by D. Camille
“You know that's not necessary goddess.”
Tauri stared up at him. “She'd better not bring her ass back!” she huffed.
Rion pulled her into his arms. “Even if she does it won't affect us, my little hood wife.”
“Don't play right now Orion,” she warned.
He looked down into her face. “I love you so much. I know this wasn't easy for you baby but it's over now and we're getting married next weekend -”
Tauri looked surprised. “What do you mean next weekend?”
“I've made the plans, all you need to do is show up and be beautiful.”
“Orion, I don't even have a dress yet,” she informed him.
He nodded. “You should get on that.”
“Orion, you expect me to get married in like nine days?” she asked.
He smiled. “It only took three to fall in love.”
Tauri paused for a moment then smiled back. “That's all it took for you.”
“Girl, you know you fell for me when I walked into your office. I saw how you were looking at me. You were begging me to take the panties,” he teased.
She placed her arms around his neck. “I don't remember the exact moment I fell, but I do know that I'm completely in love with you now, despite the fact that you like to tease me so unmercifully,” she pointed out.
Rion kissed her softly. “You like when I tease you and I love when you give me the Prosecutor Patterson look.”
Tauri kissed him back then fell silent for a moment.
“Where do you think she's going? To the center or back to New York?” she asked.
“They'll let me know, but I hope she takes the help.” Rion sighed. “I hate that I didn't recognize the signs earlier.”
“She said you were gone all the time, how could you have known?”
He shrugged. “Baseball was my life when I was playing. It was practice, home games, and road games. That's the reason I never wanted to start a family back then. I knew I couldn't be the type of husband and father I wanted to be.” Rion looked at her. “I guess I wasn't the type of man she needed either.” He looked away and frowned.
Tauri turned his face back to hers. “Her problem was not your fault Orion. She started using before she met you. Things just turned for the worse when she could no longer afford her habit. Please don't beat yourself up about this. You're doing everything you can for her. If she wants to be foolish and not accept your help, then so be it. She doesn't deserve it anyway.”
Rion stared down at her. “Come on, I'm taking you somewhere,” he whispered before taking her hand leading her out of the room.
“Orion, where are we going?” she asked following along. “I have work to do.”
“I'm going to get you to your office.” He turned to her. “Just a little bit later.”
Rion led Tauri to his car and after settling her inside he took off with her staring out the window. After a few minutes, she turned to him.
“I hope you're not doing the most today.” She commented knowing his penchant for going overboard with his surprises.
Rion smiled. “Always for you my goddess.”
Tauri shook her head and turned back to the window in anticipation. She knew that whatever Orion had done it was going to be something special. He was very detailed and thoughtful in whatever he did for her and she appreciated that quality in him. She was ready to breathe and move forward with their lives now that the Rhonda situation had been dealt with, although they still had a huge dark cloud looming over their heads.
Tauri regained her attention as they began to cross a bridge to the island her grandparents had taken her to visit many times as a child. Belle Isle Island was known in the past for its Flower House, Aquarium, Nature Park and play areas for children. It had recently been updated with many renovations.
Tauri turned to him with a smile. “You're taking me to Belle Isle?” she asked.
“We're having lunch.”
Rion drove to the Detroit Yacht Club and Tauri turned to him again. “At the Yacht Club?”
He smiled. “Yes, you do know you're marrying Rion Shaw?”
Rion exited the car then came around to assist Tauri. She stepped out and looked at the building in awe. Tauri had been born and raised on the east side but had never been to the Yacht Club in her life. As a kid she'd watched the building and the boats from a distance whenever she'd visited the island. Rion took her hand and led her inside the beautiful structure that sat on the water.
“Mr. Shaw! It's so good to see you again.” Tauri watched as the man greeted them. He then turned to Tauri. “This must be your beautiful bride to be.”
Tauri looked at the man then at Rion who smiled. “Yes, this is my fiancée Tauri Patterson. I brought her to take a look at the venue to see how she likes it.”
The man beamed. “Hello, I am Julian. I have taken care of everything to make your day incredible.”
Tauri turned to Rion. “We're getting married here?” she said astonished. “At the Yacht Club?”
Rion nodded. “Did you have somewhere else in mind?”
Tauri looked around the building. “No, I didn't. I never expected this though.”
Julian smiled at Rion. “Miss Patterson, let me show you what I have done and then you can tell me if you like it.”
“Uh...sure,” Tauri looked over at Rion who put a hand on her waist as he led her behind the overjoyed Julian.
For the next thirty minutes Julian rolled out the details of a fairy tale wedding on the waters of the Detroit River. When he was done, Tauri was so overwhelmed she couldn't speak. Julian read her expression and excused himself from the couple.
She turned to Rion. “I'm surprised there were no trained monkeys.”
He smiled. “I tried to find them, but they're hard to come by this time of year.”
“Oh my god Orion, this is so beautiful! I can't believe it,” she whispered.
“If you want to change anything you can. Julian can do whatever you want,” he explained.
