I gave myself a pep talk as I looked in the mirror. After a few more deep breaths, I grabbed my purse and fake bouquet of flowers and left.
“Damn! You look—wow! You’re beautiful, baby.”
Kenzo’s expression when he saw me said everything that needed to be said. He looked as if he were in awe, and his words made me blush.
“Thank you. You look more handsome than usual.”
His daily uniform was a three-piece suit, but the one he wore today had a little something extra that I couldn’t put my finger on.
“Thank you.”
We stared into each other’s eyes for a moment before someone cleared their throat, gaining our attention. The man next to him, who I hadn’t noticed before, extended his hand toward me.
“Malyah, is it?” he questioned, and I offered a nod. “I’m Ronin, Kenzo’s cousin and best friend.”
I shook his hand, responding with, “It’s nice to meet you, Ronin.”
“My bad. I forgot he was here when I saw you round the corner in this dress. I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Ronin to be our witness.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
“Ronin also dabbles in photography and agreed to capture a few memories for us,” Kenzo informed me.
“Dabble? You know damn well I do more than dabble, and I expect to be paid my worth. Malyah, I assure you, I am a professional, and the pictures will turn out great. Let’s take a few while we wait to be called back.”
Ronin picked up a camera bag that I hadn’t noticed on the floor, slightly behind him. A few minutes later, I had my second photo shoot of the day. We started with individual photos before taking some as a couple.
“You feel good in my arms,” Kenzo said as we posed with my back against his chest and his hands on my waist.
“It does feel good.”
He leaned down and kissed my neck as our names were called.
“Kenzo Goode III and Malyah Brownlee,” a woman’s voice said from several feet away.
Kenzo took my hand, and we walked toward the lady with Ronin behind us. As we moved through the hallway, the woman gave us a few instructions. We entered the courtroom, and a Black female judge was seated at the bench.
The woman who escorted us to the courtroom gave the judge a folder, which I assumed had all our necessary paperwork. The judge took a moment to look over the papers, and the ceremony began.
“Good morning. I am Judge Brooks, and I will perform your ceremony today.”
“Hello, Your Honor,” Kenzo and I said simultaneously.
“We are gathered here today to witness the union of Kenzo Goode III and Malyah Nichelle Brownlee. Marriage is a serious commitment that brings two people together. It is an honorable and joyous life-long commitment based on love, trust, and respect. Please join hands and face each other.”
Kenzo and I turned to face each other, then he took my hands in his. We looked into each other’s eyes, and what I saw in his surprised me. He may have proposed to me out of convenience, but his eyes told me this was more than that. He wanted this.
“Do you, Kenzo, take Malyah to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish her, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” he responded with a smile.
“Do you, Malyah, take Kenzo to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish him, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Will you be exchanging rings?” Judge Brooks asked.
“Yes,” Kenzo and I responded.
