Page 108 of Quasim II: King Inferno

I sat down beside her and cried in my hands because I remembered everything she spoke about. Tre had tried to defend me many times, and I got him pulled into my mess. CVs showed up to Augusta’s house and she held her shotgun out the door and told them to get gone. They never brought any more mess to her door.

After the last time, when the CV’s beat him badly, I decided to pull away and didn’t involve anyone into my life. I didn’t want more people that I loved getting hurt. This was my decision to be with that man and nobody needed to be hurt because of me.

Quasim kneeled down in front of me and kissed my lips. “I’m so sorry for everything. I know that I caused you stress and constantly did the opposite of what you warned me of.”

Augusta rubbed my thigh. “Honey, that is what life is about. We all have our own paths, and some are explored with advice, and then others are explored blindly. I hate you had to have that experience, but I am glad that you can cry about it. That means you’re alive and here with us.”

Quasim kissed my face as I continued to cry, and I held him around the neck. “Aye, no crying today. Happy tears only, promise?”

I smiled and nodded my head. “Happy tears only.”

“Blair Boop, life gets so good for people who have had it bad… I want you both to always keep each other first, and love is always enough. Don’t believe that mess about love not being enough. Keep God and love at the front of that marriage and you both will be fine.”

I leaned my head on Augusta’s shoulder like I used to do as a teen when I felt down. “Thank you for everything, Augusta.”

“My only regret is that you weren’t placed in my home sooner, Boop.”

Recommendation: Listen to You by Jesse Powell

I was getting married today.

As I lay in this bed with Capri and Zoya both next to me, I couldn’t believe today was the day. I was getting married. My body and mind felt so clear and peaceful. There was no overthinking this morning.

Today, I was going to marry Quasim Inferno. Our second chance at life was here, and we would become one today. I would become his wife, after all the shit we had been through. All the second guessing I did, not knowing where I stood with this man.

All the emotional turmoil he went through, not feeling like he deserved this. I always became emotional when I thought about how much he suffered alone. How much he took on his shoulders and suffered in pain.

Always showing up for everyone and their family while he was in pain from losing his own. I leaned up and became choked up, and felt Capri put her arm around me. “You’re getting married today, Blair.”

“I’m getting married today, Capri.”

I laid back down, as she laid on my arm, and smiled. “I love you so much, Blair. Everything that is happening for you and Quasim is supposed to happen. Including you both taking on Elijah. The three of you were meant to find each other. All threeof you went through life alone and in pain, and now you each get to experience love together. Never second guess if Quasim loves you, boo… he loves you so much.”

The light knock on the door pulled us from our conversation. Gams came in the room, as she held something in her hand. “Your future husband has sent something for you, Angel pie. He stopped by this morning, and I had to push him and Dumplin away.”

“Wait, I’m not getting married… why can’t I see my husband?”

“Yerrr, Ms. Lawyer!” We heard Goon’s mouth coming from the window, and she lifted her head slowly, still out of it from the drinks last night.

“Please tell me I’m dreaming and that’s not Gerald hollering?”

“Girl, you up and he yelling out the window.”

She snatched the blankets off her and shuffled to the window. “Yes, Gerald?”

“How yo shit feeling today?”

Zoya blushed as she looked away, then smiled. “I’m feeling much better today, Gerald. Thank you for letting me be a baby yesterday.”

“Youmybaby… I dropped fresh pressed juices for you. I called my moms, and she told me some juices that help with cramps and stuff. You need some steak and beet juice… I put that downstairs, too.”

“You told your mom about my period, Gerald?”

We couldn’t see his face, but I just knew he was smirking. “She excited to meet you, too… told her all about those babies you gonna give meafterthe wedding, right?”

Zoya had this different look in her eyes as she stared down at him. “Gerald, juices and steak? Thank you.”

“Baby cakes, we don’t count favors this way. I take care ofmine… see you in a bit, ight?”

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