Chapter 33
TWO WEEKS LATER
I looked over myself in the mirror as I prepared for one of the biggest moments of my life. Tonight was not only the night I proposed to the love of my life, but I had a wedding ceremony set up immediately after. Was I jumping the gun in hopes that she would say yes? Maybe. Did I care?
Fuck no.
She would say yes.
She would wear my ring and in front of all our family and friends, we would finally become Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Dillinger.
I’d sent her on a five-day trip to Vegas with her girls and she was due back any minute now.
I needed her to be out of the way to execute the plan I had.
Tavia, Allison, and Maddie were all in on the plan.
I’d met with them a few days after Dax and Sevyn met the family, to plant the bug in their ear about my plans.
Steph was having a spa say with Karen, so it was the perfect time to meet with my other baby mamas.
Everyone gathered at Allison’s. They were all patiently waiting around the kitchen table sipping wine when I walked in. Conversation ceased and they all stared at me.
“Well damn. Hey,” I said.
They all rolled their eyes at me. While I was happy Maddie was finally a part of the fold, that just meant I had four people to team up against me now.
“What do you want, Stanley?” Allison asked.
“You ain’t gonna offer me anything to drink?”
“You put two big ass babies in me, Senior. You aren’t a guest and your hands aren’t broken. If you’re thirsty, you better go in that fridge and grab something. Is my name Christina to you?”
I chuckled as I walked over and grabbed a beer from the fridge. I then made my rounds hugging them all before taking a seat at the table.
“I want to propose to Steph,” I said.
“Awww!” Tavia said. “It’s a good chance she won’t say no this time.”
Allison snickered. “You didn’t have to say that, Tay.”
“I mean, this is proposal number seven—”
“Seven!” Maddie exclaimed. “Remind me again why you impregnated any of us when you were clearly trying to get back home, Senior?”
“Can we focus on the task I’m about to ask y’all to perform? Damn.” I popped the cap on the beer and took a swig. “I’m not just proposing. I’m planning a wedding. I need y’all to take Steph out of town for a few days so I can put the plans in motion.”
“Before we agree, let us see the ring,” Allison said. “I need to make sure you did my girl right this time.”
I chuckled as I pulled the box from my pocket. Opening it, I placed it in the middle of the table. One by one, their eyes widened at the glistening jewels. Tavia picked it up to inspect and pass around.
“Damn,” Allison said, looking up at me. “Kobi made this?”
“You know it.”
“This is beautiful, Senior,” Tavia said, dabbing her eyes. “She’s gonna love it.”
Maddie nodded in agreement. “She absolutely will.” She reached out and grabbed my hand. “I’m happy y’all found your way back to each other. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I’ve never seen you this happy.”
“Shit, he was never this happy with me,” Allison jested, mushing my head.
“Me either,” Tavia agreed.
“Well, we know what happened between us,” Maddie said smirking. “He almost wasn’t alive to find his way to any damn body.”
“Can I say something?”
They motioned for me to continue.
“Things may not have lasted with any of you, but I have the utmost love and respect for each of you. Y’all gave me my greatest blessings. I get to wake up and aggravate the shit out of them for the rest of my life and ain’t nothing they can do about it.”
They all laughed.
“Lord knows those kids are sickening about their bald-headed ass daddy,” Allison said. “Anyway! Were happy for you for taking this step again. I know my girl is going to say yes. You know you’re footing the bill for this trip, right?”
I smirked. “I’m aware. The money is already in all of your accounts.
“Thank you kindly. Now… tell us everything.”
I told them exactly what I had planned. They even made a few calls to people they knew that could pull off my vision.
Maddie put me in contact with the wedding planner Titan used for his and Mia’s recommitment ceremony.
I tripled that woman’s fee to pull off the impossible in such a short amount of time.
She rose to the occasion and exceeded my expectations.
“Awwww, Daddy!”
I turned to see Mia and Jaeda standing in the doorway dabbing their eyes. Pregnancy hormones were once again running rampant on the compound.
“You look so handsome,” Jaeda said, blowing a breath. “I can’t take it!”
