"Damn" I mumbled, "a nigga sweating like a muthafucka."

My dad laughed, "you nervous?"

"Hell yeah he is" Kareem added.

I shook my head then waved both of them off. "I ain't nervous. It's just hot in here."

"That's big cap" Kareem said while he laughed.

"It's okay to be nervous. I was nervous when I married your mother too" my dad said.

"What you nervous for? You and Genesis been engaged for three years. You should be more than ready for this shit" Kareem said.

"Stop acting like you weren't nervous when you married Kelis. I don't care how long it's been, this shit is scary."

Genesis and I have been holding our wedding off so that she could focus on finishing school and starting her career. Three years have passed, and today is the day that we tie the knot. We've been together for four years and engaged for three, but I'm still nervous as hell. I just don't want anything to go wrong.

"Marriage is definitely a scary thing son, but you got this. Everything will go smoothly" my dad said.

I nodded then wiped the sweat off of my face.

"Knock, knock" my mom said before walking into my dressing room.

"Awwww my baby" she cooed, "you look so handsome. You are your fathers twin."

"Ain't he? I couldn't deny that boy if I wanted to" my dad said.

I chuckled then poured myself a glass of Remy Martin to shake some of this anxiety off.

I heard a knock on the door then the wedding planner walked in.

"It's time" she said as she smiled.

I took one last look in the mirror then downed the rest of my drink.

"Lead the way."

The wedding planner nodded then led my parents and I to the main area of the venue. Kareem stayed behind, preparing to walk down the aisle as a groomsman. Everything was nicely decorated in black, silver, and white colors. Gen and I wanted to be different, so we chose black as the main color of our wedding. Family members and friends filled the many seats on each side of the aisle. Everybody's eyes were on me as I took my place on the stage. Thank God for alcohol because I get paranoid when muthafuckas stare at me.

"She'll be walking out soon. You ready?" My mom asked as she adjusted my shirt for me.

I nodded, "I'm ready."

She smiled then kissed my cheek. "I'm so proud of you."

I cracked a small smile then watched her sit down next to my father.

The instrumental of all my life by Kci and Jojo began playing through the speakers. Kelis and Kareem stood at the other end of the aisle dressed in black and white colors. On cue, they both began walking down the aisle arm in arm. When they reached the end of the aisle they went their separate ways, Kareem coming to my side of the stage, and Kelis going to Genesis' side.

After Lee, Sammy, and a few of my cousins walked down the aisle, the music stopped.

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Why I love you by Major began playing through the speakers. My heart melted when I seen my now three-year-old daughter standing at the other end of the aisle with a basket of flowers in her hand. She slowly walked down the aisle, tossing flowers onto the floor just like we practiced. A smile appeared on my face, and a single tear fell from my eye as I continued to watch her walk down the aisle. She looked beautiful...just like her mother.

Honor was nearly at the stage when Genesis started walking down the aisle. I froze and my heart skipped a beat at the sight in front of me. I swear I've never seen someone so beautiful in my life. She wore a beautiful black gown with silver accessories and a black veil. A sliver, diamond Cuban link chain hung from her neck, and diamond studs complimented her earlobes. Each and every one of our memories began flashing through my mind. From the day that I smoked with her at my pool party to the day that I proposed to her.

Tears escaped my eyes causing me to look down at the floor. I can't let these folks see a real nigga cry. Wiping my eyes, I looked back up at Genesis. The music came to a halt when she reached the end of the aisle. I extended my hand, helping her onto the stage. She looked up at me with a smile and teary eyes. We briefly looked each other in the eyes before turning our attention to the officiant. This is the moment where we become ONE.

🤣🥰🥺

If I, I ain't got nothing, I got you

If I, I ain't got something I don't give a damn, 'cause I got it with you

I don't know much about algebra, but I know one plus one equals two

And it's me and you

That's all we'll have when the world is through

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1+1 by Beyoncé played as East and I shared our first dance together. I looked up at him, kissing his lips repeatedly. Today I experienced one of the best days of my existence. I married the love of my life. I really get to spend the rest of my life with my soulmate. It feels so unreal.

"I love you" East said as he looked into my eyes.

"I love you more baby."

East shook his head, "not possible."

I chuckled then rolled my eyes. "Here you go."

"I'm just speaking facts wifey" East said as he smiled.

Wifey...that word will forever give me butterflies.

Once the song was over East and I took our seats at the table where our kids were seated.

"Y'all look nice" Kaiser said.

East and I laughed then thanked Kaiser. Kaiser has grown up right before our eyes. He went from being an adorable two-year-old to a video game loving five-year-old. He will ALWAYS be my baby though. I don't care how old he gets.

Yasmine walked over to us, handing me a microphone so that East and I could say something sweet to each other.

"Hi everybody" I spoke into the microphone.

"Well, today I married the love of my life. This was easily one of the best moments of my entire existence. I'm still on cloud 9. This feels so unreal to me. Jeremiah, I love you so much baby. I thank God for you everyday. You are the epitome of a great man, and I'm so grateful that I get to spend the rest of my life with you."

I kissed East then handed him the microphone while everyone clapped.

"Genesis, Genesis, Genesis" East said as everybody laughed.

"I could talk about you and compliment you all day. I swear you're the best thing that ever happened to me. You and our kids changed me so much. Y'all molded me into the man that I am today. I thank y'all for that. You already know how much I love you. I'll die for you baby. This is a forever thing" East said.

He handed the microphone to Yasmine then sat down next to me.

"I'm so proud of both of them. Today we celebrate their love. Today we'll also be celebrating Genesis' success with her education and her career. As you all know, Genesis graduated college with a bachelor's in criminal justice a little while ago. She's met all of the requirements, and she's officially an FBI agent" Yasmine announced.

Everybody clapped and cheered loudly, bringing a big smile to my face.

I was never passionate about criminal justice until East got sent to jail. My plans were to finish school and become a lawyer, but working as a federal agent seemed like a better choice. Now I can prevent situations like the one that East went through.

"Congratulations auntie Gen and uncle J" Nayeli said as she approached us along with her mother.

"Congratulations" Yesenia said.

I smiled, "thank you both."

Yesenia smiled then turned to East, "I'm so proud of you. You are truly an amazing man. I love you no matter what."

East smiled then hugged Yesenia. "I love you too lil sis."

East and Yesenia aren't the closest, but their relationship has gotten better. Things will never be perfect between them, but I'm glad they're making progress.

I smiled as I watched our family and friends dance to before I let go. East looked at me then held his hand out. I chuckled then grabbed his hand, following him to the dance floor.

The two of us began dancing like the drunk uncle and auntie at a cookout. We were enjoying ourselves though and that's all that mattered.

We spent the rest of the night celebrating our love. It felt good to be surrounded by friends, family, and good energy. I wouldn't have wanted our wedding to go any other way. We got our 'happy ending', except this isn't the end of our love story. It's only the beginning, the beginning of a beautiful journey.

🎶Couldn't we be happily ever after?

We could be strong together for so long

My love is oh so strong

Couldn't we be happily ever after?

Couldn't we be?

Leaving you never till forever's gone🎶

💙