Page 81 of Surrender

“Thank you, Daddy. And thank you for giving me this.”

“You deserved this, Kachelle. You and Jacob proved us all wrong. I’m so sorry you even had to do that. I love you so much. All I want is your happiness.”

“I have it. I have life, health, a successful business, my family, my baby, and I get to marry the love of my life all over again. There is nothing else I need.”

I meant that. Nothing else in this world would ever compare to the life I was living right now. I knew that with love and faith, we would continue to live in the blessings bestowed.

JACOB

“Can somebody bring me my baby?” I yelled down the hall.

I wasn’t sure why I was so damn nervous. I was already married to this woman, yet my stomach was in knots. I think it was the fact that this time around, everything was perfect. There was no drama. No opposition. Nothing that went wrong the first time would go wrong this time.

The door opened, and my father walked in with Jayelle. My nerves immediately calmed when I took her in my arms.

“Hey, Daddy’s princess,” I said, bouncing her. “I just needed some of your good energy.”

I kissed her chubby cheeks as she gripped my beard. Jayelle Simone Mitchell was my heart and soul. Her birth further confirmed everything I knew about true, unconditional love. It was one thing to care for her and Kachelle while she carried her. It was another to care for her in the flesh. She was the purest form of the love my wife and I shared.

The day she was born was my completion as a man. I was a provider. A protector. A husband. A father. Those were titles I took very seriously. Baby girl was spoiled already. She was going to be a mini version of her Aunt Jessa. With my baby was the softest I’d ever seen that girl. She and Myra were always fighting over who got to hold her first when they came over.

And then there were her grandparents. They did the most, and we just let them. It was safe to say that Jayelle was surrounded by love. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Life was good. Aside from family life being on the up and up, my career was soaring to new heights. I released my first romance novel, and it hit number one on the charts. It was a love story based loosely on my own. When I brought the idea to Kachelle, she told me it would be a bestseller. Lo and behold, it was.

“You good now?” my father asked. “Your sister said you were in here pacing when she left.” He chuckled. “Why are you nervous about marrying your wife?”

“Your daughter talks too much.”

“Keep it real with me, Jacob.”

I sighed as I took a seat. “Everything is perfect this time around, Dad. It’s a little scary.”

He took a seat next to me. “This is how it should have been the first time. There’s no gimmick. Nothing is waiting around to pop off. This is just you and Kachelle getting the wedding you deserve. Don’t get me wrong, the first one was beautiful. But this one is more personal. It’s a chance to relish in the love that has grown between you two. You didn’t have a traditional journey, but it’s been beautiful for the most part. You deserve to celebrate that. You got your vows?”

“I didn’t write vows. I’ll know what to say when I see her.”

He smiled. “My boy. That was me with your mother. The words came with ease.”

There was a knock on the door, and Somya stepped in.

“Gentlemen… it’s time. Your bride is absolutely stunning, Mr. Mitchell.”

I blew out a breath as I stood and handed Jayelle to my dad.

“I’m ready.”

I followed him out of my office, and then we both followed Somya to the back patio door. Jess and Omar, Ebony’s husband, were already waiting. Somya, Dad, and my baby headed out while we waited for our cues.

“Second time’s the charm,” Jess said, squeezing my shoulders. “Make sure you two keep it down when you leave us to consummate.”

I laughed as I playfully shoved her. “Shut up, Jess.”

The music started up. The door opened, and Somya waved Jessa and Omar out. I took several deep breaths. Before I knew it, the door opened again, and it was time for me to make my entrance. I stepped out onto the patio and followed the flower-lined path up to the altar, and took my place.

Looking out at the smiling faces of our loved ones, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Soon, my love would be in my arms. My entrance music faded out, and the next song started. Ebony and Jessa made their way down the aisle and took their places. Then came Barkly and Pawly happily trotting toward the altar with their little bow ties carrying the rings. A bout of laughter and awwws went up from the small crowd. Of course, they had to stop and sniff or be petted before they reached their destination at my feet. With the command, they sat patiently.

The sound of “What About Love?” from the new Color Purple soundtrack started, and everyone stood to their feet. My baby was obsessed with the movie and that song, in particular. When she appeared at the end of the aisle with her father, I smiled. She looked so happy and so damn beautiful in that strapless, silky wedding dress that hugged her every curve. Her natural curls blew softly in the wind as the tiara from her veil sparkled brightly.

The closer she got to me, the wider my smile grew. When she stood before me, I bit my lip and shook my head as I stared lustfully at her. She might just get pregnant with baby number two tonight.