by Andromeda
"May their marriage bring them the peace, joy, comfort, and contentment that is known in the hearts of all God's children. And may Malaika and Giovanni both look forward to each new season of their marriage—just as the world looks forward to each new season of the year. For all seasons bring with them their own special moments and memories.”
"An essential requirement of a good marriage is a strong bond of real friendship and trust. Malaika and Giovanni, your love for each other will grow deeper with every passing day, but it's important to remember that your love stands on a foundation of genuine, mutual affection and respect for each other. To truly LOVE another person is to be willing to accept both their strong points and their weak points, with equal measures of understanding and respect.”
"The vows you are about to exchange will serve as a verbal representation of the nonverbal emotions that are as real as anything that can be seen, heard, or touched. For it is not the words that you will speak today that will bond you together as one, but the strength of the love and commitment found deep within your souls. Now let us pray."
As he begins to pray I look at Giovanni, who shoots me a goofy grin, making me giggle softly and smile. I love him so much...
The priest raises his head and smiles. "At this time, I'll ask you Giovanni, and you Malaika, to face each other & take each other's hands. Do you have vows?”
We nod and Giovanni begins first.
"Malaika, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and you hold the key to my heart, and the password to my bank account. I take you to be my partner for life, I promise above all else to live in truth with you, and to communicate fully and fearlessly. I give you my hand and my heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace. And pledge my love, devotion, faith, and honor as I join my life to yours.”
I dab my tears away before beginning my own vows.
"Giovanni, when I first saw you, I thought you were an ass. Sorry to the kids here. But you proved me wrong. We've had our ups and downs, but I promise to be there for you. I believe in you, the person you will grow to be, and the couple we will be together. With my whole heart, I take you as my husband, acknowledging and accepting your faults and strengths, as you do mine. I promise to be faithful and supportive, and to always make our family's love and happiness my priority. I will be yours in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph. I will dream with you, celebrate with you, and walk beside you through whatever our lives may bring. You are my person—my love and my life, today and always."
There isn't a dry eye in the chapel; sniffles and soft weeping can be heard everywhere. The priest himself has to wipe his eyes before smiling at us to continue.
"Giovanni, will you take Malaika to be your wife, your partner in life and your one true love? Will you cherish her friendship and love her today, tomorrow, and forever? Will you trust and honor her, laugh with her, and cry with her? Will you be faithful through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?”
Giovanni smiles and nods. "I will." The priest turns to me.
"Malaika, will you take Giovanni to be your husband, your partner in life and your one true love? Will you cherish his friendship and love him today, tomorrow, and forever? Will you trust and honor him, laugh with him and cry with him? Will you be faithful through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?
I nod and smile. "I will."
"Well then, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you both husband and wife; you may kiss the bride."
Giovanni pulls me close, giving me the most passionate kiss that I've ever had. Sighing softly, I pull him closer, wanting nothing but the feel of his lips and his touch.
"Ok guys, don't overdo it," Pearl whispers behind me in a tease.
Blushing, I pull away but Giovanni winks at me.
"Just wait until tonight," he whispers.
The priest clears his throat. "Allow me to introduce to you for the first time: Mr. and Mrs. Giovanni Rinaldi!"
Chapter Twenty-Three: A Honeymoon of Souls
Giovanni
My heart could not get any prouder; I swear it will burst at any moment. I turn and look at her, my angel queen. Her face is flushed with happiness, and I know that I have made the right choice. My mind goes back to a month ago, when we had that big fight.
"What am I, Giovanni?"
"The mother of my children and the love of my life."
"You have the mother part right, but you don't love me."
"Yes I do!"
"No you don't," she says. "If you loved me then you would have trusted me. Have I ever done anything to make you think less of me?"
"N...no you haven't," I sigh.
"That's right," she says nodding. "Until you can learn to trust me and value me, then we can't be anything." She walks to the door and rests her hand on the handle; sighing, she looks back at me, her other hand on her stomach. "I will still allow you to be in their lives...but just not in mine."
