Page 17

I gasped when my favorite makeup artist to work with spun me around so I could see myself in the mirror.

“You never fail me, Paige,” I complimented her on her work. I fanned myself, trying to calm the waters trying to cascade down my cheeks.

Paige grinned proudly. “My work is easy to do because of how naturally pretty you are. I’m so excited for you.”

I smiled. I had worked with Paige a lot over the years.

I wouldn’t call us friends, but we had a great stylist and client relationship.

She knew what she’d done today would be my bridal makeup.

She’d been sworn to secrecy just like the other two people who knew—Vari and Jah.

It felt right to only have our best friends there as our witnesses.

My mama was going to curse me out when she found out, but I figured one secret for her to keep was enough.

After we agreed to elope, I went out to buy my dress the next day, and Kinga went searching for his tuxedo.

We made our choice on Sunday, and today was Wednesday, our wedding day.

I woke up feeling so excited about marrying the love of my life.

I hadn’t seen him yet, but when he called me a few hours ago, I could feel his joy through his voice.

Vari walked into the room just as I stood from my seat.

“Oh my God…” His voice cracked. I watched his hand cover his mouth as he stared at me in awe. “That man is going to bawl his eyes out when he sees you.”

I grinned shyly. “He won’t be the only one crying. I can’t believe we’re getting married.”

Paige began to clean up her things while I went to stand in the full-length mirror.

“I can,” Vari replied while closing the distance between us. He came to stand behind me, looking handsome in the black tuxedo he was wearing for the special occasion.

“I told you Kinga was in love with you. He knew what he wanted and didn’t stop until he got it… until he got you.”

He straightened out my veil for me. I took a deep breath then released it slowly. My hair was styled in a high ponytail that flowed in beautiful curls down my back. My stylist had added these tiny rhinestones that really elevated the look.

My dress was a fitted mermaid dress with floral embroidery until it flared out in white tulle at the bottom.

Even though we were eloping, Kinga insisted on buying the perfect dress for me no matter the cost. I had to get it tailored because of my pregnant belly, but the designer, IliAnn, happened to be in town and willing to work with our time clock.

Nick entered the room and began circling me to gather footage for our wedding.

Since he was here, that meant Kinga was on his way to the courthouse with Jah.

I wished I could have a glass of champagne to celebrate but had to settle for sparkling cider instead.

After pouring a glass for me, Vari returned to my side with an envelope in hand.

“From your man.” He winked then handed it off.

I peeled the envelope open to find a letter written by Kinga. My heart fluttered as I began to read what he had to say.

Charmony… I can’t wait to marry you. See you at the courthouse in a few, baby.

Xoxo, Kianis Kinga

I held the envelope to my chest. Turning to Vari, I said, “I’m ready to marry the man of my dreams.”

We arrived at the courthouse half an hour later.

Vari held my hand to help me inside. All I could hear was my thumping heart.

My every inhale intoxicated me with excitement until we were right outside of the doors.

I caught the trail of Kianis’s Sanctuary cologne and nearly started to drool.

The hints of vanilla comforted me. If I had any nerves, they would’ve been gone in that moment.

I knew that scent was going to lead me right where I needed to be—in Kianis’ arms.

The doors were pulled open a minute later.

“All My Life” by K-Ci & JoJo began to play, setting the mood.

I lifted my eyes and collided with Kianis standing by the altar waiting for me.

He was thoughtful enough to have a red carpet laid out for me to walk down.

There were tea lights on each side of the aisle, and it was covered in rose petals.

Vari handed me my bouquet, and I squeezed it to my chest. My breaths came out in short spurts as he walked me closer to my forever. My eyes were watering so badly I knew I didn’t have long before my tears started to fall. I sighed in relief when I finally made it in front of him.

He straightened his shoulders and lifted his head despite his tears. He smiled at me and shook his head.

“You’re fucking perfect, Charm.”

“So are you,” I whispered choppily.

Our officiator began our ceremony moments later. I couldn’t take my eyes off Kianis. He couldn’t take his eyes off me either. I felt the tether between us grow brighter and stronger by the second. To know I would never have to do life without him brought my soul joy.

When it was time for us to say our vows, Kianis went first.

“I don’t have much to say but that I love you with everything in me.

Having you in my life has completed me. With every breath in my lungs, I will be the man you deserve, the man who keeps a smile on your face, the man who would sacrifice anything in this world to have you.

With you is where I want to be. It’s where I belong.

I knew from the first time I saw you that you were special.

Even though you were mean, I knew you were worth the fight. ”

I smiled, remembering the day we officially met at Maison du Soleil. He placed a comforting hand on my belly.

“I’m going to love you through any and all storms. You are my heart, my rib, my life. You and my son are proof of God’s favor over me.”

