“Miss Capree,” he greets.
“Fuck you Dontay,” she snaps.
“Pree, you can’t curse in the Lords house,” Jalena scolds.
“Forgive me God,” Pree apologizes before plugging her ear buds in.
“She still mad?” Dontay asks.
“Yup. She hasn’t said a word to me.”
Dontay puts long curls in my hair and pins them up on the sides leaving the back out. He places some baby’s breath flowers in it for a finished look. He then moves on to Morgan.
“Pree, are you going to do your own hair?” He asks.
“Yup,” she responds as Jalena applies her makeup. She is being so fuckin’ stubborn and petty right now.
I let out a breath. These damn babies love pushing up on my ribs making me uncomfortable.
“You okay?” Jalena asks.
“Yeah. They love being in my ribs.”
“Yeah, Chloé’s ass used to push her feet up in my ribs too,” she says rubbing my stomach. I look at Pree who is busy looking through her phone.
“I guess I’m ready for you to do my makeup,” I tell Jalena.
“Dang y’all. I’m in the wedding too and y’all got me workin’,” she complains while applying toner to my skin. The camera man takes photos, capturing the moment. When Jalena finishes with my makeup, I slip on my white strapless mermaid dress that seems to be clinching to my stomach despite the alterations.
“Why’s her dress different than mine?” Jada whines in her white sleeveless turtle neck dress with a dramatic silver neck piece. I actually like her dress better than mine but I wouldn’t dare say that out loud.
“Because she’s the Maid of Honor and if her stomach didn’t resemble a beach ball I would be telling y’all to switch,” Morgan rudely replies.
“Do you not want me here, Morgan?” I snap, tired of them acting like assholes towards me.
“I have the right to be mad Aneesah but yeah, I want you here,” she exclaims before heading behind the room divide to slip on her dress.
“Well, I don’t want you here,” Pree mumbles.
“Nobody asked you,” I reply.
“No fighting on my day, damn it,” Morgan yells from behind the divider. She steps out looking stunning.
“Wow,” we say at once. Leave it to the fashion diva, Morgan’s dress is a beautiful shade of blush pink with a sweetheart neckline. Crystals adorn the bodice of the dress. The dress hugs every curve on her body until you get to about the knees. It then flares out dramatically into a breathtaking layered skirt that hits the floor and trails behind her.
“Wow,” we say again, admiring the crystals and belt that is wrapped around her waist. The pink beautifully flatters Morgan’s mahogany skin.
“Here is something new,” Pree smiles, handing her a box. It’s a pair of emerald cut diamond earrings.
“Something blue,” I cheese, giving her a garter belt.
“Something old and borrowed,” Jalena says in tears handing her a diamond tennis bracelet that she inherited from her Great Grandmother.
All of us are teary-eyed as we gather into a sisterly group hug.
“Don’t cry…don’t cry,” Morgan says fanning her face.
“I hope my lashes are dry, Jalena,” I giggle, while opening my eyes wide so my tears won’t spill into them. We simultaneously start to laugh and cry tears of joy as the camera man captures another moment.
“We have to go,” Jada reminds us. We break out of our embrace and walk upstairs and out into the hall. Nyce is standing against the wall in his dark blue Kenneth Cole suit with pink tie that matches Morgan’s dress.
“Morgan,” I whisper. “I missed the rehearsal but who am I walking down the aisle with?”
“Relax. You’re with the best man, Tiger. Kay’s brother.”
“Good,” I think.
I fall in line and entwine my arm with Tiger’s as the doors open. I look back at Morgan who is talking to her father, Mr. Leonard. He gives her a sweet forehead kiss before placing the veil over his daughter’s face. The music cues and Babyface’s “Every Time I Close My Eyes” lyrics croon out the speakers.
