She nodded her head. “Okay.”
I finally took the box from Gams, and she sat next to me. Opening the box, I looked at her and she smiled at me and ran her hand through my messy hair.
Inside the box there was a bible like the one that Quasim had. It was a light pink bible, and like his, my name was inscribed on the back of it. I opened it carefully, and smiled when I saw his handwriting
My love, we had a lot of people praying for our second chance and now we’re here. I can’t wait to become your husband and welcome our baby into this world. A life I prayed for. A life I waited for because I waited for you. Or should I say, you waited for me. My angel on earth. Love you, Anjo.
Gams kissed my head.“I have no doubt that you girls will take care of both my boys’ hearts. They are grown men, but they will always be my boys. All I could ever want is women to love them, because they have big hearts. They’ll give you both the world, but I also know that you two will give them the world, too. I love you both so much.”
Capri climbed closer to us as we both hugged and kissed Gams. “Should I even bother with makeup today because I am going to be a mess?” Capri said and we laughed, then she took my face in her hands and kissed my forehead and both my cheeks. “I love you today, every day, and God made sure that we stayed locked in by making you my sister… our Queen.”
“I’m not even emotional like that and you got me in here with my eyes all misty.” Zoya came over and hugged us all.
“You next, Zoya… that’s a man in love.” Gams squeezed her cheeks and left the room while we laughed.
I spent the morning eating and laughing with the girls. Capri got me a shirt made that said Queen Inferno.
Note: Password to access the shirt is queeninferno2– don’t share this with anyone or else I won’t do this again. An appreciation to my girlies that read in real time.
As I got my hair and makeup done, I closed my eyes and listened to the soft Jazz music that Capri had playing. She wanted today to be stress free for me. I was constantly trying to figure out what I had done to be blessed with friends like the ones that I had.
I could hear the door open but heard nothing after, so I assumed someone was coming in to pick something up. A soft but cold hand touched my forearm, and I opened my eyes to see Mina was standing there.
“Anjo,” she said, taking a seat next to me in the chair Capri had been occupying moments before.
“Hi, Mina,” I was nervous because I didn’t know what to say. Since Mina’s recovery, she spoke, but she still stayed to herself.
Jean went over to the house often, and Gams was always around. However, I didn’t have much interaction with her because I was nervous. What if she hated me and didn’t think I was good for her son?
My mind automatically went to when Elijah started dating and brought a little skank around. What if he was in love and I hated her? So, I kept my distance because I didn’t want to stressher out. A lot was going on and she was trying to remember things while relearning how to speak. She didn’t need her oldest son’s girlfriend in her face, trying to make her remember her.
She held my hand as she looked at me. Mina Inferno was stunning with her golden skin, almond shaped eyes, and high cheek bones. Her hair was down and straightened for the wedding. “Sim is my baby. I want happiness.” She sucked her teeth while trying to get her words out. “Always.”
“I want to make him very happy. He deserves that.”
She went into the pocket of her maxi dress and pulled out a chain. I watched as she opened my hand and placed it inside. It was a rosary with red roses on it. Each point of the cross had a red rose. “Quin gave this to me… yours now, Q…Queen Inferno.”
I reached over and hugged her tightly as she patted my back. “Thank you, Mina… this means a lot to me.”
“Minha filha,” she kissed my cheek.
With the way I had been chasing down Quasim, I should have been learning Portuguese like Capri had for Meer.
Mina held my hand the entire time I got my makeup done. She smiled as she fixed my hair and watched me. She didn’t need to tell me that she approved, her actions did, and the rosary that meant so much to her, showed me that she accepted me in a position she used to hold.
“I told myself that I wasn’t going to cry and that I would hold my tears… Jesus,” Capri cried when she opened the door and saw me in my dress.
“Happy tears,” Mina said, and Capri hugged her.
Mina, Gams, Jean, and Augusta got me ready after the makeup artist left. They helped me in my dress and wiped my tears when I randomly broke down crying. Gams kissed my head and reminded me that I was marrying the man of my dreams today.
She slipped and let it be known that Simmy was anxious and wanted to see me. “God, you look amazing.”
I wore a lace mermaid style dress with lace straps. The dress melted to my body, showcasing my small, but mighty curves. It didn’t swallow me up and gave me room to move in it. I decided on not wearing any shoes down the aisle. My dress was so long that you couldn’t see my feet anyway.
“Really, Pri?”
“The most beautiful bride I have ever seen, Blair.”