“Asante,” Bishop said my name softly and exhaled. “I love you and I’m thankful to have you be here as my husband and partner. You and your happiness mean a lot to me and I know that we didn’t have the most conventional dating process and shit but I want to make sure there’s no confusion when I tell you that the family we just created means everything to me and I’d never do anything to fuck this up or to hurt you. I want you to know that I’m here for you through whatever and whenever to support you, listen and anything else you need and I want you to know that I mean that shit. I’m always going to be a safe space for you to land and if nobody got you, I do. I promise.”
I nodded at that and took a deep breath.
“Bishop,” I said his name carefully. “I want you to know that I’m proud of you and thankful for you. You’re one hell of a man and I know you’re going to be one hell of a husband and father. Even when shit was what it was between us, I never doubted your commitment to this shit and I don’t want you to ever doubt how I feel about you or my loyalty to you. I promise to be the best friend, partner, husband and coparent possible and that even when shit gets hard, you don’t have to worry about my loyalty or my love to you. It’s you and me over everything.”
“Over everything,” he nodded and stood up so we could kiss over the table.
Parents or no parents, honestly, I couldn’t say I felt like I was missing anything.
This shit in front of me was what made my world go round.
16
BISHOP
Ireached for Asante’s hand automatically as we stood at the top of the family staircase. One tradition we hadn’t gotten rid of was the official toast. Knight, Casmi and Nova were standing at the very top the furthest removed from the rest of the guests. Then Asante, King and I were standing right in front of them. Xavia, Rook and Winnie were on the step in front of us with my parents on the step nearest to the guests. Drinks had already been distributed and I swished my liquor around out of pure habit.
I gave a small smile to Nadira who was standing at the bottom of the steps, a champagne glass in hand.
“Alright,” King cleared his throat. “I’m not going to keep y’all for a long time. I just want to publicly welcome the newest Barron to the family. I uhm, I’m the oldest sibling of all boys and I love all of them stupid niggas even when they’re a pain in my ass and fucking up,” he said and the crowd chuckled. “I’ve spent my entire life knowing that I was meant to be a brother to brothers and I’m honored that you chose to become another brother to me. I’m honored to have you become a part of our family and I want you to know that you’re not just a Barron byname. You’re my brother like all the other men standing around me. Never forget that or question that and if anybody ever tells you differently or tries to make you feel or think differently, I got a mean right hook and an even better aim. You’re family and I’ve never once played about my motha’fuckin family.” He looked around the room and the threat was eveident to everyone in attendnace. “Welcome to the family.”
King lifted his glass higher and everyone followed suit, lifting their drinks then sipping from them.
Once the cheering died down Asante and I got ready to head back into the crowd.
A whistle stopped us in our tracks and I looked back at King.
“Let me holla at you, B.”
“Alright.” I looked over at Asante who lifted an eyebrow. “I’ll be back.”
“Alright.”
I turned around and headed back up the stairs. Knight and Rook were already at the top. King gestured to the balcony and the four of us filed out.
“What’s up?” I asked as soon as the door closed behind him.
“We just wanted to tell you congratulations privately,” he admitted. “And give you a one-on-one toast.”
“Alright.” I smiled at that.
“I’m proud of you,” King said first. “And I’m wishing you nothing but happiness.” He lifted his glass.
“I’m thankful for you, not just for everything you do but because of everything you are,” Knight said and lifted his own glass.
“I was never joking when I said we were two halves of the same soul and I want you to know I’m not wavering on that but I am thankful that you found someone worthy of letting hold your piece. You deserve that and all the I love you, nigga. For real.” He lifted his drink.
“I love y’all.” I lifted my own and we all took sips before I hugged each of my brother’s individually.
The love I was feeling from my family was almost as strong as the love I was feeling for Asante today. They’d shown up and out for me and my husband and I’d never forget it.
After we finished our drinks, Knight announced he and his wives were going to head out to get their babies home and Asante and I snuck away a little bit later, letting King and Rook continue to host the party that was going on with our parents.
Asante and I left our blocked in cars and got an iDrive out to his house. We fumbled inside, slightly inebriated and feeling like we were on top of the damn world. As soon as we were inside we were stealing kisses from each other while we stumbled down the hall and to the bedroom. Asante collapsed face down on it and I sat beside him and kicked my shoes off before falling backwards.
I stared up at the ceiling with a stupid ass grin on my face.
“We did it,” I said simply.
“We did it,” Asante repeated. “Fuck.” He scoffed and picked his head up to look at me. “I never thought we’d end up here,” he confessed.
“Me neither.” I grinned and leaned in to kiss him.
This was where I was meant to be - in bed with a man I loved who loved me.
I knew shit wouldn’t be perfect but I had Asante and I knew he had me.
That would always be enough.
FIN.
