“I know. It’s crazy, right?” I laughed.
“Yeah. From the skinny little boy too quiet to talk but willing to get his hands dirty to help his mama. To a damn good man and someone I’m proud to call a friend…even though you’re more like a son.”
“Thanks, Don. I’d be dead somewhere if it weren’t for you teaching me and keeping my black ass out of trouble.” We hugged briefly then I said, “I love you, man.”
“You know I love your knuckle-headed ass too.”
“Okay, the bride is ready…and I have someone who wanted to see you.” Bear walked into the kitchen with Sarah wide awake in his arms. She was sleeping in her bassinet the last time I saw her. I held out my arms for her and she cooed up at me.
Those damn olive-green eyes got me every time. I ran my fingertip over the dimple in her chin then I held her up to my lips and kissed her forehead. She smelled like heaven. Sometimes I sat in the nursery and held her with my lips pressed against the top of her head so I could drink in that fresh baby smell I remember my mother going crazy over whenever she saw a newborn.
“Let’s go,” Bear said, clapping his hands. I guess having him officiate and be present at my wedding along with Don meant we were friends. I certainly didn’t hate the guy. I’d have to live with the fact that I knew I killed his brother forever and the more we befriended each other…the heavier that burden became. I dreaded the day the truth came out.
Don and I made our way to the front of Honey Sugar and I stood right at the window, waiting for Ivy to walk down the proverbial aisle. When we thought of all the places we could get married, Honey Sugar came in at the top of both of our lists. It was where our happiest times were. It was where we first made love. It was the thing we fought like hell to salvage. It was painted with colors of us.
We were my favorite color.
We were my favorite taste.
We were my favorite place.
Our family was my entire universe.
I looked toward the back of the store when I heard Ivy moving around upstairs in the apartment. When I finally saw her appear, my chest tightened and my eyes burned.
I didn’t cry often.
Seeing the love of my life in a pale yellow wedding dress, the color of honeysuckles with flowers in her hair, choked me up though. Nothing that felt so right could be wrong. Bear locked arms with Ivy and leaned over to speak to her.
“I know I’m not your dad but…you needed someone to walk you down the aisle.”
“Bear, my father was a piece of shit. You’ve treated me better than he ever did and he had my entire life to treat me like he should have. I’d rather you walk me to Titan even if my father was alive to do it himself.” She rubbed the back of his hand and he smiled. It wasn’t something he did often.
I stood, waiting for Ivy with our daughter in my arms. When she got to me, I stared at her like I’d never seen her before. She was a different kind of beautiful. She was the kind of beautiful that came from being loved and loving yourself. Nobody could take that away from her.
We recited our vows in front of Bear and Don then Ivy slipped the wedding band on my finger. I slipped hers on too but I had something extra. I motioned for Don to hand it to me and he slapped it in my hand.
“I was late because I had to pick this up. I just want to note that,” he said to Ivy. She laughed a little then looked at me.
“Titan…what’s this?” She quizzed. I handed Sarah to Don while I opened the small jewelry box. Inside was a pair of 24-karat gold honeybee earrings. She gasped when she saw them.
“Oh my god,” she whispered, running her finger over them. She hadn’t worn earrings since she tried to commit suicide. I couldn’t have that. “They’re so beautiful, Titan.”
“I want you to feel as pretty as you always look. In my eyes, you’re perfect, baby girl.” She rushed to put them on and the minute she had them secured to her earlobes, Bear told me to kiss the bride.
I kissed her like I could taste forever on her tongue. I kissed her like time would stop as long at our lips were touching. I kissed her like I never wanted the moment to end.
I didn’t care who knew we were married. I didn’t care who judged us. We’d been through hell and we came out on the other side stronger and in love. If people didn’t like it…
Fuck ‘em.
The end.
