Page 87 of Whatever It Takes
“I love you too.”
He crouched down and brushed his fingers across the stone, then kissed his fingers and pressed them against it, just like he did at the funeral. The heavy breeze blew past us. Like, Dru was actually out here with us. We both laughed, probably thinking the same thing.
“I can’t wait to marry you.” He said as he stood to his feet. Like I weighed nothing, Saint picked me up bridal style andcarried me into the house. For the rest of the night, we made love until we both passed out from exhaustion.
“Please don’t cry.If you cry, I’m going to cry.” Chanel’s voice shook as she dabbed at the corner of my eyes, trying to save my makeup.
“I’m not crying.” I lied, repeatedly blinking as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I could barely recognize the woman staring back at me. The fitted white gown hugged every curve of my body, my stomach on full display. Eight months pregnant with twins, and somehow I still looked beautiful as ever. My hair fell in soft waves that cascaded down my exposed back. Soft makeup adorned my round face. I looked happy. Finally filled with the peace I used to pray for.
“Bless, you’re about to marry the love of your life. You better cry. You’re literally getting everything you’ve prayed for.” Taryn said, behind us. The powder pink dresses they wore looked perfect on them.
“I don’t want to look a mess waddling down the aisle,” I muttered. I no longer had the hypotonic walk Saint adored so much. This big ass stomach had me waddling like a penguin.
The sound of the door opening caused our necks to snap towards it. Miss Jackie poked her head in and gasped.
“Oh, Bless baby. You look so beautiful. Wow. You’re glowing.” She gushed, grabbing my hand. “Everybody’s ready. Are you ready?”
I exhaled, placing my hands on my stomach. Angel kicked, and Sincere followed. I smiled and nodded. “Yeah, Ma, I’m ready.”
Chanel and Taryn left the room. Leaving me alone in silence. I took a moment to reflect on my journey to where I am now. Everything I had to deal with to get my happy ending. I’m about to marry the love of my life, my practice is thriving, and I’m about to give birth to two baby girls. There was a time when I felt like I’d rather die than continue living the life I had. But everything happened the way it was supposed to, and I’d do it all again if I had to.
The door pushed open again, and Messiah stepped inside, holding his hand out for me to take. I hooked my arm with his, my heart thumping with nerves. The sound ofHER’s My Songbegan as the doors opened.
Pink, red, and white rose petals covered the runner leading to the alter Saint stood at. My eyes watered when I landed on his wet ones. The closer I got to him, the more my tears fell. This was really happening. I’m marrying the love of my life.
“Look at you, already crying.” He joked as I stood in front of him. “You look phenomenal, Bless baby.”
When it was time to exchange vows, Saint went first.
“I stand up here today as a man who’s been through hell and back. But nothing in my life compares to the moment you walked into my life. If someone had told me we wouldbe standing here a year ago, I wouldn’t have believed them. Before you, I was just surviving. Then you came into my house and became my home. You gave me peace when the world got too loud. You healed parts of me I didn’t even know were broken. I promise to protect you, your heart, your peace, and our daughters. All three of them. I promise to stand beside you through every season, even when shit gets tough. I promise to be the man you can lean on when you feel weak.. and the one who reminds you how strong you really are. I’m choosing you, Blessing. Not just today, but every single day after that. Every lifetime. You gave me a family. You gave me purpose. You gave me love even when I didn’t deserve it.” He paused, getting choked up. “I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret choosing me. I love you.”
“Saint…Loving you was never a part of my plan. My walls were up. I’d convinced myself that I wasn’t worthy of unconditional love. But you.. You showed me that I deserved every bit of love you had to give. You didn’t force yourself in. I came into your house to do my job and left with everything I prayed for. You accepted my daughter. Loved her like your own. You didn’t just love me—you embraced every part of my life. You stepped into a role you didn’t have to take. Even on my worst days, when I thought you’d run away, you stayed. You became my safe place. A place where I can just exist. I promise to stand beside you, to support your dreams the same way you’ve supported mine. To be your peace when the world gets heavy and your strength when you’re falling apart. I promise to love every version of you. You’re not perfect, but you’re perfect for me. You’re my answered prayer, Saint. If I had to do this life all over again, every heartbreak, every lesson, every tear, I’d do it all again just to find my way back to you. I love you forever.”
By the time I finished my vows, I was in full-blown tears. Thank God for setting spray because my makeup would’ve beenruined. The guests cheered as we kissed. I tried to keep it as PG as possible, but as soon as his tongue slipped into my mouth, I forgot about all the eyes watching us.
“Yessss, Mrs. Simmons!” Journey said, twirling me around. “A moment for the dress, please. You look amazing, sissy. Ugh, I can’t wait to get married.”
I giggled and waved her off, “Girl, you got all the time in the world to get married.” Laughter filled the table as I took a seat next to Saint. Next to him was Dru’s picture. Although he’s not here in person, we couldn’t leave him out of our wedding.
I looked around the packed hall, admiring the beautiful decorations. Everything turned out perfectly, even with the lack of time. Saint couldn’t wait. He didn’t want me bringing our girls into the world without us being married.
I couldn’t stop smiling. Saint was on the dance floor, holding Sage’s hand as she twirled around in her little dress. Journey and Serenity were right there with them, dancing without a care in the world.
The lights lowered as the DJ announced it was time for us to share our first dance. The sound of Anita Baker’s Whatever It Takes filled the room, and Saint made his way over to me, pulling me from my seat. We chose this song because it felt like it mirrored our love story. A slight pain shot through my back as we walked to the dance floor. Saint’s arms went around my waist, and mine around his neck.
“You happy?” he asked softly in my ear.
I leaned into him, resting my head against his shoulder. “I’m more than happy.”
“Good, ‘cause this shit is forever, Bless baby.”
Another sharp pain shot through my back, causing me to wince. I gasped and looked down at the puddle surrounding our feet. “Shit! Shit SHIT!”
Saint’s eyes went big as he looked down. “D-did your water just break?”
I nodded, squeezing his arm. He screamed, causing the DJ to pause the music.
I sucked my teeth, “Nigga stop screaming.”