She was right; she was so right. I didn't trust her, I didn't value her. She had never made me doubt her in any way, and yet I accused her without evidence of the worst crime; but I fixed that.
I made several quick calls and made this wedding. I called her family and mine, flew everyone down here first class, and got catering, flowers, the dresses and tuxes, the band—everything to make her dream wedding. It helps when she has siblings who know her exact wants and wishes.
All that was left was for her to say yes. Honestly, I didn't know if she would, but I had a plan for that: simply knock her out and fly to Vegas; I have connections. We were going to get married if I had to drag her to the altar myself. Luckily she said yes, and we made it to the chapel without incident.
Her vows brought tears to my eyes, but I fought them to keep from falling. When I kissed her, I felt my heart open up in ways I hadn't thought possible, a great warmth filling my soul. She is the filler of the void that I've had for what seems like my whole life, the filler I knew could replace Veronica; the one who will help me right my wrongs and stick by my side no matter what.
We walk down the aisle, listening to everyone cheer and clap while throwing rose petals and shouting their congratulations, and I see her just soak it in. I help her into the waiting limo and close the door as we begin the drive to the reception.
"How did you do it?" she asks, getting comfortable.
I grin. "I'm a Rinaldi, mia angela." I take her hand and kiss it. "And now...so are you."
She smiles and looks at the ring on her finger. "Who'd have thought it all began with you just wanting one child."
"And now I have five," I say with a smile.
"Five?" she asks in wonder.
"The three you are carrying, of course," I say, rubbing her stomach affectionately. "And Rosie and Robyn."
Her face lights up like the Fourth of July. "You accept Rosie and Robyn?"
I smile and kiss her softly on the lips. "Of course I accept them. Rosie might not be mine biologically, but she's mine spiritually. Besides, I refuse to let her mother have her so I’m suing for custody. Brittany isn't a stable mother. And as for Robyn, she's always been mine; just didn't know it yet."
I chuckle as I remember the 'talk' Robyn and I had before the wedding. She was 'offended' that I had asked Remy's permission to marry Malaika and not her, so before I walked down the aisle, I knelt down and asked her permission.
"You better make manman happy," she said, trying to be serious. "Or I will mess you up!"
I chuckled at that; she is so much like her mother. She's also growing up into a beautiful young lady; going to have to watch the boys, I know that for sure.
"So where are we going for the honeymoon?" Malaika asks me, taking me from my thoughts.
I grin. "It's a surprise."
She sticks out her lower lip in a pout. "Come on please, give me a hint."
Chuckling, I kiss her lips gently. "Alright, but only one: it's a place that I'm sure you'll lo
ve. And should remind you of your home."
She rains me with questions the rest of the ride but I dodge them, not answering anything. Soon, we pull up to the reception space and as I help her out, her eyes widen.
I had rented the ballroom of one of the most prestigious country clubs in Richmond, and decorated the way she's always dreamed: whimsical wonderland. White and silver was our color scheme, and I have to say it goes together quite well.
Cars already pack the parking lot, but we don't head to the ballroom. Instead, I take her to a standalone room where Pearl and the other bridesmaids are going to help her change.
"I'll see you in a bit," I whisper, giving her one last kiss.
"Alright," she says with a nod before turning around and closing the door.
********************************
Malaika
Mrs. Rinaldi...Mrs. Rinaldi...Mrs. Rinaldi...
No matter how many times I say it over and over in my head, I still will never get used to it. I can't believe it. I'm married to Giovanni. How did I ever get so lucky? Wait—no, I don't believe in luck. I believe in fate. Somewhere in the stars, my life was written out, as was his. Our fates intertwined, and now there is no going back.
'For better or for worse' was our vows, and I plan to keep them. Pearl and my other bridesmaids help me out of my dress and into another. It looks like a shorter version of the one I just wore and is so my style.
