TTW 3 ( Thicker Than Water 3 )

by Takerra, Allen

  The band looked to him a little confused as they continued to play.

  Sasha breathed a deep and shaky breath wondering what Jayde had said to fuck up Tatum’s head.

  I should’ve dragged the whore down the aisle with me.

  “She’s not coming,” Chanel whispered to Tangee, but it was loud enough for some to hear. “She was all scared.”

  Ree looked to the thirteen-year-old girl and tried to remain straight faced, but it was a shot to the heart. Ree dropped his head after a few more moments and gave a small nod. What would happen now? This wasn’t in the plans…

  “Oh my god, she looks beautiful!”

  Everyone including Ree looked to Sasha’s mother Terri who had made the statement, then up to where her eyes landed.

  It was Tatum, emerged and glowing, standing on the steps of the lighthouse. She seemed to be looking directly at Ree as she mouthed something to him and smiled. He wasn’t sure what it was, but it was a simple ‘I’m sorry’ for her delay. Ree couldn’t move. He couldn’t even think. All he could do was stare at her. That’s how radiant she was.

  The band leader smiled lightly, then raised his finger and circled it, indicating to loop the song and restart it. And as they began to play the instrumental to Stevie Wonder’s ‘Ribbon in the Sky’, Tatum took her first steps toward the aisle.

  “Oh so longgg, for this night I prayeddd…

  That a starrr, would guide you my wayyy…

  To share with meee, this special dayyyy…

  Where a ribbon’s in the sky for our love…

  If alloweddd, may I touch your handdd…

  And if pleaseeddd, may I once again…

  So that youuu will understanddd…

  There’s a ribbon in the sky for our love…”

  Tatum stepped rhythmically down the aisle, her heart swollen with love. The sun setting against the ocean waves, the star lights and flowers, everyone’s smiling faces, it was all so beautiful. But nothing more beautiful than the man who looked at her like she was the only woman in the world walking to him. Just from the way he looked at her made this day the most precious in her life. Never had she felt so adored.

  Tatum reached the beach and allowed the words of the song to guide her. They were so beautiful. It was at that moment when she realized she was supposed to be walking to an instrumental.

  Those gasps she had heard before she exited, right before she exited, now she knew why.

  “Do-do…

  Do-do-do-do-do…”

  Tatum glanced to her right as the Mr. Wonder himself sat with his piano positioned on the beach next to the band, serenading her wedding song. The tears that were held captive on the brink of her lashes overflowed and dropped to her cheeks. She looked at Ree in awe. He had done that for her. How could he do this?

  “This is nottt, a coincidenceee…

  And far moreee, than a lucky chanceee…

  But what is thattt, what was always meanttt…

  Is our ribbon in the sky for our love… …

  We can’t lose, with God on our sideee…

  We’ll find strengthhh, in each tear we cryyy…

  From now on, it will be…you and I!

  And our ribbon in the sky! Ribbon in the sky!

  A ribbon in the skyyyyyyyy! For our….loveeeeeeeeeeeee!”

  Stevie belted the last words out so powerfully, so moving as Tatum neared the edge of the gazebo that there wasn’t a dry eye on the beach. The way she looked, the way her and Ree stared at each other as she neared him, the words, the aura of the moment, it embodied love.

  The song faded and Tatum stepped up the single step that put her, Ree, and the Reverend on a raised level. She handed her blood red, rounded rose bouquet to Sasha and faced Ree, taking his awaiting hands.

  “Good Evening all… We are gathered here today…”

  Tatum and Ree stared unblinkingly into each other’s eyes as the Reverend spoke. Hers were steady pouring out tears, his fighting hard not to.

  ‘I love you’, he mouthed to her, looking at her tears that fell. Tatum could only nod in response as her bottom lip trembled.

  “…the union of Mr. Sean Knights and Ms. Tatum Mosley will be that of a pure one…of a Godly one…blessed by the heavens. In non-traditional form but in the tradition of love…the couple has decided to share their own vows this evening…Mr. Knights…”

  Ree held Tatum’s hands a little tighter and cleared his throat. Never in his life had he felt such a rush of these types of emotions. He knew from the first day he saw her that this woman would bring him exceptional experiences. He just never knew this exceptional. Taking a deep breath, he spoke.

