53

Kyrin

Kyrin paced her hotel room. It was quiet and she was nervous. So nervous that she couldn't sleep. It's not that she was scared to marry Janet, it's the fact that she might trip while I'm walking down the aisle. Or stumble when she's saying her vows. It didn't help that she couldn't see the love of her life tonight, due to some superstition that Mama Kat had. Apparently the couple couldn't see each other the day before the wedding or else it caused bad luck. They had to kind of stretch that rule saying that their wedding rehearsals were tonight and yesterday night. Even though Sarah had talked to the woman, Kyrin still found herself in a state of unsureness cause she was just all out nervous.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed and it pulled the woman out of her head. Eager to get her mind off of what it was currently on, she picked it up and smiled when she saw it was her future wife texting.

my forever ❤️Hey, come to your door.

Kyrin went over to the door and looked out the peephole. She didn't see the woman and it prompted her to text back quickly.

To: my forever ❤️Where are you? I don't see you.

my forever ❤️We aren't supposed to see each other so I'm sitting against your door. Sit with me. I'm anxious, you?

The woman found herself sinking down and putting her back against the door as she replied to her fiancés text message.

To: my forever ❤️Hell yes! Anxious. Nervous. You name it. Hey, if I stumble on the way down the aisle and you laugh... I'm turning back around.

Kyrin heard when her fiancé laughed and smiled at the fact.

my forever ❤️I don't think I'll be able to laugh because the sight of you alone is gonna bring me to tears. Or speechlessness. More than likely, both.

Smiling harder and blushing, she was thankful Janet wasn't in the room, and texted back.

To: my forever ❤️Aw baby, that's so sweet. I'm pretty sure I'll be bawling as well but that's okay. Can you believe we are actually about to get married?

my forever ❤️Yeah, I honestly can. I don't just sit on hotel floors for anybody you know. I have to go now love, mommas texting me because she's in my room and I'm not there. I'll see you tomorrow night, I love you.

To: my forever ❤️I love you too. Night baby, oh and tell Mama Kat I said hey!

my forever ❤️Will do. Night night babes. Get some shut eye princess.

She heard Janet get up and she did the same. Going to the bed, she laid down and turned the lamp next to her off. Tomorrow would be a busy day, especially since makeup and hair started at 7 am prompt. She just needed to get some sleep. That in itself would... speed the process up.

I stood in front of my sisters and Sarah in my wedding dress. My eyes glued to my reflection in the mirror as Phoebe and Sarah pulled out the rest of my veil. "This long ass veil Paige."

Chuckling at Phoebe getting irritated and calling me by my middle name, I saw Ember take the picture when they finished. "This is definitely hitting the Shade Room, this is a long ass veil."

"Ou, let me see how it looks on camera." I motioned at her.

She showed me the pic.

"And, that's on period." I did a happy dance at my designers work. "I told her go all out, but I didn't think she was gonna go all the way out. Get the back of my dress too."

Ember grabbed the phone and took the picture of the back of my dress. She handed me the phone again and I nodded in acceptance.

"I could really pull off not wearing heels in this dress, but just in case, I'll leave them on." I mumbled to myself.

Sarah smiled. "Look at you girl, about to get married. Who would have thought?"

They were in their dresses, even though Sarah's was made differently. She was my maid of honor and would be walking down the aisle with Gil who was Janet's 'Queen of Honor'. Yes, he made that up himself. Shawn would be on Janet's side, and so would Tiffany. Letoya was not invited to be a bridesmaid and I understood quite well as of why. Then there was Phoebe and Ember who was on my side.

This was happening, now as of fact.

"Your dad always said it." I mumbled as I smiled back at her.

"That man doesn't count. He knows everything." Sarah waved me off as she suddenly covered her mouth. She ran over to the trash can in the corner and puked.

"Bitch, I know you not pregnant." I shot her a look.

Sarah picked her head up before waving me off. "Girl no. Probably that damn room service from last night. Ain't no way I'm pregnant."

Nasir walked into the room before I could reply to Sarah and was about to speak but hesitated when he saw my appearance. "Wow. Sis, you look beautiful."

"Thanks brother." My smile dropped when I took in his appearance and looked at the clock. Everyone should have been lining up right now. "Nasir, why aren't you dressed?"

"That's what I was coming tell you, they just finished my hair." He eased it in. "We are running behind. They were just getting started on Janet's hair when I left."

My face straightened completely and before I could say anything Ember spoke to him. "Go get dressed Nas. Thanks for warning us."

