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I was a mess by the time he was done, but I had to get through my vows.

“Ajoni, I never thought bumping into somebody in the middle of a club would change my whole life. It should’ve been one moment… one night… one memory, but somehow, you stayed with me too.”

“When you came back into my life, I didn’t know what to do with what I felt. You were familiar and new at the same time, but you never made me feel like I had to convince you to choose us. You just did.”

“You showed up with your whole heart. You loved what was ours, you loved me through the parts I was still trying to understand, and you made a home out of something that started as a chance run-in.”

“Our child may have been the blessing that put us back in each other’s path, but you became the love that made me want to stay there. And now, with two more pieces of us on the way, I know this was never random.”

“So today, I vow to love you with honesty, patience, loyalty, and care. I vow to stand beside you, protect what we’re building, and give you the same kind of love you’ve given me… real, steady, and sure.”

“You were never just the man from that night to me, Ajoni. You became the man my heart chose before I was ready to say it out loud.”

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

By the time we both were done, we both had tears coming down our face’s. We got through the ring exchange, and it was now time to be announced husband and wife.

“I now pronounce you hu—“ Joni didn’t even wait before the pastor to finish before he kissed me.

“I love you, baby,” he confessed.

“Thank you for loving me and giving me the life I always dreamt of,” I countered.

Jontae ‘Tae’ Brooks

My day seems long whenever we’re apartIt’s like someone has thrown away my heartYou’re a major part of my lifeAnd no matter what the storm may bring, I’m fine with you

And the point of it all is I love youAnd the reason for it all is I love you

Istood and watched as my brother and his wife danced together as husband and wife. I’on think that nigga stopped grinning yet, but he deserved that shit. Tori and Leah were the best things to ever happen to him.

“What you over there thinking about?” Gabi asked from the side of me. I looked down at her and couldn’t help but smile. This girl was the best thing that happened to me, and I was glad I gave her a chance.

“Just how happy I am for my brother. Love looks good on him,” I confirmed, and she nodded with a smile. I heard the DJ announce that their dance was over and it was time for the toasts.

We all sat and listened to Tori’s parents bless their union before Ma Pat got up and said a few things. If she could stop crying long enough, we would be able to understand what she said. When I saw Kat get up and head for the mic, I almost twisted my ankle to get the mic from her.

“Now, you know nobody wants to hear shit your deadbeat ass has to say,” I spat as I snatched the mic out her hand. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she knew better. “My bad y’all. I couldn’t have stragglers trying to mess up my brother’s day,” I started. “And Gee, I see how you looking at a nigga. We can squabble about it later,” I laughed, making Gee and even the crowd laugh. “Anyway, I wanted to tell my big bro that I’m happy for him. I thought nobody would ever want his ugly ass,” I teased.

“Nigga, I got three kids that say otherwise,” he shot back.

“That don’t mean you ain’t ugly… it just means you can’t pu—”

“Jontae!” Gee fussed from across the room.

“My bad, Gee, but y’all know what I’m tryna say.” I smirked. “I didn’t think love was in the cards for either of us since we didn’t get that shit from the people that we needed to get it from. No disrespect to our Gee or Ma Pat, but when you don’t have parents it makes you look like you’re incapable of the shit. My brother showed me otherwise. He’s been the only father figured I’ve known all my life and he did a damn good job. He showed me how real men handle their shit and what real and unconditional love can look and feel like. I felt like if he could do it, it couldn’t be that bad.” I glanced at Gabi and she blushed. “I just want my brother to know that I love and appreciate everything he has done and sacrificed for me. If I had to pick a wife for you, I’d be Tori every single time. I love y’all and wish y’all many more years to come.” I raised my glass at my brother and his wife, and he did the same before joining me and pulling me into a hug.

“I love you, bro, but you couldn’t let Kat live huh?” He laughed.

“Hell no. She better be glad that’s all I said to her with that first lady ass wig she got on.” He laughed and we continued to chop it up when Saint and the rest of the guys came over to join us.

“Nigga, you’re an asshole. I see why Gee staying going in your shit,” Saint commented as soon as they got close.

“I hope she tear your ass up for that shit, too,” Buck chimed in. “That’s your mama, nigga.”

“That bitch ain’t shit but an incubator but fuck all that. I’m not wasting my night talking about Kat’s hoe ass. Y’all niggas tryna go smoke or what?” I countered, putting a stop to their bullshit.

“Hell, yeah. Let’s go,” Saint said.