Page 8 of Passion

I chalked it up to Daniel always stepping into the role of being my protector. When Joel met me, he got to know independent Giselle. To Daniel, I was his little sister and always would be. Some things, he didn’t seem to care to get to know about me, because he couldn’t accept that I was a grown ass woman. Thankfully, I was intuitive enough to understand the dynamic and didn’t hold it against him.

“Where is Vegas? Is he on his way?” I asked Keondra.

Joel liked to be called Vegas. It had been his nickname since he was a kid. “He went to the airport to pick up Jungle, Chelsea, Jericho, and Whitney. Fawn is driving. I think more people are coming as well. We had to show up big for you. I think your mom and dad probably would have been supportive as well.”

“I didn’t want to take that chance. I was scared out of my mind. I didn’t need anyone adding to my fear.”

She nodded and said, “Well, let’s get you ready! You have a thoughtful ass romantic, waiting to make you his wife.”

I chuckled and nodded then looked around the room at all the flowers. This was so amazing. I didn’t even know his name yet, but I could only hope that his looks matched his actions so far. There was a knock at the door, so Yunique went to it.

She opened the door wider, and when I saw my sorors walk through it, I broke down in tears. Skyler and Alexz with a Z came running to me, hugging me and screaming out our signature call.

This was so damn overwhelming. “What are y’all doing here?”

“We couldn’t let our sis get married without our support. Fuck all the details. The point is you are getting married!” Alexz said.

I chuckled as I wiped the tears. The thing that nearly brought me to my knees was when my mama walked through the door. I knew Vegas had talked to her. I was frozen in place, somewhat embarrassed for keeping this from her. She made her way to me and swiped the tears from my face. I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m sorry, Mama.”

“You don’t have to apologize. I totally get it. I would have tried to talk you out of this. So you were right in that assumption. However, I will always support you. You’re my only daughter, and there is no way I could miss this moment. Your dad and Daniel are here too. We didn’t tell Clayton though. I didn’t want to overstep. I felt like you should be the one to break that news to him and the kids.”

That was what I loved about my mama. She was never the type to insert herself in my business without my permission. I pulled away from her and grabbed my phone to call the planner and let her know my family was here. She sounded so excited. I thought I would be introducing them to my husband when we came back from the honeymoon. After ending the call, letting her know that I wanted my mother and brothers escorted in, I turned back to my mama.

She was looking at the jewelry. “This is beautiful. He did this?”

I nodded with a slight smile then gave her the letter he wrote. I could see her eyes mist as she read it. Once she finished, she said, “Wow. He’s thorough.”

“Yeah. I think I’m extremely ready to meet this mystery man.”

“So am I,” she said with a chuckle. “Let’s get you ready. I already know you have something sexy.”

“Yes. It’s the dress I bought last year that I showed you.”

“Oh, wow. You looked amazing in that dress. If he isn’t wowed, then I know something.”

I smiled as my sisters all crowded us. I hated that I didn’t include everyone now, but at least they were here, offering their support, regardless. They didn’t take offense to me not saying anything, but I knew I owed Vegas big time.

To say she didn’t tell her family, there sure were a lot of people here. She had a few honored guests escorted in. One woman, I assumed to be her mother, had stared at me longer than everyone else. She blushed when I smiled at her and nodded my head. The men that came in with women, I assumed to be their wives, had given me head nods but no smiles. I could only assume they were my bride’s brothers. Her mother slightly resembled one but looked nothing like the other.

“There’s a lot of people here,” my brother said.

He’d flown down to be my best man. “I know. That shit got me a lil nervous.”

“Don’t be. You’re very charismatic. They’ll love you, and so will she.”

I focused my attention on her maid of honor coming down the aisle. That sistah was a dark chocolate goddess. She was a little on the slender side. I could only hope that my bride would be curvier, like I’d said in my questionnaire. When she got closer to me, her eyes widened slightly. I wasn’t sure what that meant. I was more than sure they’d all seen the flowers and shit I’d had the attendants put in her dressing room.

She’d had a note put in my area as well. It was sweet. It wasn’t as heartfelt as my note to her, but it was still nice. She didn’t know me, so I could tell she was somewhat forcing it. I recalled the words…

Intended,

This will be a day we will never forget. I can only hope that we are both what the other was missing. I look forward to building a lasting relationship with you. One of love, devotion, and sincerity. See you at the altar and for the rest of our lives.

Your Intended

Although the words were nice, it was extremely disconnected. I wrote my letter like I already knew her. Plus, I was feeling somewhat sensitive when I was told she wouldn’t have any guests. That was clearly wrong. When the song “Risk It All” began to play, I knew it was time for me to see my bride.

The doors opened, and I nearly drooled all over myself. Her curves had no bounds. She was just the size that I could handle. I could tell from the front that she had ass that I would immediately want to grab. “Shit. She fine as fuck,” I said aloud where only my brother could hear me.

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