  “…You know…they say a man chooses his bride. But I’m the proof that it’s not quite true. Because Tatum, you chose me. The first time I saw you smile, I said damn…no woman’s supposed to stop a man’s heart like that... I knew that whoever was lucky enough to wake up to that smile everyday would be the luckiest man alive. I wanted that man to be me.” He paused. “So I pursued you. Persistently. I spent long days… and many nights… trying to convince you that I deserved you. That you should choose me. In all actuality Tatum, I knew the whole time that I was just as undeserving of you as the next man... And I say this because it’s no secret that I’ve lived a life less of a saint. So how’d I get to spend it with an angel by my side…?” He let the question marinate and then shrugged coolly. “But… whether I’m worthy or not, it doesn’t matter. Like you say, you’re stuck with me,” he joked with a grin and the crowd followed with light chuckles. “And I swear I’ll spend my life, every single day of it…making sure I keep that beautiful smile on your face. You’re all that matters Tatum… Aliya… Mosley. And in addition to loving, honoring, and cherishing you, I promise to never let you forget that.”

  If a round of applause wasn’t completely inappropriate, every single person would have erupted into one. Sniffles could be heard all around as Tatum stared at Ree with love and prepared to say her own vows.

  “Wow…,” she spoke shakily, wiping her eyes. “How do you top that?”

  There was another light giggle as she took a deep breath and then began.

  “Sean…as I stand here…I can’t help but to be so thankful. I am not just thankful for this moment, for our friends and family sharing this with us. Not just thankful for this dress…for this beautiful, beautiful dress,” she stressed looking down at herself, and there was light laughter. She then held up her right hand. “And for this ring! I mean this breathtaking…and very big ring.” More laughter erupted and then her tone turned serious as the laughter subsided. “But I am actually thankful…for me. I am thankful for my being, and all of it that has made this possible. You see, I am thankful for my hands… because they allow me to hold yours and feel your comfort and strength. I am thankful…for my feet, because they allowed me to walk to you down this very aisle. I am thankful for my eyes…for they let me stare into the face of my beautiful king every day. And I am so very thankful for my heart, because it allows me to feel the most indescribable, deep and immeasurable love. Love that I didn’t know could exist.” Tatum took a deep breath and swallowed some tears before continuing. “With everything that has happened…so much I have lost – family, friends. It’s you that has truly made my life so much better. It’s like no matter what happens, what I have to face, or what lies ahead…I know that I don’t have to be scared anymore…because I have you. And when I think of you baby, my heart actually smiles. I mean… I just feel good all over. And as I stand here, all I can wonder is how in a million years, I could have ever thought… that I could possibly live without you.” Her tears poured consistently and she thought of the time she’d spent fighting his love, then she gathered the strength to finish. “Sean, we were two souls predestined to spend eternity together way before we laid eyes on each other on that warm summer night. You are everything that I could ever need. And I promise, for the rest of our lives, with all of me to always be whatever you need, too…”

/>   If anyone had dried their tears at the end of Ree’s vows, they were steadily reflowing by the conclusion of Tatum’s.

  “The rings, please,” the Reverend requested with a choked up tone.

  Ree’s father handed him the platinum wedding band set, both which contrary to the entire wedding, were simple. The couple exchanged rings and people used the opportunity to snap out of their teary eyed emotional trance and snap pictures.

  “By the power that is vested in me…I now pronounce you…”

  Ree pulled Tatum into a close embrace and pressed his lips to hers passionately and Tatum released herself to him. She kissed him back like they were the only two people on the beach.

  “…man and wife…,” the Reverend added with a smile and a chuckle. He had been flown in from the States to speak at this wedding and it was by far the best he had ever had the pleasure of blessing.

  Everyone stood, applauded, and cheered. Breaking the kiss, Tatum and Ree smiled and looked back to the Reverend then to their guests.

  The sky was dark by now and night had fallen. Tangee slid the broom at the bottom of the leveled step and Tatum looked to Ree with a smirk. He had surprised her with Stevie and she surprised him with the broom. She knew he would have protested.

  “C’mon, man…you serious?” He asked her, looking from the broom to her with raised eyebrows.

  “On a count of three?” She said with a grin.

  “…One! …Two! …Three!” The crowd chanted and the couple jumped. Another round of applause.

  “Alright! Alright! That shit was real sweet,” Chauncey spoke up coolly. “But yo, it’s time to go all the way in!” He grabbed Sasha up and everyone cheered, heading for the lighthouse and the reception in good spirits.

  “Trust and love are two different things…I love Chauncey, but I don’t trust him.” – Sasha, Still Thicker than Water

  -7-

  The premium open bar was in full effect, the servers had begun to pass out the delectable five star meals, and the sounds of Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’ vibrated the walls of the lighthouse as the grandest reception Jamaica had ever witnessed came to life.

  ‘Cause if ya liked it then ya shoulda put a ring on it…

  If ya liked it then ya shoulda put a ring on it…

  Don’t be mad when ya see that he want it…

  ‘Cause if ya liked it then ya shoulda put a ring on it…

  Whoa oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh…

  The pink lights transitioned to red and reflected off of the white satin draped around the room, connecting from the ceilings to the walls in an intricate design. Aubrey sat at the round table flipping her tiny hand back and forth, mimicking Beyoncé’s dance moves.