After the ceremony, the wedding party loads onto the party bus and drive back to the hotel for the reception. When we finally make it to the hotel, we are immediately escorted down to the beach for photos. After our quick 45-minute photo shoot, we are now lined up outside the ballroom waiting for our grand entrance. The wedding planner hands us sunglasses and gives tambourines to the men and maracas to the women.
“Now have fun when you guys enter,” she chimes. I hear the music cue to Rob Base’s “It Takes Two” as Jada and one of Morgan’s male cousins are the first to burst through the reception hall doors with much enthusiasm and excitement.
“We have to top that being the best man and woman,” I whisper to Tiger.
“I can’t dance,” he chuckles. I watch Nyce and Vi wil’ out when they enter.
“Just follow my lead. I’ll make you look good, pregnant and all,” I laugh, wondering how I am going to look trying to dance in this tight ass dress with a huge belly. I burst through the doors first and strike a pose. The guests start clapping as I do a little curtsy and sway my hips for Tiger to come in. He struts in GQ style as I dance around him in circles shaking my maracas and him coolly walking down the aisle like a pimp.
“Not too bad,” I laugh when we reach the rest of the party waiting for the bride and groom to enter.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Dr. and Mrs. Okiro,” the DJ announces as Morgan and Kay burst in and both pose like they are auditioning for a hip-hop video. The crowd erupts with applause and laughter as we shake our tambourines and maracas to get the party started. Shots of both brown and clear liquor are being passed around; a tradition in the Hennessey family when someone gets married. It’s supposed to symbolize the two families uniting together; the official first drink as two families become one. Tron hands me a shot.
“It’s water,” he yells over the music. “I didn’t want you to feel left out,” he laughs.
“Please raise your shot glasses in celebration of the Bride and Groom,” the DJ yells in the mic as “Shots” by Lil Jon is blasting out of the speakers and everyone holds their shot glasses in the air.
“EVERYBODY IT’S ON…SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS…” the DJ yells hyping us up as we all take our shots together. This would have been a lot more fun if my glass actually contained alcohol.
We do the standard wedding stuff before taking our seats for dinner. As we are eating, Tiger leans over to me and whispers;
“Do you want to go first or me?”
“Huh?” I ask in confusion.
“Speech. It’s about that time,” he says.
Shit. I hadn’t prepared anything.
“You can go unless you don’t know what you are saying,” I reply.
“No, ladies first,” he smiles tapping his glass. Oh no this niggah didn’t just put me on the spot. I stand as all eyes focus on me.
“Um, I still remember the embarrassing and awkward day that I met one of the most amazing women that I have ever encountered,” I start as Morgan and Nyce laugh, remembering our awkward first encounter. “I’m not going to mention exactly what happened that day but out of an embarrassing situation, I gained a lifelong friend.
“Morgan, my sister, you look absolutely beautiful today, but you look beautiful every day. I am happy that you found someone that knows how special and magnificent you are. I remember the day that you walked into the restaurant beaming, looking like a woman head over heels in love. You had this glow, this calming aura around you that I have never seen you wear before. You told us that you met someone…thee one…and you have been glowing ever since.
“Kay,” I turn to face him. “Thank you for walking into one of my dearest friend’s life. Thank you for having enough courage to introduce yourself to her that day,” I smile. “I am sure that Mr. Leonard, Marquise and James already gave you a pep talk but know, if you in anyway hurt he
r, me and these ladies sitting beside you will hunt you down and…,” I pause and wink. “To Kayode and Morgan. May God bless you with lots of love, health and happiness.” I hold up my glass of cider as everyone else drinks their champagne. Tiger stands up to say his toast as I ask the waiter for a cup of decaf tea with honey.
When Tiger finishes his speech, I excuse myself from the table and walk over to the piano.
“Morgan. Long ago you fell in love with a song that I wrote. I know you didn’t ask me to sing it, but I would be honored if you allow me to sing it for you and your guest for the very first time in my music career, because I love you that much. I want to do nothing more but help give you the perfect day that you deserve. Morgan and Kay, will you allow me to sing “Forever” for your first official dance as husband and wife?” I ask as Morgan’s tears are already showering her face. She blows me a kiss and Kay grabs her hand, escorting her over to the dance floor. I stroke the keys on the piano and open my mouth to sing a song that I vowed I would never sing. A song that I wrote for Nyce when I thought that he was my everything.
