Page 216 of 4 Corinthians

"I've never wanted a big wedding," I replied. Uri's fingers traced the flower tattoo on my arm. I laughed softly and shook my head. "I never even wanted a wedding."

His hand stilled. "You don’t want to get married?" I could hear the panic in his voice. Goodness, I hadn't realized how much I missed hearing him until now.

"If I were going to marry anyone, it would've always been you."

"Do you want a big wedding?"

"I want to be married to you." I looked up from our hands to see him watching me. "So stop worrying about a big or small wedding. I don’t need anything but the people in this room."

"I want to adopt Judah. Give him and you my last name. I don’t care shit about Robert being..."

He couldn't finish his sentence, and I couldn't correct him, not until I was sure. I planned to get a DNA test soon. Uri and I didn't keep secrets, but I would keep this one until I had the answer I needed. I didn't want to give Uri false hope. If the test came back and Judah wasn't his, then I would carry that disappointment to the grave and beat Kenbral into one.

"Okay," I agreed. "After all this is over with. We can have you legally adopt Judah."

Uri stopped, looked up at me, and then smirked. "Nah," he said, then shook his head. "I want him legally mine today." He looked at the door, then back to me. "I already talked to Nine about it. Months ago, actually. He can make it happen. The same way he did for Fire and Lynx. He already has the paperwork ready."

"Did you secretly marry us like Fire did Lynx?" I laughed.

"Would you be mad if I did?" His eyes sparkled with mischief, and then he smiled. "Because if you aren’t then I can get Nine to work right now."

"Nope. Would you?"

"I wouldn't be upset, but I would be a little annoyed," he replied.

"Why?"

"Because I want to remember the moment when I kissed you as your husband for the first time."

The door to his room opened, and in walked my grandparents. Madea's dark eyes went to Judah lying on the pullout couch asleep. "You ready?"

"Yes, ma'am," I answered. And I was. Despite everything going on, I was ready for this moment. I’d never wanted marriage or thought I was worthy of it until now. Until this man sitting walked back into my life and made me remember how strong I was. Marrying him was never going to be a mistake or something I regretted.

"Good," she smiled, then turned to Granddaddy. "Say the words, let them kiss, and enjoy their night as husband and wife." She approached us, kissed us on the forehead, then went to where Judah slept and picked him up. “Tomorrow we will be back. We will discuss a few things, and then you will rest, Uri. Not because you want to but because you need to." She adjusted Judah in her arms. "So will you, Corinthians."

"Madea..."

"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss your wife, Four," Granddaddy interrupted me before I could start. "This isn't us dismissing your marriage. It's us understanding who you are. You won't celebrate until the person responsible for your pain is dead. He has loved you since you were a little girl, fighting in that ring or basement. You helped nurse him back to health and protect him when he couldn't protect himself. You two are proof that love is without a doubt the ultimate gift."

"Can you tell the family that we will accept visitors tomorrow?" Uri asked.

"Yeah, we can do that. We will see y'all tomorrow." Granddaddy took Judah from Madea, and they walked to the door.

"Granddaddy?" Judah sleepily mumbled. "I'm not getting a dog."

"It's alright, grandson," Granddaddy replied as he patted his back. "We can talk about getting a dog at our house." Granddaddy opened the door and stepped back to allow Madea to walk out first.

"I'm getting a mini goat," Judah said as they walked out of the room.

"I still cannot believe you bought him a mini goat!" I fussed after the door closed. I turned to see Uri sitting in his bed with a serious look on his face. "What’s wrong?"

"You didn't hear what your Granddaddy said?" He asked me. "He told me to kiss my wife. How am I supposed to do that when you're still sitting over there?" I laughed, then stood, moved the small table from beside his bed, and leaned down until we were nose to nose. "Is this better?" My lips brushed against his as I spoke.

"Damn near," he answered, then kissed me. My breath caught in my chest when I felt his hand wrap around my neck. There was no fear, just excitement and hope. Even with Robert still out there, I had it. He stopped kissing me and smiled. "Now come here."

"I don’t want to hurt you," I said, shaking my head.

"I can't feel pain, remember?" Uri pulled me to him, and I climbed into his lap. "Now what's your excuse?" His hands went to the waist of my sweats, and he smiled. Even though I didn't want to be, I was turned on. He moved his hand from my waist to inside my pants, then pushed my panties to the side. "I will stop if you want me to."