Page 40 of U + Me : The Finale
“Why are you smiling at me like that? Shouldn’t you be paying attention to the road?”
“I’m a very lucky man. Just the thought of you one day being my wife and having my kids looks and sounds amazing.”
“Oh no, not you too!” Claudia huffed, and we both laughed. “I know without a doubt you are the love of my life, but I need a little more time before we take a big step like that.”
“Honesty is all I ask for, so I appreciate that.” I paid attention to the road now that traffic was moving. “But what does the future for us look like to you? I know you told me how you feel but do you see yourself always feeling that way?”
I was just curious to hear from her perspective because I had my suspicions. To me, Claudia was scared of commitment when we first met so it was a given that she was terrified of marriage. Hell, I was too, and when Claudia broke down to me what her mom went through, I understood her fear.
“It’s possible, but I don’t want to feel persuaded to do anything because it’s the right thing to do.”
“And I would never force you to do anything you don’t want to do…ever. But as a man, the fact that you don’t believe in marriage concerns me, especially with me.”
“But why, when you know why I feel the way I feel. It’s not personal.”
“I feel like I failed you as yo man. I never could see myself married until you came into my life. Now, it’s all I think about.” There was silence around this conversation because that’s how it always was. “I don’t want you to feel pressured. This is me letting you know where I stand. I’ll hold off on the marriage thing for forever if that’s what you want. But in my eyes and heart you’re already my wife.”
“I feel the same about you as well. But right now, let’s put all the talk about marriage on hold until that time comes. And later down the line, not when we are celebrating others in love.”
And I was good with that. Knowing that one day in the future, Claudia and I were building with one another so that once we decided to become as one and start a family we would have takenthe needed time to bond with each other first…ensuring our foundation was just as strong as the bonds of our loved ones.
Kimmie
“How are you feeling?” Leen asked, as she stood at the side of me.
“You okay, baby?” Ms. P asked from the other side of me. “Why you crying? You gon’ mess up your makeup. Today is a joyous occasion…no tears allowed.” She fussed, causing me to laugh.
“These are happy tears. I can’t believe I’m about to marry my best friend.”
“Well, I can, baby. The way you got Darius wrapped around your finger, and you around his…I ain’t never seen nuthin’ like it.” Leen exclaimed in a deep southern accent.
“I love that man with everything in me.”
And I did. I couldn’t wait to tell Darius my vows and spend the rest of my life with him.
“Knock, knock,” my dad said as he knocked on the door before coming in and saying it. “Ouuuu, look at my baby girl! Kimmie,” he paused then broken-down crying.
Ms. P ran over to his side to console him as I walked up to him. When he looked at me again, he gave me a hug so tight and long, I didn’t think he was ever going to let go. And if he didn’t, I was okay, cause there wasn’t nothing like a hug from daddy.
“Don’t cry, daddy. You gon’ make me cry. Ms. P don’ got on me about it so I’m ‘bout to get on you.” I fussed, dabbing at the tears on my cheeks.
“You look like an angel, baby. You and that belly wearing that dress and just a glowing!”
It was funny and touching at the same time. Most women wanted to look snatched and at their best for their wedding day, but for me, it wasn’t about any of that. I felt at my best rightwhere I was at in my life at the time, and it just so happened that I had a big ass belly too.
I loved every part of my belly because it signified what Darius, and I created together. There was no way I couldn’t embrace it, especially on our wedding day.
“Thank you. It means everything to me that you are here to walk me down the aisle.”
“With that said, you ready to take that walk?”
And without hesitation, I slipped my arm into his, and we waited a few minutes so that Ms. P and Leen could get seated before we walked.
AsYouby Jesse Powell started playing, the doors opened, and my breath was taken away.
The way Ermias’ lounge was transformed into a luxurious wedding venue was absolutely stunning. As I walked toward Darius, he stood there firm, proud, strong, and with tears falling from his eyes, and I locked mine with his and sang along to the words softly. I wanted him to see that I was singing to him, but it wasn’t for everyone else to hear.
Our wedding was intended to be small, but our circle of love was present and that more than I could have ever asked for…it was perfect.