  Oh, oh oh…Whoa oh oh…oh, oh…ohhhh…

  Normally Sasha would have been thoroughly entertained by her daughter’s regularly adorable behavior, but her mind was elsewhere.

  “What’s wrong, kid…you don’t like your lobster? I thought that’s what you wanted to order?”

  Tatum had provided everyone with a small menu accompanying their invitation. Guests could choose from stuffed lobster tail and filet mignon, Chicken francaise, prime rib, or pecan encrusted salmon, all of which looked divine. The dinner wasn’t the key though.

  Tatum being a girl with a weakness for sweets had Ree go all out for the dessert portion. There was a long table with exotic fruits of every kind and chocolate fondue, red velvet cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries, cannolis, Tartuffe, éclairs, mini cheesecakes, and an ice cream sundae station, all in addition to the five layer white chocolate truffle wedding cake. Everything looked incredibly mouthwatering.

  “Well, I love the lobster!” Terri spoke up. “It’s so fresh, too. And did you see the wedding cake? That looks amazing. The little groom even has dreads!”

  Chauncey had to chuckle at that but turned his attention on Sasha, who hadn’t quite seemed herself since this morning.

  “Hey…earth to you. What’s up?” He probed, snapping his finger in front of her face.

  Sasha finally looked at him.

  “Oh…nothing. I just… I just yeah, probably should’ve ordered the chicken or something. Excuse me.”

  Sasha jumped up and headed to the restroom, feeling herself becoming emotional all over again. Finally reaching the sink after what seemed like the never ending path of ‘trying not to cry’ trail, she let the tears fall.

  What she wanted so badly was to get over it, to not think about it, to know that it wasn’t true, and to have had Tatum look at her like she was crazy and scream at her for even suggesting something like that.

  But that was not the case. The reality was that Tatum had slept with Chauncey a long, long time ago.

  Could they ever be the same after this? Was their friendship thick enough?

  A banging on the bathroom door reminded Sasha that she had put on the deadbolt and she decided she had better get back out there before someone complained about it. There were three stalls in the ladies room and no reason for the door to be locked.

  Splashing some cold water on her now bright red and puffy face, Sasha tried her best to restore her appearance. Reaching in her clutch, Sasha pulled out and applied her Laura Mercier blotting powder.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  More banging.

  “I’m coming!”

  She took a deep breath and decided it was best to speak with Chauncey about her feelings when they returned home. He would just have to put some time aside for that talk, no excuses.

  “I’m sorry…”

  Sasha snatched the door open, ready to apologize to whoever was waiting on the other side. However there was no one. She caught a glimpse of Nikki, the mother of Tatum’s nieces, now heading inside of the men’s restroom. She assumed it was her who had been banging.

  “Wait…Nikki! That’s the men’s room! I’m out!” But Nikki was gone and inside.

  Sasha shrugged. Refastening her clutch, she held her head down and began to walk.

  “Whatever,” she mumbled, but was caught off guard when she crashed into someone.

  “Oh my god! I’m sorry... I should’ve been watching where I was going.”

  Sasha looked up and caught the man staring at her unblinkingly, almost in a trance. It scared Sasha slightly. He was an attractive older man with keen features and a distinguished presence.

  “No…I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry,” he finally spoke zealously.

  He looked like he was becoming a bit emotional and Sasha was confused by his still strong stare.

  “Okay. Well…bye.” Sasha stepped off with an eye roll, sure that the man was just entranced with her beauty, like most were. “Weirdo,” she mumbled and made her way back to her table.

  Back at the restrooms, Bleek barged through the door ready to relieve the first round of his liquor indulgence.

  “Damn a nigga gotta piss like a wino.”

  Reaching the urinal, he pulled out his main vein and adjusted his stance, ready to let it all out.

  “Ooohh weeee!” He called, feeling that relief that comes with a borderline drunken piss. The sniffing sounds from behind him interrupted his short lived ‘me time’ with his soldier. He knew that sound, he knew it well.

  “Somebody powdering that nose,” he sang lowly.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” A woman’s voice caught him off guard as he shook off his last drops and spun around while stuffing his dick away abruptly.

  “Oh shit! Yo what you doin’ in here, shawty?”

  The question had to be rhetorical because Bleek could see the white still caked on the tip of her nose and in her nostrils.

  “Just…getting the party started,” Nikki quipped with a smile. “But my party’s all over, apparently,” she added, holding up an empty baggie.

  Bleek raised his brows and nodded, fastening back his Gucci slacks and moving to the sink.

  “Well, you know what they say…all good things must come to an end,” he drawled in his country grammar. “Pa
rdon me darling, I need to wash my hands.”

  Nikki licked her lips and adjusted her purple spandex dress. She knew she was attractive, despite her once again rapid weight loss.