by D. Camille
Lance frowned at him and he laughed. The music started and they both turned their attention to the aisle. Lance smiled as Kyros came down the aisle holding the pillow as though it was the most important job in the world. The little boy loved both his Auntie Khayla and Uncle Lance and wanted to be the best ring bearer ever.
Lance whispered to Corvus. “Little homie is so serious right now.” They both smiled and watched the boy follow the instructions with a determined look on his face.
Next, they watched as the groomsmen and bridesmaids entered then took their places. Lance smiled again as Khalid and Assata entered and began down the aisle. They both beamed as they looked up at him. Khalid seated Assata then went back to wait for his daughter.
Lance knew that Pam and George were next as he directed his attention to the door. His knees weakened as he saw them, because they were not alone. Standing between them was... his mother.
Pat smiled from her place between the Shaw’s. They each held one of her arms as they slowly made their way up aisle. Lance couldn’t stop the single tear that flowed down his freshly groomed cheek. Corvus reached into his pocket and produced the aforementioned Kleenex.
When they reached the end, Lance stepped down from the altar and went to his mother who held out her arms to him. He bent and embraced her solidly.
“I wouldn’t miss your day LJ. I love you,” she whispered.
Lance continued to hold her in his arms as his tears began to flow. Pat rubbed her hand down his back. “You go marry that girl. She helped me to be here.”
Lance lifted his head and looked down at Pat confused at her words.
Pat nodded. “She did this.”
He stood completely still watching her. “Go…she’s waiting for you.”
Pam and George helped lead Pat to her seat as Lance wiped his face and headed back to his spot with his mind in a fog. Corvus handed him the tissue and he took it with a nod before wiping his face.
Lance heard the music announcing his bride then looked down the aisle. If he’d been shocked at seeing his mother, seeing his woman knocked the rest of his breath out of him. On a regular day Khayla was beautiful, but today she was exquisite. The sight of her holding on to her father’s arm with a sexy smile on her face as she stared at him from her position at the door, made his heart jump out of his chest.
Everyone stood as Khayla waited for her father to begin escorting her. When they started to walk, the crowd began to clap at the sight of the beautiful bride. She looked so happy, everyone could tell this was the best day of her life.
Khayla reached the altar with her father and he handed her over to Lance, who’d stepped down to meet his bride. Khalid patted him on the back as he put his daughter’s hand in his. As Khalid went to take the seat next to his wife, Lance led Khayla up the stair then stood staring down at her.
“Khayla Imani…” he said the words slowly because there was nothing else he could say. He stood speechless staring into her eyes.
She smiled up at him. “Are you going to marry me today?”
Lance nodded slowly still marveling at the woman that stood before him. The clergyman stepped forward and began the ceremonial rituals. Khayla took his hand and recited her vows first.
With a clear and happy voice, she looked up at Lance. “I’ve waited for this day and you’ve made all my dreams come true. You are the man I’ve dreamed of and longed for. You’re strong, bullheaded, handsome and smart. You’re caring and compassionate. You’re thoughtful and giving. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted and since the first time you smiled at me on the playground, I knew you’d be trouble.” She smiled at him. “I didn’t know that you’d change my life.”
“I love you Lance Johnson. You are my King and I will love and protect you with every fiber of my being. There is nothing I will not do for you,” Khayla vowed, squeezing his hand as she finished.
Lance stood watching her, touched to the depths of his soul by her passionate words. Everyone waited quietly for him to begin, but he stood taking in all that was Khayla Imani. He finally put a hand to his mouth and cleared his throat.
“Ummm…I had memorized all this stuff that I wanted to say.” He paused and gathered himself. “But now it all went away because there are no words to describe this woman standing before me or how much I love her.”
Khayla’s eyes watered as he gently squeezed her hand.
“I can’t believe that somebody this kind, this sweet, this loving…is here standing with me.” He touched her face.
“I’m sorry Khayla Imani that I’m speechless from the beauty of you, but you take my breath away and I lose my thoughts,” he explained quietly as he caught one of her tears.
“But know that I love you and all I want is to be with you for the rest of my life, Katydids.”
Khayla smiled through her tears and touched his jaw. “I don’t care about words Lance, you’ve shown me that you’re the man I can trust with my life.”
He smiled at her as the ceremony continued. When it was time, Lance lowered his head and kissed his wife. He lifted and looked into her shining eyes. “I love you, Ma.”
Khayla kept her arms around his neck, holding his gaze. “And I love you Lance Johnson.” She took his hand and they ran down the aisle together as confetti was thrown at them. Outside he led her to a waiting horse and carriage. Inside the covered seats, Lance pulled her into his arms.
“It’s cold!” Khayla complained snuggling closer to him.
Lance laughed and grabbed the blanket across from them. “You wanted to have a horse and carriage in the winter…in Michigan.” He placed the blanket over them both then held her in his arms.
“I didn’t want to wait until Spring, and I wanted a horse and carriage,” she told him.
