Chapter 24 #2
“Alright tiny warrior,” I began as he grabbed my finger with his little hand.
He snuggled in his blanket as he looked up at me.
“Since you’re home now, there’s a few rules you need to know in order to really be a Wilson man.
Rule number one: We protect the girls in the house at all costs.
That means your mama and your sister come before everything. Understood?”
The little yawn that escaped his mouth made me chuckle. I heard the quiet creek of the floor as I stopped rocking for a moment. A little milk spilled from his mouth as I grabbed a burp cloth to clean it up. Once he was clean I continued with my rules.
“Rule number two: if life knock you down, you get back up. Every time. No excuses. ‘Cause you’ve already proved you know how to fight.”
He continued to fight his sleep, but I could see his eyes getting heavy. Thinking of everything he’d not only endured but overcame it caused me to get teary eyed. I brushed my thumb over his tiny hand and his little body stretched against my chest.
And finally rule number three…” I started as Nessa stepped into the room.
I looked her in the eyes as I gave the final rule.
“A Wilson man loves his family out loud. We don’t leave our people wonderin’.
Love isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, it has its rainy days, and that’s where you stand taller than ever before.
Because lovin’ someone loud could come in the form of quietly being there.
Learn from Daddy this is the most important rule. ”
When I looked down, Nash was fast asleep.
After I kissed his cheek, I placed him in his crib.
I made my way over to Nessa who was just standing there smiling.
I’d caused her too much damage, not being able to love her out loud, and over the months of me being home I’ve learned how important that is.
I refused to fuck those rules because that truly was the core of who I was as a person.
A man that would go to hell and back for my family.
“Now we gotta start weddin’ plannin’?” Nessa inquired as we walked back towards our room hand in hand.
“No, actually you have until next Friday to find you a dress ‘cause we’re goin’ to the courthouse,” I asserted as I moved about our room.
“I’ll be callin’ Nina and Rafi to give them not only a great update about Nash but invitin’ them to the weddin’.
Chance already got his suit, yo’ mama picked up her dress yesterday and Yas and the girls dress are over to her house. ”
“You had a lot of time on your hands to be plannin’ all this behind my back.”
“I was just determined not to waste anymore of your time. So, you better start lookin’ ‘cause Friday will be here before you know it.”
“Budget?”
“Ain’t none. Remember I’m Mr. Spend That,” we shared a laugh about the inside joke. “Yeah fuck nigga I hope the view from hell is nice while you watch me make Nessa my wife.”
“Do you Nasir Wilson, take Vanessa Evans to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, protect her, and stand beside her through every season life brings?” The judge asked.
“I do,” I professed as I held on to Nessa’s hands for dear life. I’d never been more nervous in my life than when I was standing up here getting married to the love of my life. Looking into her eyes I gave her hands a little squeeze. “Without question.”
I watched her lips tremble while the judge repeated the vows back to her.
His words trailed away as all I could focus on was the fact that after all these years, she was finally about to be my wife.
Not my girlfriend or baby mama, but my wife in every aspect of the word.
When she uttered the words ‘I do’, I swear my whole body relaxed hearing that.
The judge smiled before finally saying the words I’d waited years to hear.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”
I pulled Nessa into me so fast it caused her to laugh as tears ran down her face.
As I placed a soft kiss on her lips, our family erupted in excitement.
After I broke our kiss we turned to face them.
Rafi was holding a sleeping Nash; Nina stood between Nyla and Chanel while Yas and Chanel stood next to them.
Once we made it out of the building, Yas snapped a few pictures of us before we all headed to our house for the reception.
“How does it feel to official be Mrs. Wilson?” I asked as we drove back to the house.
“Like a dream come true,” she smiled as admired her ring.
“I’m sorry it took so long.”
“It was perfect timin’.”
When we pulled up to the house, everything was decorated to Nessa’s liking.
Since we didn’t have a huge wedding, Nessa went all out for the at home reception.
The massive tent in the middle of our backyard shielded us from the heat and it had AC units thrown out.
The food and cake looked like something out of the magazine, and the dance floor was calling my name.
After we’d done all the reception activities, I noticed my cousin standing at the bar by himself.
“I should’ve known you were gonna take full advantage of the open bar,” I teased once I made it over to him.
“No point in lettin’ it go to waste,” he laughed as he handed his drink before ordering another.
Once he had his he turned around. We watched as the girls had the women on the dance floor cutting up.
“May you and Nessa’s marriage be filled with peace because you’ve both been through too much to get here. ”
“Hell yeah, man. Here’s to peace,” I agreed as we toasted before taking a swig of our drinks. “No lie this the most peace I’ve felt in a long time.”
“Let me ask you a question.”
“Wassup, cous?”
“How’d you know it was here you wanted to settle down with?”
“When I pushed her away and gave her ever reason to be done with me, she still had love for me in her heart,” I explained as Nessa started beckoning me over with her finger. “When it’s all said and done, a woman like that makes you realize that the streets ain’t enough.”
THE END!