“You’re such a sweetheart, baby. Thank you for doing this for me on your birthday.”
“Only for you, baby. Hey! Look at that over there?”
“Where?”
“To your right.”
I turned to my right and was stunned to tears by the message displayed across the sky. It said, ‘Khiya, will you marry me?’ in capital letters.
“Sylas,” I choked out.
Words failed me as I stared at the banner flying across the sky. This man had to have fallen from heaven because I’d never experience a love so intentional. I was in such a daze, I didn’t realize we were back on the ground, and I still couldn’t speak.
A few minutes later, he helped me out of the helicopter, and when I looked up, my parents, his parents, our siblings, their spouses, and my best friend were gathered on one side of bright marquee letters that read, “Will you marry me?”
I turned around and found Sylas on one knee, holding a black box with the most beautiful diamond ring.
“Khiya Elizabeth Reid, you came into my life at a time when I was simply existing. I wasn’t unhappy, but I knew I was missing something. From our first meeting, I couldn’t stop thinking about you, and I wanted you in my life. Flying has been my passion since I knew the true meaning of the word, and nothing in my life has ever made me feel as good, as whole, or as blessed . . . until you came along. I love you, Khiya, and I’d be the luckiest man on earth if you would do me the honor of being my wife.”
Through tears and a huge knot in my throat, I said, “I’ve never met a man so sweet, thoughtful, and intentional about hislove for me. I’d be honored to be your wife. Yes, I’ll marry you, baby.”
As he slipped the ring onto my finger, our families clapped and cheered, as camaras flashed, capturing this special moment. He stood, cupping my face in his hands, and kissed me ever so softly. With his lips hovering just above mine, he whispered, “Only for you, beautiful.”
That night, our families celebrated Sylas’s birthday and our engagement with us. It was easily one of the best times of my life.
Six MonthsLater
After we got engaged, we decided to get married on the anniversary of the day we met, which was Valentine’s Day, giving us nine months to plan. About three months into the planning, Khiya changed her mind and wanted to get married on her birthday.
I was surprised when she suggested it because most women preferred not to overlap their special day with anniversaries or holidays, but not Khiya. I suggested other dates, but she stood her ground.
Her thirty-fourth birthday and our wedding day had arrived, and now that the day was here, I was happy as hell that I didn’t have to wait three more months to marry the woman I loved.
Our wedding party was small, with Maison as my best man, and Blaine and my cousin, Brooks, who’d just moved back to Chicago after being gone for five years, as my groomsmen.
“You ready?” Blaine asked.
“We could’ve gone to the courthouse the day after I proposed,” I told my soon-to-be brother-in-law.
“And all the brownie points you got with my mother would’ve been null and void. She’s been waiting thirty-four years for the day to dress her baby up like a princess and watch her marry the love of her life.”
“Yeah, there was no way my wife would’ve allowed that, but my pockets wouldn’t have been mad,” Mr. Reid said jokingly.
“Your mother wouldn’t have been too happy either,” my father added.
“I know. They both made that very clear when I showed them the ring.”
“I feel like I should give you some kind of warning about treating my sister right, but I know you will. I could tell how much you loved her the first time I saw y’all together. So, welcome to the family.”
“Thanks, bruh.”
We exchanged a one-armed hug just as Maison entered the room. He came over and put his hand on my shoulder.
“It’s time. You ready?” he asked.
“I’ve never been more ready.”
He gave me a small, long, gift-wrapped box and said, “This is from Khiya. She wants you to open it before you go out there. We’ll be in the hallway.”