“Then stop complaining,” he teased her.
She laughed. “I’m not.” Khayla settled against him as the seat bounced gently. “I have nothing to complain about.”
She looked at her rings. “I’m married to the most incredible man and I’ve just had the perfect wedding.”
“I know right,” he agreed.
Khayla looked up at him. “I love you. Thank you.”
Lance shook his head. “You’re thanking me?” He closed his eyes. “You got my mother here. I don’t even know…” he trailed off unable to continue.
Khayla stroked his face. “She wanted to be here. I just helped to make it possible.”
Lance opened his eyes. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw her.”
“She wanted to surprise you,” Khayla told him.
“Well yeah, it’s safe to say I was…I was up there crying like a damn baby.”
Khayla smiled. “I’m glad it made you happy baby. That’s what we wanted for you.”
He pulled her tightly into his arms. “Thank you. I love you so much.”
She lifted her mouth to his and they explored each other’s mouths as the carriage moved along slowly. After a while, they settled comfortably to enjoy the ride. Khayla snuggled under the blanket.
“It’s so cold!”
“Girl, say that one more time,” Lance warned as he pulled the blanket closer. “We’re almost back at the church.”
He lifted the blanket and looked underneath. “That dress is the business though.”
The sweetheart neckline hugged her ample bosom and the white satin material wrapped around all her curves. Lance slid his hand down the material to her ass and held it firmly in his hand
“You’d better stop before we don’t make it back to the church,” Khayla warned as his lowered his head underneath the cover and began tracing the tops of her breasts with his lips.
“Your momma will come looking for us,” he said underneath the blanket.
Khayla laid back against the seat. “You’re always trying to get me in trouble.”
Lance lifted his head and looked at her laid back on the seat. “Me?”
“Yes, you.” She grabbed his tie and pulled him to her. “Now, come here…”
>
*********
Lance and Khayla showed up at the church thirty minutes after their scheduled arrival. Both Assata and Pam looked at them in confusion. The couple just smiled and headed to take pictures then join the reception.
The wedding party was waiting with the photographer when they entered. Lance went over to where his mother was sitting and crouched in front of her.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
Pat looked into her son’s face. “Something I haven’t felt in a long time…happy.”
Lance smiled at her. “I’m glad that you came.”
“You’ve done so much for me and Miles. I wanted to be here for you, son,” Pat took his hand. “I know I wasn’t there for you while you were growing up, but I want to be here now for you and my grandchildren.”
“All I wanted was for you to try…” Lance told her.
“I won’t give up,” she vowed.
Lance took her in an embrace. “And I won’t give up on you either Mama.”
When he stood, Khayla moved to his side. Smiling, she bent and hugged Pat. “Mrs. Johnson, you look beautiful.”
Pat looked down at her new red dress and patted her new wig. “Thanks to you, Pam and Assata.”
“I’m so happy that you’re here,” Khayla told her taking Lance’s hand. “We both are.”
Lance smiled down at her.
The pictures were taken and everyone moved to the reception where the bride and groom were greeted with cheers. Khayla and Lance took their seats and soon the traditional tapping of the glasses began. Lance leaned over and kissed his bride to the delight of the crowd. Ten minutes later the tapping started again and Lance repeated the action.
“You know I’m going to be kissing you all night,” he told her.
“I told everybody to tap the glasses every ten minutes,” she confessed.
He laughed. “Just kiss me Ma.”
“This way they think it’s them and I don’t look like I’m all over you,” she explained.
Lance shook his head. “You don’t want them to know you’re a freak?”
Khayla gave him a look. “Of course not, I’m Dr. Khayla Lewis-Johnson. I have a reputation.”
He laughed. “Girl, you something else. That’s why you had me from jump, chasing you around the playground.”
“When we go home, you can touch my breasts and my ass all you want…” she whispered.
The glasses began to clink again and Lance leaned over. “Fa’ sho.”
Epilogue
Khayla sat in the first class seats on the plane next to her husband. She laid back and closed her eyes. She and Lance were on their way to Cairo and she couldn’t be happier. The food co-op had opened last week and the entire community had showed up to give their support. Mac had traced the call that led to perpetrator who’d quickly confessed that it had indeed been the Grocer’s Network who had initiated the contact to Khayla.
Tauri discretely leaked the story to Cynthia Walters, a reporter for the Detroit Free Press. An expose was written on how the Network had worked to prevent other markets from opening in the neighborhoods where they had businesses, in addition to knowingly selling expired foods to the community.
Both Mac and Brandon had sent warnings to the group and there was currently an investigation in progress. Khayla looked over at Lance. He, along with all the Negus had worked hard to help get the co-op up and running. Her King was incredible.
She reached over and took his hand. “I can’t wait for this vacation.
Lance smiled at her. “Me too, Ma. I can’t wait to go there with you.”
“Thank you for putting the trip off until after the co-op was completed,” she told him.