"You need help to make it to the ballroom?" Pearl asks as she gives me one last curl.
"I'll be fine," I say, rising up to my feet carefully.
Pearl looks at my heels with disfavor. "You sure you're ok wearing heels?"
"I'm only like 7 months," I say. "Nearing 8. They are low; besides, I'm sick of wearing nothing but flats. I already know Gio is going to make me wear them after the honeymoon."
"Where are you going?"
"He won't tell, but I hope it's someplace nice."
"Knowing him, you'll be sailing down the Nile drinking milk from a coconut."
I laugh. "Pearl, they don't have coconuts in Egypt. Do they?"
"I dunno," she says with a shrug. "But knowing him, it'll be awesome."
I smile and absentmindedly rub my belly. "Yeah. Well I'll see you girls in a bit, ok?"
They nod and I slip from the room. I follow the signs marked 'ballroom', but as I round the corner the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Turning around, the blood freezes in my veins.
"D...Derrick," I choke.
He's here, in the flesh, and in a suit. He smiles that knife-like smile that sends shivers up my spine.
"Hello Nan syèl la," he says.
I flinch at his words. Nan syèl la means 'heaven'—his own sick, twisted nickname for me.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, my voice strained.
"Can't I come and see the mother of my child?" he asks with a shrug.
"How did you get here?" I ask, still in disbelief.
"A friend invited me," he says with a smirk.
He looks me up and down and then zeroes in on my belly; instinctively, I wrap my arm around it.
"What's this?" he asks, pointing to my belly.
"A stomach?" I ask.
He looks up suddenly; his hand raises and I flinch when memories of all those years of abuse come rushing back. Instead of hitting me, he slowly lowers it, but I can see the fire and anger behind his eyes.
"You know how I hate your sharp tongue," he says, deathly calm. "Remember what I used to do to it?"
"Y...yes," I whimper.
What is the matter with me? It's like I've gone back in time and turned into that little girl that he used as his own personal punching bag and sex doll.
"Now tell me again, what is this?" he gives my stomach a poke.
I flinch; my body is shaking, but I hold my ground. "My...my stomach. I'm pregnant with triplets.”
"You dare...spread your legs for someone else?!" he roars at me.
I flinch again, my eyes looking frantically around for anyone to save me, but the halls are empty. I'm forced to face this demon on my own.
"Y...yes I did," I say bravely. I turn and face him. "So what if I slept with someone else, you did it plenty of times while we were 'together' and almost gave me an STD!"
"Don't you raise your voice at me!" he growls.
"I will do whatever I damn want!" I yell. Maybe these babies are giving me strength, or maybe it's the memory that I'm a Rinaldi now. "You hurt me so many times I can't even count! I want you gone!"
He roars and pulls back his hand. He moves so quick that I don't see the blur before I feel the sting across my cheek. The slap echoes through the halls and I drop to my knees, my cheek throbbing from the force of his blow.
"You forget who you're talking to!" he roars at me.
Suddenly, a second roar filling the air—one that I am quite familiar with. Giovanni. He lunges at Derrick, wrapping his large hands around his throat before slamming him into a wall.
It takes me a moment to register what's going on. Giovanni and Derrick fight like possessed hounds, roaring, yelling, cursing, and tearing at each other.
"Gio! Gio stop!" I yell. "You're going to kill him!"
"That's the point!" he growls over his shoulder. "No one lays a hand on my wife!"
"Oh, so this is the man you laid on your back for, Mala?" Derrick laughs. "How's it feel to have my leftovers?" he says to Giovanni.
Giovanni pulls his hand back for another punch, but I grab it. "Gio stop! Please."
He looks into my eyes, breathing heavily, and I can see the fire behind them. He saw Derrick hit me and he wants to protect me to his very soul.
"It's ok," I whisper. "He's not worth it."
Derrick cackles, wiping blood off his face. "Wow...look like you got a good one, Nan syèl la."
