Imani and Jay Part 3

How We Got To Happily Ever After

I stayed in bed, curled into the fetal position, and waited for the nausea to pass. It was usually only bad for a few hours in the morning. For the past few weeks, Jay had been getting Kierra up and ready for first grade. He would let me sleep in. They would leave and he would call me when he knew I had to get up to get to the ice cream shop. We had been living in the house that was just around the corner from the shop for about a year. Before that we had been living in the apartment his brother-in-law Tony owned. The house had been a dump but Jay was able to get it all fixed up with the help of Tony, Cedric, and some of his other friends. After we moved in, I was able to walk to work and walk home.

That particular morning I didn’t have to worry about walking anywhere because it was Christmas. I heard the bedroom door open and wondered how late it was. From the quietness, I could tell that it was Kierra coming in. She always tried to be extra quiet if she thought I was sleeping. Jay didn’t care because he knew if I was actually asleep any noise he made wouldn’t bother me. Kierra crying was usually the only thing that could wake me up out of my sleep.

I rolled over and looked at her. She was standing at the side of the bed. “Good morning, KiKi.”

“Morning, mommy.” She got close to my face. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas.” I smiled at her. It always amazed me how she had my whole face. When she was a baby, her eyes were more like Jay’s but that changed as she got older. The only difference between pictures of me when I was her age and how she looked were the fact that she had melanin and I didn’t.

“Grandma, Nana, and PopPop are here. Daddy made breakfast.”

“I thought we were going to visit.” I slowly sat up.

“Daddy said that plans changed.” She climbed up on the bed and sat next to me. “Are you getting up now? Daddy said I couldn’t open any presents until you were up.”

I kissed her on her forehead. “Yes. I’m getting up now. Thank you for being patient.”

“Daddy let me help with breakfast.” She jumped down off the bed. “I need to finish. Do you need help?”

“No. I’m fine. You go ahead. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

“Okay.” She ran out of the bedroom.

After a few deep breaths, I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up so I could join my family. I put on the oversized red sweater that Kierra got me for Christmas last year over a pair of black leggings. She was always happy when I wore it. I took my scarf off, checked my hair, and then headed out into the living room.

I went around the dining room table and gave everyone hugs and kisses. Then I took my seat on the right side of Jay, who was at the head of the table. I liked sitting close to him so that I could see him. Kierra always sat across from me, on his other side. I looked down at my plate and saw half a bagel and a few slices of crispy bacon. I smiled at Jay. He knew that I wouldn’t be up to eating the other things he had fixed. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He winked at me.

“Imani, that’s all you’re eating?” My mother asked from her seat next to me.

As if Kierra knew I didn’t want to talk about it, she started talking about her dance classes that she recently started. She had already taken six classes in the two weeks since starting and she hadn’t talked to my mom or grandparents since beginning. Therefore, she had a lot to talk about. Enough that her stories filled the entire time we enjoyed breakfast. Then, without even taking a breath after finishing her story, she turned to me and Jay.

“Can we open presents now?” She bounced in her seat with so much excitement I couldn’t help but smile.

“Go ahead. We’ll be right over.” Jay got up and started clearing the table. He and my grandfather cleaned up after breakfast while I joined my mother, grandmother, and Kierra in the living room. 

Kierra stood in front of the tree quietly for a few moments before finally selecting the first present she wanted to open. I thought that she would tear her way through the pile like she had done previous years. Instead, she opened three presents and then jumped up and ran over to her father when he came into the room.

“Daddy, give mommy her present now.” She jumped up and down. “I think you should do it now.”

“Don’t you want to open more presents?” He asked her.

“Later.” She turned to me. “Mommy, let me hold your phone.”

I wasn’t sure what she needed my phone for but I handed it to her. Then I looked at Jay. “I thought we weren’t getting each other anything.”

He smiled at me. “I saw at least two things under the tree with my name on it so I am pretty sure neither of us paid that conversation any attention.”

“I’m ready, Daddy, go ahead.” Kierra stood off to the side holding my phone.

“What are y’all up to?” I asked.

Jay got down on one knee in front of me. I sat straight up. He pulled a ring box out of his hoodie pocket. Then he took my hand. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to do this for a while. Every idea I came up with seemed dumb. Then I found the perfect ring and knew I had to come up with a plan quick.”

“Jay…” I felt tears welling up in my eyes.

“I knew you were the one for me when I saw you in the crowd that day at the festival. I am forever grateful to God that we found each other again. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and I want you to be my wife.” He opened the ring box.

I could barely see the ring, especially with the tears falling from my eyes. I put my hands on his cheeks and pulled his face close to mine. Then I whispered. “Of course I will.”

