“How did you do that?”
“It takes a village. Now go back in there and enjoy this moment.”
“I love you.”
“We got this.”
“T-minus three hours until game time.” We performed an exploding fist bump before heading back to our respective rooms.
In Anika’s suite she was dancing to seventies love songs. “Hi!”
“Hi, the pizza has been ordered. Mom’s on her way. And the makeup artist just texted to say she’s parking the car.”
“I think that’s cause for a celebration. Dance with me.”
There was so much to do. Like check on the photographer who should be showing up any minute for the get-ready photos. Jemini was minutes away, which would no doubt raise my blood pressure, and I wasn’t entirely sure where Anika’s wedding shoes were. Despite all that, I reluctantly tossed my phone on the bed and danced with my big sister on her special day.
I wasanti Little White Wedding Chapel but now that we were inside, I had to admit it had its charm. The flowers in the lobby were fake but tasteful and the red carpet added a pop of color when compared to the white walls.
“Welcome to the world renowned Little White Wedding Chapel.” A woman with a deep southern accent and hair piled high to the sky announced. “We have presided over the nuptialsof everyone from Frank Sinatra to Britney Spears. Are you two Dante and Anika?”
“Yes, that’s us.” My sister beamed.
“Alright just need you to sign the paperwork and pay the remaining balance.”
Glancing at Aldridge I frowned, this part seemed less about wedded bliss and more about business. Dante handed over his card.
“Alright darling. Last detail is selecting your officiant.”
“We’ve thought long and hard about this, and we are going to go with the Purple Rain package.”
Aldridge couldn’t contain his chuckle which caused Anika to flash him an icy glare. Aldi was forced to offer a swift apology, “Sorry, who doesn’t love the man, the myth, the symbol?”
“Prince … wow. So exciting,” I cosigned.
“That’s why I’m wearing this purple bedazzled garter.” She flashed her leg at me.
“It makes sense. This is all perfectly normal.”
“They have tons of options. You know if you two want we could do a bang bang,” Dante said.
“Do I want to know what that is?” I whispered to Aldi.
“You and Danessa are all dressed up, you could jump the broom right after me and my soon to be wife.”
“I think we’re good. This is your day and Nessa and I are happy to be supporting characters.”
The lady with the big bouffant returned. “Alright who will be escorting you down the aisle.”
Aldridge raised his hand. “That would be me.”
“I’m going to ask everyone else to enter the room.”
I fussed over the hem of Anika’s dress. She settled on a short and flirty blush-toned frock and she looked stunning. “Are you ready to be a Mrs?”
“Yea, I can’t wait to be Dante’s wife.”
Giving her one last hug, I took my place at the altar. Love was so unpredictable you could be with someone for years and not be ready to take the next step. While others could meet and instantly know this person was going to be their life partner. Or in the case of Aldridge and me, you could meet the love of your life, get cold feet and push him away only for Cupid or Eros to manifest other plans. I knew I was ready to spend forever with Aldi, but was in no rush to jump the broom. We still had some catching up to do. And I didn’t want to rush through our love story, preferring instead to savor every part.
