Page 27 of Fervor

After a good fifteen minutes, we finally had it on. I turned to the mirror and stared at myself. I looked beautiful. I literally had to turn away so I wouldn’t cry. This moment was finally here, and I could barely handle it. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths to try to compose myself. The MUA had put diamond-looking embellishments on my lashes, and I couldn’t have those things falling off because I couldn’t contain my tears.

My mama stood in front of me, and I could see that she had plenty to say, but I stopped her. “No, ma’am. My makeup is already done. Please wait until after the wedding.”

She chuckled, and I smiled. “Okay, baby. You look so beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

She quickly turned and walked away as all my girls stared at me, doing their best not to cry. I once again closed my eyes and took deep breaths as there was a knock at the door. When I reopened them, I saw Keke walk inside and stop like a deer in headlights as she stared at me. She quickly turned her back and said, “My God, you’re gorgeous.”

“Thank you, sis.”

I closed my eyes once again as I stood still like a doll on display. When I heard Kerri’s voice, I reopened them. She smiled at me, and she had an older lady with her. “Yunique, this is Missus Joan. She interviewed your groom.”

I smiled at her. “Nice to meet you,” I said.

“Same. You’re so gorgeous. You’re everything he wanted.”

“Thank you.”

“And I promise, he’s everything you wanted too,” Kerri added. “Well, ladies, are you ready?”

They all nodded then gave me soft smiles as they followed Mrs. Joan out of the room. Kerri came to me and grabbed my hands as they trembled. “It’s time. Once Missus Joan leads them to the foyer, she’s going to get your groom and his best man. Your friends are ready to pinch hit for the groomsmen he didn’t have. They will walk your four bridesmaids inside.”

I nodded at her. Shy, Dylan, Axton, and Gentry all agreed to be groomsmen. Dylan, Axton, and Gentry would be escorting their wives, and Shy would escort Sasha. Keke was my matron of honor. She walked away, and Vegas appeared in the doorway.He scanned me slowly. “Sis, you look beautiful. Whoever this man is won’t be able to contain himself when he sees you.”

I smiled as he extended his hand. I grabbed it and allowed him to lead me down the hallway. The music had started, and the wedding party was entering the area the ceremony was being held in. As we made our way to the foyer, I saw Princess Tiana walking in… Giselle’s daughter, Kizzie. She was our flower girl. Sasha’s son, Corben, was the ring bearer. They closed the doors, then had me stand where she had been.

I took a deep breath as I listened to the music change to the song I had chosen to walk in to, “Day After Forever” by Eric Bellinger. I loved that song so much and would imagine that someone was singing that song to me. I didn’t know if my groom could sing, but if he’d taken this leap with me, I knew he had to feel the same way.

The doors opened, and all eyes were on me. I smiled as we stepped forward. I couldn’t see my groom yet because of the photographer taking pictures, but the moment she moved to the side, my heart took off for the races. I felt like I was stuck in wet cement as my eyes met Harlem’s. I literally wanted to sob. I’d been exerting so much energy, trying not to think about him, only to end up being matched with him.

“What the fuck?” Vegas said.

I glanced up at him as a frown graced his face. I began walking, forcing him to walk as well. Harlem’s eyes never left mine.God bless it.He looked nervous. I wasn’t sure what that meant. My bridesmaids were all crying, and Keke was smiling big. I glanced at Jungle as we walked by him and Chelsea, and he adorned the same frown Vegas did.

I didn’t understand why they were looking upset. They were chilling with him at the club like they were old friends. My smile had dwindled, and I felt like I wanted to cry and didn’t even know why. When we got to the front, Harlem approached us,and he and Vegas traded stares like they were communicating silently, then he grabbed my hand and led me to the altar.

“Hey, baby. You look so fucking beautiful. I don’t know how I got matched with you, but damn…”

He didn’t finish saying what he wanted to say, because the officiant began the proceedings. My attention was on Harlem and nothing else. I was staring into his eyes, refusing to allow my gaze to waver. I could see he was wearing the chain I bought, and it caused me to smile slightly. However, I was having a problem relaxing. Something was going on, and I needed to know what it was.

When it was time to exchange rings, I gave my bouquet to Keke and took the ring from her as he got my ring from the man that had to be his brother. They looked like twins almost. I felt like I was on autopilot though. This day… the day I’d been waiting for my entire adult life had me nervous as hell.

Harlem gently caressed the tops of my hands as he repeated after the preacher as if trying to bring me back to the moment. Here I was, Yunique Mott, marrying a former dope boy… street nigga. Who would have ever thought?

As I repeated after the officiant, my voice was soft and literally sounded like a robot. I tried to snap out of it, but it was damn near impossible. I suddenly no longer wanted to be here, but I knew the only people that knew something was wrong was the two of us, along with Jungle and Vegas. The tears fell from my eyes as I felt my heart sink.

When was shit going to go right for me? Maybe I was overthinking. When I felt Harlem’s hand on my face, I knew the officiant had said he could kiss me. He stepped closer to me and lowered his face to mine and softly pecked my lips. I closed my eyes, doing my best to relax, then pulled him back to me and kissed him again.

When I pulled away from him, he gave me the most gorgeous smile. I had to be overthinking this. Maybe they didn’t want him with me because they knew how I felt about street niggas. That had to be it. Harlem licked his lips as the preacher announced us husband and wife. We turned to the crowd, and everyone was clapping and cheering. Vegas was clapping but that frown was still there.

We walked out of the venue, and when we got to the foyer, he said, “I had a feeling that we would be matched. I chalked it up as wishful thinking though. I didn’t think they would go through my shit so fast simply to get you rematched.”

“They worked over the weekend to get me matched again. That was why I was drinking so much that night. I was disappointed, taking him backing out personally for some reason.”

I looked away from him for a moment, and just as I was about to ask him what was going on, Vegas approached us. He stared at me for a moment, then asked, “You good?”

“Yeah. I’m just a little nervous about what that frown is for.”