“Shut up before you really make me cry!” Mia fussed. “You look amazing, Daddy.”
“Thank you, my babies. You both look stunning.”
Jaeda was wearing a one shoulder, burnt orange gown that flowed over her little baby bump while Mia was wearing a dark green strapless dress that did the same for her. Each of them sported their natural curly hair in a sleek updo.
“Thank you,” they both said.
Jadea looked down at her phone as the notification went off.
“Ms. Shelly just pulled through the gate with the kids.”
Of course, we couldn’t have a wedding without Dax and Sevyn. While Deuce was already set to walk Steph down the aisle, I told him I wanted Dax to escort her on the other side. My boy was ready. Shelly said he’d been making his sister practice walking all week long.
“Are you ready for this, old man?” Mia asked.
“More than ready, baby girl. It’s long overdue.”
“Do you have all her things laid out?”
“Yep.”
“And you have the ring?” Jaeda inquired.
“Yes.”
“I can’t believe you chose a red dress,” Mia said.
I grinned. “Baby girl, you don’t see what I see when that woman wears red. The things I wanna—”
She pretended to gag.
“Please, God. No, Daddy. I don’t wanna hear that.”
“Whatever, man. Yall head on to your grandma’s. We’ll meet y’all there.”
They nodded then hugged and kissed me.
“Good luck, Daddy,” Jaeda said. “We love you.”
“I love y’all too.”
They left the room, and I turned to survey everything I had laid out for Steph. I’d gotten her a beautiful red one shoulder gown with a high split and matching red heels. I laid out my favorite perfume of hers and there was also a matching lingerie set that I couldn’t wait to take off her later.
My phone chimed with a message from Maddie letting me know that they were about to pull through the gates.
I had the car service bring them all here under the guise that they wanted to see the kids before they went home.
So, while Steph was getting ready, they would change and head to the big house.
I left the bedroom and headed downstairs. While I waited for the car to pull up, I said a quick prayer thanking God for His many blessings and ask Him to continue to bless us and our impending union. By the time I was done, I heard the car pulling up to the front door.
I took a deep breath and headed outside. Steph had just stepped out of the car. When she saw me, her eyes widened and a grin spread across my favorite set of lips. She came to me, wrapped her arms around my neck then kissed me like we’d be separated for far too long.
“Mmm, I missed you, Mama,” I said, slapping her ass.
She giggled. “I missed you too, mpendwa.” She pecked my lips again before stepping back to look me over. “Baby, what are you doing all dressed up? Oooo… are we doing a little roleplay?” she asked in a whisper.
I laughed. “Nah. I got you on that later. I want you to go somewhere with me, love.”
“Stanley, I just got home. I need a shower.”
“Go take one and put on the dress on the bed.”
“A dress? Senior, what are you up to?”
“Go, woman. Take your time but hurry up.” I slapped her ass and I ushered her into the house then grabbed her bags from the driver and tipped him. Once they were inside, I shot a group text to the kids letting them know to get ready.
My fingers were trembling and my palms were sweaty. I was nervous as hell, but I knew this would all work out for the best. I was ending my night a married man.
I heard the clicking of heels across the hardwood floors and turned to see my baby strutting toward me with a smirk on her face like she knew she was the shit. When she reached me, she did the slowest turn, allowing me to see just how well that dress hugged every curve she possessed.
“Goddamn it, Steph,” I said, licking my lips. “I knew you were gonna look good, but damn, baby. You make me wanna…”
I couldn’t think of the damn words, so I just barked at her. She fell into a fit of laughter.
“I know you didn’t just bark at me!”
“Ain’t that what that song Shar loves said? Bark like you want it.””
She rolled her eyes and playfully mushed me. “Please. You already got me. Hook, line, and sinker.”
“Do I, now?” I asked, pulling her into my arms.
“Mmm hmm.”
“Gimme some suga.”
She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me passionately. I had to remind myself that I had plans otherwise I would have bent her ass over this couch and got to work.
“We gotta go,” I said, pulling away.
“Where are you taking me, Stanley?”
