I swallowed the ball of emotion I was feeling. “Good morning, hubby.”
Kai stroked a finger down my face before leaning forward to place a kiss on my lips.
“We’re getting married today,” he whispered as if it were a secret.
I nodded while my eyes flooded with fresh tears. I wasn’t even five minutes into the day, and I was already crying. He kissed them away, not caring if they were salty and filled with my emotions.
“You ready?”
I palmed his cheek and allowed myself to get lost in his gaze. Being around Kai made everything slow down to the point of being insignificant. I never expected to fall so in love with this man. But for some reason, he stepped in and saved me from our enemies. Since then, he’d laid those enemies to rest and continued to show up for me like it was the very coding of his DNA. When we met, I didn’t think he would mean so much to me. Waking up with him on our wedding day, all I knew was that I couldn’t see my life without him. Sekai Walker was it for me.
“Yes, I’m ready. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
A flicker of lust flashed in his eyes seconds before he snatched me to him for a passionate kiss that made my toes curl. Just as his hands began to explore a little more, a rainstorm of knocks landed on the door. We had no time to respond because Jiah and Nazje burst into the room. Jah followed closely behind with a bottle of champagne.
“Let’s get married!” the girls screamed excitedly while jumping up and down.
Jah walked a little closer to the bed and squinted. “Y’all naked under there?”
Kai took the covers and tossed them over me, along with his body. “Nigga, get the fuck out.”
We all laughed because Jah loved to get under Kai’s skin. My baby did not play about me, and he couldn’t stand the thought of another man admiring what he deemed to belong only to him. Apparently, he was the only man allowed to look at me. I don’tknow how he expected that to work, but he swore he could whup any and everybody’s ass. He’d even promised to do it back to back if needed.
“Everything is already set up for you, Nuri. We’re so excited to be able to shower you with the love you’ve given us since the day we met,” Jiah said.
I started to sniffle as her words hit me right in the core.
Kai studied my face, and whatever he saw had him turning to look at everybody. “Aye, give us a minute alone, please. I’ll send her to y’all as soon as I’m finished with her.”
The girls didn’t object and turned to leave the room, but of course, Jah had to say something.
“Talkin’ ’bout when you’re finished with her... You’re about to give her some dick, ain’t it? Lucky ass nigga! I can’t wait until I find me a damn wife.” He continued to rant on his way out the door.
Kai dropped his head with a disappointed shake.
“I don’t know where we failed him,” he mumbled, making me giggle. He turned to look at me, then tried to remove himself from on top of me, but I wrapped my arms and legs around him, pulling him right back into position. He pecked my lips a few times. “What is it, baby?”
I opened my mouth to speak but ended up sobbing instead. Kai moved quickly to sit up and pull me into his arms. I inhaled his fresh scent, wishing I could cling to his skin just like that. I held on to him for dear life, and of course, he allowed it until I was able to find my voice.
“I am so thankful for your family, but...”
“You wish yours were here to celebrate with you too.” I nodded, feeling a little ashamed. “Hey, that’s okay, baby. It’s perfectly normal. I wouldn’t expect anything less. I actually have something for you because I had a feeling you might be feeling this way today. Come on.”
Kai grabbed my hand and pulled me off the bed. We went over to the lounge area of our suite. Even though we were having a small and intimate ceremony that included the family, Sekai spared no expense. We were staying in a beautiful villa near Lake Como in northern Italy and would be married at a venue that sat high above the gorgeous blue sea. The pictures did it no justice because I cried from the striking view when we went to tour it in person.
I headed to sit on the couch while Kai went to the TV. He messed around with it, then came back with the remote. When he sat next to me, I instantly hugged his arm, scooting closer. His right hand went to my thigh while the left one lifted the remote to navigate the TV.
I sat up straight as a board when my mother’s face came on the screen. She looked so radiant and full of life. Even though she came from money, she was an Erykah Badu type. I missed being able to smell her floral scent. I had a perfume in my collection that I wore because it used to be hers. I typically wore it on the days I needed her most.
“My light... You know I love recording things, and today you were sad about something that happened at school. I sang to you, and the way your smile lit up the room, I knew I had to record it for you to have if there ever comes a sad day where I won’t be there. Life will come with many of them, but they are only moments. You have to take them in stride and know that things will get better. You deserve all the love, joy, peace, and fun this world has to offer. Allow yourself to enjoy it all, even the things that hurt. Anyway, this song is for you, baby girl.”
I gasped as she began to sing the familiar tune. Kai wrapped his arms around me and kissed my shoulder. I wasn’t sure how he’d found this video, but it was just what I needed right now.
“Thank you, baby.”
“You’re welcome, Legacy. Your parents may not be here physically, but they are here. Today is all about showering you in the love they wanted you to find.” He smiled widely. “Let’s go get married.”
My heart raced as Ingram walked me to the venue entrance. The only thing to give me strength was knowing Sekai was waiting on the other side of these doors. Ingram looked down at me and smiled. “You look beautiful, Nuri. I admit when my son first came to me and said he was considering marrying you, I thought he was crazy. Now that I know you, I understand, and I am so happy he trusted his gut. You both deserve genuine love.”
