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“So ugly, yet so beautiful. So recessive, yet so dominant. So old, yet so new. So painful, yet so pleasant. So subtle, yet so overwhelming. So understanding, yet so intolerable. So polluted, yet so pure. So heavy, yet so light. So mysterious, yet so obvious.”
Nature blubbered, crying uncontrollably as she continued her vows.
“Never, until I met you. You stirred my soul the very second I saw your face, and it hasn’t settled since. It craves you on a daily, sits quietly, in waiting, wondering when it’ll be blessed with your presence again. Over the last few months, I’ve been the happiest, knowing that my soul was getting a good stir every single morning and every single night before bed.
“You are the epitome of love. And your unwavering love for me and our son leaves me wondering if I’m even loving you hard enough, boldly enough, loud enough, unapologetically enough. And then, I quickly remember just how incomplete, just how empty I am when you’re not around and know that I must love you as much as you do me. Because there’s no other way to explain it.
“I want to live and die beside you, baby. That’s my life’s wish and today, we’re making it come true.”
“You trying to have me on the floor, kicking and screaming?”
Chuckling, she shook her head. “I’m just speaking my truth. It’s your turn.”
Nodding, I exhaled loudly.
“Uh,” I stammered, wiping my eyes. “Shoot, I done forgot what I was about to say.”
Laughter erupted from the guest.
“Let’s see. Nah, Nay. That’s unfair. You really came up with all of that, baby? Where the paper? How’d you remember all of that?”
The guests cackled, finding my confusion humorous, but I was serious.
“I didn’t need a piece of paper to explain my love for you when it’s written on my heart.”
“See, you’re just too good at this.”
“Go ahead, baby.”
“Alright,” I sighed again. “Nature, the only woman besides my mother that I’ve had the pleasure of loving, I wish I could relive the day I met you a million times over. Because that was the day that I was met with my future. That very day, as young and foolish as I was, there were a few things I was certain of. My education. My path. And my person.
“That was you and to this day, it’s still you. It’ll always be you. I love you from the depths of me that I don’t even know exist. Each day, you root yourself deeper in my heart, deeper in my soul, making me aware of places that were undiscovered prior to your presence.
“You’re so good at this, Nay. Loving me for who I am and exactly where I am without compromising your beliefs, morals, or sanity. You’re so good at this, baby. Forcing me to see that I have potential beyond the books. You’re so good at this, my love. Helping me understand that I don’t only have a brain but I have a heart, too.
“And when I say that it belongs to you, I’m talking wholly. Every piece of that moth—every piece of it. It’s yours. I don’t even know why it’s still in my chest. It beats for you. It longs for you. It waits for you. And just like me, it’s ready to spend the rest of its days loving on you.”
“Rings, please,” Minister Keaton requested.
The loud clearing of a throat caused everyone in the room to turn around. Just as the culprit was spotted, words came flying out of her mouth.
“Whatever happened to speak now or forever hold your peace? That’s the part I came for,” Christina yelled across the room, rolling her neck with disdain written all over her face. “Isn’t it before the vows, or am I mistaken?”
Silence.
Livid. I planted my feet on the ground, convincing myself that Nature’s side was where I needed to remain unless I wanted to end my wedding day in a cell. My heart shattered a thousand times. Too afraid to see the look on my wife’s face, I held my gaze, wondering why the hell Christina was among our guests and where her knowledge of the wedding had come from. Our guest list was small and everyone RSVP’d ahead of time. Christina wasn’t welcome. Had her name come up on the guest list, I would’ve noticed it.
The ruffling of Nature’s dress grabbed my attention. She was trying her hardest to gather it at her waist. Without a doubt, I knew that she was attempting to make a run for it.
“Nature.”
“What the fuck is this?” she said, barely above a whisper. “On my wedding day?”
“Who is this bitch?” Kleu’s whisper could be heard loud and clear by anyone near. “Baby,” she called out to Lawe.
“Nature, listen—” I tried, but didn’t have the words.
“Fuck this. Fuck her and fuck you!” she hissed, finally managing to get her dress up high enough so that she wouldn’t fall flat on her face.
