Page 49 of Meet Me at the Altar

“I wish that I could say the same thing about his mom.”

“Again. Not for you to worry about. Nicole and Leon will be handled. In the interim, we need to focus on preparing for your big day. Have you two figured out where you want to honeymoon at yet?”

“He’s surprising me with that too.”

“Baby, I know that Andrès is a good man, but don’t you want to have a say in anything?”

I smiled. “Don’t you get it, Mama? I’ve been telling that man what I wanted since we were in middle school. This is his chance to show me that he’s paid attention, that he hasn’t forgotten, and that I matter to him. From our dates, the wedding plans, to this house, he has not failed me yet, and I doubt that he’ll do it for our honeymoon. So, yeah, I’m trusting him. How could I expect to trust him with the rest of my life if I can’t trust him with the little things?”

Mommy’s eyes watered up again. “Girl, you’ve got me looking like a babbling fool today. I cannot imagine what I’ll be like on your wedding day if I can barely contain the tears for an engagement party.”

“Well, fix your face, Mommy. I have to go back upstairs and change out of this dress and get ready for the party.”

“What else do you have left to do?”

“Just put on my dress.”

“Okay, I’ll see you soon.”

I stepped out of my studio and Daddy stood there.

“Daddy!”

“You look so beautiful, baby,” my father declared, hugging me.

“Thank you, Daddy. You’re not supposed to see me yet, not until my wedding day.”

He beamed at me, and my mother stepped beside him. I heard the strains of Jagged Edge’s “Let’s Get Married” playing on the speakers throughout the house. The next sound that I heard was the smooth, melodious voice of my fiancé. Andrès was singing the lyrics through speakers throughout our house.

My father stated, “Daughter, welcome to your wedding day.”

Chapter 18

Andrès

Our backyard had been transformed from a beautiful garden into a private botanical garden with the addition of red and white roses, hydrangeas, carnations, peonies, and bleeding hearts. It was her desire to be married in a botanical garden or something similar, so I decided to bring the botanical gardens to her. Several hand-sculpted shrubberies had been installed for today, and lots of greenery had been added to surround the additional water fountains that were placed in the backyard.

Our arch was created with peach and white roses and lots of greenery added in to match our colors. Two steps led to the dais that was set up for us to exchange vows. I looked out on the rows of chairs that our families and friends occupied. I knew the minute she stepped out she would be stunned to see that our small, intimate ceremony had grown to just over one hundred people. Besides her immediate family, her aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and a few other friends had been added to the guest list. Several of my friends from California had flown in, along with some colleagues, and my father, stepmother, siblings, my mother, and Leon were here.

He had invited me to brunch the day before, and he had apologized for the way he had treated me. He told me that he was proud of the young man I had become and that through the years, he had been jealous of the relationship I still held with my father.

Leon admitted that he had wanted to replace him, and he knew that was wrong, but he couldn’t change how he felt. He had resented my father and his continuing presence in our lives, and the older I got, the more I represented my father. He acknowledged that this wedding meant everything to my mother, and he asked if he could attend. I’d had a bit to say to him, too, but in the end, I accepted his apology and accepted the white flag.

The moment that I saw Kalliope step out of the house, I forgot all about yesterday, wrapped up Jagged Edge’s “Meet Me at the Altar,” and I transitioned to “Why I Love You” by MAJOR. She stuttered just a little bit in her steps, and I was certain no one noticed it but her father and me. My gaze was so trained on my woman that there was no way that I could miss a single thing about her.

When she finally made it to me, I handed the microphone to my brother, Solomon, who stood by my side as my best man. My other groomsmen were Silas and KJ. Her maid-of-honor was Adriana, and Khatya and Kelsey were her bridesmaids. My men were dressed in sage green suits with peach boutonnieres, and her sisters and Adriana wore peach dresses, all in different cuts and designs.

I blinked rapidly as her father placed her hands in mine. “I know that you will take good care of my baby’s heart. You’ve always adored and protected her, and I trust that you’ll do even more now that she’s yours.”

“Yes, sir,” I replied, never taking my eyes off Kalli. “You look stunning, baby. I couldn’t have imagined that you couldbe even more gorgeous than you already are. You seriously are breathtakingly beautiful today.”

She blushed and lowered her gaze before meeting mine again. “Thank you. You look damn good yourself. Oops, sorry Pastor Parker.”

The pastor smiled and nodded. “It’s okay, this one time.” He winked and chuckled before he started his speech about the importance of love, unity, and fidelity in God’s eyes.

“You two have written your own vows out of love, today,” he declared after his speech.

We nodded at the pastor and then turned to one another. I took the ring from Solomon’s hand and turned to Kalli.