Page 13 of Allure

I nodded, and my family filed out of the room ahead of me. Forever, here I come.

THE WEDDING

I stood in front of the painting I created for my husband, hoping he felt every emotion I put into it. I wanted him to see my desire for us, my hope that this marriage was everything we’d dreamed of plus more. The love I felt for a man I had yet to lay eyes on, and my promise of devotion to him and this marriage was there in this painting if he gave himself a chance to see it.

I checked my watch and realized I was still good on time. I was sure it had a lot to do with the fact that I couldn’t sleep. I was beyond eager for today. I knew I wasn’t the only woman who found themselves with bags beneath their eyes on the most important day.

My best friend Mahalia stayed over. She claimed that this would be my last night as single Lore and she wanted one more night with her. I laughed because I felt I would still be the same. I was never the type to be wild anyway. Well, except that one time with Mahalia. She convinced me to go out and I still remember that night. But, otherwise, I’d always been work-driven and searching for peace.

I couldn’t imagine that part of me changing too much because I had a husband. But, anything was possible, I guess. I left my studio and made my way back into my house. I needed a good, steamy shower to prepare myself for today.

I had gotten my wax, nails, and brows done yesterday, which left me with just hair and makeup. I knew my hair would take the majority of the time because of the length. My hair fell past my butt. Any time I cut it, it grew back fast as hell so I planned to have my hair curled and pinned up into a cute style, so it wasn’t in the way.

I turned on my radio, took a shower, brushed my teeth, then oiled and lotioned my body. I grabbed my favorite perfume to take with me. My dress was in the garment bag. I needed two bags so the other could protect the train attachment. Once I made it downstairs, Mahalia was fresh out of the shower, too, with her dress in hand. We figured we could get ready together at the venue.

“You ready?” she asked as I walked into her view.

I shrugged with a smile. “As ready as I will ever be.”

She nodded, grabbed her keys from the back table, then headed for the door when the thought of my gift came to mind.

“Hold on. Well, can you take these to the car with you? I left something I had for him,” I asked.

Mahalia reached out for my things and then turned to make her way to the car. I rushed to my studio and silently said a prayer as I wrapped the painting, then placed a nice bow around it. I grabbed the letter I had written the night before and rushed to meet Mahalia outside. I didn’t want us to be late because of me, and I also didn’t want to set a bad first impression.

I called my parents, and they let me know they would be there, besides a few of my cousins, aunts, and uncles. They told everyone they could reach and anyone who would listen. My parents weren’t ashamed of my decision. They felt I was brave for choosing to find love this way. In my mother’s words, she trusted my judgment and would be there if I needed her.

I smiled, thinking about it. I was truly grateful and blessed to have my parents. I was certain my other family members were going to be whispering about this one but I was used to being the weird one in the family. In my eyes, the usual standards did not hold me back like they were.

The moment we pulled up to the venue, I looked around, wondering if my future husband was there yet. Mahalia tapped me on the shoulder, so I turned to meet her gaze.

“I just want to ask one more time. I can pull off right now and we never have to look back,” she mentioned before pulling into the parking lot.

I smiled, loving how protective my friend was of my feelings.

“This feels right. Plus, I paid too much money to waste it out of fear.”

I laughed, causing Mahalia to join and pull into the parking lot. She found a good spot and one assistant waiting outside led us to the side entrance we were supposed to use. The moment we walked into the suite, Joy was moving a few things around to her liking. But if you asked me, they’d done a fabulous job already of making this place beautiful. I could only imagine how the ceremony and reception hall looked.

The room was very soft and gave bride with a breakfast platter on the counter. I never expected them to do all of this. She even had glasses of wine and champagne next to the food. I walked further into the room and hung up my dress on the dressing room hook.

Joy turned to face me with a smile. “Hi, Ms. Reed. How are you feeling this morning?” she asked.

I released a breath and smiled. “I’m nervous, but I feel like this is exactly where I am supposed to be. This feels right. I just want this day to be special for him, too.”

“I love to hear that. Today is going to be more than you imagined. That’s our job. I am going to be back to check on you,” she mentioned.

Before she could make it fully out of the door, I stopped her.

“Wait, I forgot I have something for him,” I told her.

She smiled softly and stepped back into the room. I grabbed the painting and letter I had placed on the couch, then handed it to her.

“I’ll be back. I think this is your hairstylist and makeup artist now,” she mentioned, moving to the side so they could come into the room.

Once she closed the door behind herself, both ladies started laying out their tools. I walked over to the platter of fruit, choosing not to stuff myself so I could fit into this dress. I already had a little extra around the mid-section, but I wanted to feel the most beautiful today. Not to mention, I didn’t need the fact that I was beyond nervous to have my stomach torn up from eating this food. That would not be ideal.

“Girl, I’m going to get dressed so I can wait on you hand and foot. I am here to be whatever you need,” Mahalia said.

---