Tauri shook her head. “No, it's perfect.”
Rion studied her. “So you don't mind having a Khemetic ceremony?”
Tauri smiled. “I'll have to explain it to Granny and Granddaddy, but I think it's incredible.”
He took her into his arms. “Well I think that you are incredible Tauri Patterson, incredibly strong, incredibly brilliant and incredibly beautiful.”
“I can't believe this is going to be my wedding,” she said softly looking at him. “I can't believe I'm marrying you. It's like a dream.”
“A dream with death threats, trials, attempted murders, and crazy ass exes,” Orion joked.
She smiled. “With young gods and fierce goddesses, crazy family and true love.”
“I think I like this dream,” he told her kissing her gently.
“I don't think I ever want to wake up.” She kissed him back before Julian knocked on the door.
He whisked into the room. “Okay lovebirds, time to sample food.”
Tauri looked at Rion. “I guess we won't be having spaghetti and fried chicken?”
Rion laughed. “Nope, not having free range chicken and organic rice either.”
“We're having whatever my goddess chooses today and everybody is going to eat it and shut the hell up,” Rion told her. “Plus it will be close to midnight when everyone is served so they won't really care.”
“My grandparents are not going to understand a wedding that starts at night,” Tauri said shaking her head.
“We are Orion and T-Tauri, the stars of the universe. Where else would we be getting married except under the night sky?” He smiled at her. “Plus, it's the full moon.”
“Where dreams and manifestations are received...” Tauri told him repeating what he had told her the first night on the rooftop.
He nodded as she stared into his eyes. “I guess it's really true,” she whispered.
*********
Nine days later Tauri watched her life change in a magnifi
cent whirlwind. She'd managed to keep focused on the case while selecting a dress, begging her grandparents to behave at the wedding and planning to move her things into Rion's apartment.
She looked out as both families and all guests were standing outside waiting for her. Rion had explained that it wasn't just her family giving her to him, they were giving her to all of Rion's family and friends. Rion was not just receiving Tauri, he was receiving Tauri along with all of those who loved her. Together they all pledged to love, protect and support the new couple.
As she slowly approached, she saw a small table with four glasses filled with different liquids. Rion came to meet her dressed in a designer black tuxedo with a bowtie and cummerbund reflecting the colors of the motherland. His dark hair was cut to perfection along with his mustache and goatee. His dark eyes held hers as he led her to the table and their family watched.
Rion looked at his future and felt his heart jump. This woman was all he had searched and waited for. When he looked into her eyes he saw their home, their children and the rest of their lives together. She looked amazing in the white dress that hugged the womanly curves passed down to her through generations. She smiled shyly at him and his heart melted.
Their vows to each other were based on the glasses that now sat between them as they stood on each side of the table. Rion's father, who was presiding over the ceremony, lifted the first glass.
“This represents sweetness, the quality you must always show to one another.” He handed the glass to Rion.
“This sweetness represents the woman standing before me. Sweetness is what she possesses and what she always deserves. I will display sweetness to her throughout my days.” He took a sip of the sweet beverage before handing the glass to Tauri who accepted with a shaky hand.
“This sweetness represents the man standing before me. Sweetness is what he has always shown to me. Sweetness and kindness is what he is and I will always return that to him.” Tauri took a sip and smiled at Rion before looking at his father.
George reached for the next glass. “This represents bitter. There will be times when you have to swallow things that do not go down easy. They will require determination and strength.” He handed the glass to Rion.
“I wish that I could shield you from all bitter things in our lives, but since I can't, I promise you that no matter what harsh things we face, I will always be by your side.” He drank from the glasses and gave a little frown from the taste.
Tauri watched him closely as he handed her the glass. “Your strength makes me stronger. Just knowing that you are there makes every bitter thing worthwhile.” She took a sip then groaned while frowning and everyone laughed at her expression.
George smiled down at her before he continued picking up the third glass. “This represents sour. Sometimes you will not see eye to eye. Do not let disagreements sour your relationship.” He handed the glass to Tauri this time.
She took it with a smile then turned her attention to Rion. “I know that I can be as sour as a lemon...”
“Yes, Lawd!” her granny added and everyone looked in her direction.
Tauri shot her grandmother a look before continuing. “I'll save my sourness for the courtroom and not for my husband.” She took a sip then scrunched her nose and pursed her lips.
Rion took the glass from her hand and turned to her grandmother. “Lemons are my favorite.” He winked at her before looking at his bride. “If you give me lemons beautiful, I will make you lemonade. There will be no sourness that we can't make sweet.” He took a sip while staring into her eyes.
George lifted the final glass. “This represents hot.” He looked between the couple. “I don't think I need to explain this.” He handed the glass to Tauri who eagerly took it.
She gave Rion a sultry look. “This represents the incredibly handsome and hot man who I love more than anything in this world. May we always have heat.” She took a sip without taking her eyes off him. She licked her lips after she swallowed the hot contents and handed him the glass.
