Page 10 of My Only

Hassani and I laughed.

“Hassani.” Mr. Franklin turned to his son. “A good husband knows when to speak, when to listen, and when to act. Don’t wait too long to fix what’s broken—whether it’s your wife’s heart, a promise you made, or even the leaky faucet in the kitchen.”

Laughter erupted from our guests.

“Show up—and always make it right. Always.” He exhaled, emotion thick in his voice. “I love you both so much,” he said, his eyes misting. “And I love you even more… together.”

He pointed at us next.

“This just feels so complete right now. I pray nothing but blessings and joy over what you’ve allowed the Most High to fuse together. You’ve made me the happiest man in this world. God bless this union, and cheers to you both.”

Mr. Franklin lifted his glass of champagne high, then passed the microphone to Mrs. Franklin.

“Ayla and Hassani, woi!” She brimmed with pride. “Mi heart full, man. Everything just feel right today.”

Laughter, claps, and cheers erupted from our guests.

“I still can’t believe I’m not dreaming,” Mrs. Franklin said, dabbing at her eyes. “But now, time fi di baby, eh?”

“Whoa, whoa,” Hassani said, making me giggle. “Ma, easy now.”

Children hadn’t been a serious topic of conversation just yet, though we knew they would be part of our future. But for now? Mama Franklin really needed to slow down.

Mrs. Franklin smiled. “My sweet boy, Hassani, and my beautiful girl, Ayla.” She turned to me with a warm smile. “Ayla, I knew from the moment I met you in your parents’ kitchen, you and Hassani were gonna be more than friends. You know that, right?!”

I snickered as laughter broke out around us.

I glanced over at Hassani, and he leaned in, pressing a kiss to my lips before whispering, “I knew it, too.”

I blushed, staring into his eyes.

“Ayla,” Mrs. Franklin continued, drawing my attention back to her. “I want to share something my own mother told me on the day I got married.”

She softened, voice warm as she spoke.

“She said, ‘Love is not about never falling… it’s about always reaching for each other, even when the ground feels unsteady.’”

I pressed my hand to my chest, feeling those words settle deep in a place I knew they’d never leave.

Mrs. Franklin held up a finger. “Marriage will bring you moments of joy so bright they’ll take your breath away, but it will also test you like no other.”

Her gaze bounced between Hassani and me.

“And in those times, remember this, you two: You are stronger together than you could ever be alone. Keep reaching for each other, no matter what. That’s how you’ll build a love that lasts a lifetime.”

Then, with a knowing smile, she turned to Hassani.

“And Hassani, don’t forget… sometimes reaching means doing the dishes without being asked, bwoy.”

Laughter erupted once more as Mrs. Franklin raised her champagne glass higher. We all followed suit.

“Ayla and Hassani, I want you to do three things,” she said, glass still lifted. “One, soak up today, the honeymoon, and all the good times you create together—because those are the moments you’ll hold onto when storms pass through. Two, make me a grandbaby on your honeymoon in Saint Lucia…”

“Ma, come on with this!” Hassani groaned, running a hand down his face, which only made me—and everyone else—laugh even harder.

“And three,” she added through her own laughter, “never go to bed angry at each other.”

Hassani pulled me closer in response, his arm firm around my waist.

---