by Love Belvin
“Mother…”
“But,” she spoke over me. “I’ve also reaped the benefits of seeing the many gifts God put into my child. The child I carried and birthed. You’ve given me as many gifts as heartaches. You’ve been a stellar servant these past seven years. I’m just seeing the fruits of my tearful prayers when you were out of the country, traveling to places I can’t pronounce. You’ve done well.” She cracked a wry smile. “I just don’t want to see regression because you’ve picked the wrong rib to continue your crazy with.”
The song was coming to its end and in turn the applause began to ring around the room. Even if I did have a response, I had no time to express it. My mother reached up, prompting me to incline toward her, and kissed my cheek with warm affection. She mouthed, “I believe in Ezra,” the mantra she’d always end our conversations with when I’d call home from overseas, as she tugged at my beard.
My response to that was what it had always been, what she’d trained me to say, “And I believe in Ezra.”
I watched her leave my arms this time with an authentic smile, not the plastered one resembling mine and Alexis’. That act swelled my chest, totally lifted the somber mood that threatened me just minutes before.
“Tonight, we have a special guest.” The emcee announced and I knew what would come next. My eyes perused the large room for my beloved. “The groom really wanted to pull out all the stops for his bride apparently! And we all get to reap the benefit of Alexis becoming Mrs. Ezra Carmichael.” The introduction of the track began. “Please welcome, Mr. John Legend, everybody!”
The room went wild, buzzing with alarm. I finally found Alexis at the other end of the empty dance floor, taking pictures with Anushka. Her surprised eyes connected with mine at the announcement, dazed. Anushka nudged her in my direction. I was at her toes within seconds, pulling her into my arms. She smelled like the attar of a mixture of jasmine and sweet pea. I inhaled her hair as I backed us up to the center of the dance floor. Then I took her at the hands, raising them in the air as we two-stepped. Alexis’ face was lit with utter shock at my dancing while I took advantage of the incredible view of her spectacularly sexy lofty frame in her second gown. Though my wild thoughts were wanton, my moves were gallant as I spun her around gently.
When I gathered her in my arms again, I couldn’t resist kissing her softly on the lips. Pride swelled in my chest. We did it. She did it. She married me. My thoughts were nearly interrupted by a gamut of cameras flashing at us. Several of the hired photographers took shots at close range and guests snapped their cameras off the dance floor at us and John as he belted the lyrics of “Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” Many of the saints had no clue of the artist or song and elected to remain seated. That was just fine with me. This was for Alexis. It was my subtle guarantee. My vow. I couldn’t wait to have her. To taste her.
As we swayed rhythmically, I placed my mouth on her, now unconcerned with my proximity to her tempting body. “Penny for your thoughts.”
Alexis’ eyes were filled with unbridled wonder. “I can’t believe you can dance.”
I tossed my head back in laughter. Of all the things she could have commented, I hadn’t expected that.
“I am delighted to have you as Mrs. Ezra Carmichael, Alexis. Thank you very much for taking this leap with me,” I returned in her ear, unable to mask my elation.
I even went to the extent of spinning her to face the opposite way, pulling her back into my chest and took her at the waist to grind my pelvis into her rear. Her wild eyes hit mine from over her shoulder, and turned hooded as her lips parted. I couldn’t conceal my amusement.
“I can touch it now. It belongs to me,” I heard the feral growl in my decree.
As we danced for the remainder of the song, I dipped and flipped Alexis, who seemed to follow my lead on the dance floor, making me wonder if she’d be just as agreeable in my bed.
All in due time.
Lex
Later during the reception, I found myself talking to Tasche and Nyree. I was amazed at how relaxed we all were. The champagne served to us probably assisted with that.
“I don’t know how you were able to pull this off in no time at all,” Nyree commented, her eyes gesturing around the room. It was clear to me she was impressed, but contained it quite well. “I mean…who has John Legend perform at their wedding at the last damn minute? This is a powerful family,” she observed as her eyes scanned the ball room.
