Page 89 of Breaking the Rules
THIRTY
Savanhi sat in the corner with Noble’s hand on her belly and her legs thrown across his lap. Areli, Sincere, and Remi were having a dance party the flags a supporting actor. Lawryn left to take a last-minute client, which seemed to happen at the right time because she was minutes away from knocking Sincere out.
“Sooo,” Savanhi softly spoke, rubbing the back of Noble’s neck. “The tea, pour it. I can’t wait.
Noble tiredly laughed. “The tea is that that nigga right there fucked up, and he doesn’t want to acknowledge it. Lawryn did something to him, and he’s going to feel it later.”
“That’s about the same. Lawryn has avoided feelings her entire life, and that flag-wearing fool ushered in some things that she can’t shake off. But. I know my girl, she’s going to find someone else, and Sincere is going to be sick,” Savanhi shared.
“Oh, that nigga is about to be sliding down the wall, wine glass in hand,” Noble spoke with a chuckle. “You ready to put them out? I need to lay up.”
“I want my booty rubbed and you to tell me how good I look carrying your son.” Savanhi yawned. “You put them out, I’m going upstairs. I might be naked depending on how long it takes you.”
She quickly moved from his hold and trotted away.
“Aight, y’all, parties over,” Noble standing up and clapping his hands.
“Dang, he’s putting y’all out,” Areli huffed. “Guess I’ll see ya when I see ya.”
The gender reveal may have ended days ago, but the party wasn’t. He’d found great joy in surprising Savanhi and putting a smile on her face. What he wasn’t expecting her to pull him on him. He’d woken up to a haircut, facial, full brunch, cigars, and bourbon on the back porch, and now he was standing in front of a custom suit.
She’d gotten him flowers. No woman he’d known romantically or otherwise had gotten him flowers, let alone wrote him a card. He read over the words, tears in his eyes, dancing at the brim. His heart full of love. Love he’d prayed for, love he searched for, love he needed. No rules, no pretense, no judgment – just a heart that longed for his as much as his longed for hers.
This was for them to understand; no one else needed to get it.
Noble steadied himself and read the words written so beautifully.
My Noble Knight. My Deucey. My Love.
I know we’ve stayed up many nights lately discussing what we wanted our day to look like. Who we wanted there, and you said over and over again that more than your sister, you wanted your dad to be there. I know you woke up this morning feeling heavy because you didn’t have him. So I made it a point that you celebrate this birthday in spite of.
There is no better day, no better moment than right now to honor him and your request and cement our commitment. No, there won’t be two hundred guests, or our siblings. But it’ll be us, Areli, our friends, and fullness of your father’s spirit.
Dry your eyes. Get dressed. I’ll meet you at the altar.
Savanhi laughed dryly and looked up toward the ceiling. “You really must’ve known what I needed, pops. She’s it. Thank you.”
He dressed, checked himself to make sure he was fly for his bride, and headed downstairs and followed the lit path. No flags, just candles and thoughtfulness. Easels holding white and black portraits of them over the last months together, the sacred moments they snapped of one another. At the altar, a clear bridge over the pool stood the pastor of the church they attended the Sundays he was home. To the right stood Sincere, suited and booted, and he was sure Savanhi whipped him into shape.Though Sincere’s gaze was avoidant of Lawryn’s, he stood there in full support of his friend.
Areli was sitting on Ms. Patsy’s lap, next to Remi and a portrait of his father. Noble’s steps faltered as he took it in. Savanhi had spared no detail. No connection. Nothing. He stopped at Ms. Patsy and hugged her.
“Thank you for coming,” he shared.
“I wouldn’t miss this. That’s a hell of a woman you got up there. You know she brought Areli to me every Wednesday. We went out, had lunch did all of the things. Your father is happy you got someone to love you the way you love.” Ms. Patsy stood and pinned a ruby pendant on the lapel of his suit. “A gift from your dad. I’ve been holding on to it, figured this moment is a good as any to pin it back on a Noble man.”
Noble kissed her cheek and hugged her warmly. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. He’s proud of you.”
He released her and then hugged and kissed Areli. “Love you babygirl.”
“Sassy wants you to have this.” Areli handed him the envelope and then whispered, “I put glitter on it. Open it, it’s from pappy.”
“I bet you did,” Noble laughed, opening the envelope, and a pile of pink glitter fell out.
He hummed, tapping the letter against the palm of his hand, and read over his father’s handwriting.
Deuce –
