Page 9 of My Only

“Standing here today, seeing the woman you’ve become and the man you’ve chosen to be your husband, I couldn’t be prouder. Your father loved Hassani from the moment he met him and told me that night when we were alone, ‘Sonia, I just met my son-in-law.’”

I dropped my head, and Hassani pulled me in close, letting me lean against his chest.

“I know without a doubt that your father is smiling down on you right now, so very proud of his baby girl. I can feel his presence here all around us.”

Hassani pressed a soft kiss to my forehead as I lifted my head to sniff back my tears.

“I want you two to know that marriage is about love, yes.” My mother nodded. “But it’s also about patience, understanding, and choosing each other every single day. Hold onto that, and you will be fine for all the rest of your days.”

She raised her glass, her voice steady despite the emotion in her eyes.

“Hassani, take care of my daughter. And Ayla, take care of my son.”

Hassani and I glanced at each other and leaned in for a quick kiss.

“To love, to laughter, and to forever,” my mother finished. “Cheers.”

The soft clinking of glasses filled the air, mingling with sniffles and quiet laughter.

A tear trickled down my face, but before it could fall all the way, Hassani was quick to catch it with his thumb.

“Hassani and Ayla,” Mr. Franklin said, standing up in front of his seat.

Mrs. Franklin rose beside him, the evening breeze combing through her soft hair.

“Ayla, your mother has moved us all to tears,” Mr. Franklin said. “So now it fall on me to make you laugh from yuh belly.”

Laughter rippled through the gathering.

I wiped at my eyes, still grinning.

“Just like your mother said,” Mr. Franklin added, gesturing to my mom beside Aunt Laurie, “your father’s presence is here with us. Very much so.”

I nodded, and Hassani wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close. He leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to my cheek, his warmth making the air feel a little easier to breathe.

“And just like him and your mother, Hassani’s mother and I are overjoyed that you two have finally set everything exactly the way it’s supposed to be.”

“Yes, yes!” Aunt Laurie called out beside my mom.

Mr. Franklin turned back to me, his eyes soft.

“Ayla, your father spoke about you like you hung the stars.”

I swallowed thickly.

“So, when Hassani come to me, talkin’ ‘bout askin’ you out, mi say, ‘Wait now bwoy… jus’ wait.’”

Laughter erupted again.

“My hesitation wasn’t because Hassani was a bad guy.” Mr. Franklin held up a finger. “I just knew he’d have to grow into the kind of man he needed to be — to love the woman you were becoming.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Hassani nodded. “True, true.”

“Today only makes things official on paper,” Mr. Franklin continued. “But Ayla, from the moment your father left this earthly plane — and again, when Hassani told us you were together — you became my daughter too.”

I smiled, feeling Hassani’s arm tighten around me.

“It’s set in stone now, my love,” Mr. Franklin affirmed. “You two are married. And like Reverend Harte said, we are your village. Everyone here tonight is part of your support system. And as you both know, I take my responsibilities very seriously.”

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