Page 32 of Defending the Post (The Complexity of Love #3)

Trophy Ceremony

Two Years Later

Erin

“ A re you sure about this?” I asked Marquise as I pulled on his hands to pause his steps. He pulled me to him, wrapping his long arms around my waist.

“Yes, I’m sure. Erin, you are my everything.”

I scanned the red and white chapel with two hearts hoisted on top. I pursed my lips at the flashing lights and the fake green grass outside the door.

“This place has so many memories,” Malcolm said as he stood next to us in the parking lot.

“I would love to remember them. Care to share the tape?” Jhae asked.

Malcolm and Marquise broke into a hard laugh as Jhae rolled her eyes.

Before he secured another championship trophy last night, he asked me to marry him.

I cried away the light makeup on my face as I accepted mid-court.

What I didn’t know was that Marquise meant right now.

We boarded the jet last night after the game.

“Strong marriages are made here,” Malcolm said, as he trailed behind us.

“With the help of therapy,” Jhae murmured.

Inside the chapel was as dated as the outside, with its red worn carpet and white columns. On the wall were stock photos of happy couples in worn picture frames.

“We will plan the wedding of your dreams, but this is more a rite of passage. Consider it the pre-wedding,” Marquise said, and I chuckled.

“Since you did such a good job with my wedding, I’m going to plan yours,” Jhae said and I paused my steps.

She had a beautiful ceremony, but it nearly killed me after she made last-minute changes mid-tour. I begged and bribed the wedding planner not to quit.

“I think I can manage,” I said, as she passed me a fake bouquet.

We entered the poorly decorated red and white chapel with hearts dangling from the ceiling and red seating.

I knew my parents would be upset but Marquise and I made a vow to do things our way.

As Dr. June would say—we are a family unit.

Later, we could have the celebrity style wedding, but we had always planned to elope.

Mom would understand, she called Marquise more than me, but the Pastor would need some coaching.

“Where is the officiant?” I questioned.

“You’re looking at him,” Malcolm said and motioned us forward. “I got ordained for this special moment.”

After we all cackled, I placed my hands inside Marquise’s. “This is perfect, baby,” I said before Malcolm pulled out his book.

“Dearly beloved,” he said, and I held Marquise’s hand tighter.

Marquise

Two weeks later

“I’m ready.”

Malcolm and I turned around to face Toni. The photographer’s camera flashed, capturing our first look at the bride. She fanned her eyes as we both smiled in approval.

“Beautiful, but this is not the dress I agreed to. It’s too tight,” I expressed.

The white mermaid style dress showed too much of her figure. She rolled her eyes as she took her position between Malcolm and me.

“Momma T, it didn’t fit this snug in the bridal shop,” Malcolm followed.

Picking her dress should have been a TV show. Every dress the women voted for, we turned down because they were too tight. I tried to warn her about women wearing tight clothing.

“Exactly,” I said.

Toni shook her head as a light giggle departed her lips. It took combined therapy sessions, but we’re on the right track.

“I didn’t agree to you getting married either,” Malcolm said, and she gave a light sigh.

“You two are overprotective, but I love you both. You promised you would try,” she said to Malcolm, and I cackled.

My brother was still salty about her marrying Caleb, and he didn’t hide it. He scoffed at the mention of the man’s name. What’s baffling was he had no logical reason for his dislike. Pops had to pull him to the side a few times.

The coordinator motioned for us to move forward, and we walked Toni down the aisle to Caleb. He stood teary-eyed, with my Pops standing next to him. The blue ocean behind them served as the perfect background.

“You know the liquor is free,” an older man said after he tapped my arm.

He gave me a warm smile as he peered over his glasses. I shook my head as if he gave me insider information. Everything in the venue was free to them because Malcolm and I covered the wedding.

I smiled back and listened to him order two additional drinks. The only people I recognized from Toni’s side of the family were her father and brother. Everyone else either confused me with Malcolm or called me Basketball .

“Your drink,” the bartender said, and I secured Erin’s club soda with a cherry. On my way back to our table, I took in the family atmosphere and peace settled within me. My wife sat next to Jhae and chair-danced to the music.

“Thank you, baby,” she said after I handed her the drink.

I locked in on Toni and Caleb swaying slower than the music.

I understood the joy of being with the one .

Erin walked through hell with me as I balanced basketball and therapy.

I still didn’t deserve the love she gave me every day.

On occasions, I did something to piss her off to keep the relationship spicy.

Once Toni came back from her honeymoon in Cabo, I would spring the news on the family.

I figured they needed something to keep their blood pressure up.

Malcolm snapping his fingers caught my attention. I followed his hand’s motioning at our parents, trying to sneak off. We both waved them back to the dance floor and Pops dismissed us. They were too old to sneak off on the beach.

“Leave them alone,” Erin said, tapping my arm.

“You gon help them dig sand from their private parts?” Malcolm asked, and the women laughed.

Erin shook her head at my attempts to babysit my parents.

I know it’s my trauma, but they get out of control sometimes and forget they have children.

The DJ changed the song to “Golden Heart,” and Malcolm extended his hand to Jhae.

She trailed him to the dance floor as Erin awed.

I lifted Erin’s arm and moved her to my lap.

She draped her legs in between mine and rested against me.

“When are we going to tell them about the baby?” she whispered in my ear.

I reversed my vasectomy the second year into our dating and a few weeks ago, the doctor confirmed we were expecting. After talking with Dr. June, I realized I did want children, but I allowed my fear of Winston to deny me the opportunity. With the support of Erin, the doctor was able to reverse it.

“Let’s wait until we announce our marriage. I only have one opportunity to give all three of my parents a heart attack at one time,” I said before I kissed my wife.