by Anna Black
“My what?”
“Your tenfold. Whenever God takes something from you, his reward to you is tenfold. There is a time to lose, and there is a time to win. You have suffered your loss; now, it’s time to win, so dry those tears. You are a bride, and you should be just as happy and excited as Chase. Hell, he’s probably on his way, smiling from ear to ear, and you’re over here all depressed and bringing me down.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a flask. “Here, take a drink of this,” she said and handed it over to Madison. Madison took it, drank, and threw her head back and frowned.
“Damn, Nakia, that was straight.”
“And that was exactly what you needed, now get in gear, Atkins. Let’s get back in there and get ready for this rehearsal. And tell that wedding planner of yours she needs a larger crew because maid of honors don’t do the shit she’s been asking me to do. I’m supposed to be catering to you, not helping her with centerpieces and shit.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to her,” Madison said, and they headed back inside.
The rehearsal went well, and Madison was not as jittery as she was earlier that afternoon, but she was not settled with the wedding taking place indoors. Her wedding planner had managed to deck out the banquet room where the ceremony would take place, and the last-minute décor ideas came together perfectly. At the rehearsal dinner, Madison had a blast, and some of the encouraging words that friends and family members had for them were comforting. Madison was so relaxed and finally at ease.
“So, babe, I’m going to head to my bachelor party, and I promise it’s going to be small, not too rowdy, so you have nothing to worry about. Just some cards, cigars, and drinks. No wild women or strippers, so don’t worry,” Chase assured her.
“Well, you do that simple and quiet and cards and cigars, but I know me and my girls are about to turn up,” she yelled. “Wooohooooo!” she continued. “And there may even be strippers, Mr. Storm, so don’t wait up,” she said dancing in place.
“You know The Robot is no longer in style, right?” he teased.
“Don’t hate because I got moves,” she joked.
“Yes, terrible moves. Keep up that routine, I’ll have nothing to worry about,” he laughed.
She paused and put her arms around his shoulders. “I love you, baby, and you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Now give me my sugar, and I’ll see you day after tomorrow at the altar.”
“I’ll be there, and on time.” He gently kissed her. “I love you so much, baby, and I can’t wait until we say I do.”
“Come on, Chase, damn!” Damon yelled out.
“Yes, let’s get it started,” Travis said pumping his pelvis like an old man.
“Now, see, he need to quit,” Madison laughed. They said their final goodbyes and I love yous; then Chase went to join the guys while they barked like dogs, and Madison went to join her girls. She didn’t know what was in store for that night. All she knew was it was going down in a club in Longview. The girls had a party bus, and even though it was a bit much, Madison climbed in and was ready to get her party on.
The girls made it to the club a little before eleven, and Madison wasn’t the only one wearing a tiara and bride-to-be tee shirt in that strip club, but she felt like the most important bride in the building. They all got lap dances, Madison was picked up like she was as light as a feather, and she threw back as many shots as the alcohol limit could take. She was definitely wasted by the time they made it back to her house in Tyler.
All the girls agreed to stay at her place. That was where they would all dress and leave from in the morning. They had the entire spa to themselves the next day to get manis, pedis, and facials, and the staff was scheduled to come to Madison’s home the next morning to do makeup and hair. Time flew by, and Madison woke up the morning of her wedding with those same jitters, so she called her momma.
“Good morning, my daughter. Happy wedding day,” Martha sang.
“Good morning, Momma, are you up?”
“Yes, I’ve been up since six this morning.”
“Why so early, Momma?”
“Well, I wanted to go by the civic center to take a look at things one more time. I checked the reception hall and made sure everything was right.”
“Momma, that is why we paid the wedding coordinator the big bucks, and besides, how did you get in so early?”
“Chile, you know Lamar Jr. is security up in that. He knew not to tell me no.”
“Wow, Momma, thank you. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were just as nervous as I am.”
Martha laughed lightly. “No, baby, I’m not nervous; just happy that this day has come. I remember the day when you came home to bury Dre and the boys.... That look on your face, the sounds of your wails when you cried was something that tore my insides to pieces. I remember nothing could comfort you, and how you would be up in your room holding Dre’s shirt and those boys’ night blanket. It broke my heart to see you in so much pain, and now, here we are. A new day, a new love, and another chance.
“I remember telling you over and over again that the pain would get easier, and you’ll love again, and I remember your little stubborn voice, just like William, ‘No, Momma, never. I’ll never love again,’ but ole stud muffin Chase swept you off your feet,” Martha teased.
Madison giggled. “I know, Momma, and today is going to be a good day, and I’m going to live my life without fear. I spent the last few days with this overwhelming feeling that something was going to go wrong, and you know what? Everything is perfect. Even this morning, the clouds have somehow vanished, and the sun is shining so brightly. I have jitters, but the same jitters I had with Dre, you know. Those happy jitters.”
“That’s good, Madi, and I’m so proud of you. I’m so happy for you and Chase. It was a bumpy road, but you know my famous line,” she said.
“Yes, Mother, I know. ‘It’s not how you start; what matters is where you end up.’”
“Exactly. I wasn’t too thrilled about baby Storm in the very beginning, but he proved all of us wrong.”
