I look around I see her bouquet of white flowers sitting on the chair.
I take a calming breath “What’s the problem honey? Is it the baby?”
“I love you with my everything.” Zeeta says.
I feel the urge to break this door “You can’t leave me Zee. It’s too fucking late.” I can feel a slow panic clawing up my throat.
I lean my forehead on the door and I try to listen.
“I wasn’t planning to. It’s just there are so many people out there.” Zeeta says. I can hear her dress dragging on the floor. She must be pacing. For some reason that made me smile.
“I can tell everyone to leave.”
I hear her laugh “No I just wish it was more intimate. But I love Gia, so I gave her the gift of planning our wedding. But 250 is a lot of people.”
“My mom will never forget that.” My mom is absolutely smitten by Zee.
“Open the door Zee. Let me in” I need to feel her, to know that she is there and she is mine.
“No. You know, I met you years ago. You took a tray out of my hand and slapped Carson with it” She states.
I stop and I think about that night, remembering all that happed.
“Do you think it was fate?” she asks
I’m trying to be patient, I really want to say fuck fate but I don’t “Whatever it is I’m thankful. What do you need baby?”
I hear a pause in a movement.
“I wish we had a moment to write our vows and read them to each other.” Zeeta says.
I feel relieved that her worry is about the vows and not me.
“Open the door and give me your hand.” I step back and a slender hand appears with the new bracelet.
I take a hold of it. “I, Rhet Ashely Banner.”
She tries to pull her hand away slowly “What are you doing Ashely?” She laughs out.
“I’m giving us a private moment that no one else will ever know of,” I state and wait.
Her hands tighten in mine. Its warmth spreads right through my body. “I, Rhet Ashley Banner, promise to blow your back out every night that I am able to.”
“Rhet.” Zeeta screeches.
“Shh. I promise to be your refuge, your security, your peace. I promise to provide for you. I pray our child look likes you. I promise to be there for you. I promise to get jealous at every man that looks at you. I swear I will respect you above all else. I promise to keep my mind centered around you first, never loving another. I promise to trust you implicitly and to love you eternally. Not even death can do us part. “
I hear a hiccup and a sniffle “That’s beautiful Ashely.”
I smirk to myself because I knew I did this right. Her hand tightens in mine.
“I, Zeeta Kellyanne Woods vow to be your person as you are mine. I vow to be yours and no other. I vow to cherish, encourage and support you in all your endeavors. I promise to treasure, trust and honor you. I also promise to suck the soul right out of you.”
I squeeze her hand “Attagirl!”
“I promise to love you above all else Rhet Banner, no sickness or death can ever do us part. I will love you, today, tomorrow and forever.”
I rub her fingers and gaze at her well-manicured nails.