Page 84 of Maceo

“You look beautiful, baby,” she said, kissing my cheek. “Just like the bride I knew you’d be.”

When I showed the rest of the women the dress, they were in awe, and everyone agreed that it was indeed the one.

“That should do it,” Tamela said, stepping back. She smiled brightly as she looked at me. “Cousin, I did that shit! You look amazing.”

My mother nodded in agreement as she came over with my dress. “It’s time to put it all together.”

The front door burst open, and Salima came rushing in with her dress over her shoulder.

“I’m here! I’m here!” she yelled. She paused with her hands on her knees. “Lord, I’m tired. Everything looks amazing though!” She stood up, and her eyes landed on me. “Awww, boo! You look so pretty!”

“Thanks, babe. I was just about to put on my dress.”

“I’m just in time!”

“We’re gonna head back to the house to get dressed,” my aunt said. “We’ll meet you at the venue.”

I nodded. “Okay. Thanks again.”

“If you fuck up my makeup, I’m kicking your ass,” Tamela said.

I waved her off. “Nobody is gonna mess up your precious work.”

“If you know like I know, you won’t. I’ll make sure to bring my kit to the venue to touch you up before pictures.”

She and my aunt gave me air kisses before they packed up their things and left the house. I looked at my mother and best friend before sliding out of the makeup chair to my feet.

“I’m ready.”

They both smiled. I pulled off my robe and allowed them to help me into my dress. After getting it situated, they placed my shoes on my feet and laced them up. Salima went into her bag and pulled out a box. There was a big grin on her face as she brought it to me.

“What’s this?” I asked, taking it from her.

“Your husband-to-be tasked me with giving this to you for your big day. He said it would be the perfect complement to your dress, and I couldn’t agree more.”

Slowly, I opened the velvet box. A gasp left my lips as I stared at a beautiful set of jewelry. It amazed me that even though he didn’t know what my dress looked like, he knew this would be perfect. Salima took each of the pieces from the box and placed them on me. When she took a step back to take in the finished look, tears swelled in her eyes. The same thing happened with my mother.

“Oh… baby…” my mother said, clutching her chest. “You look absolutely stunning.” She grabbed my tiara to add the final touch and carefully placed it on my head. “Perfect.”

“Can I see?” I asked, fidgeting slightly in my stance.

She nodded before running off to get a full-length mirror. Salima instructed me to close my eyes. I could hear the heels of the other girls clicking across the floor as they entered the room. Gasps echoed in the space. I could smell my mother’s perfume as she came near me.

“On the count of three, open your eyes. One. Two. Three.”

My eyes slowly opened, and I, too, had to gasp at my reflection. Staring back at me was a woman I barely recognized. I’d been to plenty of weddings. I’d even had the honor of participating in a few. But this wasmywedding. Nothing could’ve prepared me for the moment, and I looked in the mirror and saw a beautiful bride staring back at me.

I looked up to see the smiling faces and tearful expressions of my family and friends. It was the same look they had given Salima on her wedding day.

Jaeda swiped a tear from her eye. “Wow. You look absolutely radiant. My brother is a lucky man.”

“He might just cry when he sees you,” Mia said, giggling. “He will never live that down.”

“Y’all better leave my man alone if he cries,” I said, fanning my face. “I might just shed a thug tear myself.”

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Today wasn’t something I’d dreamed about since I was a little girl. It wasn’t something I’d planned out in intricate details. It wasn’t even something I was sure I wanted before I met Maceo. Now, it was everything. I’d found my soulmate and best friend all wrapped up in one, and I couldn’t wait to be Mrs. Maceo Dillinger.

Time was windingdown until we said I do.

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