Page 93 of Here Comes the Judge

In her purple chiffon gown, paired with a diamond necklace and ring, she looked amazing. Iris took her aunt in a tight embrace and smelled her signature scent: Victoria’s Secret Bombshell perfume. Such comfort it gave her.

“You look so pretty, Auntie.”

“Thank you, baby.”

Rap music played as they all chatted, the feeling of joy palpable.

Ayanna approached in a long purple satin gown and small diamond stud earrings. Iris reached for her and hugged her, too. Mama was outside, but at the moment, Iris couldn’t see her.Where’d she go?

As if reading her mind, Aunt Blue said, “Your mama is talking to Jude’s aunt, and some other folks that came down from New Jersey. He has a big family, just like ours I see.”

“Yes, he does. They’re spread out. I was wondering where she drifted off to.”

Iris looked around at everyone. Her friends she’d known since childhood stood clustered together, happily chatting. They were all wearing the necklaces she’d gifted them—diamond heart-shaped pendants. Lark, her maid of honor, was sitting with her daughter, Tonya, both dressed in beautiful purple knee-length gowns.

Just then, the wedding coordinator approached with Mama in tow.

“Okay, ladies, it’s time! We’re getting this show on the road.” The tall Black woman with long reddish-blond braids looked well put together in a purple blazer.

When Kane Brown’s ‘Good As You’ started to play, that was their cue. Everyone except Aunt Blue, Mama, and Iris gathered at the front door of the cabin and exited as each groomsman approached. Jude knew far too many people, but at times like this, it came in handy. Mama and Aunt Blue coasted outside, talking and laughing right in front of the closed door.

Iris glanced at the fireplace where a small fire blazed inside, warming the cabin and making it smell so good. When she looked ahead again, she dabbed at her eyes holding her tears when she saw Lily being escorted to her seat in the distance, looking healthy and beautiful in a dark purple gown, her thick, curly hair in an elegant bun bound with a purple ribbon. Iris’ heart thumped a million beats a second at the sight. She hadn’t seen her sister in months as they only spoke via phone and email. That was Aunt Blue and Mama’s surprise! Both women turned to catch her gaze through the window, smiling.They said they had something special for me.A tear came down her face, then another.

The male singer they’d hired was now belting out ‘Hurricane,’ by Luke Combs.

The door opened. Lark’s daughter was standing there, looking as pretty as can be with her long blond tresses and big blue eyes.

“Ms. Iris, that man wanted me to give you this.”

Tonya reached up, a folded piece of notebook paper in hand.

“Oh, okay. Thank you, baby.” Iris took the note from the child, who then promptly turned around and raced away. Iris slowly closed the cabin door, staying close to that window, and unfolded the note…

Iris,

I know it may be a surprise to you to receive this letter. Your man doesn’t write letters. This is what vows are for, right? But I wanted to make sure you know you’re the best thing to ever happen to me. I don’t scare easily, but this morning, as I write this, I’m shaking in my boots, honey. I got out the shower and stood there, butt naked, trembling. I wasn’t cold. I was petrified. Please don’t get me wrong. I want to marry you more than anything in this world. I am in this for the long haul. I’ve never loved a woman as much as I love you.

I feel confident about how I conducted my business. I was good at something most people felt I shouldn’t be doing. I know how to run my beer distillery, but when it comes to love, a different kind of business altogether, some parts of it are still a mystery to me. I’ve learned how to let you get close to me and love me, because I wanted you so badly.

Something inside of me always wanted to settle down and get married one day, but I denied that feeling because I also always figured I wasn’t marriage material. And then you came into my life. I’m sorry for any hurt any other man caused you. I’m sorry for any pain I might cause you in the future, but please understand, my heart for you is pure. Iris, I would never do anything to try to harm you, make you feel uneasy, or not trust me. I’m your protector. I want you to always feel safe and secure with me. There is nothing you could do or say to make me stop loving you. You’re everything I hoped and prayed for. I know they say to not do this, but I can’t help it. I put you on a pedestal. The first time I saw you, you blew my mind with your beauty and kindness. I had no idea that was just the tip of the iceberg. I’m not ashamed of who I am as a man. I’m not embarrassed about anything I’ve done, because it made me who I am today, but I care about how I move going forward.

I would move mountains, heaven and hell to make sure my wife-to-be and unborn child are safe and sound. Always. Please understand though, baby, I’ll kill anyone who causes you any harm whatsoever. I am who I am, Iris, and there are rules in this world that were taught to my granddaddy, my father, and Cain and me. You may not completely understand this, you’re not from my world, but my family which is you, my seed growing within you, my brothers, and Ayanna now, too, are to never be messed with. If that ever happens, I will have to address it. I’m sorry if that upsets you, but we have to accept each other for who we are, not who we wish the other person was.

You’re a real good person, Iris. Good soul. God-fearing. Loving. Funny. You come from a good family. You have drive, and you are courageous. You’re beautiful, from head to toe. You’re the mother of my son, who is soon to enter the world. You and Eli have taught me what love is, and how to show it. Loving someone hurts. At least, that’s what I saw as a kid. It seemed that whenever I saw two people loving each other, it ended badly. My parents died. They were love birds until they drew their last breath. I loved my uncle, and he hurt us. I loved my grandmother and grandfather, but he died when I was little, and she died eventually, too. Death is a part of life, yet it seemed whenever I witnessed love in motion, it was gone too fast for me to watch how it was supposed to be done. I didn’t know how to love, and I damn sure didn’t know how to preserve it.

I never had an example of two people falling in love, and it lasting forever. You, on the other hand, love freely and lead by example. You make people earn your love, but you love with all that is in you. I came after you because I knew I needed you in my life. I wanted to make love to you, and make a life with you, too.

I didn’t want to talk about this in front of everyone else today, you know how private I am, so I wrote you this note instead. Thank you for loving me, Iris. Thank you for giving me a chance and putting your prejudices aside. Had you not, we both would’ve missed out on this amazing love affair. Thank you for reminding me that I might be the Judge in Nashville, Tennessee, but there’s only one God, and He’s the judge of the entire universe. He’s a million times more powerful than me. He did something I couldn’t—He made perfection: YOU.

I love you, baby. I’m waiting for you at the end of the aisle. See you soon.

Your husband,

Jude Cooper

She blinked back tears as the singer finished up another song, and the coordinator asked everyone to rise. Tucking the note away inside her cleavage, she waited for Aunt Blue and Mama to come back inside of the cabin. They arrived and stood on either side of her, helping to lead the way. Down the aisle they went, everyone looking on, smiling and taking pictures as Alicia Keys, ‘Fallin’’ played. When she reached the row where Lily and Ayanna sat, Iris broke away from her mother and aunt, and grabbed the woman in her arms, squeezing her tight.

“My beautiful sister is gettin’ married, y’all!!!” Lily cried.

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