Page 42 of I Found Love

“But seriously. This weekend is about us and celebrating with the people who love us now and always have. Fuck her. We’re not giving her raggedy ass any more attention or thought.”

“Yes ma’am.” I grinned and kissed her again since her face was so close.

“If you want me to handle her, I will,” she added. “It’s been a while, but I’ve still got it.”

“No, Captain America, I don’t want you to handle her.” I laughed. “If she gotta get zipped, I’ll handle the shit. You just focus on being the prettiest bride that anybody don’ ever fuckin’ seen because you know that’s what you gon’ be right?”

“Yes.” She simpered and blushed. “I love you.”

After kissing her fine ass, I said, “I love you more.”

We stayed out there chillin’ for a little before her girls came back in and she threw a nigga out, reiterating to me that we were not going to see each other anymore before the ceremony. The shit low key had me sick because I’d managed to still sleep with her every night whether we ended up in my suite or hers, but she was standing firm on what she’d said.

On the way out I ran into Big Ma, who asked me to hang tight so we could talk right outside on the walk way.

“It’s beautiful here, Chezzy,” she said as she walked up to the railing, laying her head on my shoulder.

I tossed my arm around her and kissed the top of her head before saying, “it is. I’m glad you’re here to see it.”

She glanced up at me and smiled. “No other place I’d rather be. Are you okay?”

“Long as you good and my girls straight, always.”

“Baby, I know it bothers you.”

“Naw, it doesn’t.’

“It does, Sanchez,” she countered. “Maybe not in the way it would bother most people, but still, her showing up here bothered you, and that’s okay. You’re human.”

“I just don’t need you thinking I grew up feelin’ incomplete or unloved or no shit like that because I didn’t. I grew up grateful as fuck that someone chose me. You were ten times what she could have ever been to me, aight? I didn’t need her ass then and I don’t now. Feel me?”

“I do.” She smiled. “I love you, Chezzy.”

“I love you too, Big Ma.”

“Are you nervous?” She switched up the subject. “Tomorrow’s the day.”

“Not about the marriage. Just… the moment. It’s big and I want shit to go smoothly for Kenya.”

“It will,” she assured me, caressing my back. “You’ve made sure things were smooth for her since before you two even got to this moment. As long as you continue to show up for her and Nai the way you have, you will be fine. I’m proud of you, and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of God’s blessings other that you, Sanchez.”

My heart swelled with pride as I turned to hug my grandma. She always knew what to do and say to make sure a nigga felt good, whole and worthy. That was why I didn’t resent Yvette. Her being absent made me into a better man than I could have ever been with her around.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Kenya.

“Oh, Kenya.” My mother’s voice sounded before she appeared behind me in the full-length mirror in the room where we were getting dressed. “You look so beautiful, baby.”

I smiled at her before turning and embracing her. “Thank you, mama.”

“Wow.” She stepped back but kept my hands in hers. “You are gorgeous, Yaya.”

I blushed and broke eye contact for a second. “Stop, mama.”

“I won’t.” She cuffed my chin with her index finger and had me look at her. “I am so happy for you. Sanchez truly doesn’t know how lucky he is.”

I’d already made sure everyone’s hair, as well as mine, was good so she helped me finish getting ready putting on my dress, barefoot sandals and accessories.

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