fucked up, but we’re both trying to be better people.”
He nodded. “I see that, son. Both of you are growing, separately and together and it’s been a blessing to be here to witness it.
I love my baby girl. All I ever want is for her to be happy.
I know she loves you, and I know you love her.
I have no doubt that you’ll take care of her.
Knew it the day you came and asked me to hand over the reins with paying her bills and shit.
I don’t play about my babies, and that made me gain a new respect for you. ”
“My Pops doesn’t play that not taking care of your women shit. You’re her father, and I respect that, but as a man, and more importantly, her man, that was my job. I don’t take providing for her lightly. Ever.”
He chuckled. “Well, I’m glad I know you make good money, because that’s my most expensive child.”
“Trust me, I know.”
“You have my blessing. Ima tell you like I told my daughters-in-law and Quaid, once you take them, you can’t bring their ass back.”
I chuckled. “If I did, I wouldn’t have far to bring her.”
He slapped me on the back. “Come on here and tell me what you’re thinking for this impromptu ceremony.”
Thank God my father-in-law knew people who knew people.
He hooked me up with Somya, the event planner, and Cartel, the chef who was catering the food.
His sister, Alaina, was also here to take pictures.
While Senior wanted to pay for everything, I declined.
I was a man and, while I appreciated his help, it was up to me to take care of and provide for my wife.
Mia’s head jerked back in my direction before her eyes settled on her parents standing in front of us.
“Titan, what is this?”
I took her hands in mine. “This is us recommitting ourselves to each other and this marriage.”
Tears pooled in her eyes as she did a little stomp. “You planned a wedding?”
“I had a little help,” I said, looking at Ms. Maddie and Senior.
“That’s why you were acting weird, Mama?”
Maddie smiled. “I was trying to keep my shit together,” she said. “It was so hard keeping this a secret.” She cupped Mia’s face and kissed her cheeks. “I love you so much, baby. You deserve this.”
Senior nodded in agreement. “She’s right.
I can say a lot of things about this young man, but what I can say for certain is that he loves you without a doubt.
He’s a good one, baby girl. You keep giving my boy a real chance to show you that.
You don’t have to be afraid.” He kissed her temple and swiped the tear from her cheek. “You ready for this?”
Mia looked at me. “Are you ready?” she asked.
“Been ready, mamas.”
“Okay, then, let’s do this.”
Jaeda, her big belly, and Quaid stepped up to the platform, Bleu resting comfortably in his arms.
“I think you’re gonna need a few things,” Jaeda said.
First, she handed her a bouquet of flowers. Then she presented her with a piece of folded fabric.
“This is the veil from my wedding,” she said, fighting back tears. “Kalia has a while before it can be my something borrowed for her own wedding, but it’s perfect for you.”
Both of them were in tears as Jaeda pinned the veil in her hair. When she was done, they shared a tight embrace.
“I love you, sissy,” Jae said, kissing her cheek.
“I love you too, Jaeda. Thank you.”
Jaeda stepped back and Quaid stepped forward.
“I’ve definitely said more than few prayers for you two lately,” he said. “I know it took a long time to get here—”
Our families erupted in agreement.
“Too damn long!” Smoke said.
“Never thought I’d see the day!” Maceo added. “Meet me at the altar in your white dress, head ass niggas!”
We couldn’t help but laugh because neither of us ever expected to be in a healthy relationship. It was sad that it took tragedy to make us get our shit together.