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. . .

A magical energy clipped the air. Magic that didn’t beg to be noticed but pulled at your soul anyway.

That late spring light poured in through floor-to-ceiling windows of the venue, draping the room in gold.

The ceremony space had been transformed.

Somewhere between dreamy and grounded. Yellow brick aisle.

Emerald accents. Red poppies stitched onto soft white cloth napkins.

The altar was framed with oversized flowers and a glowing sign that read, There’s no place like home.

The Wizard of Oz theme was done tastefully, layered in symbolism. It meant something to Malik and Aku. It had been a part of their journey.

In the bridal suite down the hall, time was standing still. Noodle was fixing the back of Aku’s veil, her hands slow and careful. Her own belly had just started to show and she was already glowing, even in the soft rose bridesmaid dress that made her roll her eyes earlier in the mirror.

Little Lunar kissed his teeth. “I still don’t know how I let you convince me to be your Grooms maid.” He was in a tux the same soft rose of the bridesmaids dresses.

Aku rolled her eyes. “But you did it. Plus, you my bestest man…I love you so much cousin.”

“I love your spoiled ass too,” Lunar smiled, placing a kiss on her head.

Ahvi was adjusting Aku’s bouquet, pressing tissues into her hand between deep breaths. “Aww,” she cooed.

They weren’t married yet, but planning had started.

“You okay?” Noodle asked, looking up at Aku through the mirror.

“I don’t know,” Aku whispered, her hand brushing her bump.

She turned toward the door where French stood, already wiping his eyes, the emerald green suit clinging to him like it was made for this moment. His posture was perfect. His energy was strong. But his eyes were soft as hell. “You look like your mama when she married me.”

Aku’s lip trembled. “I can’t cry no more, Daddy.”

“You can,” he nodded. “You just gon’ look pretty doing it.”

They all laughed.

French took her hands gently, then glanced at Noodle and Ahvi. “Give us a second?”

The girls and Lunar stepped out, whispering and wiping their faces.

French looked at his daughter, then placed both hands on her cheeks. “I ain’t gon’ lie. I still don’t know how I feel ‘bout all this.”

Aku raised her brows, already knowing where he was going. “I know, Daddy.”

“But that nigga love you,” he smiled, eyes still a little sad. He wasn’t ready to let his little girl go. “If I had to pick somebody to hold you down…it would be him. I see it now. I see what y’all got.”

“I love him too,” she said, her voice cracking.

“I know.”

They hugged tight. Her stomach pressed between them.

“You ready?” he asked.

“No,” she whispered.

He laughed a little. “Me neither but he might shoot this shit up if you don’t come out.”

“He will,” Aku laughed, still wiping her face.

Malik stood tall at the altar, hand slightly trembling, his crisp cream tux jacket hitting just right over a black turtleneck.

A black rose was pinned to his chest. His braids were neat and clean.

His chain sat under his collar, but you could still see it peeking through just enough to remind the world who he was.

The music started. Higher by Nipsey. Bu walked behind Pharoah’s chair, which rolled with ease down the yellow brick road. They were Malik’s best men. Bu was in a clean cream suit, that fit him like a second skin. Of course, Pharoah’s tux was navy blue, still in theme, but paying homage to Crescent.

Pharoah’s face was calm, but his hands were shaking a little on the arms of his chair.

The room stood as they made their way down. People whispered his name. Not because of pity—but because it was beautiful.

He was there…Alive…Honored.

He and Bu stood proudly beside Malik, two anchors in his life—one of blood, one of pain, both of love.

Malik’s eyes scanned the crowd. It was packed with faces he’d known since forever.

His Mama, Myesa, was already dabbing her eyes in the front row.

Anthony, his Daddy, was standing tall beside her in an ice-gray suit with a velvet lapel and Air Force 1s so white they looked blessed.

Gran Betty had tears rolling down her face too.

She was so happy her boy was out the hood and living good.

Solar sat in the front row already crying, fanning herself slowly with her wedding program. The whole family was beside her - Luna, Javen, Tiny, Mav, Qamar, Siasia, Stephanie, and Griff. Pimp was also in attendance with Devonte.

Malik turned back toward the aisle and pulled in a breath just as the song started. Perfect Duet by Ed Sheeran and Beyonce was the perfect song for their union.

I found a love for me. Oh, darling just dive right in, follow my lead.

Aku was beyond stunning.

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 on them.

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…This real. ” 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.

When they turned to face their people, hand in hand, two lives now forever tied, Noodle whispered through her tears to Ahvi, “She really found her yellow brick road.”

Beside them, Pharaoh whispered, “You… made it… cuh… now run.”