“It’s not far, I promise.”
She rolled her eyes and allowed me to lead her out to the garage.
I helped her into my car, then climbed in myself.
Cranking up, I lifted the garage and slowly pulled out.
Steph looked excited until she saw we were headed to the big house.
She looked over at me but didn’t say anything.
There were so many cars and golf carts out front, but they left a space for us.
“Stanley, What is going on?” she asked as we came to a stop.
“You’ll see.”
I got out the car to retrieve her. Hand in hand, I lead her toward the maze.
When we stepped inside, she gasped. The pathway was littered with red rose petals.
Pictures were strung up along the walls like a timeline of both of us.
As we walked through the maze, they went from baby pictures through childhood, childhood to our teenaged years.
That’s when they switched to pictures of us together.
Steph laughed and smiled as we took a stroll down memory lane.
“No you didn’t!”
“I can’t believe you kept this!”
“Look at my Deucy Deuce!”
“Why would you photograph this!”
She had so many reactions. When we got to the pictures we’d taken then last couple months, her smile was ever present.
“We really spent a lifetime together,” she said, dabbing her eyes as we neared middle of the maze where my surprise was.
“We have. That’s why I wanted to ask you something, Steph.”
We stepped into the middle of the maze, and she gasped as she saw the sign that read “Will You Marry Me?”
“Stanley…”
I took her hand and kissed it.
“I love you, Stephanie. Across all space and time, my love for you has never wavered. So many people said I needed to just give up on winning you back completely but delayed, not denied. A not right now, isn’t a never.
Make no mistake, I have always seen forever when I looked at you.
I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but the biggest was fumbling your heart.
I’m sorry I ever put you in a position to not trust my words because my actions weren’t aligning.
I’m sorry that I couldn’t be all you needed the first time around.
But I’m here now. I’m ready. I’ve been ready for years, Steph.
All I need is you and my… our kids. None of that outside shit matters. ”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring box, flipping it open as I dropped to one knee. Tears were streaming down her face as she stared at me.
“I love you,” I said, my voice cracking. “I love you so fucking much, Steph. We’ve done this too many times and I’m praying this is the last time I have to be down here like this.”
She smiled as she touched my face.
“Stephanie Ann Micheals… my love. My best friend. My world… will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She cupped my face and stooped to kiss my lips. “Yes.” She kissed me again. “Yes, Stanley.”
I slipped the ring on her finger and stood to my feet, pulling her into my arms. Our lips fused together in the most passionate of kisses. I gripped the back of her neck with one hand and her ass with the other. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I gave it a hard slap.
“Fuck yeah. I’m tearing your ass up tonight, wifey.”
“And I’m gonna let you.” She looked down at the ring and smiled brightly. “Okay now, Mr. Dillinger. You did your big one with this ring. This is beautiful, Senior.”
“Only the best for my baby. Come on here. I’m not done.”
She squealed as I lifted her bridal style and carried her through the rest of the maze. When we stepped out, Deuce was standing there in a suit similar to mine, with a smile on his face.
“Stanley?” his mother asked, as I placed her on her feet. “Did you know about this?”
“Who do you think gave their blessing, ol’ lady?”
She playfully pinched him but allowed him to pull her in for a hug.
“Congratulations, Mama,” he said, kissing her temple. “I’m happy for you. For both of you. This old nigga always said he could have you back and I guess he made a liar out of me.” He pulled away from his mother and came to hug me. “I love you, Pops. Make me proud and keep her happy.”
“Always.”
He kissed my head like I always did to him and his siblings.
“Wait, Deuce why are you wearing a suit?” Stephanie asked.
He looked at me and I nodded.
“Well, I thought it would be befitting considering I’m giving you away.”
“You’re what!” She looked to me. “Stanley, what is he talking about?”
“We’re getting married, my love. Today. Right now, to be exact.”
“When did… how did… Stanley!”
I chuckled. “I’m gonna go take my place and I’ll see you at the altar.”
She was still struggling to get the words out when I kissed her lips and headed for the backyard. It was showtime.