Page 98 of A Don & His Doll

“I love you, Mom,” Promise returned. “Thank you for always being present. Thank you for understanding me, and always knowing what to say.”

Her mother nodded. “You are me,” she winked, smoothing the train of Promise's dress before walking out of the bridal suite.

Promise slowly turned toward the mirror, blown away by her own reflection. She rested both hands over the gentle curve of her belly and smiled at the mystery of Gods’ handiwork.

"Well..." she whispered. "Today's the day, my baby."

Her baby responded with a tiny kick almost immediately, making her laugh through the emotion.

"I guess that means you’re ready, huh?” Promise asked rhetorically, smoothing slow circles across her stomach with her hands.

"One day we will reflect on this day together. I can’t wait to see your face…watch you grow, and speak life into you every step of the way. You may not remember the music, the seventy thousand dendrobium orchids I had shipped from Thailand, or the way your daddy will look at me when I make my entrance... but I believe you'll always carry the love that fills this room today."

Her baby kicked again, and Promise smiled wider.

"You already got us wrapped around your little finger. Just wait until you get here." Promise took a slow breath and said. "Thank you, Lord for the life you predestined for us."

“You have given me the best of you. And you have made my dreams come true. Yeah. And after all the things that you have done. Girl, it makes me say that you are more than a woman…”

R. Kelly’s Dedicated pulsed through the air as Monroe stepped onto the rooftop of the penthouse wearing a custom all-white tuxedo accented with gold cufflinks and his signature pocket square. His gold iced out Patek, diamond-encrusted Cuban link chain with a cross pendant gave boss energy. He swaggered smoothly down the aisle without a nervous bone in his body, nodding at a few of his street soldiers on the way to the gold wedding arch decorated in white orchids. A sense of fulfillment settled over Monroe as he looked out at the intimate setting before him. There were a few faces he hadn’t seen in a while that made him smile, but his eyes were glued to the entrance.

As the song concluded, John Legend/Jhene Aiko’s U Move, I Move played next as Truth and Rae started their stride up the center aisle. There were white dendrobium orchids everywhere, but the wrist corsages added a touch of class to each bridesmaid. Promise had specially chosen this feature instead of having them hold flowers in their hands because she wanted them to have a small keepsake from the wedding. Each bridesmaid also held a small basket filled with blue orchids and pure white rose petals for them to sprinkle along the runner as they made their way to the front. White orchids symbolized purity, faith, elegance, and new beginnings. They were timeless flowers that conveyed deep respect, innocence, and spiritual grace. Jazira and G came next, and then his Uncle Mitch walked with Amor in Syncere’s place.

Monroe instantly thought of his mans’ in prison when he saw Amor, he wished he could be there to witness the best day of his life. It didn’t feel the same without him because since high school Truth and Syncere had always been present. They’d killed, grieved, married, divorced, had children, made their first million together, and so much more. Some people left empty chairs when they left the scene, but Syncere’s absence had left an empty space that only he could fill, and everyone had felt the impact. Their brotherhood; however, had been proven with time and experience together. They’d undoubtedly live to talk about this sooner than later. Havoc holding his phone up with Syn’s face showing on the screen was proof that even though he was physically not there, he was still present.

“ ‘Cause when I’m lost, you give me order. Pull me back and push me forward. Take me in and hold me. Hold me closer. I’ll follow you up and over. You control me fast and slow… When you move, I move…”

As soon as Amor and Uncle Mitch neared the front, Rae eased out of alignment with the other bridesmaids, and walked over to the pianist who had started playing the intro of Anita Baker’s Angel as soon as the previous song ended. Every head turned, anticipating Promise’s entrance as they stood.

“If I could, I’d give you the world. I’d wrap it all around you. Won’t be satisfied with just a piece of this heart. My angel… Oh, angel. You’re my angel. Oh, angel…”

Rae crooned beautifully, as Promise suddenly appeared at the entrance, arm and arm with her nephew TJ, taking Monroe’s breath away as soon as she appeared. She wore a custom Dennis Basso strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline, a hand-sewn bodice embellished with diamonds, pearls, bugle beads, and crystals, with a plunging low back, and a high-slit skirt. The wrist corsage she wore was custom designed with white and rare light blue orchids symbolizing spirituality, tranquility, and the uniqueness of the individual. They are mostly found in parts of Asia and valued for their uncommon beauty. Promise had to have them.

From the moment she stepped her barefoot onto the white runner, Monroe’s heart raced, watching Promise as she padded slowly towards him, stopping halfway to link arms with Mekhi. TJ took the seat beside Shia and Chaos, who were assistants to Rae and Truth, but also a part of the circle.

