"And?" Othello handed Antonio back to her.
"Maybe after the wedding," she responded.
"Why not as his plus-one?"
"This is your day with Des. You two have been waiting for this moment. Especially after all the trouble his mother gave you."
"We wouldn't be getting married if I hadn't won her over," Othello said.
"I swear even the big, bad, Don Othello Romano-Moor is afraid of his boyfriend's mother."
"She was a hard nut to crack." He smiled, turned, and finished getting dressed.
When he woke up, Des was sleeping next to him on the bed, practically draped over him, and Ava was on the chair not far from the bed, sternly staring at him.
"I'm glad you're awake, Mister Moor."
"Othello, please," he responded.
"Very well."
"I take it you have something to say to me."
"I do," she said. "I don't like you. You put my son in danger, and I'm very displeased that you made him cry. But I also know you have helped him more than I could have. He's become stronger since he met you. I have no right to anything that happens in his life, not after all the things I've done to him over the years.
"Do you love my son, Mister Moor?"
"With every ounce of my breath," Othello responded.
"Then earn my trust as I must earn his. I won't stand in your way if I deem you worthy of his love."
"What if I never win you over?" he asked.
"Then you just have to keep trying until you do. Don't waste time, Mister Moor. I know many suitors who can easily take your place. Oh, and don't make me a grandmother until you're married. Despite my impending divorce, I’m a traditionalist, Mister Moor."
Othello knew she was bluffing; it was her way of having some say in Des's life. Of course, Othello indulged Ava. She wasn't so bad and got along well with Maria, who encouraged her to start dating. As for not making her a grandmother, Othello couldn't wait to see her face when they announced the good news. After Othello had gained Ava's approval, they found out Des was pregnant, and at Des's first art showing, Othello proposed.
Des had come into his own in the past couple of years. He opened his art studio, where he taught art and had showings for other up-and-coming artists. He entered a few art competitions, losing and winning a few of them, bringing recognition to his studio. Des welcomed students of all levels and no longer held onto the belief that he did not want to be famous. That thought went out the door when he won his first competition.
As for David Ellington, his life went down the shitter. It started when Ava publicly announced that she was filing for divorce due to infidelity and a love child. His ratings in the polls dropped, but not enough to put him out of the race. However, after all his crimes of bribery, embezzlement, and even murder that not even Ava knew about came to light, he lost his race and his dignity and was now spending life in prison without parole.
With one last look in the mirror, Othello walked out of the suite, ready to claim his man and show him off to the world. He couldn’t wait for Des to be in the aisle; he needed to see him now. Taking a few short steps, Othello knocked on Des's room and gasped when he saw his lover dressed in a sparkling white suit and a long jacket that touched the floor with slits on the side. His long hair was cut, revealing his big, beautiful eyes and bright smile.
"You look gorgeous, Tesoro," Othello said in awe.
"So do you," he replied, going to his toes and kissing him on his lips.
"Are you ready to conquer the world with me, Tesoro?"
"We're bound, Othello. Anywhere you go, that is where we will be." He touched his stomach, and Othello placed a hand on top.
“Do you regret it?” Othello asked.
Des chuckled and shook his head. “I’d be a fool to regret a man who would burn the world down just for my love.”
Othello leaned down and kissed him. "Then let's go."
Hand in hand, they walked to the altar, with respected dons and business tycoons watching as they took center stage, showing the strength of their love.
