“He would be so happy for you, Rocky.”
“I know he would.”
“We need to get ready, babe,” Naomi encouraged. “Khalid is waiting for you.”
That made her heart smile. Racquel peeled herself from the window and crossed the suite. Her gown by African American elite designer, Violette Tannenbaum was beautiful and untraditional and perfect for Racquel. The bodice had a heart-shaped neckline, and the off the shoulder three-quarter sleeves started at the drop of the heart. The underskirt was actually pants that fit Racquel’s taut waist and then fell away from her hips, tapering down the length of her legs. The overskirt gave the ensemble a fairytale wedding look with a hoop style skirt of brushed white satin, embellished with sequins and crystals forming double rows of brilliance that outlined the dress. After Naomi was dressed in a midnight blue ensemble similar to Racquel’s, she helped the bride get dressed.
“You look so good, Rocky, oh my God,” Naomi hummed as they both looked in the full-length mirror. “There’s just one thing missing.”
Naomi padded over to the dressing table. When she returned, Naomi handed Racquel her headpiece, a thin band with an open Swarovski crystal flower that sat just above her left ear.
“Perfect.”
“Naomi, I couldn’t have done this without you,” Racquel smiled.
“Hey, you already know, I am here for you. Now, let’s go get you married up, girl.”
The girls picked up their bouquets. Racquel took a deep breath, thought about Khalid, and exited the suite. As they made their way down the hall, they could hear sweet, melodic sounds from the musicians outside.
“I’ll see you out there,” Naomi smiled as she made her exit out of the house to walk down the aisle.
Racquel was left, standing alone. And even on such a happy occasion, it was a painful reminder.
“Here we go, dad,” Racquel whispered as she looked up to the sky.
Just as Racquel prepared to cross the threshold into the wedding space, Ameer walked up to her.
“Is everything okay, Ameer?” Racquel asked. All she needed was for something to be wrong, for something to have happened to derail her happily ever after.
“Everything is fine,” Ameer said with a charming smile.
Racquel exhaled, as multiple bad scenarios left her mind.
“Would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you down the aisle?”
As if her father provided a physical representation to belie his physical absence, Ameer was right there. It took Racquel a minute to be able to respond. She was so choked up by Ameer’s thoughtfulness.
“I would be honored, Ameer.”
Ameer raised his arm so that Racquel could balance hers on his, just like royalty. And for Khalid, she was just that. He stood waiting for her, anxiously waiting. He could not wait to make Racquel his wife.
Ameer and Racquel crossed the threshold into the backyard together. Family friend and Grammy-winning vocalist, Anthony Hamilton, started to sing, “Love has truly, been good to me,” a classic from Luther Vandross. The officiant asked the guest to stand and receive the bride. As Ameer and Racquel drew closer, another Ali brother, Tareef, was waiting to escort her down the aisle. At that moment, Racquel realized that all of Khalid’s brothers lined the aisle, waiting for an opportunity to escort her down to her groom. They were all there, standing in the gap for her father. Racquel couldn’t keep the tears from falling as she made her way to Khalid. Ameer handed Racquel off to Tareef and then fell in behind her. Tareef bowed before extending his arm to Racquel. When Israel became her escort, he followed suit, and Tareef joined Ameer following behind her. Basel was Racquel’s next escort and then finally O’Shea as they walked the last few feet.
When Racquel reached the front of the aisle, and the song came to an end, Omar stood and made his way over to her. There she was with all the Ali men standing with her, as her eyes trailed to Khalid. He was equally moved by his brothers’ gesture.
“Who gives this woman to be wed?” The officiant asked.
Omar, along with his sons, answered. “We do.”
Racquel’s eyes were so filled with tears, she didn’t notice that Aziza, Naomi, and many of the guests were in tears as well. It was such a display of acceptance, love, and support. Her eyes were riveted as Khalid made his way to her. He held Racquel in a steady, loving gaze as he reached her. Before he took her hand, Omar leaned over and sweetly kissed Racquel on the cheek. Her eyes closed, relishing the moment, Omar was Charles surreptitiously. He was a father giving his daughter away to be wed.
Khalid stood in front of his bride. She was even more beautiful than he could have even imagined she would be. He reached into his tuxedo jacket and pulled out a handkerchief then gently dabbed Racquel’s tear-stained cheek. She smiled. He was so thoughtful.
“I’m ready now,” she whispered as Khalid replaced the kerchief and took her hand. They walked together to stand in front of the officiant. He lifted his hands and invited the guests to take their seats.