“Love the way we touch, I love the way it feels. Every time you’re near me, my poor heart just won’t keep still. No doubt about it that this love I feel is real. Ask me to go with you, you know I will…”

Rae sang her heart out for her sister as she made her way to Monroe, who’d patiently waited to clasp hands with her as they stood in front of Pastor Eric Percell. Monroe kissed Promise’s forehead as Rae made her way back to her place, not giving a damn about formalities. Soft laughter rippled throughout the rooftop. Everyone knew Monroe wasn’t abiding by anyone’s traditions or unspoken rules, he was simply going to create his own.

“Promise, do you want to begin with your vows?” Pastor Percell asked, handing her the mini microphone.

She nodded, taking a deep breath before she began.

“Monroe…Life is one helluva journey in its own right, but when two people get the opportunity to tread through it together… That's what I call grace. When you and I met, I didn’t place expectations on you. I wasn’t even looking for a man,” Promise laughed. “But, that’s how the biggest blessings come through sometimes. I prayed for a man like you for a long time, and God is so good, He didn’t let me miss what I’d prayed for. We’ve traveled the world together, spent more money than the average person gets to touch in a lifetime…but that’s not why we’re standing here today. Our commitment to each other, even when everything seems to be all wrong. Our friendship, and the way we keep choosing to love each other is what makes our bond so strong. I love you so much it scares me sometimes, but every time I gaze into your eyes I realize how quickly…how courageously I’ll jump off any cliff as long as I know you’ll be there waiting to catch me. So, my promise to you today is that I will evolve, but I will never lose sight of what brought us here today. I promise to keep your heart safe... to be your peace when life gets loud... to always be your friend long after we're old and gray... and to raise our child in the same kind of love we've fought so hard to build together. Thank you for choosing me. Today, tomorrow, and every day God blesses us with after this. I love you, Monroe.”

Promise concluded, handing Monroe the mini microphone, then slid Monroe’s wedding band on his finger after turning to get it from Rae.

Monroe chuckled, then pressed his lips to the top of her hand. Promise had brought out a side of him that was vulnerable, raw, and unapologetic in the way he expressed himself to the woman he loved.

“There was never a doubt in my mind that one day you was gon’ be my wife, but I also knew that it was gon’ take our minds a little longer to catch up with what our hearts already knew. The day I met you three years ago was the best day of my life, and lovin’ you has been an experience I’ll die protecting. Shit, now that I know what it is to be wit’ a woman like you…choosing anything else would be me cheatin’ myself, and we both know I ain’t never gone do that,” Monroe chuckled. “I don’ searched for a lot of things in this life, but one thing you taught me was that a promise is a promise. I’on’t think I ever heard God’s voice, but when he put us together He allowed me to understand how important divine alignment really is.” Monroe paused, and pressed his hand lightly on Promise’s belly. “You all in my head, Doll. All in a nigga heart to a point where I can’t even fathom a life that don’t include me wakin’ up to you every mornin’, and coming home to you every night. Before you... surviving was enough, but you taught me there was a difference between surviving and living. I’m a better man when I’m wit’chu. You being pregnant wit’ my son ain’t what confirmed my love or decision to make you my wife. The way you love a nigga…how you make me feel…Your aura and the peace you bring to my life is top-tier. You make my heart feel safe trusting you. I vow to love and protect you always. I vow to put our family first, and you’ll never have to wonder where I stand. I vow to grow wit’chu, and always be the man I’m supposed to be for you and our children.”

Monroe concluded, handing the mic to Pastor Percell, then sliding Promise’s wedding band on her finger after retrieving it from Truth.

“By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Pastor Percell announced. “Kiss your –” Pastor Percell chuckled because before he could conclude his statement, Monroe had already pulled Promise in for a passionate kiss. “I now present Monroe and Promise Black!” He confirmed as Monroe and Promise turned to face their family and friends.

Jagged Edge’s I Don’t Wanna, oozed through the speakers next as everyone rose to their feet to greet the newlyweds. Everyone except Sienna. Promise hadn’t noticed because she was so consumed with the love surrounding them, but Monroe had caught a glimpse of Sienna’s tear-filled eyes as she stood and quietly slipped away from the rooftop experience after Monae had obviously chosen to stay for the reception. It had been duly noted, but Monroe couldn’t carry the weight of it. The reception unfolded in a beautiful blur of photos, good music, champagne, laughs, unforgettable moments that they’d live to talk about years down the line.

Hours later, after most of the formalities had ended, the night had softened around them, and the opening notes of Alicia Keys’ Like You’ll Never See Me Again drifted through the rooftop speakers as Monroe and Promise shared their first dance.