Page 68 of Papa's Beloved

“Say yes to this weekend.”

“I can’t put together a wedding in three days.”

“Disney can, and Lucia arranged everything. Your siblings and aunts are coming. Most of the club is coming.”

“Yes.”

Nay

I CAN’T BELIEVE I LEThim talk me into this. I’m getting married in a few minutes.

“You look beautiful,” Jada says, placing a kiss on my cheek.

“A true vision of loveliness,” Aunt Lilian adds.

“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” Imani chimes in.

“I can’t believe Papa had you all in on this before he even asked me,” I say with a laugh.

“Would you have refused him?”

“No, those days are gone. If my man wants me to be his wife, then his wife I’ll be.”

I take one last look in the full length mirror, studying my reflection. The dress I’m wearing belonged to my great grandmother, also named Lilian. My aunt is named after her. She got married in this dress, as did my grandmother, who I never got to meet.

It was once white, but it faded not to a shade somewhere between white and ivory. It has an intricately beaded corset bodice. The dress is off shoulder with gauzy sleeves that puff at the top like a faux mutton sleeve but much more delicate.

Pearls line the top of the bodice, sleeves and bottom of the corset. I wear a matching double pearl choker around my neck. The corset, instead of ending at my waist, goes on in the shape of a v to the apex of my thighs. In front and back. The skirt is full length and made of a delicate semi-opaque material. I chose not to wear a slip under, leaving glimpses of my dark skin beneath the material.

My hair is in twin buns. An homage to the mouse. Baby’s breath, pearls, and Swarovski crystals surround each one. While my makeup is understated, the make-up artist, my sister Imani, placed a few Swarovski crystals around my eyes. It’s truly unique and incredibly exquisite.

“Imani, my makeup is fire.”

My sister laughs. “You’re going to make that man cry when he sees you. You look like an angel. All ethereal and light. You’re glowing.”

I smile, my hand automatically going to my stomach. My family's eyes widen.

“How far along?” Aunt Lilian asks.

“Nine weeks. We found out about ten days ago.”

“After he proposed,” Jada squeals and throws her arms around me. “I’m so happy for you.”

Lilian and Imani join in the hug.

“That’s it. We’re all moving back home,” Imani declares. “I don’t want to miss a minute of being an Aunty. Do you think they’d let me stay on the compound?”

I laugh. “I can ask. We do have guest quarters. Maybe we should build our families' homes on the new land they purchased.”

“Yes,” Imani, Jada and Lilian say, at nearly the same time.

“Will Uncle Louis move?”

“Of course. Especially if he gets to build the first house in the King’s Estates, residential edition.”

“Olivia’s dads might fight you over that.”

Lilian laughs. “I love a good fight.”

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