Page 8 of My Only

Hassani took my hand, biting his bottom lip as he smiled, then repeated the words the Reverend told him.

“With this ring,” Hassani began, holding my gaze, “I give you my heart, my soul, and my unwavering commitment.” He nodded, as if sealing his own words. “Let it be a symbol of my love for you, today and always.”

Reverend Harte then turned to me.

“Ayla, repeat after me.”

I took a steady breath and followed his words, holding Hassani’s ring just before slipping it onto his finger.

“With this ring, I give you my heart, my soul, and my unwavering commitment. Let it be a symbol of my love for you, today and always.”

And with that, I slid the ring onto Hassani’s finger.

Reverend Harte smiled.

“Now, by the authority vested in me by the great island of Jamaica and the love of God,” he declared, “it is my great joy and privilege to pronounce you husband and wife.”

Mr. Franklin’s booming voice rang out behind us, his cheers and applause making both Hassani and me laugh.

“Hassani,” Reverend Harte said, his grin wide. “You may now kiss your bride!”

Hassani and I turned to each other, exchanging a mischievous grin.

But instead of going straight for the kiss, as Reverend Harte suggested, we stepped apart and extended our hands, clapping them together twice—our palms meeting with a soft smack that echoed lightly in the air.

Reverend Harte’s chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh.

Hassani and I smirked as we raised our right fists, tapped our knuckles together, followed with a quick high five, then spun around, back to back, and slapped our hands together again in sync.

Our secret handshake, one we’d been practicing long before this day, ended with us facing each other again, our pinkies linking as we held eye contact.

Hassani whispered, “No take-backs.”

I winked. “Forever us.”

Laughter erupted behind us just as Hassani pulled me toward him, still linked by our pinkies.

He pressed a soft kiss to where our fingers joined before pulling me even closer—his other arm wrapping around me, his lips meeting mine in a deep, lingering kiss.

The crowd behind us cheered, laughed, clapped.

“As they walk down this aisle together for the first time as husband and wife,” Reverend Harte announced over the noise, “let us all rise in celebration of Ayla and Hassani, whose love reminds us of what is possible when people come together with open hearts and open hands. Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together…”

Hassani pressed one last soft peck to my lips.

“…for Mr. and Mrs. Franklin!”

Our first dance was to Case’s “Happily Ever After,” played by the steel drum band that had been performing R&B renditions throughout the night.

I had experienced a whirlwind of emotions that evening, but nothing compared to the moment we gathered around the very large circular table for the speeches.

My mother started them off… and sent us all into tears.

She lifted her glass, her warm smile shining as she brought the mic to her lips, her eyes glistening with emotion.

“Ayla, I knew you were destined for something beautiful the moment you came into this world.”

Hearing her say only that, almost made me burst into tears.

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