Page 96 of A Don & His Doll

Monae opened the door and walked in slowly. “Y’all want some tacos?”

Promise and Monroe fell out laughing.

“What?” Monae shrugged. “It ain’t like y’all was in here sleep anyway. I’ll cook it,” she said. “Me and my mom always eat tacos late night when we can’t sleep, and I don’t know what it is, but I’m wide awake.”

“I’m down,” Promise happily stated, slipping her feet into her house slippers.

“Y’all ass gone be fat,” Monroe said, pulling his shirt over his head.

“Mhm,” Monae said. “You want me to fix yours first?”

“Hell yea. You already know,” Monroe said, grabbing some socks.

They all shared a laugh on the way downstairs.

“You wanna look at this photo album with me?” Promise asked Monae.

“Of course,” she agreed.

One Month Later…

Waking up in the warm embrace of a real man would never get old. It was a vibe, a mood, and a flex all its own, and Promise was grateful to have secured such bountiful life. The moment she blinked her eyes open, Monroe's gaze settled over her like a blanket of love she'd never grown tired of sleeping beneath.

“How you feelin’ this mornin’, Doll?” Monroe asked, leaning in to kiss her lips.

“I feel so good, baby,” Promise answered, finding a way to move in closer. “What’s on your mind?”

“Just thinkin’ ‘bout how this the last day you gon’ exist in this world wit’out my last name,” he told her, smirking.

Promise giggled. “I can’t wait to be your wife,” she said, combing her fingers through his beard. “Thank you for being who you are, and doing what you do. I still can’t believe this is really happening.”

“Oh, this was always in the plan, Doll. Nigga ain’t never wanted or needed nothin’ in this world bad as you,” Monroe confirmed. “A Don ain’t shit wit’out his Doll.”

“Let me get my ass up before we fuck around and miss our own wedding,” Promise said, laughing, and scooting out of his embrace.

Monroe laughed, knowing every word he spoke was turning her on. “Don’t run now… A nigga just gon’ get that pussy in the shower then.” Monroe got up and chased her in the bathroom, hugging her from behind when they reached the shower door.

“Oh my God, Monroe! We cannot make love before our wedding,” Promise laughed. “We not even supposed to be seeing each other right now.”

“Who said that dumb ass shit?” Monroe asked because Promise had him fucked up.

“Monroe, it's bad luck,” she said, moving out of his embrace. “But, you can get it–”

“Right fuckin’ now,” Monroe stood on business. “Can’t nothin’ happen or not happen to make this day not be what it’s ‘posed to be for us, Doll. Shit, you already mine. That paper can’t make this love between us more official, and ain’t shit nobody can do to stop our program,” Monroe pulled Promise back into his embrace gently, and kissed her lips. “Nobody,” he said, boring deep into her eyes. “Let a nigga get some of that pussy now,” he kissed her neck. “Then throw that ass back again when we up in the air, and well on our way out the country.”

Four Hours Later…

THE WEDDING

Promise sat inside the bridal suite overlooking the rooftop of the Tribeca penthouse Monroe had purchased in Manhattan. He wanted to give them the intimate experience they both desired to share with their close family and friends. The skyline stretched endlessly beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, but none of it compared to the life waiting for her on the other side of the door. He’d hired the best hairstylist, nail techs, and wedding planners in New York to assist them as they walked into the next chapter as husband and wife. Looking around at her sister Rae, her mother, her best friend Jazira, and Amor a smile crept up on her face as she remembered her mother’s words from months prior.

“I know love when I see it. That type of love can build you up and make you feel like you're floating on top of the world, but that same love can bring you to your knees," Her mom schooled. "Just make sure you love yourself more. If you do that... no matter what, you'll always be alright."

It was then Promise understood that it was on her knees that she’d fought and won one of the biggest battles her heart had ever experienced. She’d learned so much from the women sitting in the room with her. She’d applied every lesson, and every gem that had been dropped, she’d taken it all in stride. It had helped her endure, taught her how to love unconditionally, and make hard decisions that safeguarded her heart, even when they hurt like hell.

“I love this dress,” Rae told Promise, looking at her white nails that had just been completed.

“Thanks, sissy,” Promise replied with a smile. “The material is so soft. I knew y’all was gone love it.”