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“My turn. What are you thinking about?’ I ask him.
He turns then puts Jayla on the bench before taking a seat himself. Jayla leans in and kisses his cheek.
“Now, Daddy?”
He nods his head, and she smiles a toothy grin. Minus one tooth that she recently lost.
“Brooklynn Nicolette Emory, my Blaze, mother of my child, owner of my heart and so much more. I know we’ve been through our share of pain and heartache. Some we caused each other. I always said I wouldn’t screw up what I had with you if I ever got a second chance with you. Here we are. Will you make me the happiest man in Savannah? Or sitting on this bench in our park? Will you marry me?”
Jayla pulls the band that Daire gave to my mother who then gave it to my grandmother who gave it to me. at the same time, Daire opens a ring box with a gorgeous pink and white diamond ring with a black band that matches perfectly with the band. I’m momentarily speechless as I look at both of them.
Daire looks over at Jayla who nods her head. For a second, I wonder what else they cooked up. I don’t have to wait long to know.
Jayla clears her throat, then says, “I dare you, Mommy.”
Who could say no to that?
Of course, I say, “Yes”. Leave it to Daire to one up himself.
“I dare you to marry me right here and right now.”
Suddenly, people hop out from behind trees. Journee is there, holding a garment bag. Noelle has her makeup case and a rollaway cart.
“I haven’t even said I would. Why do y’all have all this stuff?”
“Are you really going to turn this man down?” Journee asks.
“No. Wait. are you backing down from a dare?” Noelle adds.
I laugh at them both.
“I’m not the one with the issue of not backing down from a dare.”
Several people call my name, including Mrs. Shaw, a woman I’ve grown very close to over the last few months. It took her a little bit longer to forgive me for keeping her grandchild from the family, but now she loves me. Obviously.
On April 13th, a gorgeous day in Savannah Georgia, I agreed to marry the man of my dreams. I also agreed to never keep another secret from him. As a result of that agreement, I made an announcement at our impromptu reception on the rooftop of the Thompson Savannah.
“Jaxson Shaw, I dare you to be the best father ...,” I whispered in his ear as we watched our family and friends laugh and dance the night away. He smiled then moved in to kiss me, but I stop him with my finger over his lips. “To both of our children.”
He looks confused for a second. I see the moment he understands.
“You’re ... we’re pregnant?!”
I nod and he kisses me.
“I’m going to be a grandmother again!” his mother screams and the room erupts in cheers.
Congratulations go around. A twinge of sadness overtakes me as I think about my mother. Looking at Daire’s mother, seeing how thrilled she is, makes me wish my mother could be like her. Sadly, Beatrix Coleman wasn’t created to be that person. When I found out how quickly she handed Jayla off to Daire, I was so mad I called her to tell her what I thought of her. That’s when I found out the numbers we had for her were no longer in service. During one of our chats at Hope House, Noelle told me I should write her a letter, mail it, but don’t put a return address on it. She said if my mother received it then fine. If she didn’t then I’d never know and that would be fine too. The point of the letter is to write it all down, get it off my chest, then let it go.
So, I did. It isn’t until moments like this that I have a lapse. I look around, take in all I have and choose to dwell on what it is I still have. When I do, I feel one thousand percent better. I chose to take the plunge, gambled with my heart, and I’ve come out a winner.
I’m going to make sure to hold on to this happily ever after. Leaning over, I kiss my husband while our little girl dances and eats wedding cake in the chair next to us.