“Family, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Racquel Alexander and Khalid Ali, a union blessed by the Creator and shared with all of you. This uniting of two hearts, two souls, is not to be undertaken lightly. This is a sacred ceremony avowing one’s love for the other. If there is anyone here who cannot support the union of Racquel and Khalid, please, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
The officiant took a moment to allow any objector to speak. As there was none, he continued.
“Family, not only are we witnesses to this union, we have a duty to uphold what the Creator has joined together. Racquel and Khalid need to know that they have the love and support of everyone here. If you vow to honor their union, support their marriage, shield them against those who would come against them, and protect their sacred vows, please answer, we will.”
“We will,” the guests answered in unison.
“Khalid, it is my understanding that you have written your own vows.”
“I have.”
“You may speak those vows now.”
As he continued to hold Racquel’s hand, Khalid spoke from his heart.
“Our story is atypical in so many ways. We didn’t start from a place of recognizing an attraction. But there were other things about you Racquel that I did recognize. I saw that you are fiercely loyal, honest, true to your feelings, incredibly brilliant, strong, family-oriented, funny, and beautiful. I’m grateful that where we start is not where we end. I knew, even when it looked like the odds were stacked against us, that you were the only woman for me. I knew it in my heart and soul before I knew it in my mind. I knew that you and I were supposed to be. And we are beloved. It’s us, you, and me. We are in this thing together. Who would have ever believed, an Alpha man and a Delta woman finding love against all odds?”
There was a wave of laughter behind Khalid’s comment. Racquel laughed, too, as her soul was stirred by Khalid’s words.
“I love you, Racquel. I love you, and I will be there to hold you when you need to feel that love physically. I will be there to support you and hold you up when you’re tired. I will be there to protect you, even when you don’t think you need protection. I will be there for you, until time is no more.”
“Beautiful,” the officiant replied. “Racquel, I understand you have written your own vows as well?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Then, you may now speak those vows.”
Pivoting slightly on her heels, Racquel handed her bouquet to Naomi, then reached for both Khalid’s hands.
“You were unexpected. This, all of this was unexpected. I didn’t have expectations for incredible love. I didn’t have expectations that someday I would have a big family,” she smiled as she looked around. “I didn’t have expectations that my heart would be so full after being empty for so long. But you Khalid, you were you, kind, considerate, the perfect gentleman even when I wasn’t so nice to you.”
There were mmhmm’s and nods of heads in agree
ment.
“You stayed true to who you were, and when you asked me to see you with new eyes, I agreed. That was the moment when I saw you. I saw what others had always seen. I saw you, babe. And the rest was easy after that. It was easy to laugh with you and hold you and hug you and love you and be with you because you were you.” Racquel paused and took a deep breath. She didn’t want to cry anymore, not even from happiness. When she looked into Khalid’s eyes, they were misted over with tears. Although she didn’t want to, hers misted over as well.
“I love you beyond any capacity I ever thought I could love. I promise I will be there to hold you when you need to feel that love physically. I will be there to support you and hold you up when you’re tired. I will be there to protect you, even when you don’t think you need protection. I will be there for you, until time is no more.”
And when a single tear spilled onto Khalid’s cheek, Racquel was there to wipe it away.
“Racquel, Khalid, the love you share is evident. The commitment you share is true. The exchange of rings represents a symbol to you and the world of the bond you share.”
O’Shea handed Khalid the ring, and Naomi handed Racquel the ring.
“Khalid and Racquel, please repeat after me. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
Khalid placed a three-carat diamond platinum band onto Racquel’s finger. Her band matched the three-carat platinum band she placed on his finger.
“With this ring, I thee wed.”
“And now, with the reciting of the vows and the giving and receiving of rings, there is only one thing left for me to do,” the officiant smiled. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Khalid, you may kiss your bride.”
Khalid did not hesitate. His hands lifted from their clasped hands, and he cradled Racquel’s face. He kissed her with his eyes before he kissed her with his mouth. They shared a kiss that both of their souls melded into.
“Family, I present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Khalid and Racquel Ali!”
