"Hey Rai, you gotta' minute? I need to meet you somewhere?" Mikey asked immediately after I answered my phone.

"Yeah, where do you want to meet? The ladies are here at the hotel getting ready."

"I'll come to you, we can catch a quick breakfast."

"Ok."

Mikey came to the hotel and picked me up. We decided to go down the street to a diner. I was a little nervous. I wanted to apologize. He should be focused on getting down that isle not me fighting. Only a few hours left.

Seated comfortably at the small low country diner, we quickly placed our orders. Both of us got the French toast and fruit. I was still a little embarrassed. That was my first fight in all my years of living, but that doesn't mean I don't know how. I had a great teacher.

"I'm sorry Mikey."

"I'm sorry for yelling at you." He replied simultaneously. We glanced at each other and laughed. That made me relax a bit. "I can't believe that lady came all the way to Florida for A3. After thinking it over, I think you might've done yourself a favor. People like that, sometimes need their ass kicked. I just didn't want you getting into trouble and messing up your record. You work so hard, I don't want some clown messing things up for you."

"I get it, I'm hanging up my gloves." I giggled.

"Keep em' close, for when somebody try you. Then you whoop their ass like I taught you. Her coming here was disrespectful and a little crazy. So I understand your hostility. —You're a little crazy too though." He laughed, I smiled shaking my head.

"Ha ha, not funny. You know I love that man."

"I know you do and I know A3 love you too. I'm glad you two are happy and all that. Its been a long bumpy road, but I'm here. My best friend is madly in love with my little sister. And despite all the adversity, he still is."

"even after all of our adversity. Don't you forget that." I reminded him, we shared our famous winking smile, we inherited from mama Laurie.

"I love you too baby sis'."

"I wonder what mama Laurie would say, about the fight." I raised my brows.

"She probably would be upset about it overall but low- key rooting and cheering you on." He chuckled, I nodding agreeing.

"I could hear her and aunt Anitah now, 'Rai beat that crazy chick up. I bet she won't try this mess again. If she do Ima' whoop her ass myself'." He tried mimicking mama Laurie and her twin sister, we continued laughing.

"Aunt Anitah probably would say all that, mama Laurie would just laugh at her." I smiled reminiscing. "Man I miss Mama Laurie. Her smile alone would make you—"

"Sorry to cut you off but I need to tell you a story. One you've been asking about since forever. And I don't want to get married today until you hear it." He got serious taking a sip of his apple juice, that was placed on the table.

We were waiting on our food, the diner was packed. Our ticket finally was up next to go in. I nodded my head for him to proceed.

"I never told you about our parents. You were four when they were murdered. I was ten and I remember everything. I couldn't forget it if I tried. For years I had nightmares." He took a much needed deep breath as his energy shifted.

I held my breath waiting for him to continue. This was always an off limits topic for him. Even in therapy he wouldn't talk about it, much.

"Know that they loved us Rai. They were trying to get clean. They were in too deep. Two drug addicts trying to get sober without rehab or anything was basically impossible for them."

I nodded releasing my breath. I had zero emotions to display at the moment. I just wanted to finally hear from him what happened.

"Mom would lay next to you, singing you to sleep at night. I'd lay at the foot of your bed hugging at her feet. Which would result in me falling asleep and dad carrying me to my room." He lightly chuckled.

"I remember we used to go to the beach and hang out at the big pier on second ave. We stayed out there for hours. Those were the good times. They truly tried to be good parents." He continued, I straightened my poster listening attentively.

"There was a side to them I feared. They would drink and down pills all day. Snorted and did basically anything to get high. They blew through so much money. It was a prayer everyday for food."

"Dad started hanging with some guys who helped him get put on. He was selling, and was actually good at it. He put us in a better position financially, for a little while. But they couldn't stop using." He shook his head. "Anyway, they got caught up in to some bad debt with the wrong people."

"Did you see it happen?" I questioned, although it was apparent he did. His horrid expression gave me my answer. For him to live with these memories is unimaginable. Both of us had very traumatic things we had to endure at a severely young age.

He nodded his head slowly. A tear rolled down his face, he quickly wiped it away. "It was one night after we were already in bed. I heard some arguing. I got and stood by my room door. I peaked down the hall noticing a light on. The yelling picked up. The next thing I heard was a slamming noise."

He took a breath. "I rushed out of the room and over to yours. I closed your door and locked it. That's what dad taught me to do. He always repeated what to do if something was to ever happen. It was drill into me. —I slowly walked down the hall peeping around the corner. There were three men, two of them had guns pointed to mom and dads head."

