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“He did this by hand? This wasn’t computer generated?” Her friend Arlene questioned, suspiciousness in her gaze and tone.

“…He hates computer generated art,” she managed despite her overwhelm. “Kage does all of his illustrations by hand.”

“Looks just like you… look at all that detail!” Simone added. People continued to admire the work, and then Aunt Huni entered the shed. Everyone began to fawn over the lady.

“Ohhh, Aunt Huni! You look beautiful!”

The woman had wanted to prepare a special dish for the reception, so she left from the farmhouse later than Poet and was brought over in the limo. There she stood in a long, satin purple dress. Her hair was pinned into a lovely updo, and her makeup was soft, and understated.

“I look nice, huh?” The woman nodded, fishing for more compliments.

People laughed and agreed with her. After a minute or two, she cleared her throat and said that they all needed to come outside, including Poet.

She mentioned that a handsome man named Roman told her that the coordinator asked him to let the ladies know to be on standby.

Just then, Coldplay’s, ‘The Scientist’ began to play. Her sign to batten down the hatches, and go get her man…

Minutes later, she waited by the back of the shed as one by one, the bridesmaids disappeared with one of Kage’s cousins down the cream runner covered in wildflowers.

She was given strict instructions to not show her face, or come from behind the shed until given the signal.

She listened to Pastor Clarke, Aunt Huni’s church minister, speak.

The middle-aged man made some quips here and there, and then more music began to play.

Her nerves gathered and dug at each other, causing heat to crawl up the back of her neck at the realization that this was really happening.

This was a day she’d planned with Kage for months, though there were some aspects she wasn’t privy to.

She hated surprises, and he knew that, but Kage had insisted on a couple unknown ‘occurrences’ for their special day.

Clutching her bouquet, a mixture of white and lilac hydrangeas, peonies, roses and sweet peas, she closed her eyes, pushing the expectant tears back as ‘Let Her Go,’ by Passenger, started to play.

She moved slowly from behind the shed, and was met with the sight of people standing, their eyes glued on her.

The videographer spun around and captured her with his camera.

She blinked several times. So many people… so many smiles…

Pastor Clarke, Kage, and all of his groomsmen seemed so far away.

She took a step, then another, until she managed fluid, natural movements. She paused and removed one of the flowers from her bouquet, then tossed it in the air and let it land on the runner.

“…That flower is for Poet’s mother, Dominique, thanking her for the ultimate sacrifice…

” Pastor Clarke announced. She plucked another one and did the same.

“…That flower is for Poet’s father, Mitchell, thanking him for giving her life…

That flower is for Kage’s father, Kane, thanking him for giving him life… ”

The music continued on, and then, when she was right in the middle of the aisle, she paused once more.

People looked at her, some appearing confused at her sudden halt.

Kage towered over everyone like a beacon of light and strength, dressed in a cream suit with a green tie, and his fingers covered in jewels.

On his feet were a pair of cream and green Preston Leather and Jacquard wingtip dress shoes.

His lush beard and sideburns were perfectly tapered.

His hair was shaved low on one side, and parted to perfection.

A swoop of long blond and silver hair hung over his face, partially covering his right eye.

Kage left Pastor Clarke’s side, just as they’d rehearsed, and approached her as the song changed to ‘Say You Won’t Let Go,’ by James Arthur. Pastor Clarke spoke into the microphone, loud and clear…

“This bride has done an excellent job walking in the path that God has chosen for her. The valleys, the mountains, and the smooth, even terrain. Today, she no longer has to walk it alone. Her groom has come to walk with her, side by side, down this aisle, and for the rest of her days!”

People exploded in applause—some began crying amongst the cheering.

When Kage reached her, he caressed the side of her face, then blew her a kiss before snatching her hand and holding it tight.

At his touch, she broke down. The tears began and she was rooted to the spot, then he picked her up in his arms. Their guests went crazy as he held her tight, spinning her from side to side.

