Page 51 of Crown: Phase 3
“Y’all hush and let my girl cook.” Nivéa said in between giggles, fully understanding her best friend’s heart.
“Yes, let me cook. Dang.” Caresha stomped her heel dramatically and popped Danger in the chest before continuing.
“To be clear, the eviction and repo was me at different stages of my life. But Nivéa gave me her last to handle both during the processes when she barely had it herself. And that’s my point. Her character is flawless. I can honestly say, nobody in this room deserves happiness more than her.”
That made the room quiet some.
“She got one of the purest hearts I know. She loves hard. She knows how to forgive, too. And while she thinks that’s a weakness, I see it as a strength. It’s so easy to give up and walk away, but to stay and see the best in people when they can’t even see it themselves takes a lot of courage. She shows up for people even when she got her own shit going on. So, when she called me from Vegas crying saying she got married, I was so happy for my sister.”
Nivéa’s eyes watered again, and she shook her head, realizing they would have her crying all night.
“Because the way that man there shows up for her and love her?” Caresha pointed toward Crown. “Baby, everybody can see it…can feel it.Iadore it.”
Crown gave a half-smile while rubbing his beard.
“Crown, thank you for loving my friendcorrectly. Thank you for stepping up for her and my godchild the way you have. You brought security and peace into their lives, and that means everything to me because I love them both very much.”
Caresha looked between both of them before lifting her glass slightly, her voice full of emotion.
“To love that heals. To love that makes us feel safe and whole. To you two on your new journey. I wish you both nothing but love and happiness. May God continue to guide and bless your union.”
Smiling, everyone clapped in joy. What started as rocky turned into something beautiful. The message wasn’t perfect,but they all understood: Nivéa deserved the world and then some.
After the speeches, old school R&B mixed with trap records filled the air as members of the club crowded around tables, talking loudly and sipping on liquor. Crown sat with his club members, cigar smoke drifting in from the balcony doors. Smokey had brought some of the finest cigars from his personal collection.
With drinks being served back-to-back, they all were feeling amazing. So much so that Crown had forgotten one person was missing. That’s until…he entered.
Late due to a mandatory meeting with the other Council members, Prophet stepped in with his cane, dressed in all black, his salt-and-pepper hair cut beautifully. The older man carried himself with quiet authority, a gold watch sitting heavy on his wrist. The second Crown spotted him, he stood immediately to go greet him.
“P,” he said respectfully, gripping his hand firmly.
“There he goes.” Prophet smiled warmly. “Married man now.”
“Hell yeah.”
They exchanged looks, pride evident in Prophet's eyes.
“Looks good on you, son. Your grandfather would’ve loved seeing this day. Hardest nigga I knew, but I remember you walking across the stage for kindergarten, and his old ass cried like a baby.”
That statement hit Crown deep, and he chuckled.
“I know. I appreciate you for taking the time to come.”
“Oh, you know I wasn’t missing this. Might arrive late, but you know what we say.”
“Better late than never.”
A street nigga and president, Crown understood better than anyone that they had to stretch their time to everyone important in their lives.
“Facts.” Prophet smiled, then looked around the venue until his eyes landed on who he believed was Nivéa. He whistled charmingly. “That has to be her. You lucky muthafucka, you.”
Crown chuckled. “Keep yo' eyes off my lady, P.”
Prophet laughed at that.
“Then you better handle yo’ business and take care of her. Always a real nigga waiting in line, ready to handle that.” He made clear, and Crown knew better than to take it to heart.
“Aight, fuck around and find out. She already met her a real one. Don’t play ‘bout her either.”