He left the room and I called Tya, my wedding planner. She picked up and she went on speaker phone as I asked. "So how behind is this going to make us exactly? Because we only have the reception area for a certain amount of time and that whole set up was not cheap. And if they just started on Janet's hair then that means that she's not even prepared to walk yet. That's gonna set us back at least a hour."

"That damn Nasir! Look, we aren't gonna be that behind. I'll make sure we start on time. Don't even sweat this. Just go line up. Janet's almost done and she already had her dress and makeup on. Just go to the waiting room where you stand and have everyone else line up. I do not fail, your wedding will start on time." Tya assured me and hung up.

I took a deep breath and looked at the girls. "I'll see you guys in a few."

They nodded and all hugged me as Phoebe spoke. "Whew, next time we speak you will be Kyrin Paige Jackson-Broussard."

Laughing at her, I nodded. "Yes. Yes I will."

"You got this knuckle head. You look amazing and we're proud of you." Ember told me as she smiled and I noticed her tearing up.

"No. No. No. Don't cry." I pleaded. "That's seven am makeup girl, do not mess that up. Plus you're gonna make me cry if you cry."

"You're right. I'm sorry." Ember looked up and began fanning her eyes. "You know this baby got me all out of wack."

We all chuckled. "Yeah I know. Go line up guys, I'll be fine until Nasir gets here."

They nodded as they left the room. Sarah stopped and turned around. "Hey sis." I looked up and she spoke again. "In the sanctuary, you told me that everything falls through, but I'm telling you this one won't. You won't regret this one Kyrin. Shake those nerves off and go marry the woman of your dreams."

Smiling, I nodded. "Yes ma'am." She left the room and I sat down in a chair as I got on my phone. Janet texted me and I read the message.

my forever ❤️So... somehow I lost my heels. Going in barefoot! 😂 Lmao.

My mouth dropped as I laughed.

To: my forever ❤️That is fucking disgusting. 💀 Do not do that.

my forever ❤️I'm kidding. I'm kidding. I just wanted to make you laugh. Not getting cold feet on me are you? 👀

To: my forever ❤️Nah caught a whiff of it last night and realized that you aren't going anywhere. Hey, if you can text, we can start this wedding on time. Tell them folks to chop chop. 😕

my forever ❤️They just finished. I'm in the elevator now. We are going to start on time. Stop stressing. Alright, I'm handing my phone to Gil. I love you! See you in a few! 💕

To: my forever ❤️I love you more and see you in a few! 😘

I placed my phone on the counter with my reception space jewelry just as Nasir walked into the room in his tux. "Alright, I'm ready to go. What about you?"

Standing up, I nodded. "I'm ready. You look handsome."

"Thank you. Thank you." He linked his arm into my owns. "You ready for this?"

"Stop asking me that before my answer changes." I mumbled as we walked. "Hey, by the way, thank you for walking me down the aisle. It means a lot."

"No, thank you for even asking me to. We've grown closer in these months and I don't know what I'd do without you. It's the least I could do, but I'm honored to do it." He smiled at me as we walked into the line up room finally.

The doors were closed so I knew Janet was walking already. Her music played as she did and my eyes rang with tears at her song. We didn't want to know each other's so we decided to just wait until today. Still, I knew the song by Eric Benét any day.

"I never knew such a day could comeAnd I never knew such a love could be inside of oneAnd I never knew what my life was forBut now that you're here I know for sure"

I rolled my eyes upwards as I tilted my head back. I couldn't cry right now. Not yet, I hadn't even laid my sights on her yet and I was already crying.

"I never knew til I looked in your eyesI was incomplete til the day you walked into my lifeAnd I never knew that my heart could feel so precious and pureOne love so real, realCan I just see you every morning whenI open my eyesCan I just feel your heart beating beside me every nightCan we just feel this way together til the end of all timeCan I just spend my life, Can I just spend my life with you"

More footsteps were heard afterwards and I shook my nerves off suddenly. Eissa came up to me and I squatted down to his level as I smiled. "Hey little man."

"Hey mommy. I love you."

"I love you more Bubba. Got the rings?" I asked as if I didn't see them in the pillow he was holding.

He nodded eagerly. "Yes. You and momma get married Butterfly. This is huge."

"It is. It is. Now you gotta go, it's your turn to walk buddy." I agreed as I smiled and stood back up as he ran off and back to his place. My brother let my arm go and I looked at him when I saw his face furrow. "What?"

"I think someone else needs to walk you a little more than I do." He mumbled. "Imma walk down the aisle with Eissa."

