Because of its rich cultural history woven from African, European, and indigenous descent, Dominica has always been a top destination for Sunjiya. It’s a hidden gem, practically untouched, with its turquoise waters and emerald rainforests. In the midst of the beauty is the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa.
Sunjiya landed an hour ago and her private car and driver were waiting. The drive from Douglas-Charles (DOM) Airport to the resort was thirty minutes and the scenery on the entire ride was breathtaking but nothing prepared her for the resort. The spa is nestled within the beautiful Cabrits National Park with its stunning ocean and mountain views. At first glance, it looked like the backdrop of a gorgeous postcard.
The concierge greets her on arrival and escorts her to their stay for the weekend, the Emerald Pool suite—a king suite with a full kitchen, extra-large living room, and private plunge pool. Once inside, he offers to unpack her bags but she declines.
“If you need anything, Mrs. Simmons, please don’t hesitate to contact us,” he says. She doesn’t bother to correct him about her last name. It’ll be changing in a few months anyway.
“Thank you so much, but do you know where Mr. Simmons is?” she asks because Akeem isn’t in the suite.
“Why yes. He’s going to meet you for dinner in an hour at our Kwéyòl Restaurant. It’s located right by the main pool. I can escort you when you’re ready.”
“I’m sure I can find it,” she says with a smile.
The concierge nods then walks out the front door. With a smile, she tours the room then journeys to the bedroom to shower and prepare for dinner. A bouquet of beautiful, vibrant, tropical flowers rests on the bed along with an ivory dress. She lifts the dress first and examines it. It’s a beautiful crochet maxi dress with adjustable spaghetti straps and a V-neckline. The dress is perfect and luckily she packed a pair of designer slides that will go with it perfectly.
Excited, she quickly unpacks, showers, and changes. The temperature here is warm, even after sunset, so she opts for a light beat, only pressed power and lip liner. After grabbing her cell, suite key, and handheld fan, she leaves the suite and journeys to the restaurant. The concierge was correct; the restaurant is nestled beside lush pools and the ocean.
She steps inside to the hostess and is immediately taken through the restaurant out to their open-air terrace. When Sunjiya steps out, her entire body freezes. She cannot believe her eyes. Not only does Akeem look sexy and casual in a white, loose, summer set, standing in front of a long dining table filled with the people they love. Quise, Axton, Miss Debrah, Mister Ahmad, Darisha and her boyfriend Trent are all smiling and dressed in nudes and browns.
Aunt Pri is even at the table looking gorgeous in a brown dress. Her presence means the world to Sunjiya because it’s proof that unconditional love does truly exist. When Sunjiya reached out and came clean to Aunt Pri a month ago, Pri didn’t hesitate to forgive her.
The only muscle moving on her body is the one that supports her smile. A big one is plastered across her face as she stares atthe unexpected but beautiful surprise. When Akeem realizes she isn’t moving, he steps over and grabs her hands.
“Surprised?” is all he asks and she manages to nod. Amusedly, he smirks. “We can’t start our rehearsal dinner if you stay over here.”
Rehearsal? Did he just say what I think he did? Rehearsal dinner?
“Our what?” she stutters.
“Our rehearsal dinner. Tomorrow, you’re gonna make me the happiest man alive, but tonight, it’s our dinner,” he says and tears instantly well in her eyes. When they fall, he thumbs them away. “I couldn’t wait another day and I’m hoping you feel the same. Will you marry me tomorrow?”
“You know I will. I’ll marry you tonight, baby,” she admits.
“Nah, tonight is dinner and dessert. Tomorrow is forever,” he says.
“Forever, tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that. You’re stuck with me,” she repeats before lovingly kissing his lips.
Epilogue
About five months later…
As soon as Sunjiya ends the call, she shakes her head and laughs a little. Akeem walks into the living room, steps behind the sofa, leans down, and kisses her forehead. When he walks around the sofa, he joins her.
“Was that her again?” he asks.
“Yes. She was just checking in,” Sunjiya says.
“I don’t get why she let Talesia come if she was gonna trip and call every damn hour,” Akeem says.
Every year for Halloween, Austin offers many Fall and Halloween-themed events. Quise has been dying to experience them, and now that he’s sixteen, he’s in town. His girlfriend Talesia accompanied him with the assurance to her mom that the two teenagers will be heavily monitored.
“Because her teenage daughter is spending the weekend with her teenage boyfriend out of state.”
“With his dad and bonus mother. It’s not like they’re by themselves. Just block her,” he says.
Grinning, Sunjiya says, “I will not. She doesn’t bother me. Plus, I’m going to be the same with our daughter.”
“First of all, no daughter of mine is ever going out of town with a lil nigga boyfriend. Hell, she ain’t gon’ have a boyfriend till she’s twenty-one,” he says adamantly before leaning in, lifting her shirt, and kissing her flat belly. “Yo’ momma tripping,” he whispers to her stomach after kissing it.
