Page 97 of Certified Pressure 4
The Garden of Kingslooked like somethin’ out of a dream. The chandeliers above us was made of gold and crystal, and the floor was polished marble that reflected every light in the room. The flowers was everywhere, white roses and orchids wrapped around the railings, the altar, even the seats. The smell was soft, clean and royal. People from every corner of Trill-Land had pulled up to witness this, dressed in black and gold like the ceremony was written by God himself.
Kay’Lo, Renza, and Blaqson stood beside me, lookin’ sharp as hell. Renza was grinnin’ like he was the one gettin’ married. Kay’Lo had his shades on, calm and cool as always, but I could see the pride in his face. Blaqson nodded at me and whispered, “This your day, King. Soak it in.”
I smirked, but my palms was sweatin’. I ran a hand over my beard just to keep myself from fidgetin’. My black suit fit me like it was painted on. Everything about me was tailored for this moment. My watch, my earrings, my chain, all gleamin’. But none of that meant nothin’ compared to what I was waitin’ on.
The music started playin’, soft but powerful, and the crowd got quiet. Every head turned toward the back as Zurie came walkin’ down the aisle first. She held her lil’ basket full of rose petals, droppin’ them one by one like she been practicin’ for this all her life. Her gold dress shimmered under the lights, and her curls bounced every time she moved. She looked proud, like she knew how special this moment was. Folks in the crowd smiled, whisperin’ about how beautiful she looked. That was my lil’ girl, the one who came into our lives and made everything feel whole. She looked like joy in motion, all grace and confidence as she floated toward the front.
When she reached the end of the aisle, she turned and waited, her hands folded in front of her while she watched what came next. I winked at her and she blushed, and blew me a kiss. Of course, I caught it and held it to my chest.
Everybody turned toward the doors at the back of the hall. My heart started beatin’ harder, like it knew before I did that somethin’ special was about to happen. The doors opened, and here came my lil’ man, my son, my twin, struttin’ his way down the aisle with a helper from the family holdin’ his hand.
The whole room went up with soft “awws.” I couldn’t stop smilin’ if I wanted to. He had on the same exact tux as me, all black, with his lil’ loafers, his own mini diamond chain, and a tiny bracelet that matched mine. His hair was cut just like mine too, them waves sittin’ tight, shaped up perfectly. He looked just like me. The way he walked, the way he looked around at the people cheerin’ for him, even the lil’ bounce in his step. That was all me.
“Go ‘head, Prestyn,” I whispered under my breath.
When he made it to the front, he turned to the crowd like he knew he was the star of the show. Everybody laughed, and I could feel my heart swell up. I picked him up when he got close enough, and he gripped my chain, tryna chew on it like he always do.
“Lil’ man, you killin’ ‘em out here,” I said, kissin’ the top of his head before handin’ him off to Kay’Lo.
Then the music changed again, slow and soft, and the doors opened one more time.
That’s when I saw Pluto.
She came walkin’ down the aisle on her Uncle Lionel’s arm, movin’ slow, her every step graceful. She looked like a dream wrapped in love. Her dress hugged her body in all the right places, and that belly, that beautiful round belly, was the first thing I saw. My woman was pregnant, glowin’, and still thebaddest thing I ever laid eyes on. Her veil was long, touchin’ the floor, and her bouquet looked like it was picked from heaven itself.
Everybody in the room faded out for me. I ain’t see nobody but her. She was smilin’, and the closer she got, the harder it was for me to keep my composure.
I always said I wasn’t gon’ be one of them niggas who cried at his weddin’. I used to clown dudes for that. I swore up and down that shit was corny, but now that I was here, lookin’ at Pluto walkin’ toward me with our baby growin’ inside her and our son sittin’ up front smilin’, I finally got it. I finally understood.
My chest got tight, and I blinked a few times, tryna keep the tears from fallin’. Kay’Lo caught me slippin’ and leaned over just enough to say, “Don’t fight it, bro.”
I smiled but couldn’t say nothin’.
When Pluto made it to me, Uncle Lionel kissed her cheek and placed her hand in mine. She looked up at me through her lashes, her eyes glossy but full of peace.
“You look beautiful,” I whispered.
She smiled. “You look nervous.”
Everybody laughed softly, but my heart was thumpin’.
The officiant, an older man from Nzuri Hall, stepped forward and raised his voice just enough for the crowd to quiet down. “We are gathered here today to witness the union of Prince Pressure Mensah and Pluto Monroe, two souls who found love through fire, faith, and destiny.”
His words felt heavy, like they was made for us. He spoke about love bein’ patient and kind, about how it wasn’t always easy, but when it was real, it lasted forever. Then he nodded for Pluto to begin her vows.
She took a deep breath, lookin’ right at me. “Pressure,” she said softly, her voice already tremblin’. “You have been my everything from the start. You’ve been my pain and my peace,my fight and my comfort. When we met, I didn’t even know who I was yet. I was scared of love even though I knew I always wanted it. I was scared of life, scared of myself. You saw me at my lowest, and you still wanted me. You held me even when I tried to run.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she smiled through them. “I was a virgin when I met you. You took that from me, but you gave me so much more in return. You gave me life. You gave me love. You gave me two babies who carry your face and your spirit. You taught me that love ain’t about perfection, it’s about patience. You loved me through everything, even when I didn’t understand you. But deep down, I always understood that you loved me.”
Her voice broke again, and I couldn’t even stop my own eyes from fillin’ up. “You’ve grown into the man I always prayed you would be. You protect us, you lead us, and you love us in a way that makes me feel safe every single day. I trust you with my life, with our children’s lives, and with Zurie’s too. You’re my home, Pressure, and I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”
The room was quiet except for sniffles. Even Renza was lookin’ away like he ain’t wanna get caught cryin’.
Then it was my turn.
I cleared my throat, but my voice cracked anyway. “A’ight,” I said, tryna laugh through it, but it came out shaky. “When you first came to my estate, you was one of twenty. I ain’t know what the hell I was doin’. I thought I could just pick a wife like I was pickin’ out jewelry or somethin’. But then you came in, quiet but real, and my whole world started shiftin’. I didn’t even see it happenin’ at first.”
I paused, lookin’ right at her. “You gave me a run for my money, girl. You challenged me in ways I ain’t even know I needed. You made me mad, made me laugh, made me cry. You made mefeel. I used to hate that ‘cause it made me feel weak,but now I know that was love. You was teachin’ me how to love without losin’ myself.”