“Girl, I did none of this except for approve a few things and provided my guest list. This was all…” I shrugged. “Ezra, his mother, and the expensive ass wedding planner.” I formed a faux pageant smile. “I just showed in proper attire.”
Tasche laughed along with me while Nyree didn’t crack a smile as she sipped from her flute.
“Yeah, but who that bitch, though,” Tasche asked, shifting my attention across the room. “And why she gotta be all up on Ez like that?”
She was referring to Precious with her hand clasped onto Ezra’s tricep possessively as she made small talk with a small group of men, including the officiate. She got along like one of the guys. I hadn’t seen much of her today and should’ve expected her to rear her ‘princess head’ sooner or later. I still didn’t like Precious; odd to be possessive over a man you haven’t even slept with, but there was something about her strong, lurking presence in Ezra’s world, and his passivity to it that made me uneasy.
“Yeah. I’ve seen her running around here the whole damn party like she run shit,” Tasche continued.
“First of all, I don’t think the great Bishop would approve the title of his child’s wedding as a party,” I jeered. “Secondly, that bitch ain’t running shit. She’s just extra.”
“Yeah…extra stuck to your husband. Don’t show your naïveté, Lex,” Nyree warned. “I’ve grown up around power and influence. They may have had John Legend performing at your wedding to keep up with their level of prestige, but that’s a part of the deal.”
“What deal?” Tasche asked, far more interested in this damning knowledge Ny was dropping.
Of course, it was because she knew more and had been far more experienced than me in the world of engagements. I fought hard not to roll my damn eyes.
“The deal of ‘you play your role and he plays his’. His role is to sleep with whomever the hell he wants while you play the dutiful wide. He just has to be discreet for his family’s sake and you sit pretty and well trained.”
Tasche, deeply engrossed and totally believing every word pouring from Nyree’s mouth, jerked her neck to meet my eyes in alarm. This time I did roll my eyes. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe her words had particular truth to them. It was because I hadn’t connected to Ezra or his family enough to have felt said obligations. I didn’t know this man; was only disturbingly drawn to him and hopelessly receptive to his every proposal.
“Okay,” Nyree scoffed. “Don’t believe me. You’re officially in the game now.” She gestured toward my wedding rings. “Your rude awakening is coming.”
My face hardened at that foreboding warning. I was so taken aback by her words that I didn’t realize the girls’ attention had gone just beyond my shoulder until it was too late.
“Time to call it a night, Mrs. Carmichael,” I heard the sensual ring in the rasp of his murmur in the same moment his awfully captivating scent struck me.
Once my eyes were able to open again, the first thing I caught was the hooded ones of Nyree. That annoyed me.
But he’s just a preacher, right? Don’t even try it!
Then I noted the alarmed ones of Tasche. She could be such a scaredy cat.
“Grier-Carmichael,” I corrected as I turned to face him.
I caught the insanely beautiful sight of Ezra in his tux minus the jacket, arms bulging. His beard was freshly groomed and mustache its usual thickness. His vest was still buttoned, yet he managed to appear stately with the less than formal look.
Damn he’s beautiful…
Ezra’s dazzling
smile held as he peered down on me, gleam pouring from his penetrating gaze between his curly lashes. His regard then fell to his extended hand. Without thought I received it, fighting the shiver that ran through me as he laced our fingers.
“You can call yourself whatever you please—tonight—so long as it’s understood you’re mine—forever,” the flicker in his eyes not dimming one bit while delivering those undeniable words of proprietorship.
My mouth dropped and face went lax as he extracted the flute from my hand, placing it on the nearest table.
Then I thought to speak. “Don’t we have to say goodbye?” Why I felt nervous all of a sudden concerned me. “I haven’t eaten.” I was honestly hungry.
Ezra’s smile didn’t falter when he advised, “Neither have I. We’ll eat en route. You can say goodbye to your friends now.” He gestured to Ny and Tasche. “I’m sure you’re not bursting at the seams to bid your farewells to my parents. And the rest of your party is awaiting us just beyond those doors.” I glanced over his shoulder.