More tears flowed down his face, this time he allowed them to fall. "Mom pleaded with them. She dropped to her knees crying, begging for them to work something out. None of that mattered, because the next moment I saw the guy smiling at dad. Without saying anything the guy quickly pulled the trigger. Moms blood splattered everywhere, bullet to the head. Dad tried to move to see about her but they quickly shot him too." Mikey breathed out using the napkins on the table to wipe his face. I was trying to control my breathing. I was feeling all types of emotions. This is something I've always wanted to know, and now I do.

"As soon as the guy killed dad I screamed. The guy who shot dad was about to walk over to me, but the guy that didn't have a gun stopped him. I ran down the hall toward my room, the men left. I slowly came out of the room once it was ok. I tip toed in to mom and dads room and dialed 911. I stayed on the phone until they got there." He harshly wiped at his eyes with the napkins.

"I just wish you could've known them. They loved us, they were trying to be better. They were addicts. If they knew better they would've done better. It may not look like it but they did try to get better. They tried so many times. They were just in too deep." He sniffled gaining control of his emotions. I, surprisingly wasn't crying. I was more shocked to finally hear him speak on this. I was also overwhelmed with the way I felt.

"I got some photos of all of us." He reached in his pocket. He pulled out a small white envelope. He placed the envelope on the table and slid it over to me. I stared at it, slowly taking a breath.

"Mom was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Dad got lucky with her." He sniffled laughing, making me smile.

"I want you to have these. I'm sorry I waited so long. With the nightmares and everything, this was always tough. —I'm trying to open up more and speak on things that's tough. I'm trying to be like you." He chuckled, wiping his eyes once more.

Our food arrived, breaking my stare from the little white envelope on the table. Pushing my plate to the side, I went ahead and picked the envelope back up. A tear finally rolled down my face. "Thank you."

I smoothed my right index finger along the edges before opening it. I was no longer hungry, I couldn't believe I was about to see pictures of my mom. I've seen pictures of my dad back in Nairobi. Also mama Laurie had photos of him, around the house. But they were younger photos before he left the family. Sadly I didn't remember how my mom looked. If it wasn't for the photos growing up, I wouldn't even know how my dad looked either.

"Wow, they are beautiful. —Mom, wow, look at her." I wiped my eyes. Mikey and I shared a laugh staring at the photos.

"Yep that's our dad Mark and our mother Lorraine." Hearing him say their names gave me chills. That's the first I've ever heard my mothers name mentioned. At least I don't remember the last time.

"Lorraine," I repeated smiling up at him. "Raina and Lorraine, then there's Markus and Michael."

"Yep, dad named us. He always called you his twin. You clung to him more. I was a mamas boy, through and through." He stated proudly.

"They look so young and in love." I traced my fingers over one of the photos of them together.

"They didn't mind showing it either. He used to tap mom on her butt. I would say eww. Then he'd say, 'knock it off baby boy. Saying eww won't make me stop loving on your mama'." He deepened his voice trying to mimic him, we laughed.

"Its crazy, because A3's the same way with you, with his affection. He doesn't care who is in the room. Him and dad have a lot in common. That's the first thing I thought of when I saw Adrian loving on you. It spooked me. Especially with the way he cried when you were in the hospital. I didn't know how to take any of it. I was pissed and confused at the sametime."

"I get it, our secret came out and you were pissed. Then seeing his genuine love for me shook you. For one, you weren't used to seeing that side of him, and you knew the idea of a relationship was all new to me. You're human Mikey. And I'll take that as a compliment, Adrian reminding you of dad." I gleamed.

"Yeah he does." He smiled proudly at me.

"I can't believe you're able to remember so much. At ten years old though." I was amazed.

"I won't let myself forget. Although I used to think some of it was a dream. Somethings are just pierced, beacause a lot of my life I actually don't remember. But those times with mom and dad I remember clearly."

"Look at these. I found these too." He pulled out more photos, three of me and three of him.

"Oh no, lets put these back in the envelope. Two words, —glow up." I laughed while sorting through all the pictures.

"We've been through it." He laughed along with me. We shared a look smiling, shaking our heads.

"You're ready for today?"

"More than ready." He replied with no hesitation.

"Good, me too. You have an amazing bride and son waiting. My work is done." I playfully pretended to wipe sweat beads from my forehead. We laughed again.

"I guess we better pack this up to go. You need to get back to Leah and I need to get KJ squared away." He signaled for the waiter. She came over immediately giving us the ticket and to go boxes. We packed up our food, Mikey took care of the bill.

My phone sounded off, I pulled it out of my pullover sweater pocket. "Speaking of Leah." I showed him her name on my screen. He smiled at it blushing so hard his ears turned red.

"Hello," I answered.

