Epilogue
“Marriage is not only a union of love but a covenant under God that holds two people together. It’s intention, patience, and sacrifice…”
The word sacrifice seemed to echo through the room more than anything else the officiant had said.
I remembered expressing the importance of it to Adai months ago.
Now, as I stood as a groomsman, dressed in my all-black tux behind Aura, it all came full circle.
He and Danae had made it to the altar after having postponed the wedding a few months.
It all worked out in the end though because the outcome of not rushing was beautiful.
The set up was every bit of my cousin –– modern, flashy, but elegant at the same time. It spoke the Sullivan name loudly. Aura had spared no expense when it came to the love of his life and their special day. The church was packed with people, mostly Sullivans, who loved a good gathering.
While I took in the family in attendance, it was the two people seated in the second row on the groom’s side that made my heart skip a beat.
Adai and my Ari. Dai had on a fitted black dress that was covered in the front but backless.
I watched her put it on this morning and fought the urge to dick her down in it.
My woman looked that good. Her being a mom made her even more sexy and made me fall more in love with her.
The ring I’d put on her finger two months ago was evidence of that.
She met my eyes and winked, rocking Ari back and forth.
Day after day, that little girl changed so much that I thought if I blinked too fast, I’d miss something.
She was the reason I wasn’t getting much sleep now.
From late night feedings and diaper changes to her deciding that two in the morning was the perfect time to play, I wouldn’t trade it for the world because this wasn’t the kind of tired that came from loneliness.
This was the kind of tired that came from me not wanting to miss even a millisecond of her life.
I tapped back into what the officiant was saying once he asked if anyone was against Aura and Danae’s union. Each of us flashed a gun that was tucked in our waistline, and the crowd roared in laughter.
“Cause I know ain’t nobody in here crazy,” Aura said.
The officiant looked shook but proceeded anyway. After they were announced husband and wife, the church erupted with cheers. While the bridal party followed behind Danae and Aura, I made a beeline to my baby.
“Lemme see my girl,” I said to Adai.
“You know you supposed to follow behind them, right? You can’t just ditch the bridal party.” She shook her head.
“I stood up there long enough.” I kissed Ari’s forehead then Dai’s lips. “The only party that concerns me is this party of three.”
She snickered. “That’s why people say the stuff they say about you.”
“Never moved me before and don’t move me now. They know who I am.”
“You’re a mess.”
“This gon’ be us soon. You ready to officially be a Sullivan?”
She smiled. “I was ready when you asked me in my dreams four years ago.”
This was what building in a gray area looked like and a reminder to threaten that woman back to you if that was what it took. You only found your person once.
THE END