Page 55 of Lost In You
I fell out laughing and hugged her as I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I quickly pulled away from her and retrieved it, seeing Maui’s name on the lock screen. I went to the back room so I could have privacy while I read it. I could see everyone watching me with a confused look on their faces, since they were all trying to get a closer look at my ring. I took a deep breath and opened the text.
I’m so happy for you, Shani. You deserve all good things. Asad is a good man, and he proved that to you in a short amount of time. The timing is so soon. I’m dropping tears as I write this, but I think it’s too soon for Mythic to be around the family again. I won’t be able to be there, Shani. This hurts so bad. I’m so sorry. I was supposed to be your maid of honor.
I stopped reading and released a cry from my heart. She had to know this was destroying me from the inside out. Just when she was finally going to start coming around, SS had to fuck that up. I went back to her message to finish reading it.
I know you will make such a beautiful bride. You are so gorgeous already. I’ll get Karima to FaceTime me so I can see it. I love you so much, and I’m sorry I won’t be there to share in your joyful occasion. Again, you will make a beautiful bride, and I know you will crush being a wife and mother, just like you crush everything else. *Kisses*
That was it. She wasn’t going to be here. I felt like a zombie. Although I was trying to prepare myself for her to say no, her words still took me down. I went to the bathroom and wiped my makeup off. The shit was probably fucked up anyway. I put lip gloss on and walked back out barefaced with just my lashes and gloss on. Milana and the twins immediately surrounded me and loved on me. They already knew what had happened without me saying so.
I chose to pull myself together and draw from everyone else’s happiness. I had a full month of events ahead. Next weekend was the wedding, the weekend after was baby boy’s birthday party, and the Bill Pickett Rodeo was after that. I could only hope that Maui and Mythic would show up anyway. I didn’t understand why she couldn’t come without him, but I supposed it wasn’t for me to understand.
My nerves were on edge, and I didn’t know why. Asad was my forever. I knew that without a doubt. However, I was sitting here trembling, like I didn’t know what I was getting into. Milana grabbed my hand and kissed it. “You have to calm down, Shani. You look so beautiful. Asad is going to lose it at the sight of you. This diamond shit in your lashes is the truth. You look like a prettier version of ol’ girl fromMadea’s Family Reunionfor her wedding in Paris!”
She gestured with her arm like Jenifer Lewis did in the movie, causing me to giggle. “Thank you, boo. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
She sat next to me, continuing to hold my hand, as I watched Jacey, Jessica’s daughter, spin around in her dress. Everyone looked gorgeous in their red dresses. My mama and I went toHouston and found my dress. It was so gorgeous and looked like it had been made specifically for me. It hung off the shoulders and the plunge in the front was everything. I had to use double stick tape to hold it in place since there was no illusion panel. My tattoo was visible between my breasts, and I was serving sex appeal for days.
It was mermaid style, hugging my ass like it was tryna juice that peach and flared out at the bottom with a long train. It had a lace overlay that was simply gorgeous. I didn’t even need alterations. When I tried it on, my mama cried like the rapture was happening, and I was getting left behind. The moment I looked at myself in the mirror, I knew it was the dress for me. I didn’t bother looking at or trying any others on.
“Okay, y’all. We’re ready to begin,” Aunt Syn said.
I smiled at her and Mrs. Vida as they got the bridesmaids in position up front. Once they left, my mama, Mrs. Lacey, and Mrs. Shana surrounded me and prayed. It was a powerful moment for me, knowing that I now had three mothers who had my best interest at heart. Gaining two women in my life that would treat me like I was their biological daughter was a blessing.
After they prayed, Mama Lacey and Mama Shana left out, and my daddy joined Mama and me. His face reddened at first sight of me, and he had to turn around to compose himself. I was doing my best not to cry before the wedding. My makeup was perfect, the most perfect I had ever gotten it. When he turned back around, I could tell he had cried a bit due to his wet lashes. I gave him a slight smile as he grabbed my hand.
“You are one of the most beautiful brides I’ve ever seen,” he said, then glanced at my mama.
She smiled big, and said, “Well, you aretheemost beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. Asad is a blessed man to get one of the best parts of us.”
“And I told him whatever happens in your household should stay there unless someone is being hurt. Have a neutral party you can talk to. Don’t seek advice from single friends, because they will have y’all all fucked up, especially those damn twins.”
I chuckled as he kissed my hand. “I can’t believe my baby is all grown up and about to be someone’s wife. Where did the time go, princess?”
I could feel the tears coming, but my mama pulled a fan from her cleavage and fanned me. Laughter fell from my lips, and I was grateful for their comedic genius. I chose to have them both walk me down the aisle. They were my best friends, and both their opinions mattered to me.
When Aunt Syn appeared in the doorway, she said, “Jayceon is about to walk in, so let’s head that way.”
I smiled at her and followed her to the foyer. My brothers had escorted Mama Shana and Mama Lacey inside, and Malia had escorted Mr. Red, and Yendi had escorted Mr. Jeffrey. I chose not to have a maid of honor, just bridesmaids. I wouldn’t be able to pick between Milana and the twins. It was clear I was closest to Maui. Those heifers would have been fighting. After Mrs. Vida slid the doors closed, we walked up to them.
I took a deep breath, then slid my arms around theirs. When “Beautiful Surprise” by India.Arie began playing, Mrs. Vida slid the doors back. I didn’t want to waste time just standing there. I could hear all the ooooh’s when they laid eyes on me. But those fools started clapping. I closed my eyes and shook my head.
We started walking, and my eyes landed on Asad’s. The tears were free-falling down his face. Ferris took a handkerchief and patted his cheeks. Asad gave him the side-eye and nudged him away from him. I smiled big as the tears skated along the rims of my eyes. He looked amazing in his tan suit. The red tie and handkerchief set it off perfectly. When I got to the spot, he cameand met us. He grabbed my mama’s hand and kissed it, then slapped my dad’s hand and hugged him like they were boys.
I slowly shook my head. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the door open. I turned and looked to see Maui had made it. The tears cascaded down my cheeks, and I completely abandoned everyone at the altar and went to get her. I hugged her so tightly as we both cried.
“Shani, you look so beautiful,” she managed to get out.
“Come on. I don’t care if your dress doesn’t match.”
She wore red, knowing that it was my favorite color. Hell, our weddings had been planned for years, from the colors down to the food. The only thing that was unsure were the grooms. As we turned to walk to the altar, I saw Mythic outside with his brother, Epic. I could only pray that no bullshit went down at my wedding.
As I walked with her to the front, everyone started clapping all over again, causing Maui to blush. Asad was smiling as I placed Maui in front of Milana. They all gathered around her and hugged her as I went back to Asad. “I’m sorry. Now where were we?”
“I was about to escort your gorgeous ass to this altar.”
I slid my arm around his and allowed him to lead me to Pastor White. He had us face each other, and the wedding began. I glanced over at Uncle Storm to see his face was red. I wouldn’t have to worry about him cutting up, since he was probably happy to see Maui. His focus was on her. As we listened to Pastor White, I stared into Asad’s eyes, willing the tears to contain themselves.
After reciting the vows and sliding our new rings on, Jayceon approached me with a ring of his own. I could no longer contain the tears. I stooped a bit and hugged him tightly. When I stood, what I thought wouldn’t happen, finally did.