Epilogue
One Month Later
4009 Saginaw Lane
It was a day of celebration, another day to celebrate incredible things happening in Racquel’s life. This time, much like the last time, Racquel didn’t celebrate alone. Her husband, Khalid, was right there by her side as was her best friend, Naomi, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for her newest barbershop at 4009 Saginaw Lane. Khalid and Racquel had just spent the last month on their honeymoon, traveling from one exotic tropical destination to the other, from Tahiti to the Maldives, to Mnemba Island and the Archipelago. And they did amazing things together, jet skiing, scuba diving, parasailing, kayaking, taking long walks on white sandy beaches, and making love under the moonlight. It was spectacular and exciting.
And Racquel was excited for today. This was a celebration of her promise to keep her father’s legacy alive. The press was there in full force. Mrs. Racquel Alexander Ali’s story would be front-page news. And the mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, came to be a part of the ceremony and the celebration.
“Rocky, it’s time,” Naomi said as she leaned over and whispered in her best friend’s ear. Naomi had been promoted officially to Director of Public Relations for Alexander Enterprises, the newest expansion of Racquel’s business.
Racquel wasn’t much for public speaking, preferring to stay in the background. But today was different. She was to be out front. Racquel strolled to the microphone and took a deep breath before speaking.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming. This is a dream come true for me.” Racquel was nervous, but she tried not to let it show. Her eyes trailed over to Khalid. He winked and smiled, encouraging her without saying a word.
“This is the testament to my father’s love of community. It’s my promise to my father to continue to be an agent of change, to help someone along the way, to be a safe haven for those who need respite. You see, ladies and gentlemen, this barbershop is more than just my father’s namesake. It’s our promise to be a good neighbor and a good citizen in this community. Thank you.”
There was a thunderous round of applause from the guests that were invited to the ceremony. Racquel rejoined her husband and the guests of honor behind the big red ribbon. Camera lights flashed as Mayor Bottoms made the pronouncement.
“Welcome to Charles’ Barber Experience!”
Together with Khalid, Racquel, the man of her dreams, cut the ribbon pronouncing the barbershop open for business. The crowd cheered.
“Babe, I am so proud of you,” Khalid whispered in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and by the way, beloved, that other property I acquired from Shore,” Khalid began. “That’s yours, too.”
The End
Thank you so much for reading, Khalid, book 3 of The Brothers Ali. I am excited about this series, and I hope you will continue on this journey with me. I loved writing this book, and I hope you loved it! I would really appreciate it, especially if you enjoyed the story if you would leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads. For Indie authors, reviews are the lifeblood of our work. They give other readers insight into the story and greater visibility for the authors. Thanks in advance, and I hope you will continue reading the Moore Friends Series with me!
Coming soon!
Naomi Singleton is a woman on a mission. As the Public Relations Director for the Barber Experience and starting her own public relations firm, Naomi has her hands full. But there’s something else that consumes Naomi, her desire for a man, Tareef Ali, who doesn’t seem to return her affections.
Tareef’s cold shoulder makes Naomi wonder if finding love is a thing out of her reach, until another man is more than willing to fulfill Naomi’s romantic desires, Attorney Malcolm Bridges.
As Director of Legal Affairs for Ali International, Tareef dispenses the law with expertise and vigor. His billionaire status doesn’t keep him from working for the people. When a wrongful conviction case pits Tareef against his nemesis, in a court battle, he soon finds it’s not the only fight on his hands. It’s the battle for Naomi’s heart.
This is a standalone that ends in an HEA.
Tareef: Book 4 Brothers Ali
If you haven’t already, please check out,
Other Books Written by Celeste:
The Brothers Ali Series
Basel Book 1
Israel Book 2
All That & Moore Series:
Hidden Missing Moore
I Am Moore
Teach Me Moore
Expect Moore
So Much Moore
Never Moore
I Found Moore
Promise Me Moore
My Cherie A Moore
Moore to Love Series:
Stipulations
Khalid's Melody
Temptations
Moore Friends Series:
Something New
A Love So New
Before I Fall
Falling
Lady Guardians Series:
Onyx Rides
Cruisin'
Curvalicious
Standalone
The Gift
Romantically Ever After Boxset
Teach Me How to Love
Want to be in the know? Subscribe to my newsletter to be a part of Celeste Granger's Tangled Romance!
Subscribe here: ????FREE read when you subscribe! ????
https://www.prolificworks.com/discover/author/32447/celeste_granger
Follow me on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Celeste-Granger/e/B079DCSLGR/
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrangerCeleste
Follow me on Book and Main: https://bookandmainbites.com/CelesteGranger/books
Join my Reading Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1943300475969127/
Follow me on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/TheCelesteGranger/
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecelestegranger/
nger, Khalid
Khalid Page 16