I accepted my girl’s kind words, then downed the shot she offered me. Nola was right. Today would be unforgettable. Once I saw the two-story beachfrontpropertywe rented to house our wedding party, I knew we would make memories to last a lifetime. Initially, Neptune insisted on a different location to host the wedding and reception, but I thought the background of our getaway home was perfect.
I really owed Kasey all the praise for helping us secure the home. I had never seen myself getting married, so I was clueless about how to respond when Neptune mentioned a destination wedding. However, I tossed out a few locations, and he picked Hawaii. The idea of flying nearly forty of ourfriends andfamily across the country made my head spin, but my sister offered to help. We had moved like distant lovers most of my life, but my daughter bridged the gap between her auntie and me. Kasey stayed with us for two weeks after Nova was born, taking care of me as much as she did her new niece. Some days, I wondered if I waited too long to give her a chance, then I remembered everything happened in God’s timing.
My girls enjoyed the bottle service and catering provided by the owner of the house, but my stomach was too uneasy. I sat in a chair near a window overlooking the clear waters and my family and friends gathering on the sand. All this time, I thoughtI was supposedto be a hoodlum, andI was really meantto be a mother and a wife. I was afraid I would be stuck in the house once I found out my pregnancy was high risk, but I didn’t mind as much as I thought I would. The Lifetime Movie Network and online shopping became my guilty pleasure, and soon, I adopted Neptune’s love for puzzles.
As I drifted back into a daydream, my sister approached me. “Kannon, are you ready to get dressed? The photographer wants to snap a few pictures while you’re putting on your gown.”
“I’m ready. Can someone go grab my baby? I want her in the pictures.”
“Well, I went over to check on the fellas, and I asked Neptune if he wanted me to take her. He told me to scram.”
Neptune could be cold as ice to everyone but me, so I was sure he said more. Some mornings, I watched him sleep after he snuggled up and rested his head between my legs. He found comfort when I was around, and he told me secrets I would never repeat. I knew there were people who still believed I was wrong for choosing Neptune over my father, but the love he had for me and our daughter assured me I didn’t make a mistake. The fear of my baby and me beingpropsin his life withered away every time he put us first. Every time he left the casino to spend time with us, it reminded me that no one mattered more to Neptune than the family he created.
“How are you feeling, beautiful?” my cousin asked as she admired herself in a full-length mirror a few feet away.
As I watched Yari, I mentally applauded myself for sticking to my guns and making everyone wear black. Kasey tried to convince me to change my wedding colors to something more vibrant, but I couldn’t shake the vision of black lace and champagne.
“I’m all right, Yari. I would be better if my daddy was here, but I’ll survive.”
“I get it. Every girl has dreams of her father walking her down the aisle. But trust me, youdon’t want someone by your side who’s still questioning who you love.”
My eyes sprang wide. “What? You’re not taking up for your favorite uncle?”
“Not this time. I understood his feelings about Neptune at first, but after seeing the way he takes care of you and Nova, I don’t understand why that isn’t enough for him to show up.”She lifted her chin. “Anyway, that’s not your concern, baby girl. Today is about you and yourSinner. Nothing else matters.”
A knock at the door shifted my gaze. A few seconds later, Kasey barged into the room with a mug on her face and a sleeping Nova in her arms. She spun around as soon as she stepped over the threshold and closed the door, blocking whoever was following her.
“You can’t come in here. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, Neptune.”
I leaped from my seat when I heard my man’s name. “It’s all right, Kasey.”
“It’s not,” she said in a hushed tone. “At least turn your backs so you don’t break tradition.”
I heard Neptune laugh before he said, “I got you. Let me in.”
The ladies shuffled out of the room, expressing their annoyance in whispers. Jittery, I stood with my back facing the door and my eyes closed. However, my nerves melted away when I felt Neptune’s back and his fingers against mine.
“Is everything okay, Tune?”
“You tell me. The last text I got from you didn’t feel right. I could tell your energy was off.”
I grinned at my observant lover. “You know me so well.”
“We got a wedding to get to, Kitty. Talk to me.”
“My daddy isn’t here. I called him a few times, and he didn’t pick up. He hasn’t always shown up for me, but I didn’t think today was an option.” My voice cracked, causing Neptune to grip my hands tighter. “My brother is here, my sister is here, but he didn’t come for selfish reasons.”
“But we are, baby. You and me. It’s always been you and me.When we decided to betogether,wemade that choice. Only me and you were in the room when I put Nova inside of you,” he teased. “When I asked you to marry me, no one was around except us because we’re the only ones that matter. I understandyou’re disappointed, but don’t allow your day to be polluted with the feeling of loss. I promise, whatever void he created, I’ll fill the space, Kitty.”
I rested my head on Neptune’s back as I drew in a deep breath. “I love you.”
“You’re going to love me more when I tell you the surprise I have for you. I was going to wait until later, but I want to make you smile.”
“I’m listening,” I sang.
“I had a meeting with Michael Delano Jr. a few days before we flew here. I mentioned your potions when he and his father asked about buying guns, and they want to work with you.”
My mouth plunged open. “What? Are you serious?”
