Page 26 of Fervor
It definitely was diamonds. She’d spent a grip on this shit to say there would be no hard feelings if I didn’t like it. When I opened the next box and pulled out the cigar, Harlan whistled. Man, this woman was just my fucking type. This was a damn Montecristo. There was a whole box of them, along with a cutter and fancy lighter. This wasn’t a Bic from the convenience store. This woman had to be balling. I noticed the stylish case and ashtray in the box as well.
I looked up at Mrs. Joan and said, “Damn. Ain’t nobody ever bought nothing this nice for me.”
Ms. Joan smiled and patted my arm. “It won’t be long, baby. She’s so beautiful. I can’t wait for you to see her. I think she’s everything you desired.”
I slid my hand down my head. That did nothing for my nerves. All I could think about now was hoping I was everything she desired as well. “Yes, ma’am. I can’t wait to meet her,” I said as I slid the chain around my neck.
She left out as I continued to admire it. This shit was nice. It didn’t just have diamonds on the cross, but there were diamonds on Jesus’s head. It was like the crown of thorns was lined in diamonds. It looked like he was carrying the cross. Some peopleconsidered this sacrilegious, but niggas like me from Houston wore the hell out of this shit back in the day.
As I admired my cigars and the nice case she’d purchased, Mrs. Joan reappeared. “She’s ready.”
I stood so fast I made myself dizzy. Harlan patted my shoulder and said, “Breathe, bruh. This is what you’ve been waiting for.”
I nodded, and we followed Mrs. Joan to another hallway, leading to the room our wedding would be in. This venue seemed to have several rooms where more than one thing could go on at once. I wondered if they had multiple weddings at once sometimes. Today, we seemed to be the only ones here. When she got to the door, I said, “Hold on, Miss Joan.”
She turned to look at me with a look of concern on her face. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. She grabbed my hand and seemed to be praying for me. I needed it. I had never been so damn nervous. I was about to be standing in front of her family, a family I didn’t know, who would possibly judge me based on what I looked like. I glanced at the piece and chain and put those doubts to rest. She had to have a little hood in her to buy me this.
I finally said, “Okay. I’m ready.”
She opened the door, and when I walked inside, I nearly pissed on myself.
When I walked inside the room I would be getting ready in, the tears fell down my cheeks. Flowers of nearly every color adorned the room, even some as expensive as lotus were scattered throughout. Keke, Sasha, Mama, Giselle, Alexz, and Skyler walked in behind me, and their breaths were taken away as well. “Kerri, this is so beautiful.”
“I know. Your groom is laying it on thick. You have a gift over there.”
“He did all of this?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh! I have a gift for him too, but I forgot it in the car.”
“Don’t worry, sis. I’ll get it for you,” Keke said.
I nodded as I went into the room. Thankfully, my hair and makeup were already done, and all I had to do was get into my dress. We only had an hour before the nuptials. This day had come rather quickly. I supposed because I was somewhatof a perfectionist, I ran myself ragged, making sure everything was perfect. Arranged Hearts decorated, but I was still up here, making sure it was exactly what I wanted. They were probably calling me a bridezilla when I left.
I made my way to the gift situated on the vanity and smiled. I pulled the note from the bag and opened it.
What’s up, wifey? Don’t mind me. I’ve always wanted to say that. Today has finally gotten here. I must admit, I’m nervous and anxious all at the same time. I’m anxious to meet you, but I’m nervous that I won’t measure up. I’m pretty sure I’m overthinking this, but I just want to be perfect for you. It happened so fast. I just hope that our love for one another will happen just as quickly. I’m all in. I can’t wait to cherish the beautiful woman I know that you are and worship the ground you walk on. I’ve been craving this for a while now, and now that the time is here, I don’t know what to do with myself. LOL!
I hope you like your gift. I didn’t know what to get, because of course, I don’t know anything about you. I just went with what I feel like most women like. I can’t wait to spend forever with you, baby. See you soon.
Your man… your husband… and eventually, your love
I fanned my face, doing my best not to drop tears. This man spoke with such passion. I didn’t know how my little mediocre note would compare. I refused to let tears drop and mess up my makeup before he could even see me. I pulled the small box from the bag, and when I opened it, the most beautiful diamond bracelet was in its confines.
“This is so damn beautiful. Oh my God.”
My mama walked over to me, and when she saw it, she said, “Wow. It’s gorgeous. Let me put it on you.”
Once she did, all the ladies crowded me to get a peek at it. I stared at it for at least ten minutes before I could even begin getting dressed. I was the only one that needed to get dressed, so I would have plenty of help. Breaking out of my haze, I started stripping off my clothes. I had my shapewear on underneath my clothes, so I wasn’t completely naked.
My mama pulled my dress from the bag as everyone seemed to be holding their breath. No one knew what it looked like except my mom, Doctor King, and me, since they were with me when I bought it. When the train fell from the bag and my mama hung it on the hook on the wall, they all gasped.
It was a sexy, mermaid style dress, embellished with rhinestones and pearls. It was sleeveless and somewhat lowcut in the front. The train was fluffy like cotton balls, but it also had a slit in it to where my leg was visible. The second I saw it, I knew it had been made just for me.
“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get this dress on you, girl!” Alexz said.
I giggled as they got it from the hanger and helped me get into it. The shit was somewhat difficult with all the poofy cotton balls at the bottom. I kept stepping on them, threatening to rip the train from the dress.