Rion watched her as he took the glass and emptied it, swallowing all the contents. He lifted a brow at her as he sat the glass back on the table and she smiled.
George looked between the two. “Well that's not what was supposed to happen but it's their ceremony.”
Everyone stood looking at the couple as they watched each other like they were the only two people in the room.
Lance turned to Corvus. “Guess they starting on them five babies tonight.”
“Damn! They look like they might start right now.”
Pam looked at Corvus after overhearing their conversation and he smiled at her before George declared Rion and Tauri a couple joined together in love. Rion stepped around the table to his bride, taking her hand and staring into her eyes.
“I asked for beautiful and I received exquisite; I asked for smart and I received brilliant; I asked for strong and I received fierce...I asked for love and I received you.”
Her hazel eyes shimmered up at him as he lowered his head to her ear. “I love you Tauri Patterson.”
“Shaw,” she whispered before his lips connected with hers.
Later Tauri stood staring up at the sky outside the venue. She'd stepped away from the festivities of food and dancing to catch her breath for a moment. The full moon lit the dark water and she recalled another night she'd stood watching the bright orb against the black backdrop. Orion had told her it was when dreams came true and she truly felt that hers had indeed.
Strong arms enfolded her from behind and she smiled. “Did you enjoy your ceremony?”
Tauri leaned back into his strength. “It was so beautiful.”
“Your grandparents even seemed to have a good time,” Rion commented.
She smiled. “I think Lisa had the best time of all.”
“She was all over every single dude here.”
“She doesn't discriminate, that's for sure,” Tauri confirmed.
Rion laughed and hugged her closer kissing her neck. “You're so beautiful baby.”
She threw her head back against him and he continued until he turned her in his arms and claimed her mouth kissing her senseless.
He lifted his head and looked down at her. “I've loved this mouth since the first time I saw it.”
Tauri smiled up at him and touched his face. “Thank you Orion...for coming into my life and not letting me run away.”
“I know it was fast, but it was right... so it doesn't matter,” Rion told her. “I'll never let you run from this love.” He lifted her off her feet and she gasped in surprise. “In fact, you're about to get all of it tonight.”
“Where are we going?” she asked as he started walking.
Rion glanced down at her. “You can tell our kids that the young god took you to heaven on our wedding night.”
Rion walked back inside where everyone was waiting to see them off. He carried Tauri through the building and out to the waiting car.
Chapter 21
Rion sat in the middle of the king sized bed in the Presidential Suite at the Atheneum Hotel. His new bride was currently in the bathroom, according to her “making herself beautiful”. Rion knew there was no way she could improve upon the perfection he saw every day.
He had brought Tauri over to his way of thinking, sometimes kicking and screaming, and now they could begin their lives together. They'd survived much up to this point and they'd get through the rest as well.
Rion looked around the room with the scented candles burning brightly. Soft music was playing in the background and a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne awaited them.
Rion began to reflect on their joining ceremony. Standing across from the most beautiful woman in world with all of his family and friends in attendance had been the completion to one of his dreams. This woman was his love, his life and his future. Tauri held the key to everything he desired and he desired her more than anything. He'd consumed the hot beverage to show her just how much he wanted her and always would.
“Are you ready?” she called from the bathroom.
Rion sat back against the pillows in nothing but silk boxers. “All my life goddess. Get in here,” he said smiling.
“Close your eyes.”
Rion frowned. “Are you serious right now?”
“Close your eyes Orion.”
Rion sighed and closed his eyes. “Okay, bring your ass out here.”
He heard her soft laugh. “The young god is anxious,” she whispered and he opened his eyes to perfection.
Tauri stood with a hand on the wall wearing a sexy, sheer white baby doll teddy with stiletto heels. “Was it worth the wait?” she asked.
Rion moved from the bed to stand in front of her. He scanned her slowly from head to toe then connected with her eyes. “Honestly, you look this beautiful every day,” he told her. “Whether you're awake fussing at me or asleep and snoring, Tauri Patterson Shaw is the most beautiful woman in the world to me.”
She smiled at him. “I swear you can talk my panties off so easily.”
His hand went to hips and hooked around the strings. “These panties?” he asked sexily and she nodded slowly watching him.
Rion stepped closer pressing her back against the wall. He kneeled in front of her and gave the strings a tug over her rounded hips and down to her thighs. “These panties and all the sweetness they hold inside belong to me.” He placed his mouth over her sacred spot and she lost her breath.
Rion quickly disposed of the matching panties and continued to pleasure her against the wall on his knees. Tauri spread her legs wider to receive his offering. His strong hands held her hips in place as his warm tongue invaded her slowly.
Rion placed her leg over his broad shoulder and loved her into her first orgasm of the night. There would be no snoring tonight only deep, intense pleasure. He looked up into her passion filled eyes and smiled at her before he got to his feet. Rion kissed her softly before walking over to the bed and pulling the covers down to the end.
He turned to her still standing against the wall trying to regain her senses. “Do you want something to drink?” he asked smiling at her reaction to his loving.
