Page 94 of Father of the Bride
Sunny.
She sparkled in the rose-gold gown Mark had bought her a few days ago. It was to be her mother-of-the-groom dress, but now, it was her wedding dress.
Her father walked beside her, smiling proudly as guests gasped and whispered amongst themselves.
On the front row, Orion said, “What the fuck is this?” loud enough to be heard. Micah matched his energy, warning, “If you can’t sit here quietly, you can either walk out or get carried out. Your motherfucking choice.”
Five men in the row behind him, Mark’s doctor friends, fidgeted in a way Orion recognized. They were itching for a fight, and Orion was real close to giving them a reason. He decided to cut his losses, jumping to his feet.
Fallon ran behind him as he stormed out, and it didn’t look like anybody was sad to see them go.
Sunny never broke stride. She locked eyes with Mark the whole way, her own eyes glassy, her lips trembling.
Sunny’s father nodded at Mark before taking his seat. Sunny took her place at the altar, across from her handsome groom.
Pastor Bell grinned. “Alright, then. Let’s run it back. We’re ‘bout to do this one more time.”
The guests laughed and cheered, most still confused but loving all the love. Brooklyn and Davion’s bridal party became theirs, bearing witness as Mark and Sunny exchanged simple, heartfelt vows.
When they kissed, the crowd cheered, Brooklyn and Dav being the loudest.
Fairy lights sparkled overhead as guests gathered under the tented reception area. Music played, champagne flowed, and laughter danced in the air like confetti.
Mark and Sunny kept their celebration understated. They’d already had the big wedding and associated hoopla. They made sure the spotlight stayed on Brooklyn and Davion. But even in their quiet joy, they were magnetic, sharing private kisses, hugs, and sweet glances the guests couldn’t get enough of.
Mark leaned over to whisper in his new bride’s ear.
“I’m selling the villa.”
She turned sharply. “Excuse me?”
“I talked to my attorney this morning,” he said. “I’m not liquid enough to buy Sterling out of the practice. This is the only way to pay him off, separate everything, and keep my license.”
Sunny tilted her head in sympathy. “Brooklyn loves this place.”
“I know.” He looked over at the other happy couple. “But sometimes you have to let go of the old to make space for the new.”
Sunny nodded.
“And that’ll give Davion something to work for. He can buy her her own villa one day. He’s her husband.” He leaned closer. “I’m yours.”
She kissed him for what seemed like the hundredth time today, her eyes warm with admiration when she pulled back. “I love you.”
“I know. I love you, too.” He took her hand in his, turning it over to stare at her empty fingers. “By the way, your ring is en route.”
“Already? And here I thought those ten boxes of Louboutins someone delivered earlier were my gift.”
“Nah, that was…” he trailed off. “I heard there are a few broken promises in your past.” He scooted closer. “I mean this with my entire soul, Cici. Ain’t no more broken promises on my watch, I don’t give a fuck who made ‘em. As long as I’m around, you get everything you want.”
She shook her head. “Markez Jovan Bennett.”
“Rome for the honeymoon,” he announced. “I heard you wanted to go.”
She laughed, pulling him into another kiss.
“Ahem.”
They looked up to see Jules gawking at them.
