“Kenneth, you are the oldest. Why must y’all involve my wife in y’all shenanigans?”
“Pops, that don’t even be me… Wild be living up to his name,” Uno rebutted, which did nothing but make my dad fuss some more.
Listening to my mama chase behind Wild and my father lecture Uno had me in stitches. This was life for me, and now I was able to share it with Noemi.
“Oh my gosh!” Mi laughed as she wiped her tears. “I needed that laugh.”
“That’s what you have to look forward to for the rest of your life, baby.”
Upon hearing my words, it seemed as if everyone fell silent and looked our way. With her eyes searching mine momentarily,she dropped her gaze. Lifting her chin, I brought them back to mine. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t doubt your love for me—I never have.” She gave me a small smile. “Even when you weren’t trying to be more than friends. Ugh! I gave you all the signs that I wanted you to beat this?—”
“Aye!” Rosier yelled, causing us to simper. “Don’t piss me off, Noemi.”
“Whattt?” She giggled. “I just love my man, big brother.” She threw her arms around my neck, kissing my lips. “You’ve made me the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, Jordan. I no longer have to sit and pray about finding a man who loves me like my brothers love their wives. Now, I have something better… I was blessed with someone tailor-made for me.”
“So why the long face?” I asked as I shifted her further onto my lap. She always got my dick hard when she talked about how much she loved me. Being here with family didn’t change the way we expressed our feelings and love for one another. “What’s the real issue, Mi?”
“How can we talk about forever when I’m still attached toChandler?” Hearing that fuck nigga’s name caused me to growl. “Calm down, babe. I know I should’ve already sorted it out, but that nigga is dead, and my main concern has been you and our family. Also, how would it look if I remarried so soon after his death?”
Although I didn’t agree with what she was saying, I respected it. She had an image she wanted to uphold, and even though his death was ruled a murder-suicide, she still didn’t want to be ridiculed by the public.
“I can help with that…” Jules wiped his mouth as he finished eating. By now, Wild was back at the table, frowning from getting his ass beat. The rest of the family was coming up from the beach to get some cooler air from the outdoor airconditioning unit. “As the one who officiated the wedding, I may or may not haveforgottento get you two to sign the marriage license.” He smirked mischievously. “So technically?—”
“I was never married to Chandler… I was never married to Chandler!” She jumped from my lap and shouted once she realized she was always as free as a bird. “I never carried his name!”
“In that case…” I stood behind her, dropping to one knee. Spinning around, she gasped in shock when I revealed the seven-carat, princess-cut diamond ring from my pocket. I knew I was proposing during this trip, and this seemed like the perfect time. “Marry me, Noemi.”
“Why?” she whispered as tears ran down her face. “Tell me why you want to marry me, Jordan.”
Noemi has always been a lover at heart. She portrayed to be this hardcore boss bitch, but at the end of the day, she wanted to be a soft woman and live a soft life. I wanted to give that to her—I was the man who was willing and ready to give that to her.
“You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met in my life outside of Evelyn Mills,” I peered up at her and spoke honestly. I heard my mama gasp in the crowd, and my heart filled with pride at having her and everyone else here to witness me pour my heart out. This was a once-in-a-lifetime speech about to take place, and you could hear a pin drop as everyone held their breath in anticipation of what else ole mute Skip had to say.
“You spent many nights on the phone with me, talking about how you were willing to neglect your own happiness to bring peace to your family. Your loyalty to those you love is unmatched. Your commitment to being someone with a good heart and opting to see the good in everyone, even though life has shown you how low-down dirty people can be, sparked something within me. I tried to be your friend, Mi, but I fell in love with you. I fell in love the moment you thought taking meto an arcade was a perfect date night and how my name meant nothing to you, just as your name meant nothing to me. I don’t care about the reputation your brothers have. I don’t care about who my family is supposed to be and the image that comes with being a Mills. I will go to war with any man, woman, or child walking this earth when it comes to being with you. You know how I’m coming behind you.”
I paused as a thought came to mind. “That’s another thing too…. You love Gianna. You stood ten toes for my daughter, Noemi… that’s some shit her own mother wouldn’t even do. My Gi Baby wakes up in the morning looking for you before she even thinks about saying hello to me. You’re kind and supportive. You’re gentle but strong. You talk your shit and walk in it, looking sexy as hell while doing it. You ain’t afraid get in the field with me. Let us not forget the way you take this?—”
“I’m killing this nigga.” Rosier gritted his teeth as she tried to reach over the table and grab him. Gabby slapped his chest, making him sit down. We all shared a laugh, and I smirked at Rosier because I loved getting under that nigga’s skin.
Looking back into Noemi’s eyes, which were overflowing with tears, I continued, “You a nigga’s best friend, Noemi. That’s why, baby. That’s why you’re going to be my wife. You deserve the moon, the stars, hell… the universe. It’s war about you… always.”
She dropped to her knees, placing her hands on my cheeks. “You saved me, Jordan. You saved me from a life of hurt and misery.” She wiped the lone tear that slipped down my cheek. “I no longer have to dream about a happily ever after—I’m living it. I love you, Jordan. Now and forever. Just like you know how I’m coming behind you, I’ll never have to question how you’re coming about me. And because of that, there’s nothing more I want in this world than to become Mrs. Mills.”
Slamming my lips onto hers, our families clapped and cheered. I stood to my feet, bringing her with me, before sliding the ring on her finger. She beamed through her tears as the ladies pushed me out of the way to get a look.
“You did good, son,” my father said as he walked over, slapping my shoulders. “Noemi is a good woman.”
“A great woman.” I nodded, watching as she scooped Gianna in her arms and kissed all over her. “It doesn’t get any better.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. I guess you can kiss my sister, nigga.”
Darting my eyes to Jules, I didn’t have time to be annoyed about his bullshit as I pulled my wife into my arms and tongued her down. Once she agreed to be my wife, I didn’t want to leave this island without making it happen. It took us two days to get everything together for our ceremony. I can now say Noemi Boudreaux—excuse me—Mills was mine in every way possible.
“I love you so much, Mr. Mills,” she said through a smile between small pecks. “You’ve made me so happy.”
“I plan on doing that until the day I die, Mrs. Mills,” I stated honestly. In her eyes, I saw all the love she had for me. “Even after.”
