Page 143 of Only for Me
"I know I'm not your pops but you needed someone to walk you down the aisle, so I hope you're cool with me filling in." I nodded, assuming Omiri told him about my father.
"This is perfect, thank you."
"And before we head down there, I just want you to know, this wedding isn't bullshit. Not to O. If he's doing this, it's because it means something to him. This isn’t just for show, Kari. That's my boy. We've been through a lot of shit together and there were times when I didn't think he was gonna make it to the other side. Especially when he lost Rion. He's family, I love that nigga like we share branches on the same family tree. If this is just for show or some fun shit you think will look good for a post, then don’t walk down that aisle. It might fuck with his head to know you changed your mind or that you need more time, but if you're not committed to riding this thing out with him for life, then it's going to fuck with his heart and he can't take another blow to his heart."
The way he looked at me was almost threatening but I wasn't offended. I understood. He had been there with Omiri throughthe worst time in his life. He didn't want to see his best friend experiencing another devastation that he might not survive, like me playing with his emotions.
I wasn’t. I never would. I loved that man with my entire being…
"This isn't about a post or something fun. I said yes because he's mine and I'm his. I don't know how else to explain it other than that. The same way he's going to hold me up, I'm going to hold him down."
"My muthafuckin, G." He grinned and extended a closed fist to me which I met with mine. "Aight, let’s go before he comes looking for you."
I could see Omiri near the water and my heart exploded when I took in the visual of him dressed in all white, holding Avi in his arms. I could see the arrogance in his stance but the way he looked at me was all love. I couldn't stop smiling looking at the set up.
When I asked questions about the service, Shiya told me to mind my business and let her handle things. Looking at how beautiful everything was had my heart full. It was simple with candles in glass cylinders lined up in the sand and an arch where Omiri stood draped in white fabric blowing in the wind.
Everyone was in white and barefoot, with Sierra standing to the left and Shiya and Dedric on the right. The arch was positioned in a heart carved in the sand and lined with stones that looked like glass and reflected the light from the candles. I had no idea how she managed to pull it all together but it was perfect.
"Aight, I had that little talk with her so y’all good," Ryland said as soon as we reached Omiri.
"The fuck did you say to her."
"Nothing except that he loved you and loved me for you." I glanced at Ryland who winked at me then moved to the side where Sierra was standing.
"You good?"
"Yes." He studied my face for a minute then smiled. "You know I'm fucking you in that dress."
"Can you be sweet for five minutes?"
He chuckled. "I can bemeand I know you love that shit."
I do…
"If you're ready…"
We turned to face the woman doing our ceremony. She smiled at both of us and I nodded.
"We're ready."
"The couple has requested to bypass traditional vows." She nodded at Omiri who adjusted Avi in his arms before he began.
"It's wild as hell that we're here right now, but if I'm being real, I wanted you before I even realized I needed you. In one night you had me questioning everything about myself. I was on some pussy shit trying to figure out how to have more of you without damaging my ego but then you shut all that down by dipping on me the next morning." He shook his head, laughing at himself.
"I was mad as hell that you got away but couldn't blame anybody but myself. A year later, we crossed paths again and you had my daughter. I was mad as hell again but for a different reason. Two, honestly. I was pissed because I wanted her before I ever knew I needed her too and I knew having both of you in my life would mean facing my demons. I wasn't ready to do that but I couldn't be your man and her father without being whole. You and Avi make me whole, Kari. They say you shouldn't depend on people to bring you happiness and that you need to find that shit from within because you gotta love yourself. But what they don't tell you is that it still works if the person you loveis a part of you. That's what you are. You and Avi are my heart. My whole fucking heart, so it only makes sense that y’all make me happy andwhole. We're in this, Kari. I promise I'm gonna love you exactly how you need to be loved. I'm gonna protect you and Avi with everything I am. You'll never doubt that I'm yours because I know I'll never have to doubt that you're mine. We're matching energy."
His beautiful, mismatched eyes never left mine when he spoke and I didn't even try to fight the tears that fell.
"Makari." She motioned to me and I choked on a laugh.
"How do I follow that?"
"With your heart, baby. That's all I need." He winked.
I swiped my tears and nodded. I looked at this beautiful man holding our daughter and everything about this moment made sense.
"You've given me everything I didn't know I wanted or needed. You love me loud and you make me feel safe in ways I never even realized were possible. You see all of me, the good, the complicated, the messy parts I try to hide, and you choose me anyway. I promise to trust you when things get crazy and I promise to love you as hard as you love me. We're matching energy."
