The music changed segueing into the familiar strains of the Wedding March and everyone rose to their feet. Tonya emerged from one doorway wearing a pale pink lace wedding gown and carrying a bouquet of pink roses, while Gage walked out of another doorway in a black tuxedo with a deep rose-pink tie. He took her hand and walked over to where a black-robed judge stood waiting. Samara and Wesley stood behind their parents as witnesses.
There was an exchange of vows written by the bride and groom, followed by an exchange of rings. Twenty minutes after the ceremony began, it was over to thunderous applause when Gage dipped Tonya low and kissed her until Wesley tapped his father’s back to let go of his new stepmother.
Jasmine moved closer to Cameron, wondering if they would ever marry. Despite their ability to open up about their feelings for each other, neither seemed willing to broach the subject of marriage. He smiled down at her at the same time she smiled up at him. Was he thinking what she was thinking? Would they, sometime in the future, plan to become man and wife like Tonya and Gage, Hannah and St. John?
Gage and Tonya broke protocol when they lingered, a videographer and photographer, documenting their every move, as they personally greeted and thanked their guests for coming.
Tonya pressed her cheek to Cameron’s, and then reached for Jasmine’s left hand, peering closely at the ring. “Dam-yum!” she said, drawing out the one word into two syllables. She smiled at Cameron. “Congratulations!”
He nodded. “Thank you. And congratulations to you and Gage.”
Tonya motioned to the photographers to take a picture of her with Jasmine and Cameron. “I’m having everything taped and photographed so I can send it to Nydia.” She hugged Jasmine. “I’ll see you guys later at the reception.”
Jasmine wanted to wait and get Tonya alone to tell her that she was carrying Cameron’s child. The only one left of the quartet who wasn’t aware of her condition was Nydia. She wanted to wait to tell Nydia in person.
“Wait here for me to bring the car around,” Cameron said to Jasmine as the guests began filing out of the courtyard in the Lower French Quarter to head over to St. John’s house in Marigny for the reception.
* * *
The sun was setting and dusk was cloaking the city by the time the McNair’s garden was filled with wedding guests and the Toussaints and Baptiste extended family members. St. John had arranged for three large tents to be set up on the lawn, while dozens of candles in clay pots kept buzzing insects at bay. Gage’s brother Eustace and his nieces had prepared a buffet of traditional Cajun and Creole dishes, while bartenders at two portable bars were kept busy mixing and serving cocktails. Jasmine met Tonya’s retired parents for the first time, and it was apparent Tonya had told her mother and father about her innkeeper friends.
Cameron pressed his mouth to her ear. “I’m going to get you something to eat before the line gets too long.” Jasmine mouthed a thank you. It had been almost five hours since her last mini-meal.
Cameron had just left to get her a plate when Tonya plopped down next to Jasmine and blew out her breath. “I told Gage that I wanted to go to the courthouse, but he said he didn’t want to disappoint his family. You have to know by now that the Baptistes and Toussaints love to party.”
Jasmine laughed softly. “That’s because they know how to party.”
Tonya looped her arm through Jasmine’s. “Have you and Cameron set a date?”
“No. It’s going to be a while before we even consider that.”
“Why?”
She knew it was time to tell her friend about her condition. Jasmine watched Tonya’s expression go from shock to puzzlement. “You’re pregnant, engaged, but you don’t want to marry the man?”
“It should only be that easy, Tonya. It’s complicated and something I don’t want to talk about here.”
“Gage and I are flying to Hawaii on Monday for a two-week honeymoon. We have to get together and talk once I get back.” Tonya shook her head. “I knew that man wanted you when he couldn’t stop gawking at you last year. And it appears that whatever Hannah’s money man wants, he gets. One thing I can say is you don’t have to worry about him taking from you or not giving you a child because looking at your chest tells me you’re definitely swole up.”
Jasmine laughed until her side hurt. It had been a long time since she’d heard the word swole for swollen. “Your country upbringing is showing, my friend.”
“Don’t go and talk about country, because you’re half country and Cameron is all country which makes that baby you’re carrying three-quarters country.”
Jasmine scrunched up her nose. “Do you think my son or daughter will talk like these folks down here?”
“Hell, yeah. Look at Hannah. She’s lived in California and New York, yet she still can’t get rid of her drawl. We may be Big Apple divas, but we still have Southern roots. The only one who doesn’t is Nydia who’s tells everyone she’s a Nuyoricanprincesa.I need to go and circulate. Love you, Jazz.”
“Love you, too, Mrs. Toussaint.”
Cameron returned with two plates filled with red rice and beans, hush puppies, spicy garlic shrimp, and jambalaya. He set them on the tablecloth. “It’s a small sampling of what they have. If you want more I’ll go back again.”
“Don’t bother. You brought my favorite—red beans and rice.”
A bartender approached their table and set down two glasses. “Here’s your drinks, Mr. Singleton.” Cameron thanked the man and handed Jasmine a glass of water. He touched his glass of amber liquid to her glass.
“I didn’t know they were offering table service,” she said.
“They’re not. I gave the bartender a generous tip to bring our drinks.”
