Page 58 of The Way Love Heals

“Well, yes. I will be your wife, Nyle.”

I squealed as he scooped me up and spun around in circles. He playfully slammed me on the bed and kissed me with his hair surrounding us. My hands brushed it back before going to his scalp, which led to him resting his head on my chest.

If that was how we’d spend the rest of our lives, I would be the happiest woman on Earth.

Mrs. Nyle Brown.

Yeah, that worked on me.

Friday . . .

“Where are we going?” AJ wondered out loud.

Brittish turned around in her seat and smiled. I half listened to her explain that we were going to the courthouse and why we were going. Since she’d gotten ready earlier, I hadn’t been able to keep my hands or eyes off her. She was glowing, looking beautiful as ever. The white, two-piece skirt set she wore fit her body like a glove. Her blonde hair was curled nicely, framing her pretty face which was made up in light makeup. On top of it all, she smelled heavenly. I wanted to lean over and take a bite of out her, but AJ wouldn’t approve.

AJ’s loud gasp and him hitting the back of my seat freed me from my trance. I guess he forgot I was driving because he threw his arms around my neck. Brittish had to calm him down and remind him he couldn’t do that in between her laughs.

“I’m sorry,” AJ apologized. “I’m just so excited. No one can tell me anything after this. I’ll have two sets of parents.”

I beamed, hearing him group me into that title. I glanced over at Brittish, who was fanning her eyes. She’d been extremely emotional all day, and she had every reason to be. Our lives were about to change for the better.

What she didn’t know was that I had a surprise for her.

When we arrived at the courthouse, Brittish sharply gasped upon seeing our families and Pilar standing outside. She whipped her head to look at me, and I winked.

“There was no way I could let this day go by without the people who mean the most to us.”

“I didn’t know Dad and Mama Zaina would be here!” AJ exclaimed. “I thought they were co⁠—”

Brittish cut him off before he could finish his sentence. I side-eyed her but didn’t pry. Whatever it was, it wasn’t my business.

I helped her and AJ out the truck, and we met up with our families. All the women crowded around Brittish, putting on her veil and giving her the bouquet I’d ordered. She was trying her hardest not to cry and ruin her makeup.

“You have my baby girl glowing, Nyle,” Lucah stated with his hand on my shoulder. “I’ve never seen her this happy, and I expect you to keep it this way.”

“Me too. You’re cool and all, but we’ll have problems if her light dims even a little.” Diamond chimed in. “And we’ll keep that energy with her when it comes to you too. After this, you’ll officially be a part of the family.”

Dionte nodded in agreement. “Exactly. It won’t be any choosing sides when y’all are one. Right, Dad?”

“Right, Son.”

My father held his hand out to Lucah. “I can tell I’m going to like y’all. That’s the perfect way of thinking. I promise to love and protect Brittish and AJ like they’re my own. Any extension of my children are extensions of me.”

“Damn right.” Lucah shook Dad’s hand and pulled him in for a brotherly hug. They walked to the side and talked while Asher came and stood next to me. AJ made his way over and placed himself in between us, grinning.

“I think I’m going to like having a big family,” AJ admitted.

“Promise me you’ll take care of them,” Asher started, draping his arm over AJ’s shoulder. “Taking care of Brittish means taking care of AJ as well. She deserves to be loved properly. She deserves to be happy. I wasn’t able to provide that for her, but from the way she hasn’t stopped smiling since y’all got here shows me you give her everything plus more. Keep her that way, man. Even when times get hard, don’t let it come between y’all. Stay committed and honest. It’ll go a long way.”

Never did I think I’d be receiving advice from Brittish’s ex, but it was crazy how life worked. They still cared about one another, and there wasn’t anything wrong with it. To have a healthy co-parenting relationship as they did, I believed there needed to be some love and understanding. I gave him my word when it came to her and AJ.

Once all the commotion settled down, we headed inside to tie the knot. The process was quicker than I thought it would be. After we signed a few papers, a judge came in to officiate. He asked if we wanted to recite the traditional vows or if we had written our own. Neither of us had written anything, but we wanted to say what was on our hearts.

I went first.

“Brittish, I love you. I’ll never stop loving you. I’m big on being a good steward of what God gives, and He gave me you when I least expected it. He gave me you before taking me through another storm, knowing I wouldn’t have been able to confidently walk through it without you. In a few short months, you’ve come in and changed my life for the better. You’ve healed me in ways I never thought possible.” I reached over and thumbed away one of her tears. “See how easy it is for me to touch you? You made that easy for me. You took away that insecurity and made it something natural for me. Not only have you made me better, but you make me want to continue being a better man for you, AJ, and our future children. To spend the rest of my life with you is one of the biggest blessings God has given to me. I love you, Pretty Lady.”

Nothing but sniffles and soft whispers could be heard around us. I turned to AJ who was standing next to his father. When I waved him over, Brittish and her mother started crying harder. AJ dragged his feet over to me, and I could see he was trying his hardest to hide his emotions. He bit down on his bottom lip with tears resting on the brim of his eyes. I squatted and pulled a small box from my pocket before handing it to him.