Page 56 of Love Sanctioned

When we finally made it downstairs, it looked like a complete madhouse, and of course when I offered to help, Junnie told me no. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t allowed to do anything, but I was summoned over to their grandmother’s house.

On the walk over, I was praying she had food because I was starving. Judging from the strict schedule I was given by Junnie, my only free time was the next hour and a half. After that I was to be in hair, makeup, and some sort of spa treatment she had scheduled to come to the house.

Upon entry, I smelled food instantly. I was in the right place.

“Morning.” I smiled at her the moment she looked up from the pot she was stirring. She was dressed in a white housecoat, her usually ponytailed silver hair in rollers atop her head and her glasses right on her face.

She smiled, joy filling her beautiful face. She was happy to see me while I was happy she had cooked. I mean, I was happy to see her too, but this baby made me greedy. Yes I was blaming the baby this early on, had to be considering I didn’t even eat breakfast before I found out I was pregnant.

I was pulled into a hug the moment I was in arm’s reach, then she asked me to hand her a dish from the cabinet.

“Have you eaten yet?” she asked, her tone just as sweet as ever.

I shook my head.

“Then sit down, so I can feed you. They’re gonna be pulling you every which way, so let me feed my babies.” She smiled widely, letting me know she knew.

“He told you.”

That toothy smile of hers widened. “Nope, but you just did. I've been dreaming about fish all month.”

I laughed.

“You know I knew it was something different about you. From the moment I saw the way he looked at you.” She laughed to herself.

“While he kept downplaying it and saying you both were just friends, I knew there was more. As a matter of fact, it was in the way you both looked at one another. Stolen glances and even clearcut thoughtfulness.” She set a plate in front of me.

I giggled. “I think we both were. It was easy that way though, trying to ignore what was right before our eyes.”

She joined in on the laughter. “It is, but today is your day, baby girl. I know you and him hit a rough patch, but I believe that is behind you. He knows how much he needs you and you know how much you need him, so there will be no more parting; it’s just you and him. Communication and understanding is key. And when he gets flippant at the mouth, a brick across the skull will do the trick. Spare the rod, spoil the man.”

I smiled widely, then busted up at that last part. She knew damn well if I busted her grandson upside his head she’d be ready to bust me upside mine.

We talked for a while longer while I ate and she cooked. She reminded me so much of my mother’s mother. She was a sweet soul with the most loveable countenance, but from being around her a few times, I knew she had no problem cursing anybody out. After our time together, Junnie came barreling through the back door with a clipboard and a mug meant for Posydiann but handed to everyone else.

“You know, as last minute as this is, this feels more like you. As a matter of fact, I feel more love in this space than I’ve experienced in a while. I may have threatened my future son-in-law, but this right here is actually what I expected when it was your day. Not the bullshit you allowed your father to trick you into,” my mother said from behind me.

I looked up from the intricate design of the dress and locked eyes with her through the mirror. After breakfast this morning, I had a spa treatment, then hair and makeup, which all just finished.

“You look beautiful, my dear,” she greeted, eyes holding tears as she stepped forward.

Tears were in my eyes as well. “Thank you, Mommy.”

“One thing I don’t have to worry about is your safety or wellbeing. My new son-in-law also has that covered.” She grinned.

“You’re gonna wear that word out, aren’t you?”

“Probably.” She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes before they could fall.

“I hope we are not crying in here because it’s almost time for you to walk down the aisle.” Posydiann’s mother pointed to me, then looked at my mother. “And me and you to celebrate.”

Apparently they had already been introduced, so I didn’t have to do that part. I did get the chance to see them talking, enjoying one another, which made me smile even bigger.

Yesterday nothing felt right. It felt like I was barely fitting into a mold, like I was at someone else’s wedding, about to watch them say I do. But now here I was, about to marry the man who somehow went from breaking my heart to putting it back together. We had a long road ahead of us, but this felt like a step in the right direction, like it made more sense out of everything. He made sense…

I closed my eyes, trying not to mess up the phenomenal makeup that had just been done, but shit, I was extremely emotional in the best way. My mother and Psy’s mother left the room after a while, both going to see what Junnie needed. My little wedding planning bestie. From the little snippets I heard, she was stressed out, but I was gonna make sure she was well-compensated because this was a lot.

“Is she in here about to cry?”