He shrugged. “We have to take care of business first.”
“Wasn’t it great how the community came out to support?” she asked smiling.
“Our community wants the best, we’ve just been given so little.”
Khayla rubbed his arm. “But we’re changing that.”
Lance looked at her. “Fa’ sho. My wife is making everybody healthier.”
“I’m trying.”
“My Mama is still improving,” he told her.
Khayla nodded. “A lot of that has to do with her mental space more than anything I’m doing. Positive thoughts lead to positive results…and vice versa.”
“I’m thankful for everything you’ve done and I love you Khayla Imani,” Lance told her softly.
She smiled. “I love you and I’ll always have your back, my King.”
Lance kissed her softly before settling back into his seat. Khayla pulled a book out of her bag that she’d brought to read on the flight and began reading.
Lance turned to Khayla and saw with the book. Looking at the title, he lifted a brow.
“What are you reading?” he asked.
She smiled at him from behind the book. “It’s called Love RekindledbyNyora René.”
He nodded and she continued.
“It’s about a couple who were separated for some years and they find their way back to one another.” She smiled lowering the book. “Kinda like us.”
Lance touched her cheek. “We’ll never be separated again, I promise you. You’re mine Katydids.”
A thought clicked in Lance’s head. “Okay Ma, we’re married now…tell me what went down with Karen.”
Lance watched as Khayla sat back in her seat, placing the book in her lap. “This is what I’ll tell you baby…” She paused for a second.
“You know how if you try to harm a cub the momma bear will attack?” she asked looking over at him.
He nodded. “Yeah, okay…” Lance answered slowly.
Khayla smiled. “That also applies to a momma black panther.”
Lance lifted a brow as her meaning sank in. “Damn,” he whispered in awe.
Khayla held his gaze. “The Nigist protect the Negus… while the Negus protects those who can’t protect themselves.”
Ase’
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Hotep Fam,
Thank you for reading The Bull. I hope you have enjoyed the second book in The Black Land Series. Look for more stories from the Negus, featuring Brandon, Khalil and Corvus.
I hope you enjoyed Lance and Khayla, the Negus and the Nigist - as well as cameos from The Black Diamonds. If you haven't read their books, you can get them on Amazon.com.
Be sure to sign up on my website at www.dcamille.com for updates and information on upcoming projects. Also, feel free to visit me on FB, Twitter, and Instagram.
Continue reading for an excerpt from Sable SiStars Publishing’s newest contemporary romance author Nyora René!
Ase’
D. Camille
Here’s an excerpt for Love Rekindled…
As Malcolm watched Charmaine walk through the doors of the restaurant, only one thing went through his head, damn she’s still fine. Sure he’d seen her from the covers of magazines and on TV; but it was a different story when you saw her in person. He automatically started cataloguing all of the differences that he noticed. From her natural hair to the extra curves, Malcolm liked everything he saw. He was so focused on Charmaine that he didn’t notice the smirks and sly, knowing glances that Jacob and Lena exchanged as they watched the former couple sizing each other up.
Charmaine walked up to the table and Lena jumped up to grab her friend in a hug, while Jacob and Malcolm slowly stood to greet Charmaine.
“I miss you, girl! We have got to start making time to see each other more than a couple of times a year!”
Charmaine laughed and told Lena, “I know! I miss you too! Plus, not being able to see the twins as much sucks too.”
As Charmaine hugged both Jacob and Lena, Malcolm continued to silently look his fill. It was surreal that here they were seeing each other for the first time in five years. Looking at her, he realized that he missed her, not just what they had together, but her.
“So, you only missed Lena, huh
?” Jacob asked, with a grin.
“Boy please, you know I missed your big head!”
“Umm hmm...what about my boy Mal? You miss him too?”
And just like that the moment turned awkward. Charmaine did miss Malcolm, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to divulge that just yet, especially since he hadn’t said a word since she arrived. So far, he’d spent the whole time just staring at her.
“No need to put Char on the spot, Jay. It’s good seeing you again Charmaine.”
“It’s good to see you again too, Mal. Congrats on the All-Star game.”
“Thanks.”
Malcolm pulled out Charmaine’s chair and as she sat down, he got a whiff of her scent. Even that had changed from Forever Red to something different. She smelled great, even better than what he remembered.
As her husky voice whispered a thank you, Malcolm smiled. He knew that he affected her when he heard the huskiness in her voice and noticed her flustered expression. Then and there he made the decision to see where tonight led. He wasn’t sure about a future, but tonight? Yeah, he could do tonight and worry about the future tomorrow.
Love Rekindled
Nyora René
Available July 22, 2016 on Amazon.com
www.amazon.com/Love-Rekindled-Nyora-Rene-ebook/dp/B01HAFHSIE
Coming up next from D. Camille...
Her Guardian
The Uncut Series – Book 2
Fall 2016
The Scales
The Black Land Series –
Book 3
Winter 2016