Been head over heels since the first day we met
Type of meeting with crazy chemistry the kind that one never forgets
You smiled at me and my heart became weak
Looked into my eyes, I stuttered and could not speak.
Breathed love into my life, I was looking for you
Can’t live without you, but I don’t ever want to
CHORUS
I just want to be wrapped up in your love
For always and ever
The two of us becoming one
Will spend the rest of my life trying to make love last forever
For you are my heartbeat, awakening me from my death
You are the person I was born to love, I would give you my last breath
Nothing Orthodox about this type of love
We battled; we struggled; but life with you is all I think of
You see everything in me, my hurt inside my pain
And still you stand with me, loving me until I’m whole again
Because you mean that much to me
You told me you loved me and I fell over the edge
I want to give you everything
Your words are my poetry, I hang on to every word you have said
CHORUS
The faint aroma of your sweet air
It leaves me longing for your return
You are my favorite part of my day
You are love, rooted so firm
‘Cause I’m thinking about forever
Because I want to share forever with you
I want to grow old together
I want to spend my lifetime with you
Whispering words of forever
Exhale your name off my lips
Outlasting the test of time
And sealing it all with a little kiss
Until death do us part
Even then our love will last for all eternity
Forever tattooed on my heart
Imprinted in our history
CHORUS
When I finish, I watch the newlyweds engage in a kiss. I smile at them as Tron walks over to me, holding out his hand to help me back to my seat.
“That was beautiful. You nailed it,” he whispers.
“Thanks,” I smile. The DJ opens the dance floor and jumps right into The Gap Band’s “Outstanding” as people flock to the floor.
“Come on. Let’s dance,” Tron says.
“No. Maybe a little later. Go enjoy yourself. What girls do you have your eyes on and I’ll give you the inside scoop?” I laugh.
“I don’t know yet but I’m surely about to go mingle and find out,” he says kissing my cheek before disappearing onto the floor. I sit and watch everyone having a good time and when the DJ spins one of my songs, “Classic Woman”, Morgan, Jada and Jalena come rushing to me.
“You gotta dance,” Morgan says pulling on my arm.
“Noooo,” I whine trying to fight her off.
“Oh, come on, Aneesah. Teach us the dance moves,” Jalena says like she doesn’t know them. I get up as people start to clap.
I dance with my girls and stay on the floor with them way past my one song. The DJ switches gears and starts to play some of the line dancing songs. When he spins the “Cha Cha Slide”, I’m having fun with it until the song asks me how low can I go? I laugh at myself because I’m not getting low enough with it. Jalena pats my stomach.
“My back is starting to hurt and I’m hot as hell. I’m going to get some air,” I tell her, yelling over the music.
“You good? You need me to come?” She asks.
“I’m okay. Finish enjoying yourself.” I walk off the dance floor and find Tron talking to one of Morgan’s female cousins. When he takes notice of my presence, he whispers something in Amira’s ear that makes her blush.
“Come outside with me please?” I ask when he approaches. He grabs his drink off the table and accompanies me outside.
“Ugh,” I say sitting down on a bench and bending over. Already knowing what to do, Tron starts to massage my lower back, trying to ease the pain.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Having fun?” He asks, making circular motions on my back.
“Uh-huh. Harder please,” I tell him enjoying the massage. “You?”
“Hell yeah. Morgan got some fine ass cousins,” he chuckles.
“Just be careful,” I laugh. “Some cousins are off limits.”
“Hey. You alright?” Tiger asks walking over to us. I look up and the Devil is with him.
“Yeah. My back is just bothering me,” I reply.
