My eyes widened. “The rest of them?”
Emory kissed her teeth. “I told Prime if we didn’t see you before this wedding, I was gon’ have a permanent headache every night. You know he wasn’t gon’ let me come without him.”
“And Real sticking close to me because he knows his secret-keeping ass is in trouble,” Everly added.
“So, the babies are here?” I asked, a genuine smile curving my lips.
“Yep, those little hellions here. Lanthe and Mama out there spoiling them even worse. But now, to the important stuff, like how I’m clearly your maid of honor while Pip, Em, and Ev gotta fight over matron,” Hyacinth said smugly.
Emory scoffed. “I’m her best friend, so obviously?—”
“And Real is Targen’s. We’d look so good escorting each other,” Everly argued before her sister could even finish.
“Excuse me, but are we gonna just ignore the fact that I’m not married?” Pip’s tone was light-hearted, but I didn’t miss the small frown marring her pretty face.
“That’s right; you not! You do such a good job playing the role, though,” teased Hyacinth.
“Don’t y’all start in the Lord’s house! Hy, you just as messy as yo’ daddy’s grandmama, Mae Della. Stayed her tail in the middle of something til the good Lord relieved her of her duties,” Granny fussed.
“Mama Nette!” my mother exclaimed, unsuccessfully hiding her smile.
“Chyle, I ain’t lying. Mae Della kept up so much confusion, you woulda sworn she was speaking calculus. Anyway, I’m still a little upset with this girl of yours. Bout to leave us out and miss one of my favorite traditions. Now,” she continued, digging in her huge purse. “Here is your something old.”
She handed me a long, velvet box. I opened it and gasped at the beautiful heirloom bracelet. “Your grandfather’s mother gave it to me as my something new, many years ago. I want youto wear this in remembrance that you are never alone. You come from a line of strong, smart, supportive Black women.”
As I stared down at the gold bracelet with tiny diamonds throughout, I realized our family’s name was carved within the intricate design. My eyes filled with tears, which I tried to hold back.
Wrapping me up in her arms, Granny Nette whispered, “No man goes to the lengths he has gone through for someone he does not love.” With a kiss to my cheek, she stepped aside.
My mother then stepped up. “Theory Grace, I have your something new.”
She handed me a paper that was rolled and tied with a ribbon.
“What’s this, mama?” I asked as I untied the ribbon. Opening it, I found two papers. The first had me gasping; it was a bank statement of an account with ten million dollars. I frowned. My parents didnothave that kind of money to give. The second piece of paper was a list, dashed out in slashing, masculine writing. Each line described some element of a house. Recognizing it, I swallowed, my throat and eyes burning.
“The something new is the bank account your fiancé had us open when he visited. It’s to start building your vacation house on the farm. He said the list was what you wanted in your home,” Mama said softly.
It was exactly what I’d described to him one afternoon while we were sitting enjoying each other’s company back on the farm. He’d remembered perfectly…
“Damn, this nigga building you a house with your specifics down to each detail? Maybe I’ll keep my little something borrowed,” Emory stated.
“Emory Leigh! That mouth!” Granny Nette fussed.
“Like Prime didn’t do the same for her,” Hy mumbled.
Em flipped her off before arranging her face in a suitably apologetic expression.
“Sorry, Granny. Theory, here is your something borrowed, heffa. Remember I need it back,” she teased.
I unwrapped the gift to find a gold necklace and earring set. I recognized it as the one she’d worn when she married Prime. “Em, thank you so much!” I exclaimed. “It’s gorgeous.”
“I know, just make sure I get my stuff back,” she replied, laughing. “I want you to have something of mine while you’re standing up there reciting your vows.
Once Emory finished fastening the necklace and putting the earrings in, she grabbed my hand.
As we walked into the vestibule, my eyes watered once again. There, on a small easel, was a portrait of all of the adult women in my family, taken two years ago. The difference was it had been enlarged and reframed in a fancy blue frame. It was a breathtaking picture, and I felt chills on my arms. Epiphany’s gaze landed on me. Grabbing my hand, she simply stared into my eyes. For a moment, we needed no words.
“Theory Grace, this picture is your something blue. It’ll be removed after the wedding and taken to your house. It’s a reminder of the greatness from which you come,” my sister said softly before embracing me. “Everything is going to be just fine,” she whispered against my ear.
