Page 166 of Falling Into Gravity

The tulle of her dress floated behind her. Her baby bump was round, tucked perfectly beneath the fitted silk that stretched just enough over her belly, her veil pinned back, face already wet with tears. Her bouquet trembled in her hands. Of course her bob was sleek and sharp, flowing with each step she took.

I found a man, stronger than anyone I know. He shares my dreams, I hope that someday we’ll share a home.

French was crying, full and slow, but holding his chin up like a soldier. Malik’s knees almost buckled.

His lips parted.

To carry love, to carry children of our own.

He had never seen anything more beautiful, not even close.

His bride…His baby…His best decision, and she was glowing.

Every guest stood.

Noodle and Ahvi were both already crying up at the altar, fanning each other. Lunar had to wipe his face and console Ahvi.

I see my future in your eyes.

The music swelled, and every step Aku took, felt like home coming toward Malik.

At the end of the aisle, French kissed her cheek, whispered something low and shaky, and then placed her hand in Malik’s. “You better take care…” he had to swallow his tears. “Take care my baby, nigga.”

That made people close enough to hear, laugh.

Aku was an ‘it’ girl so it was packed out with celebrities and family.

Aku stepped up to Malik and touched his chest. “You good?” She admired how good he looked all dressed up for her.

He nodded, swallowing back tears. “You stunnin’, baby.”

The officiant welcomed everyone and said a few words about love and commitment. It was beautiful, but nobody in that room was really listening.

They were waiting onthem.

Malik looked over at Aku and gripped her hands.

She squeezed back.

He took a shaky breath, cleared his throat. “Before I met you, I didn’t even know what it meant to dream big. I didn’t think fairy tales were made for people like me. People with pain still in their bones. People who been touched by loss, by war, by the streets.” His voice cracked. He looked at her belly, then back at her. “But then I fell into you, Aku. Hard…Scared…Unworthy. You told me if I loved you right, you’d give me legacy… baby, you ain’t lie.”

Everyone sniffled.

Malik let his tears fall not giving a damn about looking weak. “You gave me a family. You gave me laughter. You gave me two babies and a reason to stay alive when I could’ve gave up. You brought me home. I didn’t know it was possible to feel this kind of peace. This deep…This solid…Thisreal.” Malik paused and wiped his face with the back of his hand.

Aku just kept nodding, her own tears covering her face. She loved the man standing before her more than she even knew was possible. “I love you,” she mouthed.

Malik nodded, trying to find his voice to finish. “I spent a long time thinkin’ I was too broken to love right - too much Crescent in me, too many things I ain’t proud of, too many ghosts on my back. But you…you never flinched. You never ran.You ain’t treat me like a problem. You treated me like a man. You loved me without askin’ me to shrink first. Every breath I take now - it’s for us, for these babies, for what we buildin’. I ain’t perfect, cuh—” he smirked, and laughter broke through the crowd between tears, “but I’m real. I’m present…I’m yours…forever.”

Tears slid down Aku’s face as the officiant turned to her. She nodded slowly, taking a long breath. “I always knew I wanted love. I just didn’t know it would come like this. Not soft, not easy, but real…realer than anything I’ve ever felt.” She laughed through her crying. “You get on my nerves. You don’t listen. You code until four in the morning and forget to eat. But you also talk to my belly when you think I’m asleep. You tell me you love me when I look a mess. You protect me from this world like it owes you something.” Her voice cracked. “You make me feel like I belong. Not just with you, but in this world. You remind me that I can have it all - the business, the babies, the man, the soft life. You’re my safe space and my wildest dream.” Aku cried harder. “I never said you had to build the fairytale by yourself. I just needed you to believe it was possible.”

Malik’s head dropped, shoulders shaking. She reached out and touched his face.

“I love you, Malik. Always. And I promise, no matter what, we gon’ keep choosing each other.”

The officiant had to wipe his own face before he said, “You may kiss the bride.”

Malik pulled her in slowly, kissing her like it was their last and first all at once. The room exploded—cheers, cries, laughter all in one wave.

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