Jay smiled big before kissing me softly.

“Did she say yes, Daddy?” Kierra asked.

Jay pulled back from our kiss. “Yes. She said yes.”

“Can I show everyone my shirt now?” 

“Yes, you can.” He nodded.

Kierra opened the hoodie she was wearing to show off her t-shirt that said Future Big Sister on it. I couldn’t help but laugh as she held the phone out so that she could show off her shirt. Then she pressed a few buttons and gave me my phone back before running over to her grandmother. 

I looked at Jay. “When did you tell her?”

“Last night. Once I told her, she agreed that she didn’t need to open a present early.”

I laughed. “I was wondering why she gave up on that so quickly.”

Jay slipped the ring on my finger. “What do you think?”

I held it up close to my eyes so that I could get a good look at it. It was a very elegant and simple diamond ring. Exactly what I would have picked out for myself. I put my hand down and smiled at him. “It is perfect.”

“Come over here and show us this perfect ring?” My grandmother called from where she was sitting. 

Jay kissed me on my forehead and then let me go over to where my grandmother and mother were sitting on the other part of our huge sofa. Once they gave me hugs, congratulations, and got a good look at the ring then I got to my grandfather.

“Congratulations.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek and let me go back to where I was sitting.

“May I open more presents now?” Kierra asked.

“Yes.” Jay and I responded at the same time. I sat down next to him on the sofa. After taking a picture of my ring to send to the Scott women’s group chat and to Anissa, along with the video Kierra took, I settled in to focus on Kierra’s excitement for the rest of her presents. Jay wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close to him. I couldn’t help but say a silent prayer of thanks for how incredibly happy I was.

***

I didn’t want to wear my glasses. My mother and grandmother argued with me for almost twenty minutes but I refused to put my glasses on. We finally came to the agreement that I would put them on for the reception. It was a beautiful spring day. My mother was worried that the sun would come out and cause me problems since it was only partly cloudy. I didn’t care. So much had been going on to try and alter my plans. I was putting my foot down about the glasses.

The wedding was supposed to happen in April, just before I was due to deliver. Unfortunately our son decided to come early and that pushed our plans back. We were able to change the date to May with very little problems. Jay wanted to push it back further but I refused. Then there was rain in the forecast. We were having an outdoor wedding. Luckily, at the last minute, the rain seemed to be holding off. Hopefully everyone would be inside for the reception before the downpour. 

Anissa took Kimani from me after I finished breastfeeding him. “Time to get you in your dress.”

Rochelle came over with my dress. She handed the dress to Anissa and then took Kimani. My mother handed me two fresh nursing pads that I promptly put in my strapless bra. With Anissa and my mother’s help, I was able to quickly get into my dress. Even though it had been designed for me at my nine month’s pregnant size, it still fit perfectly. It was tight around my breasts and flared out just below them. That was good because the extra weight I had gained was taking its time leaving.

I stood close to the mirror once I was all dressed.

“If you had on your glasses…”

“Mommy, please.” I turned to her and then looked back at my reflection.

Anissa came over and rested her head on my shoulder. “You look fabulous.”

“It’s time.” Rochelle came back into the room. “Your grandmother has Kimani.”

We walked outside and the sun was shining brightly. My mother turned to me. “Imani…”

“Never fear.” My grandfather walked over to us. He opened up a beautiful white parasol. Then he took my arm. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

I kissed my mother on the cheek before she headed to her position. Anissa, who was my maid of honor, handed me my bouquet.

She smiled at me. “Try not to cry.”

“You too.” I smiled at her. Then Anissa got her cue and headed down the aisle. 

“You ready, baby girl?” My grandfather looked at me.

“Yes.”

We got to the top of the aisle and I heard a guitar start to play. I instantly knew, without being able to see, that Jay was playing as I was coming down the aisle. We had been going back and forth for a long time about what song I would walk down the aisle to and who would play or sing. Finally he said that he would make the decision and it would be a surprise. I was very happy with what he chose. When my grandfather and I arrived at the end of the aisle, Jay finished the song and then handed the guitar to his best man. Anissa held the parasol over my head and my grandfather sat back down after giving me a kiss on the cheek.

Our ceremony was exactly what I asked for, short and sweet. When it was time, Jay planted three soft kisses on my lips before following it up with a more passionate kiss. 

“I love you so much.” He whispered when our lips parted.

“I love you too.” I smiled and then kissed him again, because he was my husband. I could spend an eternity kissing him.

~ END ~

(These were characters from my Scott-Williams Family Series. Find the series here.)