“Yes, indeed, and you know, Ma, if it weren’t for me leaving and going to Houston, I still may not have listened to reason. Everyone told me to forgive him and to not worry about the wager, but Nakia showed me how silly I was not to forgive him.”
“Well, I’m glad you came around.”
“Me too.”
“I reckon it time for you to be getting up and hitting the shower. I know the girls will be there soon to glam you ladies up and get you all ready.”
“Yes, I’m up in my room, but I hear the girls moving around downstairs, and I smell bacon, so I know Gina must be whipping us all up some breakfast.”
“For sure, the Storm men did pick some winners. Good girls from good families. Like my daughter.”
“Ma, there is something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
“What is it, baby?” she asked with concern in her tone.
“Who is Corrina, and why did you drag her out in the middle of the street?”
Martha burst into laughter. “Chile, who told you about that? That old, crazy Estelle?”
“Yes, ma’am. She told us all about it a few Sundays ago.”
“Well, I’ll tell you a later time. Just know this, I got that ‘don’t mess with my man’ mentally, and after what went down with me and that Corrina, every woman in East Texas knew not to push up on William Atkins, baby. I had them women scared to take they car into yo’ daddy’s shop.”
She and Madison got in a good laugh, and then Madison got up from her bed. She grabbed her robe, and after she brushed her teeth, she headed downstairs. Everyone was gathered together in the kitchen eating and passing serving dishes.
“Good morning, ladies. How did everyone sleep?”
They had every inch of Madison’s five-bedroom home covered with clothes, accessories, and you name it.
“We slept well, lady. How did you sleep?” Gina asked after all the ladies said how well or not well they slept. Ta
sha was the only one to complain because she ended up on the sofa in the living room.
“I slept so good, and I am ready to walk down that aisle and marry the finest man in East Texas,” she smiled.
“Hold up, now. Chase looks like Lance, so he can’t be the finest,” Gina said and then bit a piece of bacon.
“And Damon looks like an older version of Chase—so boom,” Tasha said.
“Wait one minute. If they all stood next to each other, you’d think they were quads,” Deena added.
“Okay okay okay, damn, ladies. Let me rephrase. I’m ready to marry one of the finest men in East Texas. Is that better?” she joked.
“Much,” Deena said.
Madison took a seat at the island. “Please, can you fix me a plate, Gina?”
“Sure, love.”
“So what time will the ladies be here for hair and makeup?” Nakia asked.
Madison looked at the digital clock on the stove. “In about an hour and a half, so after we finish eating, we should all get our showers in.”
“I know that’s real,” Nakia said.
“So, Nakia, you haven’t said much about Charles. He’s a looker too, and he seems supernice,” Deena said. Madison smiled because Deena was being nice. Before, Nakia sensed her icy tone, but by the time they departed Vegas, Deena and Nakia were getting along just fine.
“Well, I didn’t want say anything until after the wedding, because y’all know I don’t want to take any attention off of my girl Madison, but he proposed a few days ago before we drove out here, and when we get back to Houston, we’re going to get a place together.”
“Nakia, why didn’t you tell me, girl? Congratulations,” Madison said and got up to hug her. “Where’s the ring?” she asked looking down at her finger.
“Here it is,” she said reaching for her phone. She went to a picture of it. “It was too big, so we’re getting it sized.”
“Aw, that is pretty,” Madison said, and they passed the phone around so each lady could take a look.
“Thank you,” Nakia said to the ladies as they complimented her on her diamond. It wasn’t as big as the ones the Storm wives were sporting, but it was beautiful enough for her.
“When we come back from our honeymoon, we’ll visit Houston and have a proper celebration,” Madison said as she took her seat. Gina handed her a plate, and the girls continued to carry on endless conversations.
They took turns in the shower, and Gina and Deena made sure Madison’s kitchen was spotless. They took the trash out right away so they wouldn’t forget. Madison and Chase were scheduled to leave that night for Bora Bora for a one-week honeymoon.
A beautiful, white SUV limousine was awaiting the women outside. The sun was shining so brightly, Madison wished she would have gone with her original plan of an outdoor wedding, but the decorations turned out so beautiful at their venue, she just thanked God for a beautiful day. No umbrellas and worrying about dirty rain spots on her gown or her bridesmaids’ gowns, and Deena and Nakia, her matron and maid of honor, looked stunning in their purple gowns. They laughed and sang songs until they made it to the venue.
The planner came out to show the ladies inside, and they all went into an empty banquet room not far from where the main event was doing to happen. It was going to be a good forty-five minutes before the wedding was to start. Madison was so happy that her wedding was going to start on time. The lot was full, so many folks had already arrived. Nakia and Deena stayed with her while the other sisters went to check on things.
When it was close to time, Madison’s dad looked in on her. “Are you about ready, baby girl?”
“Yeah, Dad, give me a moment. I’ll be right out.”
“Sure, pumpkin. You know they can’t start without you,” he smiled.
“I know,” she smiled back brightly.
