Page 14 of Allure

I covered my face to hold back my emotions. “You don’t have to do that, girl.”

“I absolutely do. Now, let’s get you married!” she exclaimed.

I watched as she walked over to her radio, then hooked her phone up. Immediately, classic R&B played. She knew the way to my heart and music always relaxed me. I got into the chair my hairstylist instructed me into.

I released a breath, knowing she was going to have a time with this long-ass hair of mine. I reached up and unleashed it from the bun and it tumbled down past the back of the chair.

“Whoa, you sent over a picture, but it’s something to see in person. Where did you inherit all of this?” the stylist said with a smile.

Before I could respond, my parents walked into the room.

“Her mama would love to say it’s from her side of the family, but my mother had the most beautiful and long hair I had ever seen,” my dad said.

My mother nodded in agreement. My paternal grandmother had passed before I had the chance to truly meet her. She met me, though, and I knew that because of the pictures of us together when I was a baby. My mother walked over to my chair and leaned in to kiss my cheek.

We talked for a little as my father ate the food from the platter, and my mother told me about every person she invited to the wedding and how we would have a packed section. I shook my head at the thought; they were only coming to be nosey and nothing more. They wanted to see who I was marrying and be witness to the next strange thing I had done.

My stylist and I did my hair in a pin-up style so my dress would be the star of this show. It had so much detail that I didn’t want it to be lost behind my hair. My makeup artist did a soft beat. I didn’t want my face to be caked up with makeup. It didn’t matter that today was my wedding day. This was also the first time my husband would lay eyes on me and I wanted him to see the real me.

An hour went by before a knock sounded at the door. We had come in a little earlier because I knew my makeup and hair would take some time. Mahalia went over and opened the door. Joy peeked in with a smile but she was holding a small box with a card. My heart immediately beat heavily. I knew it had to be from him.

“Hi, everyone. We have thirty minutes until showtime but I needed to come and bring this by for you. I guess you and your husband had the same idea,” she said as she walked over to hand me the letter and box.

My eyes started to mist at the thought.

“No, ma’am. We just finished your makeup,” my artist said with a smile.

“Yeah, what she said. Now hurry and open it so I can see what it is,” Mahalia said.

Joy laughed and walked toward the door, then looked over her shoulder before leaving.

“Next knock is showtime.”

I smiled as she closed the door behind herself. I looked down at the box, choosing to open the letter first. It wasn’t as long as mine had been, but it was just as special.

Dear Wife,

Today is the day that we take a step toward the unknown, but one thing I know is this. This moment feels right and I promise you loyalty, faithfulness, patience, and good dick. Yeah, you read that right. I can’t wait to meet you and begin our journey. I’ll be the one in brown with the locs.

- your husband.

I closed my eyes briefly and blushed because he was right up my alley. I felt his arrogance through the letter, and it had me wet already. I folded up the letter and quickly slipped it back into the envelope. I glanced up and Mahalia had a brow lifted in my direction. I ignored her and looked down at the box, then lifted the top. A jewelry box was inside, so I lifted it, then opened it to reveal a diamond bracelet that was clasped by the intertwining of two hearts.

“That’s so beautiful and expensive, if I might add,” Mahalia said, reaching her hand out for it.

I handed it to her as she inspected it. “Oh yeah, he spared nothing with this. Hold your wrist out, sis,” she said.

I held my arm out for her, and she clasped the bracelet on my wrist. I couldn’t help but admire it and appreciate it that much more. It wasn’t because of the price tag but because of the thought he put into it.

“All right, we don’t have much time. Let’s get you into this dress,” Mahalia said.

I nodded as my mother walked with us into the dressing room that was attached to the room. The moment we stepped inside, I stripped down, making sure I was careful not to ruin my makeup or hair. Afterward, they helped me into my dress. Once all the pieces were together, I slipped on my heels and made my way back into the room.

At the sight of me, my father stood, gripping his chest with a smile.

“How do I look, Daddy?” I asked, since I hadn’t looked in the mirror yet.

“You’re a vision, baby girl,” he said as a few tears slipped from his eyes.

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