"Which is more than I can say for you," I spit. "Get out, now."
Derrick gets up, wiping the blood and dust from his face, but shoots us both a smirk before looking at Giovanni.
"She was never yours. She's mine—always has been, and always will be." He turns back to me. "I'm coming for you, Nan syèl la—for you and my daughter."
"Try it, you bastardo," Giovanni says through gritted teeth. "I'll be there waiting with my IMI Desert Eagle."
Derrick shoots me one last smirk and then leaves. I look to Giovanni, expecting him to say something but he doesn't. After changing him—he looked like a mess after that fight—we join everyone in the ballroom and have the most wonderful night of our lives. Thoughts of Derrick soon slip away.
I meet his family and he meets mine. I am overjoyed that he is able to invite my Granmè and Granpè.
"Look at you," Granmè says proudly. "Ou se yon vizyon nan bote zanj."
"Ok, I gotta know," Giovanni says. "Why do you speak Haitian when you are from Jamaica?"
"Gio!" I snap, elbowing him. "That was rude!"
"No it wasn't," Granpè says with a chuckle. "He's just curious. I'll explain, young man. First of all, Haitian is a nationality, not a language. What Mala and her siblings speak is called Creole. We are from Haiti, Mala's Granmè and I, As were our parents and their parents before them. Her manman, our daughter, moved to Jamaica to start a new life after the death of Remi's father. She met Mala's father and fell in love. That is why they all speak Creole, because of us."
"Also explains why they are all so beautiful too," Granmè says with a chuckle. "Didn't think they got it from their father's side of the family, did you?"
"We wish you both happiness and joy in this marriage," Granpè says with a smile in my direction. "It takes two feet to walk."
I smile and hug him tightly. "Mèsi poutèt ou Granpè."
“About time my son found a wife,” a woman that could only be Giovanni’s mother says, approaching us. “Vanni, she is a good one. You better keep her.”
“I will, Mama,” Giovanni chuckles, blushing.
Time flies, and soon it's time to leave. After saying goodbye to everyone, Giovanni hel
ps me into a limo and it drives off, but I soon realize we aren't heading home.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"The airport," he says simply. "We are going on our honeymoon."
"B...but our things?"
"Packed."
"What about Robyn? Rosie? My siblings?"
"With Pearl."
"How long will we be gone?"
"Two weeks."
"B...but..." I stammer.
He laughs and takes my hand in his, smiling. "Calmati mia angela," he chuckles. "Everything is fine." He pulls me close, resting my head on his chest. "I have so many things planned."
"Where are we going?" I ask. "Can you tell me now?"
"Crete."
Crete? It takes me a moment to recognize that word. "You're taking me to Greece!?!"
He throws back his head, laughing. "That's right. I am taking you to a private resort where only the most elite are allowed. And we will be there for two weeks. Two wonderful weeks. For the first couple days I will let you rest, get used to everything. But then..."
He flashes me his devilish handsome grin, and I know what he means. Geeze, he better go easy on me, I'm pregnant.
"All I have to say is this," I laugh lightly. "I better be able to walk after this."
He winks. "We'll see."
********************************
"I swear mia amore, you've gotten two shades darker from being out here in all this sun."
I slap Giovanni's shoulder, earning a chuckle from him. "Shut up," I say with a roll of my eyes behind my shades.
I love the sun; feeling its warmth on my skin makes me feel all tingly inside; but then again I'm from Jamaica—the sun is always there. We have been here at this resort in Crete for about 3 days now, and I know I'm really spoiled. We were given the best room, best food, best everything! When I told Giovanni that I was worried about how much he's been spending, he shrugged it off.
"I have millions more," was his response, and I let it go.
I can already tell our daughter is going to have him wrapped around her finger, just like Rosie and Robyn do. I was worried about them thinking that we had abandoned them, but I was wrong. They are with Pearl and we video chat every day, and that takes a lot of weight off my shoulders.
