Page 120 of Senior

“You gotta calm down, ol’ lady. Take a deep breath.”

I did as he said and took several. He smiled as he peered down at me.

“You look beautiful, Ma. Pops was tripping with that damn split, but you look amazing.”

“Thank you, baby.” I pulled him in for a hug. “And thank you for giving your blessing.”

“Your happiness means the world to me, Ma. Clearly that bald headed ass man has more game than I thought he did to pull you back in after all these years. He told me he could have you and he proved me right.”

I giggled. “He did.”

The back door opened and I turned to see Daxon in a suit that mirrored Senior’s.

“Dax!”

I damn near yanked him into my arms. He laughed as he hugged me back.

“Hey, Mama.”

“Hey, baby. What are you doing here?”

“Dad said you guys couldn’t get married without us. I get to give you away, too.”

“Oh my God!”

That started another round of tears. When Sevyn came through the door, I was just no good as I pulled her in for a hug, too. She looked so beautiful in her dress with her hair all pinned and curled. She handed me a bouquet of red roses.

“I’m not giving you away, but I wanted you to know I was here,” she said, squeezing my hand. “You look beautiful, Ms. Stephanie. Mr. Stanley is very lucky to have you and so are we.”

She kissed my cheek, making me smile.

“We are very lucky to have the both of you, too,” I said, cupping her face. “Look at you. Just as pretty as a picture.”

“She a’ight,” Deuce jested.

“Shut up, Stanley.”

Now that made me laugh. Deuce couldn’t help but laugh too.

“Yeah, you’re gonna fit in just fine,” he said. “Go on back out there and tell them to start the music so we can get this show on the road.”

She nodded. After giving me one last hug, she left the same way she came. It wasn’t long before I heard the smooth sounds of “Forever Mine” by The O’Jays playing. A smile broke out on my face as I took my sons’ arms. This used to be our song… one of our man, many songs. The double doors opened, and we stepped out into the backyard which had been transformed into a romantic oasis of red and white.

Rose petals littered the pathway to the gazebo. Fairy lights were strung along floral archways. Dozens of red roses lined the base of the gazebo as well. Our family was dressed to the nines, lining each side of the aisle. My man stood under the gazebo with his mother. The smile on his face couldn’t be missed and neither could the tears. Ms. Rebecca grabbed his hand and squeezed it. That only seemed to make the tears flow harder.

“I love you,” I mouthed.

He touched his chest and mouthed the words back. The closer I go to him, the faster my heart beat. I’d known this man damn near my entire life and I’d never been so anxious to get to him. Finally, I came to a stop in front of him as the music faded out. Deuce took my flowers as he and Daxon placed my hand in their father’s.

Senior helped me up onto the platform as they went to take a seat. No sooner that I was directly in front of him did he cup my face and kiss me.

“We ain’t at that part, Senior!” Maceo said loudly.

“Ol’ thirsty ass!” Smoke added.

“Y’all better leave my father in-law alone,” Salima threatened. “Kiss your wife, Daddy!”

Several whistles filled the air as this man kissed me until he got his fill.