“You got this, brotha,” Bully said. “Neo is amazing, and I’m so proud of you for not giving up on love and letting her in.”
I was already unexpectedly emotional, and him saying that shit only made it worse. Usually, I was straightforward and direct, never holding back my words and opinions. Atthat point, all I could do was nod, shake his hand, and let it lead to a hug.
Karrington peered at me with unsurety in his eyes. Out of all of us, he was the one always in protector and independent mode, never wanting anyone looking out for him. But you could always depend on him to look out for you. I knew it was only a matter of time before he and Beethoven would be in my ear too. Thankfully, the classical piece Neo chose for Eyela to play started, which meant my baby was about to make her way to me.
My eyes shifted over the audience before the sight of the most handsome ring bearer caught my attention. Pride immediately consumed me at the sight of my son looking just as dapper as his daddy. He did such a good job walking down the aisle. After taking the rings from him, I picked him up and gave him a lingering hug and kiss before letting him walk over to his mother. She and I were getting along just as well as we always had before her bullshit ass relationship started and ended, and Aries had gotten close to Neo as well.
Next was the ballerina flower girl, well woman, and I had to admit the shit was dope as fuck. Then, the bridal party came down, and my heart slowed its pace. I suspected the opposite would have been the case.
No.
When my eyes landed on my beautiful bride, peace and calm centered me. All I could do was smile and shed tears of joy and gratitude as Neo made her way to me. I loved me some Neo. She was truly my greatest treasure. I’d blow the whole fucking world up behind her and not give it a second thought. There was literally nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman, and her agreeing to be my wife was only going to make me come twice as hard behind her and our kids.
As she finally made her way in front of me, all the nerves that had consumed me for the day immediately released. Because that was what she did and who she was to me. My peace. My closest and most intimate friend. My partner. My lover. My reward. And now . . . my wife.
Beethoven
“I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away for too long,” Mama said.
“And you know you didn’t want me to,” I teased, sitting next to her at her kitchen table.
Quite some time was spent in Rose Valley Hills. Carlos and I had opened all our dispensaries there, and my wife’s salon suites were doing phenomenally well. Now that we were coming back to Memphis permanently, Carlos and I were going to open two dispensaries here, and Whiskee wanted to open another set of salon suites. She’d started doing hair and nails more and preferred being hands on instead of simply owning the suites, which I could understand. She was just as creative as shewas when I first met her, . . . maybe more. Giving birth to our son sent her into a state of fluid creativity that she was still flourishing in.
Speaking of the birth of our son, Whiskee almost lost her life bringing Winston into this world. I loved my son and was grateful that he was here, but I was not going to allow my wife to risk her life again. Had I lost her, I likely would’ve killed myself to go see God. If He would have given me my wife and taken her from me so quickly, He was definitely going to have to see me.
“I did. I missed you and my daughter, and now that my grandbaby is here, I was happy you all decided to come back home.”
“Yeah. Winston needs to be closer to his people. Whiskee and I flourished in The Hills professionally, and Carlos is cool, but I wouldn’t consider him my friend. My son needs to be around his uncles.”
She chuckled. “Carlosishis uncle, but I understand what you mean. You and your friends are very much like brothers. I was surprised you left them to begin with, but I was proud of you for leaving to start your own family.”
“Yeah, Whiskee and Winston will always come first. I’m glad she was on the same wave as me about coming home. She’s excited to open her suites here, but her clients are sad that she’s leaving. Some of them have already made plans to come from The Hills to Memphis so she can do their hair.”
“Aww, I love that for my girl. That’s a testament not just to her abilities but to her professionalism and connection to her clientele as well.”
We talked for a little while longer until her husband, Keith, arrived. They invited me to stay for dinner, but I wanted my wife to feed me . . .
It never failed.If Whiskee and Mahogany were in the same room, it was bound to be filled with laughter. Today was no different. When I left, they were supposed to be decorating. When I came back, they were in the same place they were in earlier, and not a thing had been put on the walls, shelves, or tables. All I could do was chuckle because they were definitely wine tipsy and enjoying the fact that I was gone and that Winston was with his uncle Carlos.
Before I got to know Carlos on a deeper level, I never would have considered letting him have my son alone. Now that he was no longer under his or my father’s thumb, he was becoming a solid man. I could actually see his love, care, and protection for his sister in healthy ways. He considered her and was softer and less selfish with her, and that was the only reason I allowed him to spend alone time with my son. If at any point I felt like he was starting to get back on his bullshit, his access to both of them would be cut off.
I didn’t play about my wife, and I certainly didn’t play about my son now that he was here.
“I never understood why people said women cackle like chickens and hens until I stepped in a room with the two of you. Y’all be having the time of y’all life doing nothing but talking and laughing.”
“Are you jealous?” Mahogany asked with a syrupy smile.
“Not at all. Keep my wife happy and in good spirits.”
“With pleasure. Can you get me a ride home, Bay?”
“Of course, sis. You know I got you.” I lowered myself to Whiskee’s lips and gave her a kiss. When she wrapped herhand around the back of my neck, I knew what type of time she was on. “Hey, beautiful.”
“Hi, handsome. I missed you.”
“Don’t sound like it,” I teased, sitting next to her at the table.
“I can enjoy my sister and still miss my husband.”