"What?" I asked confused as he walked away and I whisper yelled as he did. "Nasir! What are you—."

"I think he's talking about me." That voice hit my ears and chills flew down my spine. I turned around just to come face to face with my best friend. Every tear that I was trying to hold back came rushing out now.

"Langston—."

"Please stand for the bride to be." A voice called out.

He linked arms with me as the doors opened. "Come on now best friend, I have to walk you down this aisle."

Tears fell down my eyes and at this point they weren't stopping. Everyone gasped as we began walking down the aisle.

"I don't have a reason, but I have every reason to smile And I don't have a reason to lie, when you're already ready my mind And I don't have a reason to be, if I can't be with you And I don't air in my lungs, if I can't sing your song No, I don't need hands, if I don't get to keep you warm And I don't really need myself, if I don't need you"

We got halfway and my eyes locked with Janet's. Everyone else disappeared and it was just her and I as the chorus began.

"Cause darling I wake up just to sleep with youI open my eyes so I could see with youAnd I live so I can die with you"

She was crying like she said she would be and I know she was probably thinking the same thing in her head. I pray this setting spray is holding me together at least some of the damn way because I was a crying fool.

"And I don't really need these fingers, if I don't get to touch your spineWell I don't need these legs, if I ain't walking by your sideAnd I don't really need to be if I can't be with youCause darling I wake up just to sleep with youI open my eyes so I could see with youAnd I live so I can die with youCause darling I wake up just to sleep with youI open my eyes so I could see with youAnd I live so I can die with youI live so I can die with you"

Langston stopped and handed me off to Janet. I stood in front of her as she patted some of my tears away. I threw her a grin and she was quick to return it.

My eyes swept my side of the room and every happy thought faded when I laid eyes on my mother. Joanna Broussard had the nerve to sit her ass at my wedding. Fingers grabbed my chin softly and turned my head. I met eye contact with Janet who shook her head. That was a verbal sign of saying 'Don't start no shit at our wedding, Kyrin.'

I took a deep breath and counted back from 5 in my head. Ignore it and focus on Janet... just lose your shit later. Who even invited her here?

"I invited her. It's your mother, Kyrin." She whispered to me as the pastor spoke into the microphone. I broke our eye contact and looked at my mother who had the nerve to be crying. Bitch, cry me a damn river.

Shaking my head, I looked back at Janet and didn't say anything. Joanna got into the ceremony but she won't be attending the reception. That is a fact.

Alright. Kyrin, this is your wedding. Don't let this upset you. Get happy. This is your day.

The pastors voice registered again. "We are gathered here on this beautiful day to witness the union of Janet and Kyrin in holy matrimony. This is a day of great celebration, for a married life - a shared life - is a great blessing. As Janet and Kyrin embark on this journey together they will be able to nurture a love that makes them better versions of themselves. Marriage is a garden we sow with love, and harvest in personal growth." Oh crap. This is happening. My nerves shot towards the sky. We were about to say I do.

He continued. "Janet and Kyrin, on your journey together, keep your spouse in the space of highest priority in your heart. The love that you share must be guarded and cherished forever, for it is your most valuable treasure. Always remember these words; Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

He took another pause as he flipped a page and continued. "You have chosen to write your vows, and it is with these words you express your binding promises to love, honor, and cherish one another. If you are ready to make these promises to each other I invite you now to face each other and declare your intentions. Kyrin, when you are ready, you may begin."

I blinked blankly a couple of times as he handed me the microphone. Shit. I'm blanking. I cannot blank. Not today. I began talking. "So, I wrote something but I just totally blanked so I'm just gonna talk." I waved it off as everyone laughed but I was dead ass. "Many days, I thank you. I thank you for loving me and being there for me because you didn't have to be. You've held me on my best and worst days. You've chased me down when I thought flying to Texas was the best solution to our temporary conflicts. You asked me a series of questions, right before you proved to me that you were serious. Those questions came with the answers of I love you, I trust you and I choose you. If I could go back, I would do everything the exact same. Not one detail would change because I've enjoyed every step of this. Even when things got bumpy. From the day we met eye contact through the mirror and I knew that you saw me for who I truly was to the day that we sat at the dining table and Mama Kat practically married us off before we could even get a true label on our relationship. I wouldn't change a thing. I love you, Superstar, nothings going to ever change that."

She shot me a look when I said Superstar and I avoided it as I handed the mic back to the pastor. He spoke. "Janet, when you are ready, you may begin."

