“Thank you. They are last season, but some designers are timeful.”
Samuel and I looked at each other and smiled at her using timeful instead of timeless.
“Uncle El?”
“Yes, Princess?”
“Miss Averie is your girlfriend, right?”
“Yes. She is.”
“So, if she’s your girlfriend then what is she to me?”
“She’s your ain-tee, duh!” Ariel answered. “Uncles and ain-tees go together like mommies and daddies.”
“Oh,” Princess said agreeing.
“Ok, well, I’m going to get a cupcake now cause Mommy said I could have one if I behave. I behaved didn’t I Ariel?”
“Yep, you behaveded,” Ariel confirmed.
Princess pushed herself down off the couch.
“Bye, Uncle El. Bye, Ain-tee Vee.”
“Bye, Princess,” we both said as she walked away followed closely by Ariel.
“That little girl,” I laughed, “She is honestly the best-dressed kid I’ve ever met.”
Samuel leaned in and said, “Since Princess has named you, that means you can’t go anywhere now, Ain-tee Vee.”
I leaned in and responded, “I wasn’t going anywhere, anyway, Uncle El.”
We kissed.
“Can I have your attention please?” I heard the DJ say. “Ms. Vivian wants everyone to come in, please.”
Vivian was standing next to the DJ booth waving everyone into the house from outside. She stood in front of Samuel and I waiting for everyone to follow her instructions. All the guests piled into the room.
“Okay, first let me say thank you to all of you for coming out and celebrating with us. Some of you remember when I was pregnant with Samuel and some of you remember when I thought I’d lost him to the system. God has been faithful throughout his life, and I am grateful,” she choked back tears, “Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you. Samuel?”
She offered the microphone to him. Samuel walked up and stood beside her and took the microphone. His yellow button down looked amazing against his dark skin. He’d lost a few pounds but he was slowly gaining his weight back, and he looked good.
“I would like to thank my mother for this party. She’s always been my number one supporter and cheerleader. She encouraged me to do things I thought were impossible, but she knew I could. My sister Torrey for always having my back and holding me down through all of life’s changes. And to all of you for being here. Each day I feel a little bit better. Each day brings me closer to my complete healing, and I am grateful. Grateful for life, friends, and family. When I was lying down on the ground after being shot, fear was not the feeling that came over me. I knew I was dying. I could feel my life draining from my body. I was blessed with two great men who stayed with me until help arrived but I knew it was over. I wasn’t scared though. The feeling that flooded my system was regret. The regret of leaving loose ends and not taking care of business. Sometimes we know there are things that we should do but we put them off thinking that we have time. Time is not promised to everyone and I realized that on the ground. So, to that end,” he walked over to me and got down on one knee.
Not realizing what was happening, I thought his leg gave out, I tried to help him back up.
“No baby,” he said moving my hands.
Then it hit me. I took in a deep breath as my eyes filled with tears.
“Averie, you have been a pain in my ass, my confidant, my friend, my nurse but most of all you are the love of my life. I know that God created you from my rib because when I met you, you fit perfectly right beside me. I admire your strength, determination, drive, and your unwavering loyalty and love.”
He opened a beautiful gold ring box that I didn’t even realize was in his hand and said, “Ms. Averie Patterson, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I said quickly trying not to lose my G in front of all the guest. I felt the tears coming fast and hard.
He pushed himself up from the floor and put the spectacular princess cut diamond ring on my finger; then leaned down and kissed me.