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By now I was a damn mess. I’m glad my makeup was waterproof.

“Gee, this is beautiful…thank you,” I responded sincerely.

“Don’t thank me…just keep my baby happy and out my business.” She smirked before pulling me into a hug.

“Mommy you look like a big princess,” Leah commented, but I caught the shade.

“Uhm, are you calling me fat?” I asked.

“No, you’re just big in the stomach until the babies come out your butt.” She shrugged.

“Alright, let’s go.” Mama announced.

I turned to Mesha and Rah, and they were grinning and fighting back tears of their own.

“You really look beautiful, Tori,” Mesha complimented.

“You really do,” Rah chimed in.

“Thank y’all. I love y’all and really appreciate everything y’all do. Rah, before I knew how connected we were, you were already like another sister to me. I love you bitches,” I cried.

“We love your crybaby ass too. Now come on before Khaotic brings his chaotic ass in here looking for you,” Mesha countered. I laughed because that sounded just like him.

While everyone lined up, Abe walked up to me.

“You look beautiful, baby girl,” he complimented.

“Thank you, Abe,” I responded.

“Tori, I want you to know I’m honored that you let me do this. I know I came into your life, and you were already an adult with your own child but when I accepted Halle, I accepted you, Mesha and my baby Leah. I’m glad you found the love of your life and I’m proud of you,” he said before pulling me into a hug and kissing my temple. Everybody was determined to make me cry today.

I heard the music start, and that was my que. The sound of KEM’s “Share My Life” carried through the ballroom as the wedding party walked down. Once they were in place, I heard the pastor telling everybody to stand. I heard the music to Jamie Foxx’s “Heaven” and it was go time.

“You ready?” Abe asked.

“I’m ready,” I countered.

Abe led the way down the aisle, and I had tunnel vision. All I saw was my man. I did a quick double take when I heard it was Saint up there singing. They teased him about singing, but he was up there making every damn body cry. I finally made it to Alter, and Joni wasted no time kissing me.

“Boy, let the preacher do his job first,” Gee yelled.

Once he stepped away, the pastor asked who gave me away, and Abe nodded and shook hands with Joni before taking a seat by my mama.

The ceremony went by without a hitch and by the time we got to the vows. Joni started first, and I just knew I was going to be a mess.

“Khatori, I still remember you bumping into me in that club like life pushed you straight into my path. We were strangers, so there were no promises… no plans… no expectations, but something about you stayed with me anyway.”

“When I went away, I carried that memory with me. I told myself if I made it home, I was going to find you. I didn’t know what would come from it. I just knew I couldn’t spend my life wondering about the woman I met once and never forgot.”

“Then I found my way back, and God showed me that night had given me more than a memory. Our child could’ve been the reason we came back together, but you became the reason I wanted to stay.”

“Now I’m standing here with you, with the family we already have and two more pieces of us on the way, and I’on take any of it lightly.”

“So I vow to love you with loyalty, patience, honesty, and care. I vow to protect your peace, honor your trust, and stand beside you through everything life brings us.”

“You were never just one night to me, Tori. You were the beginning of every part of my life that finally feels right.”

“I love you, Khatori. I choose you today… tomorrow, and every day God gives me after this.”