by Mz. Toni
“I didn't write anything. Y'all know this was a surprise, but I’mma speak from my heart,” I said.
“You go head, baby!” Mama Betty said, causing me to laugh.
“My king, my hero, my everything, when I met you, I was lost, battered and broken. I was at the verge of giving up and I prayed to God every day to save me. I was a good person, I was nice to people, so why wasn't I being heard? I thought maybe he was so busy helping others that he just hadn't gotten to my prayers yet, but I continued to pray and he sent me you. He chose someone persistent enough to love me, no matter how much I pushed them away. He found someone crazy enough to love all my flaws and shortcomings. I'm difficult, strong willed, sometimes mean, and sometimes I get sad for no reason at all. I'm stubborn as a bull, but you guys all know that already. It takes a strong man to deal with a broken woman, but you handle it without breaking a sweat and I love you for that. We’ve been through so much in such a short period of time, but no matter what battles we had to fight, we always found our way back to each other. I love you with every piece of my being, and I'm excited and humbled to be marrying the love of my life today. I can't wait to get on your nerves for the rest of your life,” I said.
“Do you, Jason Cruz, take Cherish Daniels to be your wife, do you vow to love her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do!” Jason screamed.
“Do you Cherish Daniels, take Jason Cruz to be your husband, do you vow to love him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” I said with a smile.
“I now pronounce you two man and wife, you may now kiss your bride,” he said. Grabbing my face, he kissed me as if it was the last time we would ever kiss again.
Eight Years Later
Sometimes bad things have to happen before the good can come. Sometimes you have to have your heart broken, so that when the real thing comes, you can truly appreciate it. I have been through so much in my life. I have been raped and beaten, mistreated and betrayed. I thought that I would never find someone to love me, I thought I didn't deserve a family. My mother told me I wasn't shit so much that I believed her, and to this day, I'm still working on healing the damage my mother caused. Every day I'm healing more and more with the love of good friends, an amazing husband, and beautiful children. I'm seeing more and more every day that God had plans for me all along, I just had to wait my turn.
“Lil Mama, you better get your daughter before I whoop her ass!” Mega said, sounding pissed.
“What’s the problem?”
“Nothing, Daddy just mad. I's bad enough I chose a school in Jersey, but now he trippin tryna get me to still live at home and not at the dorms,” Jasmine said.
“Mega, you wanted Jasmine closer and she is, but you need to work with her a little bit.”
“Man, you know what the fuck they do in them dorms, they party and get wasted!”
“He doesn't trust me!”
“No, I don't trust them horny niggas!” he snapped.
“Damnit Jason, we raised her right. She’s an honor student and has never given us any problems, let her live!” I snapped on his ass.
“Thanks mom,” Jasmine said, kissing my cheek.
“Uh huh, you wanna be all up on ya mom, I guess you don't need this new car,” Mega said with keys in his hand.
“No, noooo daddy, I do!” she begged, before snatching the keys. Running outside while in her cap and gown, she hopped in her car and started the ignition.
“You better put ya seatbelt on and don't be texting or talking on that damn phone!” Jason snapped.
“Thank you so much daddy, I’mma meet y'all at graduation,” she screamed, before putting on her seat belt and pulling off.
“What am I gonna do with that girl?” he said, shaking his head.
“We’re gonna continue to love her and you need to start trusting her,” I said, shaking my head.
“Let's go twins!” he screamed, ignoring the hell out of me. I swear he had Jasmine on a short leash. I tried to tell him that if he didn't loosen up some that shit would hit the fan, but of course Mega’s ass don't listen to shit. As we piled into the car, we headed to Jasmine’s graduation. When we pulled up, the whole team was outside, surrounding Jasmine’s car. Mylee was begging Mark for a new car since she had recently gotten her permit. Sparkle was in college out of state and couldn't make it.
“Hey girl, so you finally talked Jason’s ass into getting her a car,” Camille said, while pushing her twins in the stroller. Yup, Mark ass ended up knocking her up with twins a year ago, so now she had Sparkle who was twenty-three, Mylee who was sixteen, Mark who was ten, and Markese and Melissa who were one. She swore up and down she was done having kids, but with the way they were fucking, you never knew what to expect. As we all went into the school and took our seats, we waited until Jasmine was called and of course, we screamed and cheered, while she looked embarrassed.
“Yassssssss Jasmine, you better get that diploma!” Shante screamed, causing us both to laugh. Shante and Kasan got married shortly after me Mega. They still only have one son, but that’s all they need since he’s driving them crazy as hell. Word on the street is he’s running around with some gang like he ain't got no sense. Shana and Terrence are still going strong. Her son R.J. and Mark’s daughter Sparkle call themselves being engaged. Shana doesn't like it one bit, but they’ve been together since they were twelve, so I highly doubt it’s puppy love, Shana just can't grasp the concept of her son being in love. Queesha finally lost her battle to AIDS. She fought hard, but ended up getting pneumonia and taking a turn for the worst. Chris stayed by her side up until the day she died and now has full custody of her son. He still comes around sometimes, but I think being around us just reminds him too much of her. We all to this day are the best of friends, and no matter how old we get, we still have our issues and drama, but nothing that we can't get past. Every day I thank God for blessing me with a group of friends that got my back, front and sides.
The End… For now…
FB: Author Mz Toni
IG: Toni60962
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