Page 41 of Love's Free Will

As the music faded, I took a deep breath, walking to the grand piano positioned at the front of the aisle. The keys felt cool beneath my fingertips, my heart beating in sync with the soft melody I began to play. Then, I opened my mouth and sang.

“When the rain is blowing in your face…”

The moment my voice filled the air, everyone turned. At the end of the aisle stood Serenity, arm-in-arm with Mr. Bradshaw. Things had been tense between them since the revelation of him having a child outside his marriage came to light.

I hated that for my friend, knew how much she loved her dad and had looked up to him. I also hated it for Ms. Sienna who despite it all had decided to work things out with her man. She and Serenity’s brother Sevyn, Creed’s mom Tasha along with Cree and Giovanni were seated in the front row watching her walk down the aisle.

Serenity looked like a goddess, a vision in Vera Wang, the delicate lace and satin hugging her perfectly, her veil trailing softly behind her. The way the setting sun hit the shimmer of hergown made her look like she was glowing. And Creed? He was staring at her like she was the only thing in the universe that mattered.

“I could offer you a warm embrace… To make you feel my love.”

As Serenity walked slowly down the aisle, I felt tears sting my eyes. She wasn’t just walking toward Creed; she was walking toward her forever, toward a love that had withstood distance, time, battles, and victories. She was walking towards a man who would give her the world ten times over.

I wanted that kind of love, yearned for it. Most days I used to let my mama’s words get to me, the pressure, the thought that I needed to find somebody, anybody. But I would never just settle for anybody, if that was the case I would have settled long ago. I knew I deserved more than to just settle, I deserved a love like this.

I let my fingers glide over the keys, letting my voice carry the emotion, filling the space with all the love, devotion, and deep-seated affection that had been grown between them. By the time I hit the last note, my own heart was aching—in the best way.

I slowly stood from the piano, stepping back in line with Egypt and Arielle, all of us standing behind Serenity as she took Creed’s hands. I watched her eyes shine as she looked up at the man she’d loved since we were teenagers.

And I realized something. Love wasn’t just a fantasy. It was real. I saw it in Serenity and Creed. I saw it in Arielle and Brodie. I saw it in both sets of my grandparents. I felt it lingering over me like a whispered secret. And when I glanced out into the audience, my breath caught. Because Royal was looking right at me like it was lingering over him too.

After the ceremony, the reception was in full swing. As the announcer took the mic, the entire room erupted in applause.“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce for the first time tonight… Mr. and Mrs. Creed Langston!”

The ballroom was decked out in elegance—a massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a glow over the room. Round tables draped in ivory linen, gold-accented dinnerware, and centerpieces of lush lavender roses.

As Creed and Serenity stepped onto the dance floor, the room fell into a hush. I sat at the piano once again, my fingers resting on the keys as I glanced over at Egypt, standing at the mic. She winked at me, then took a slow breath before her voice filled the room.

“At last… my love has come along…”

The melody wrapped around us, wrapping the moment in something timeless, something classic. Creed pulled Serenity close, swaying with her as she melted into his arms. There was nothing but love between them—unapologetic, raw, and everlasting. And everyone felt it.

By the time Egypt hit the last note, I had to blink back tears. The DJ took over after that, and the party officially kicked off. People were laughing, eating, and celebrating, the energy infectious as drinks flowed and love filled the air.

I was at the bar, sipping on my champagne, when I felt a hand wrap around my wrist. I turned, coming face-to-face with Royal. He didn’t say a word, didn’t ask, didn’t give me the chance to say no. He just pulled me onto the dance floor.

I should’ve fought it. Should’ve told him no. But the moment his arms wrapped around my waist, the second I settled into him, chest to chest, I didn’t care who was watching, didn’t care what anyone thought. Because in that moment, nothing else existed; just us.

His lips brushed against my ear as he murmured, “You know you my girl now, right?”

I scoffed, blushing and playfully rolling my eyes. “I thought we said no labels.”

He smirked, his grip tightening slightly. “Yeah, we did. But that label hits different when it comes to you.”

I stared up at him, my chest tightening, my pulse racing. I wasn’t ready to admit it yet. But deep down? I knew exactly what he meant.

“Then I’m yours.”

The way Royal held me, the way he looked at me…Yeah, I was falling. And I didn’t know if I wanted to stop.

12

ROYAL

We had been back in Atlanta for a few days now, and things between me and Ave had been lowkey. Not that we were hiding. But neither of us felt the need to announce our shit to the world.

Still… keeping things on the low in the studio was damn near impossible. Every time she walked in, my eyes found her. Every time she spoke, I listened. Every time she was near me; I wanted to touch her.

She was wearing some tight-ass leggings today with a cropped hoodie that had her toned belly all out, and it was fuckin’ with me more than I wanted to admit.

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