He walked away and left her to be alone. She turned her back to the door and looked at the portable mirror that her planner had in there for them. “Okay, it’s showtime, Dre. This is it!” she said and fought her watery eyes. “I hope you and the boys are happy for me. I will always love you guys,” she said and took a deep breath. She nodded at her reflection and was about to turn around, but a voice made her jump.
“Oh, how sweet. Talking to your dead husband and kids before you walk down the aisle to marry my man,” the voice said.
Madison turned, and the first thing she noticed was the silver piece of metal in her hand. “Oh my God, Hope. What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to make sure you understand that you ruined everything for us, for me and Chase. How is it that you come back here to town after your husband dies and end up with the man who was meant for me? Do you know I’ve been planning our wedding since I was 18?”
“Hope, come on; put that gun away and please stop this. Just leave. I won’t tell a soul that you were here.”
“No! No! No! That isn’t how things are going to happen,” she cried.
“Hope, what do you think will happen if you kill me?” Madison trembled with fear. “You will go to prison,” she said.
“Prison? Bitch, are you serious? Do you know how many judges in this town that my father knows who’ll let me walk for a little money? Do you know not a juror in this town will convict me? I will walk, and you will not be missed. It was a game, Madison, a fucking bet, and you are about to lose,” she said and pointed the gun at her.
“Madi, are you ready, baby?” her father’s voice sounded on the other side of the door. He jiggled the handle, but Hope had locked it.
“Daddy, call the police!” Madison screamed.
“You dumb bitch,” Hope said and aimed. Madison didn’t know what to do, so instantly, she rushed Hope, knocking her down. The gun flew from her hand. Madison struggled to keep her down, and they tussled on the floor. “Daddy, call the police!” she continued to yell, fighting for her life. It was such a struggle for Madison because her tight undergarments and all that dress was making her have to fight ten times harder. Hope scrambled away and tried crawling toward the gun, but Madison grabbed her ankle and pulled her back from it. She kicked. Her foot landed on Madison’s nose, and that dazed her. Blood quickly trickled down onto Madison’s gown, but she had to regain her composure and keep Hope from shooting her. Before Madison could reach Hope, she had the gun, and as soon as she pointed it at her, she was tackled to the floor by Chase. Madison hadn’t realized that they had unlocked the door and come in. Chase held Hope down on the floor, and his brothers rushed in and managed to get the gun out of her hand. Hope lay on the floor whimpering like a child. Then Chase rushed over to Madison’s side.
“Baby, are you okay? Are you shot or hurt?” he asked in a panic touching her all over.
“I’m okay, I’m okay,” she cried out of breath.
“Come on, baby, stand up; come on,” Chase said helping Madison from the ground. She had a couple of drops of blood on her gown, but her coordinator rushed over with tissues and grabbed some spray from the pocket apron she wore around her waist. She quickly sprayed and dabbed while Madison held the tissues to her nose. Within minutes the police were there and handcuffed Hope.
“Madison, we’re going to need a statement,” one officer said.
Madison sat. “Not until after my wedding,” she replied.
“But, Madison, this is an urgent matter,” he said.
“And so is my wedding, Frank. She is not ruining my day, okay? Chase and I are getting married, so you are welcome to stay, but I will not talk to you until after Chase and I exchange vows. Now, you are welcome to stay, but I’m getting married today—right now,” she declared.
“Honey, are you sure you don’t need a moment?” Chase asked.
“I do, Chase.” Her eyes welled, and her mother squeezed her hand. “But I will have my breakdown after we’re married. Mother, please fix my hair and make sure my nose is clean, okay? Just cover it with makeup, and, Clara, can you get the blood out?” she said.
“I’m doing my best,” Clara sai
d as she focused on the stains.
“Madison, honey, I really think you need a minute,” Martha suggested. Madison nodded and agreed with her mother.
“Please, everyone, give me a second with my daughter. Chase, go out and calm your guests; Deena, Nakia, will y’all help him out?”
“Yes, ma’am.” They all filed out, and Clara told her to stand up. She helped Madison out of her dress.
“This solution gets red wine and blood right out. Take your time, I’ll be back, and your dress will be good as new,” she said as she left the room.
“I’ll wait outside,” William said.
“No, Daddy, please stay,” Madison said, and he shut the door. He pulled up a chair beside Madison and took her hand while her momma just held her close. Madison cried a good cry while they sat in silence. Her dad dabbed tears from his eyes, and Martha used her handkerchief to dab at her tears.
Usually, it would be her mother to speak first, but her daddy had words at that time. “You know, baby girl, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. This was a day, but God kept you, and today can still be great and a wonderful day to remember. You’re walking away with a bruised nose, but a beating heart, and I know it’s going to be hard to put that gown back on and walk down that aisle, but your mother and I will walk you down all the way. And when we give you away to Chase, he will carry you for the rest of your days. We’ll worry about Hope Gardener tomorrow. We can rearrange your honeymoon, but for now, let your momma fix your beautiful face and touch up those pretty curls. We’re going to turn a bad situation into a joyous occasion, okay?” he said and smiled at her. She smiled back. “That’s my baby girl. We’ve defeated bigger demons than Hope Gardener, and she is going to pay, darling; trust me. I got this,” he encouraged her.