He handed her the microphone. She began talking. "First I would like to start with, I didn't blank, thank God." I chuckled as she continued. "As many times as we argued, I didn't see this coming. We both didn't see it, even when our friends and my mom deemed it so. With our wonderful chemistry, I know we would truly win the newlywed game. And by the way - I've signed us up for the Newlywed Game when it comes back on the air in 2020. I hope that's okay."

I blank faced her and people laughed as I shook my head. "Girl."

"Okay, yeah, we are going to kill it. I know it, but on a serious note. I vow to be yours and only yours. I vow to always keep my arms open in case you need to be held. To never get tired of you running in the house and hopping in the bed even if I'm sleep. To always get excited when you come and yell tea time. To wash if you'll dry, just so we can be together in the kitchen, laughing, all night - every night. As long as you're there, then I'll never get tired of it. I can't believe I'm marrying my best friend, but I promise to be your co-pilot, your navigator, and to bring snacks on our road-trip through life. Or sit in front of the television in our pajamas and binge Sponge-bob all night. As one volcano said to the other, "I have a dream I hope will come true that you'll grow old with me and I'll grow old with you, I thank the earth, sea...the sky I thank too - I lava you." I don't think the other volcano replied, but I know you would have and that's all that truly matters."

I laughed at her as she handed the microphone back to the pastor. We met eye contact again and I mouthed the words, "I love you," to her.

"I love you too." She mouthed back as the pastor began talking again.

"Thank you for sharing your vows with all of us. The rings you are about to place on each other's fingers are symbols of the love you expressed. They will remind you of the vows you have just spoken, and of the eternal love that you have for one another."

Eissa ran over and handed Janet and I our rings. "Here you go mommy and momma."

"Thanks pumpkin." I replied as Janet kissed him on his cheek.

As the pastor begin reciting the rest, we exchanged rings and repeated after him. It seemed to pass quickly because soon he was stating the golden words. "By the power given to me by the American Marriage Ministries and by the State of California, I now pronounce you legally married partners. You may now kiss your bride." Janet and I's lips met and it took us a second to pull away. People began cheering. "Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present for the first time, Mrs and Mrs Jackson-Broussard!"

We turned and I almost forgot that broom was sitting on the ground. Janet motioned to it and Phoebe grabbed my dress for me to jump as we jumped it before walking down the aisle. When we got outside, I walked lighter. "Oh shit."

She smiled as our hands linked. "What?"

"We just got married." I looked at her in disbelief.

"Well, you definitely can't run now." She teased as she hit the button to the elevator and we laughed.

"Hold on." I mumbled when the doors opened. "I'll meet you up there."

"You sure? I can wait."

"No go ahead. We have a reception to get to anyways. Go start changing, I'll be right behind you." I assured her as I smiled and connected our lips.

Janet nodded once we released. "Okay, hurry up though." She stepped on the elevator and I waited until she got up two floors before heading back to the waiting area that everyone was waiting in.

Phoebe noticed me first and came over. "Girl that wedding was—."

I pointed to Joanna who was standing next to Ember talking. "You tell that bitch that she can go. You hear me? Tell that woman to walk out of here. I don't want her at my damn reception, she's lucky she even got a seat in my ceremony. Janet got her that but all hell will break lose if I step into my reception and see her. Fix it Phoebe. I'm not playing. Drag her ass out of here if you have to."

"Okay." Phoebe told me quickly.

I began walking away and I turned back. "I'm serious Phoebe. For once I'm giving you permission to show your ass."

She nodded back. "I hear you sis. It's your day. I gotchu."

Before I could make it to the elevator, I saw Langston and this time it wasn't tears that came down my cheeks. Instead I pushed him back. "And what the hell is wrong with you?!"

He let me think he was dead. He left me and didn't even drop a damn hint that he was alive. He was so fucking selfish. He caught his balance. "Kyrin I can—."

"No! You let me think your ass was dead for months! You let me feel broken for months." I pressed the button for the elevator. "Nobody, and I do mean nobody.. talks to me unless it's Janet or my sister goes into labor. Other than that, all conversations can happen after my damn reception because right now everyone's about to die at the hands of my ass." The doors to the elevator opened and I stepped on and brought the rest of my dress with me. As they closed, I asked Langston. "Hold up! Whose fucking ashes are sitting in my house?!" The doors closed before he could answer me.

I rolled my eyes as I hit the floor I was going to. It was my day, and these heffa's would not let me make it. Langston and then my mother. Can't I get a break? It's my wedding day for Christ sake.