"Is everything ok, are you on your way back?"

"I'm about leave now, we're not too far. It shouldn't take me long." I smiled at Mikey paying close attention to me on the phone with his wife to be.

"Ok," she took a deep breath. "How is he?"

My smile grew lighting up my entire face. Mikey was still blushing away. "He's great, He can't wait to marry you."

She squealed. "How's KJ? Did Adrian leave to get him from my aunt yet?"

"Yes, he already left. He texted me before I got to the diner, saying he was on his way there to get him from her hotel.

"Ok." She quieted.

"Everything's going to be ok, it's ok to be nervous. You got this Leah."

"I just want everything to be perfect. Then my mom is here. I just, I'm stressed." Her voice shook a little.

"Leah, you are winning. You got your career, an amazing son and you have my brother. You did all this without their help. Everything will be perfect. We are all here, the squad has your back."

"Yeah." She let out a breath.

"Let me talk to her." Mikey held his hand out to get my phone. I shooed it away.

"No, you know she said she didn't want to see or hear from you before the wedding." I held my free hand out in front of him.

"Let me see the phone." He begged while reaching for it, but I leaned back.

"I'm not giving you my phone." I attempted to get up to talk to Leah in private.

"Aight you don't have to leave. Just tell her to ask Sienna to give her the box." He compromised.

"What box?" I questioned plopping back down in my seat.

"Just tell her what I said, nosey." He laughed.

I relayed the message, Leah went ahead and spoke to Sienna. She was shifting around I guess now opening the box.

"Well, what is it?" I asked, really wanting to know.

"Uh— Rai," she blurted out with laughter. She then spoke with caution. "I'm good now. See you when you get here. Love you bye." She hurried ending the call. I stared at my phone, I was lost. What hell just happened?

Mikey laugh shaking his head. I examined his face, waiting to see if he was going to tell me or not. "What was in the box?"

"Rai, trust me you don't want to know. Something for when we get to Anguilla." He scratched the back of his head.

"Let's go." I got up with a deadpanned expression grabbing my Togo box.

He continued laughing. "I love you."

"I love you too." We hugged it out before heading toward the exit.

"You two are so nasty. Whatever it is, thank you for sparing me. I don't even want to know." I mumbled allowing the door to swing shut behind us. He laughed again.

****

The wedding was absolutely beautiful, wasn't a dry eye in sight. What did it for me was when KJ walked Leah down the isle. He stood up there with them as a part of their union. I tried to keep it together, me being the maid of honor and all.

We're now here at the wedding reception. Leah got her winter wonderland theme she always wanted. She swayed down the isle in a beautiful princess styled dress. With a diamond laced veil at about ten feet long. She was absolutely stunning.

All the women wore Smokey grey off the shoulder long tulle styled dresses. The guys tuxedos were navy blue with a Smokey grey shirt and tie. KJs favorite colors.

The outdoor tent was set up nicely, with dim lighting and crystal jewels hanging from the ceilings. Everything was winter white and gold with beautiful white lilies all over the room.

She ended up getting three cakes, she couldn't choose a design so Mikey went back and told the decorator he wanted all three. They took up an entire large table. Everything was absolutely amazing, all the way down to the menu and the ice sculptured Martini chiller.

Leah, Mikey and KJ deserve every bit of this. He finally has his Queen.

My man however looked sexy as hell, the way that navy blue complimented his now grey eyes. He's too fresh and I can't wait for tonight.

We've been here for a while now having a blast. The guys did a "Do You Remember The Time" dance challenge. My brother thinks just because his name is Michael Jackson he can dance like him, not.

Next it was toast time. Leah's aunt spoke as well as just about everyone in the squad. Adrian was finishing up his toast to the bride and groom. Which borderline had me in tears. The bromance is too real.

"You're my brother, and I love you. That won't ever change. —So again congratulations, you both deserve this happiness." He raised his glass to Leah and Mikey. Everyone around the room followed suit, sealing the toast.

"Ok, now I'm going to pass the torch over to the love of my life. Y'all give it up for my baby, Rai." Adrian announced and everyone started clapping.

I stood up slowly. I was a little nervous. Not because I was speaking, but because I knew I would get emotional.

"Thank you Punkin." I praised into the microphone making everyone laugh. I took a deep breath bringing my attention over to Leah. She stood beside my brother behind the long table where they sat for the evening.

"Leah, you've been nothing short of amazing since the first time I met you. —In the grocery store that day. Our lives have been greatly impacted since. I thank you for blessing us with our KJ. And yes I said our because he's that. He's loved by so many, his village is so big." I smiled, taking a moment to stare at all the people here showing love and support.