Page 125 of Love's Most Wanted
We both let out low, knowing chuckles. The man was fine just like his bride. They were well matched.
He came to stand at the altar, shaking his head at the wedding party doing the most at his arrival. He came off very laid-back and an in-the-cut type of dude, so it made sense that he wasn’t exactly relishing in so much attention.
“That boy handsome!” Banks shouted, and she was able to pull a cute but subtle smile out of her stoic brother.
The wedding party laughed just before Sophie came out as the cutest flower girl in history. I’d never seen Asif smile as widely as he did upon seeing his daughter, who I didn’t even know wasn’t his biological daughter until Unique told me this morning. You would literally never know otherwise.
He told me Sophie had never called her biological father daddy, only Asif, and that the word step was outlawed around him. Her last name was St. Thomas and everything.
“Hi, Daddy!” she yelled once she was done, making him cheese and scoop her up to kiss her chubby cheek before he released her to her feet to go sit with her grandmother Farrah.
Yolani came out, but from the other direction as to not be confused with the wedding party, and stood at the gold microphone off to the side. As the pianist near her began to play, her lovely voice came flowing through the hidden speakers.
The groomsmen and bridesmaids began to come out, arms linked, to the music. Finally Prime appeared at the back, arm hooked with Anastazia who wore a beautiful white beaded gown that was strapless, lacy in some areas, and bearing a split.
She easily captured everyone’s attention as she and Prime made their way down the aisle, and her groom was no exception. His eyes never left her, misting a little bit at the sight of his bride.
Once Prime delivered her to the altar, Asif took her hands in his, leaning over to kiss her neck and then her hands like he couldn’t help himself. I could see Anastazia blushing a bit through the veil.
The wedding party quieted down as the preacher began and then let us know the bride and groom would be reading off their own written vows. Anastazia went first, tearing up halfway through as she read them, and next thing I knew, so was I.
Bambi handed me a tissue as Anastazia concluded her vows and gave the floor to Asif.
“I don’t really write shit down. I’m more of a top of the dome type nigga.” He chuckled lightly and so did the rest of us. Licking his lips, he continued. “But um, ain’t really enough words to explain how I feel about you. Every day I find a new reason why I love you, real shit. Soon as I met you I think I started saving everything up for you: my heart, my time, my loyalty, my dedication, my last name. I don’t think I ever wanted you as a girlfriend. I always wanted to make you my wife. My only regret was not getting in yo’ business earlier and finding out I could’ve been had you. But God makes shit happen a certain way for a reason, love, and a nigga is just beyond blessed and grateful that He found me worthy enough to exist in the same lifetime as you, baby.
“I couldn’t imagine there being a day, an hour, a minute, or even a second where I didn’t love you or you didn’t occupy my love, my heart, my future, and I realize it’s because it was always meant to be yours. And there’ll never be a time where I won’t want you, love you, admire you, ride out ’bout you. There’ll never be a time where a nigga can say Asif St. Thomas don’t love the fuck out of Anastazia St. Thomas. There’ll never be a time when a muthafucka can even question it or tell you different.
“When I told you I’d go to war over you, I meant that shit. When I said I would do whatever for you, I meant it. You tell me you want Mars so you can start ya own fucking planet; I’ll go get that shit for you or die trying.” The wedding party chuckled and judging by the snow surrounding us, homie wasn’t lying. “Never met a woman that was so selfless, and just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. And we all know you a fucking sight to see, girl.” She blushed and sniffled as he smirked. “What you did to protect yo’ baby girl,mybaby girl, my princess, and the people you love is some admirable shit but you’ll never have to lift a finger to protect again. I promise to protect you with my life, love—protect this union with my life. Like I always tell you; you rare and I’m lucky.” He finished up, and Anastazia was now crying.
I didn’t think anyone had dry eyes because even the brothers’ standing behind him were glazed at the moment.
The preacher finished up, asking if anyone objected, to which of course no one did. I attributed that to Asif being sure security was tight, and then he pronounced them as husband and wife, just before Asif lifted Anastazia’s veil, kissing herverypassionately. They spoke something in audible to one another as they kissed some more.
We ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ at the sexual tension behind it, before cheering them back down the aisle.
Once the couple was gone, the wedding coordinator escorted the whole party to the reception area, which was taking place in a huge ballroom.
We waited for a little minute before Asif and Anastazia returned, the latter having changed into a pretty, soft pink dress that went perfect with her walnut complexion.
We all stood around while they had their first dance to “You Put a Move On My Heart” by Tamia. They danced to Tamia’s song, just the two of them, then the second song was the two of them plus Sophie as Monica sang “Why I Love You So Much,” while their adorable son slept in his grandfather’s arms. Prime never wanted to share that baby, seemingly.
Afterward, everyone sat down at the elegant table decorated with gold silverware, plates, and cups like we were dining with royalty.
There were waitstaff there to deliver our meals as Farrah, Lisara, Prime, Analicia, and a few of the brothers delivered speeches.
Everyone with the exception of Farrah mentioned how Asif had been smitten with Anastazia from day one, and I thought that was so sweet. Farrah did, however, mention that what she loved about Asif was that from the beginning, he made it clear he intended to marry her daughter, further supporting everyone else’s claims.
Unique’s speech was the most ignorant, per usual, making everyone laugh or shake their heads or both, and then we all ate, having our own conversations before watching Asif take off Anastazia’s garter.
“Keep in mind that your parents are here!” Lisara shouted.
“Do yo’ thang, son.” Prime went against her statement.
Asif had scooped her up with ease, before running his hand up her dress salaciously to remove it, his mouth on her neck. I think everyone could feel the heat rising in the large ballroom.
Lisara and Farrah playfully shielded their eyes while people whistled, cheered, and clapped loudly. Anastazia’s face had reddened beyond belief as she laughed. One couldn’t deny the happiness.
After that, we cut the cake, delved into it, and then the deejay began doing his thing, playing all of our favorites, old and new school, plus some hood shit for the boys.
