Hair done, nails fresh, face beat and I’m ready to put my dress on. We are in the vacation home that Joseph and Joyce were married in but this is not where we are getting married, I still don’t know anything about the venue. But I’m not bitter about it, the house is beautiful. I am surrounded by the sisters I did not have growing up and I am immensely grateful for them. Ugh, Momma B, need I say more? I think she and my mother would have gotten along like two peas in a pod. She embraced me with open arms.
“I was privileged in my life to not just raise my sons but my sister’s sons also, and after all these years my sons are finally blessing me with the daughters Hemi refused to give me. I could never replace your mother and you have an amazing stepmom, but I hope you find it in your heart for yet another mother. Because it is already a privilege to call you, my daughter.”
When she’s done, I am glad the make-up artist used waterproof and set my face like concrete, otherwise these tears would have destroyed this beat face!
“Of course, Momma B, it’s a privilege for me as well. And thank you for loving him the way you do, you and your sister along with Asher’s father did an amazing job raising him into the man that I love.”
“Nope we not doing this! Momma B and Carla, cut that right on out, we have to get you into all that dress back there and we don’t have time to be touching up make-up too. Jag says your soon-to-be-husband is in that room right across the damn street about to drive them to drink waiting on y’all to get married! So, let’s get this show on the road before my husband has to shoot your almost husband okay!” Savvy says as she pulls my dress out of the garment bag and walks it over to me.
The dress is a stunning African purple lace mermaid style strapless gown with a corset inspired bodice and layers of fabric at the bottom and a chapel length train at the back. I have my purple choker on of course and my purple locs are in an intricate up-do. I couldn’t in good conscience wear white with the way Oishin be having me suspended from ceilings with a ball gag in my mouth, a plug in my ass and calling me a slut. I will not catch fire walking down the aisle.
“Oh, my goodness Carla, you look exquisite. If you’re not pregnant yet you will be by the time you get back from your honeymoon.” Joyce says once I am in my gown. All I can do is stare at myself in the mirror in shock. I am truly marrying the man of my dreams and I can’t believe it.
“Well, I definitely won’t be the only person pregnant with the way y’all are looking.”
“You can take that shit someplace else Carla! Ain’t no way in hell I am having ANY more kids. Jag better call Saint and get Bubba and Sarai.” Savvy proclaims in an indignant huff. “Kids, shit Jag better not, I’d yeet myself right out of a damn window.” She mumbles to herself as she angrily steps into her own teal colored gown, and I burst out laughing with everyone else.
“I guess I hit a nerve.” I saw through my tears.
“Come on Carla let me get you down the aisle, you got my agent orange acting up.” When she is done, we are all wiping away tears.
“So, I’m big on tradition so I want to offer this to you as something old.” There’s a knock on the door and my father walks in. “You look amazing Tippy. My little girl all grown up, your mother would have been so proud of you. I want to give you the only wedding band I ever gave your mother, I always planned on giving her a real diamond, but cancer took her before I got the chance. I am gifting it to you so that maybe your young man can finally add that diamond to it. I love you Tip and I hope you have as much love in your marriage as I have found in both of mine.”
“Daddy,” I say around the tears choking me. I place it on my right hand, my mother’s fingers were slightly smaller than mine but the ring fits perfectly on my pinky. He pulls me in a hug and I am that little girl again that he comforted when he told her that her mother was never coming home again.
“Whew, that was too much for me. But we have something new.” She hands me a box and when I open it Savvy says, “the women of the Gideon clan decided to all go out and buy charm bracelets and add charms with each new sister.” I pull the bracelet out and it has a book charm, gun charm, scissor and comb charm, and now a scale of justice charm on it. “With each new sister we will add to it and I am looking forward to adding more,” she says as she looks around the room, then helps me put it on.
“So, I guess that leads to me. I have something borrowed. The first time I went out with Savvy, she gave me a gift to borrow because I didn’t have my own so I am letting you borrow the same one.” She hands me a box and when I open it, inside it is a gun and a garter belt holster.
“Why am I not surprised,” I take it out and they help me slip it up my leg.
“I want that back,” True makes sure to tell me.
“Alright! Last but not least, that leaves me. I had a picture of your mother age progressed to show you what she would look like today and had that put on a charm that is on your bouquet so she can walk down the aisle with you today. One the other side is a picture of how she looked when she passed away, you have her past, and her future and you are her present.” Joyce says. And we are all tilting our head back fanning our eyes to try and prevent the tears from falling.
“I know it took a while for me to accept the love and support of this family, but I am glad Asher finally put his foot down and included you guys in our baby journey. I am so grateful to have you all as a part of my life and I wouldn’t trade you guys for anything. I love you all.” We have one huge group hug before the knock on the door causes us to break apart. “That must be your wedding gift. Do you have yours ready for Asher?” Lennox asks.
“Yep,” I say as I hand her the box. Once she opens the door Bubba is on the other side with Asher’s gift. He hands it to Lennox and takes my gift and walks away. It’s finally time.