Page 48 of His Baby Her Gift

“Thanks, mom.” Her words made Harlem even more emotional since Harlem wasn’t sure she would ever have a wedding day. But there she stood, surrounded by the people she most loved getting ready to walk to the aisle.

Harlem’s hair was swept up in an elaborate updo with tendrils falling down the side of her face.

“Girl, Carter spared no expense on this little shindig,” Mesha said as she fussed over Harlem’s makeup.

“He surely didn’t.” Charisma co-signed. “I still can’t believe you are A, marrying my husband, and B, won’t let me sage this room.” She laughed.

“You’ve already saged this whole house twice since you’ve been here. You have cleansed the space, the energy, and everything else.” Harlem said through laughter.

Charisma turned serious. “I just want to make sure that for the rest of your life, you and Carter experience nothing but happiness.”

Harlem’s eyes started to mist up. “Thank you.”

“Speaking of, is Carter’s mother coming?” Melody asked.

“Yes. Charlotte will be here. Her recovery has been slow, but she’s coming along. You’ll never guess who her plus one is?”

“Who?” Everyone asked almost in unison.

“Carter’s father. Douglas.”

“How does Carter feel about that?” Elaine asked with concern.

“He’s okay with it. They’ve been talking since Miya was born. There is a lot of healing that needs to happen for everyone, but it might be possible.”

“I guess,” Elaine said. “Just know this, Douglas and Charlotte better not start any shit on my daughter’s wedding day.”

Harlem and her friends all looked at Elaine with shock. The woman never used foul language, but she was in mama barracuda mode, so they couldn’t blame her.

“I’m old but not too old to whoop ass and take names. However, I guess if you could let go of the wedding of your childhood dreams, I supposed, I can behave myself.”

“I haven’t let go. I changed what was important to me.” Harlem said as she admired the reflection of her wedding gown through the mirror.

“I’m just glad you didn’t make us wear those hideous purple bridesmaid dresses on that vision board.” Mesha laughed. “They were ugly then, and they are ugly now.”

Charisma nodded her head up and down in agreement. “Oh, for sure. These are gorgeous, though. I might even be able to catch me a husband at the reception in this one.”

The room erupted with laughter.

Harlem spoke as it died down. “I would have been fine going to the Justice of the Peace. Carter insisted that I have my dream wedding. I’ve come to realize with the right man, you don’t need all of that other stuff.”

“Amen.” Her mother said as she looked at Harlem, who was radiant–not from a beautiful dress but from a love that burned from the inside out.

There was a knock on the door. Elijah poked his head inside. “Are you ready, baby girl?” He didn’t know how he would make it through this day without turning into a blubbering bucket of tears.

Confidently, Harlem nodded. “I am ready, daddy.”

Epilogue

Harlem was surrounded by everyone she loved, but in Carter’s estimation, too damn many people. He stepped into the middle of the small group. “Excuse me. I need a moment of my wife’s time.”

Harlem loved the sound of that. She was now Mrs. Carter Owens.

Carter grabbed her hand and led Harlem out of the reception room into a quiet area of the house. He kissed her. “Are you happy?”

Harlem gazed up into his eyes. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. You?”

He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I married my best friend and the woman of my dreams. I’m very happy.”

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