“Do you mind?” He asks Tron. Tron stops rubbing my back as Tiger places his hands on my lower back, applying pressure.
“Put an arm out like Superman and slowly sit up,” he instructs. I do what he tells me and slowly sit up with the pain in my back releasing.
“Better?” He asks.
“Oh my gosh. Can I put you in my purse?” I ask. He laughs.
“It’s not a permanent fix but it should have taken some of the pressure off. Tarron, did you see how I did it?”
“Yes, take notes,” I giggle.
“Yeah, I saw. How did you know what to do?” Tron asks.
“I’m an OB/GYN,” Tiger replies.
“Are you taking any new patients?” I laugh.
“That would be nasty, Aneesah. He has to see you at dinners and shit and I damn sure know he don’t want to be sitting across the table from you knowing what your punani looks like,” Tron laughs. Tiger chuckles and Nyce’s dumb ass looks like he wants to laugh but refuses to. Instead, he shoves his hand inside his pocket and pulls out a bite sized peanut butter cup.
“Oh, excuse me. I have to take this,” Tiger says answering his cell phone and rushing off. Tron looks at Nyce for a second before diverting his attention back to me.
“I’ll be back. I gotta use the bathroom,” he excuses himself.
“I thought you were done wit’ his ass,” is the first thing out of Nyce’s mouth. I shrug my shoulders.
“Why do you care?” I ask standing.
He cocks his head to the side and smiles.
“Curious,” he replies, licking his lips. “You know I’m gonna kill him, right?”
“Shut-up, Nyce. You’re an asshole and this is none of your business,” I snap and start to walk away.
“Don’t fuckin’ walk away from me when I’m trying to talk to you,” he grabs my arm. I snatch it back.
“Get the fuck off me. What gives you the right to question me about anything?”
“Oh, it’s like that?”
“Yeah. It’s like that.”
“Aneesah…”
“I don’t want to hear shit you have to say, homie.”
“I’m your homie now?” He laughs.
“No. You’re nothing to me now.”
He cocks his head before giving off a wicked grin.
“Yeah.
Your ass don’t mean that shit.”
“I am dead ass. I gave you multiple chances. Not one, not two but multiple fuckin’ chances and each time you left me, and I am not going to allow you to do that shit to me again. What happened in New York was my last mistake with you and I’m done.”
“Why does everything always have to be the fuck about you? The world does not revolve around your ass. I’ve been dealing with my own shit too, Aneesah.”
“Are you fuckin’ serious, you selfish asshole? You fucked me and left me like I was a fuckin’ dog,” I snap, trying to keep my voice down.
“Fuck, man. It wasn’t like that. I swear on everything that I am, it wasn’t like that. If you would have just picked up your phone we…”
“It wasn’t like what?” I interrupt. “You chose her over me, so you deal with that because I don’t give a fuck anymore.”
“Is that what you think? I chose her over you? That’s not how it was. I fuckin’ left, I just…”
“Save it ‘cause I don’t care. You disgust me. I don’t even want to look at you or be around you. I don’t want to occupy the same space as you or inhale the same air you breathe. So go on back in there with your wife where you belong, where you chose to be and leave me the fuck alone. Forever,” I seethe.
He looks at me and cracks a smile. I roll my eyes and turn to walk away. He gently places his hand on my shoulder.
“Aneesah, I’m sorry,” he whispers.
I throw his hand off my shoulder, spin around to face him and look him dead in his eyes.
“You are about the sorriest fuckin’ asshole I know and I am sorry that I wasted my time loving you for as long as I have,” I tell him calmly.
“You’re having twins?” He asks, changing the subject. “When are you due? When did you conceive?”
“Why do you care?”
“’Cause I find it funny that we fucked about six months ago and now you’re pregnant,” he states putting two and two together.
“You wish they were yours.”
“Then you won’t mind me asking for a blood test when they are born.”
“I’m not giving you a blood test Nyce because they are not yours.”
Unveiled Page 35
