Page 96 of Love's Free Will

The venue was all white florals, crystal garlands, floating candles. Soft jazz played. A string quartet sat in the corner. This was not a holiday party.

“What is this?” I whispered, wide-eyed. “Are we in the wrong place?”

Just then, Serenity came over dressed like a damn model in a silver gown. “Happy wedding day friend.”

“What?” I looked at Royal who was cheesing.

Egypt appeared behind her in a similar gown, same color. “Your fairy god mothers are here to get you ready for your ball.”

“Y’all planned this?”

Royal grinned. “You love Christmas, I figured what better day to get engaged and have a wedding. Took a lot of planning but I had help.”

I turned in a full circle, stunned. Our friends were all here. Even my family. My parents were on the left side of the room, seated in the front waving at me with smiles. It took some time for me to reconcile with my mama after the way she acted at the dinner with Royal, but we were slowly getting to a good place. Candace, Brandon and my nephew BJ were next to them, Elias and Rose next to them his hand on Rose’s swollen belly.

“Ready?” Ari asked appearing out of nowhere, she too was wearing the same silver colored dress, a different style from both Serenity’s and Egypt’s.

“I don’t have a dress!” I protested. “Who gets married in red?”

“We handled that too,” Serenity said with a smile. “Come on, so we can get you dressed and get you married.” My friends pulled me toward a private bridal suite but not before I snuck one more kiss from Royal unable to contain my emotions.

My man, my man, my man.

An hour later, I was walking down an aisle in a white silk gown, my hair no longer straight but dressed in flowy deep waves, my veil was draped low over my face and my hand in my father's as he gave me away.

Royal was at the altar, dressed in a black tux, waiting for me with stars in his eyes. And just like that, with twinklinglights and tearful vows, we were married only hours after getting engaged.

Later that night we kissed, we danced, and we toasted champagne. It wasn’t traditional. It wasn’t planned by me. But it was perfect because he was mine. And I was his. And nothing—not a single thing—was ever gonna pull us apart again.

EPILOGUE PART 2

ROYAL

The Grammy’s

Married life hit different when you married the right one. Every morning, I woke up with Averi next to me, her leg tangled in mine, her bonnet halfway off, breath a little disrespectful—but still the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. It reminded me that somehow, I’d managed to lock down the baddest, smartest, most soulful woman I’d ever known. And I thanked God for her every single day.

And tonight, we were walking into the fuckin’ Grammys. Our first red carpet appearance together as husband and wife. My first time at the Grammys period. But Averi had been an old pro as she liked to brag about, making me feel comfortable about what I was about to walk into.

I’d been nominated four times for Concrete Roses. With nominations for Best Hip-Hop Album, Best Rap Performance (for 5AM), Best Collaboration (for Shotgun Kisses ft. Heaven) and Best Recording Package (shout out to my visual team) Andmy wife? My baby was nominated for Producer of the Year for her work on Concrete Roses.

Averi came through in this deep sapphire blue gown with a slit so high I had to fight the urge to put her over my shoulder and carry her home. The bodice hugged every curve, diamonds dancing across her collarbone and wrists, the most important one sitting pretty and shining on her left hand. Hair slicked into a low ponytail and smelling like heaven.

I was in a custom navy velvet Tom Ford tux, shades on, ring on my finger. No stylist could’ve topped the feeling of having her hand in mine. And when we hit that carpet? Yeah. That was our moment.

Camera flashes and Reporters firing off questions. “Royal, Averi—how does it feel being here together, newlyweds and nominated?” the reporter from E! News asked.

Averi smiled that shy smile of hers, then leaned into the mic. “It’s surreal. A dream come true for both of us, but even more special that we get to share it together.”

I added, “This whole album was born out of our connection. The heartbreak, the growth, the love… all of it’s in the music. So, to be here tonight, with her by my side? It’s a full-circle blessing.” The interviewer asked how marriage had been so far. I smirked, looking at Ave. “Let’s just say the honeymoon still ain’t over.”

She rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face said everything.

Inside the arena, everything felt electric.

When I won Best Rap Performance for 5AM, my first-ever Grammy, I was shocked into silence. That track meant everything to me—my pain, my healing, my tribute to King and to think it almost didn’t even make the album. I walked up to the stage, palms sweaty but heart steady as loud cheers rang around me.

“Wow. This is wild.” I said. “I wrote 5AM on a night I couldn’t sleep. Missing my brother. Blaming myself for what happened, on a downward spiral. Music saved me. This song saved me. Thank you to my team, to LA Records Lux and Logan, to my manager to Kylei… but most of all to my family. And to King—this one’s for you, bro. We made it.”

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