Then, he placed her back on her feet and looked deeply into her eyes—it was obvious he was resisting the urge to kiss her, for his gaze drifted to her lips.

He took her hand once more and abruptly turned away, but she got a glimpse of tears streaming down his cheeks.

He paused once again, forcing her to stop walking, too.

He had the most beautiful smile she’d ever seen spread across his handsome face.

Leaning close, he said, “Nothin’ can stop us now.

” She squeezed his hand as they arrived below the archway, standing side by side in front of the minister.

The pastor introduced them to their guests, sharing a bit about their lives, and how they’d met.

Then they began their libation ceremony.

Ginuwine’s, ‘Differences’ now played. Kage took a shiny golden chalice from his mother—Sarah had come forth from the front row and handed it to him.

Hand in hand, they kneeled at the river on thick, satin pillows, as if in prayer.

Kage dipped the cup into the river water and took a sip, then handed it to her.

The pastor began to explain, “This ritual represents the African and African American ancestors. Kage is now a part of Poet’s family, and she is a part of his.

We all come from water.” She sipped from the cup, too, and then Kage helped her get back on her feet.

They walked over to the nearest tree—a beautiful Magnolia draped in purple, cream and green, and poured the rest of the water over the roots.

“What goes in, must come out. As a husband gives to his wife, his wife makes something better. The water will help sustain the tree, which gives life to new plants, shade, and bears fruit. The ancestors’ sacrifices continue to give and supply new vivacity. ”

Once the cup was empty, Kage handed it back to his mother, then they stood before the minister once again.

“Today symbolizes the jubilant event of two kindred spirits marrying in harmonious alliance. Through an eternal joining forged by their promise to each other, these two people are excited to unite their lives. Today, these soulmates come together with an affirmation of friendship, adoration, and love as they become one. Do you, Poet, take this person, Kage, to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“Do you, Kage, take this person to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“Guests, Kage and Poet each wish to extend their vows, and share special words with one another. Poet, would you like to begin?”

She nodded, cleared her throat, then took his hands in hers.

“Kage, you are a resilient and persistent man. You said that you were going to get me, make me yours, and you did.” There was a bit of laughter from the crowd as she smiled at him, and he smiled back.

“I wanted to find someone special to spend the rest of my life with, and God handed me you. Getting to know you was an adventure. I discovered that you are so much more than most people could ever know. Falling in love with you, has been… a dream come true for me.” She sniffed.

“You showed me that I’m stronger than I believed myself to be.

” He blinked back tears as he looked at her, pulling at her heart.

“You proved that real men still exist, and you showed me that no matter how tough you are, you were more than willing to be gentle and kind with me, but also honest and strong, when needed.

“You were not only my boyfriend, then fiancé, and now soon to be my husband, you’ve also become my best friend.

You’ve taught me so many things… everything from the best fishing lures to use to catch bass, all the way to showin’ me how to not be as concerned about the things that don’t matter, when just my opinion will suffice.

We’ve both had our shares of sorrows and disappointments in life, but once you came into my world, you proved that the sun would shine again.

My sunshine just happened to be six foot seven and covered in tattoos.

” Pockets of laughter erupted, including from Kage.

“Kage, I love you.” Her voice trembled. “I loved you yesterday, I love you today, and I’ll love you even more tomorrow. ”

She glanced at the crowd and saw her Aunt Huni blinking quite a bit, her face flushed. Sarah sat with several of her close friends and some other members of the Wilde family, including Kage’s aunts, uncles, and cousins, crying her eyes out.

“That was beautiful, Poet. Kage, would you like to begin?”

Kage nodded, then turned towards his cousin Phoenix. Phoenix bent down and opened a wooden box. He removed a bird’s glove. Kage took it from him, slipped it on, and began to whistle.

“Everyone, please don’t make any loud noises,” the pastor advised. “Just watch.”

People looked around, some seeming rather bewildered, and then, in the sky soared a falcon that flew straight towards Kage, landing on his arm. Guests murmured praises in astonishment.