It was hard to hold it together hearing him confess his love with so much passion in his voice and desire burning in his eyes. I tucked my bottom lip, believing every word of his honeyed confession. It was sweet like honey and wrapped my heart in a vice grip, refusing to release me anytime soon.

“When I was a young boy, I would go to the basketball court and shoot for hours whenever my parents argued. Even if I had school the next day, I’d be out there all night perfecting my shot.

That’s how I became a perfect shooter. Until I met you, I didn’t believe in true love.

I only knew toxicity, infidelity, and unhappiness. You introduced me to a whole new world.

With this ring, I promise to love you through sickness and health, through richer or poorer, through the good and the bad.

” His voice cracked, so he rushed to finish.

“Thank you for loving me, Charmony. My life is better with you in it. You’re my good luck charm simply because you exist. If I have you, I know I will always win in life.

I also want to let it be known I will crash the fuck out about you, too.

Anybody can get it. On God, my hands can be bisexual, too. ”

Giggling softly, I believed every word. I nodded slowly, wanting nothing more than to crash into him, but there would be time for that. Now, it was my turn to share my heart with him, and I held nothing back.

“When I ran into you in Maison du Soleil, you couldn’t convince me that you didn’t just want to have sex with me.”

He cracked a grin knowing what I said was true.

“I am so happy you didn’t give up on me. After having so many public relationships that failed, I thought love wasn’t for me. Then you came along, packaged as everything I thought I’d already experienced. Thank God I was wrong about you.

You are the greatest thing to happen to me.

You see me in a way no one else has. When I’m with you, I never have to use my brain.

You cater to me with tenderness and go out your way to make sure I can feel your love.

Even if you’re thousands of miles away at a game, you prioritize me.

I appreciate that so much. I appreciate all the effort you put into preparing for our son’s birth. ”

I couldn’t hold them in anymore. My tears began to fall rapidly. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to gather myself. When I felt more in control of the love gushing out of me, I opened them to find Kianis looking so perfect. I reached out and ran my finger along his tattoo.

“You are a great man, and I wish more people could see it. To have you by my side makes this life that much more enjoyable. I can’t wait to travel the world with you, making more children to shower in our love.

I can’t wait to be waiting at home with a meal to satisfy you after a long day of work.

I can’t wait to celebrate your wins and losses, being whatever you need in the moment to know you’re not alone.

I will continue to show up as your good luck charm, your prayer warrior when needed, your cuddle buddy, and best friend.

I love you too, Kianis. You complete me too. ”

The officiator told us it was time to exchange rings.

When I turned to Vari, my friend was in shambles.

I chuckled softly, squeezing his hand as he handed Kinga’s ring off to me.

Turning back around to face my love, I allowed him to place my ring on my finger.

I did the same for him, realizing how official this made things.

The use of the word husband and wife was no longer a joke. It was a fact.

“By the power vested in me by the state of South Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

The officiator barely had the words out before Kinga was crashing his lips into mine. Sparks exploded all around us, and I had to hold on to his tuxedo jacket to balance myself. His love cocooned itself around me, creating a bubble of safety.

When we separated, all I could see was Kianis.

“I love you.”

“I love you more,” I replied with a grin.

“We’re married!” Kianis shouted excitedly. We turned to our best friends, feeling like nothing could tear us apart.

We left the chapel and headed outside for photos. Kianis wouldn’t leave my side, and I was perfectly okay with that. As his arms wrapped around my waist, we stared into each other’s eyes, completely forgetting about the photoshoot.

“This is the best day of my life.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I smiled shyly. “Mine too.”

He stroked a finger down the side of my face. “Perfect… No one could ever replace you, Charmony. You have my whole heart.”

I smiled up at him. “You can trust me with it.”

He smiled back. “I know. That’s why I feel so confident about having you as my wife. I can’t believe, out of all the men on this earth, God chose me to love you. It’s the greatest gift he could’ve given me. I get to start a family with the woman of my dreams.”

His words settled into my spirit, making sure I knew this was what he wanted more than anything in the world.

I don’t know how long we stood there just entangled in one another’s gaze, reflecting the love, affection, and admiration we held for each other back and forth, watching fireworks explode in the depths of our eyes.

I felt whole in that moment, 100 percent satisfied and confident in the man standing before me.

Being away from him wasn’t an option. So, when we naturally began to drift toward each other like magnets, I didn’t fight it.

I allowed myself to sink into it. To fill me up with all the goodness of the universe.

And when his lips landed on mine, my eyes fluttered closed to savor every second of our kiss.

Nothing would ever be better than genuine and authentic love.

I could only thank God that I got to experience it in my lifetime because it was the most expensive commodity to exist.