During the ceremony, Yanna tried her best not to cry, but to no avail. She was an emotional mess, and it was causing her hormones to go crazy.Lord, please don’t let me get sick up here.She would be mortified if that happened. Every few moments, she’d have to take a deep gulp, praying her unborn baby would be nice. Fortunately for her and the sake of the wedding, she was granted reprieve. Looking beyond Onyx, her eyes met Kas’ to find he was already gazing at her. The intensity in his gaze was identical to the one he used to hold when he was inside her, and it caused her emotions to intensify. Tears continued to pour as Troi and Onyx exchanged vows so beautiful they perfectly conveyed the raw love between the two. Yanna thought she’d lose it when Onyx got choked up, prompting Kas to get choked up. Kas placed a hand on Onyx’s shoulder, and that seemed to be what he needed to finish. Then, almost as quickly as the ceremony started, it was over.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Virginia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”
The guests hooted and hollered as husband and wife kissed like they were alone. Kas had to tap Onyx on his shoulder to break them apart. Once the ceremony was over, the guests had cocktail hour while the wedding party took photos. The rest of the traditions continued with grand entrances and the first dance. Onyx had his dance with Layla, and since she didn’t have her father, Troi shared a dance with Kamilla. Troi and Onyx took their seats on an elevated platform while the three-course meal was served. It was time for the best man and maid of honor to do their toasts, with Kas going first. Everyone was nervous, anxious about what Kas would say. Grabbing the mic, he stepped up to face everyone in attendance.
“What’s up, everyone? Most of y’all know me, but if you don’t, I’m Kas, and I’m the lil’ brother. I first wanna say congrats to my big bro and my sister Troi. I’m so glad I dragged that nigga to the club that night, and he found you. He’s been a better man ever since.”
Onyx raised his glass to his brother while Troi nuzzled closer to him.
“I hope y’all consider yourselves lucky… blessed, because a lot of people never find the person they want to spend the rest of their lives with. The one that, even when you’ve had many, you still don’t want nobody but them. The only person you want to come home to after a long day, the only one you feel comfortable enough to admit you’re scared, when the bullshit of the world becomes too much for a nigga to deal with on his own.”
Kas was toasting to Troi and Onyx, but his eyes were transfixed on Yanna as he spoke. Vulnerability like none of them ever witnessed was displayed on Yanna’s face while tears gathered around the rims of her eyes.
“The person who… when you know you love them, you realize you’ll never love another girl. Because even when you’re surrounded by people and getting attention from every direction, you still feel lonely unless you’re in the company of that one.”
Onyx stood from his seat, clapping his hands because he knew the toast was no longer about him and Troi. Whether Kas knew it or not, he was inadvertently pouring out his heart.
“Say that shit, baby bruh!”
Kas smiled at his brother, pounding his heart with his fist before continuing.
“Love is elusive as a muh’fucka. It’s hard to attain. It’ll run from you too. Trust me, I know.” He chortled. “But that just makes it all the better when you finally catch it. ‘Cause when you do get it, it’s like life is beginning, like you finally foundyo purpose. I once found mine, now I’m on a mission to find it again. My wish to everyone in attendance is that you find yours too, but when you do… hold tight to it because losing it is easier than getting it. It fills my heart knowing my brother found his and I can be certain he ain’t ever coming up off it.”
The guests stood to their feet, abandoning their meals so they could give Kas a round of applause. He turned to pass Yanna the mic, a brief spark ofsomethingpassing between them before Kas moved to the background. Yanna managed to catch Zahra glaring at Kas, jealousy resting in her gaze because even though she acted like it, she wasn’t dumb. Taking her attention off Kas’ date, she held the mic to her mouth.
“Um, I’m Jaiyanna, the cousin/sister of the bride and maid of honor. I’m shy, so bear with me.”
“Shy where?!” Quan called from the crowd.
Yanna squinted her eyes at Quan, wanting to curse him out, but the look of warning from Layla halted her. “Anyway, um, Troi and Onyx. I’m so happy for the two of you. Nyx, you’re the brother I never knew I needed. Thank you for loving my cousin so well and letting me get some of that residual love as well.”
“Ain’t shit residual about it.” Onyx winked.
“Anyway, I’ve never seen anything like what the two of you have. I take that back… I’ve seen something close that didn’t quite work, but if there’s anything I learned from you guys… it’s that even if there are differences, even if some time is spent apart… what’s meant for you will always be for you. When you’re fated to be with someone, no force can bring it asunder.” Yanna didn’t mean to, but the smug look she tossed to Zahra after that statement was diabolical.
Layla yelling, “Preach, ladybug!” seemed to put insult to injury causing Yanna to giggle.
“Congratulations on building that indestructible love. I love you both! Y’all thought I was gone say something wild, didn’t it?”She joked causing the guests to laugh as she handed the mic off to the next person waiting to toast.
After everyone made their toasts and the other wedding customs were out of the way, the party commenced. The toasts had threatened to put Kas in a mood, so he had to take a moment alone to get himself together. Now, there was one last thing he had to do before the night ended. He approached his brother in the middle of the dance floor dancing with his new wife. “Rich Baby Daddy” by Drake was being played, and Troi was bent in front of Onyx, doing as Sexyy Red suggested. Onyx’s hand was gripping her waist, eyes planted on her ass as she bounced it.
“Aye, Nyx, let me holla at you real quick.”
“It can’t wait?” Onyx questioned, never taking his eyes off his wife’s backside.
“Not really. Troi Baby, you come too.”
Kas watched Troi and Onyx give each other quizzical glances before he walked off, knowing they’d follow him. Entering a room designated for a smaller event, Kas’ nerves catapulted when his brother stilled. Onyx’s eyes were focused on the other two people in the room, and Kas was holding his breath, praying he wouldn’t blow up. Catching Onyx off guard proved not to be a good idea, and doing it at his wedding was even riskier. Kas didn’t see another option, however. Maya and her husband Logan stood hand in hand, Onyx’s eyes traveling from them to Kas and back.
“Hi, Onyx.” Maya smiled.
“What’s up? You been here the whole time?”
“Yes. Layla and your gorgeous wife made sure we got an invite. I hope us being here is okay. The ceremony was beautiful.”
Onyx glanced over at Troi, who squeezed his arm to encourage him to be nice. “Uh, yea it’s cool.”
“Good, good. You know, uh… Kas and I have met a few times. I don’t know if you knew that or not, but I’ve been really hoping I could meet you as well. I—I’m really sorry for not being around because I didn’t know. But I’m really, really proud of all you’ve accomplished. I met your son right before the ceremony, and I love him already. I love your wife already, I love Kas, and I—I love you already. I’m sorry about daddy, he?—”