I then turned to hug my girlfriends goodbye, promising to hit them up as soon as I could. Ezra and I crossed the festive room and exited through French curtained doors, undisturbed. I saw my father, Lillian, Ms. Remah and Thaddeus right away.
“Baby girl!” Rasul slurred, quickly engulfing me into his Hennessey-fragranced embrace.
Ezra never let go of my hand. In fact, he clenched it noticeably tighter while I was pinned to my father’s chest.
“How long you gon’ be gone, baby girl?” I knew the inquiry in its truest form. I was my father’s keeper. He may have had his crew to keep him protected while in prison, but I held him down on the outside, even if beyond my capacity. “You never told me where you were going.”
My eyes raced over to Ezra. He didn’t utter a word of shared information.
“Ummmmmm…” I bit my bottom lip. “I left something for you in the empty mint ice cream container in the back of the freezer. Hold tight; I’ll be gone for two weeks.” I knew that, at least.
There was a small stretch of silence where my father paid Ezra a thorough once over, contemplatively. He eventually let go of whatever it was that was eating at him and nodded before walking off. That was it: no formal goodbye to me or paternal inquisition for my new husband no one knew. He disappeared behind the French doors without further ado.
I tentatively met Ezra’s eyes, embarrassed by my father’s lack of etiquette. He quietly responded by leading me down to Lillian and Ms. Remah.
“You’re going to be okay, right? If you run out of money, you know what to do,” I heard the nervous chiding in my voice as I spoke to the closest maternal figure I’d had in my adult years. Her face was stiff, but eyes hard as she glared at me. She was leaving the country, and for the first time, so was I. “Try to come back to me okay,” I tried to clear up my panic with a joke.
The next thing I heard was a grunt before she pulled me roughly into her arms, smothering me while murmuring something incoherent in her native tongue. Her clench was almost painful; thankfully Ezra did release my hand this time. My arms enfolded her soft round frame, an unusual occurrence. If I’d learned anything from this callous old woman, it was that she didn’t coddle. She nurtured, groomed and supported, but anything resembling emotional or mushy wouldn’t come from her. Until today. My wedding.
“She’ll be fine,” Lillian tried to soothe. I could see the tears welling in her eyes. “I’ll be sure of it. Plus, I’m taking her to the airport tomorrow.”
“No!” Ms. Remah grunted. “Uhn-uhn! Yuh be concerned with yuh mother.”
“She,” I hissed, “will be concerned with her mother and aunt tomorrow. I’ll be the one picking you up, but she’s the one I trust dropping you off. It was either that or Ezra’s offer of car service, something you were vehemently against.”
Ms. Remah’s eyes shot over to Ezra and rolled down to her feet. “Yuh be good to her, huhn?” She grimaced on a cry. “She my girl.” This time it was Ms. Remah’s chance to threaten.
“I’ll be the best, Ms. Remah. You have my word,” Ezra assured.
Whatever the hell that means.
“Thanks for standing with me today, Lills.” Before I could stretch out my arms, she leaped up and into me.
“You’re going to make an awesome wife, I just know it!” Lillian gushed into my ear.
My mouth hung open. I didn’t know how to respond to that. I didn’t know shit about being a wife, something I saw so clearly in this woman embracing me right now. Hearing those words from her made me feel fraudulent in some way. My eyes shifted to a waiting Ezra and caught a one cheek, chortle. That snapped me out of the comings of an emotional state.
“We have a plane to catch, beloved,” Ezra politely reminded me.
I gave my final wave of goodbye to the ladies and once again received Ezra’s hand after he shook Thaddeus’, and headed down the long corridor with him. My five inch Red Bottoms under my long legs as I strutted against the shiny marble floors had me feeling the sexiest and most appealing I ever had in my life. I couldn’t help but wonder if that had been Ezra’s intent when he selected my gown and shoes. Either way, it worked. I felt flawless and even walked harder to match my…husband’s confident gait.
“Oh, wait.” I shrieked in alarm. “My things. My purse and luggage…”
“…are all waiting for you.” Ezra pointed toward the door.
There was a pearl Maybach parked right outside the door. The car doors opened and we were ushered in right away. I immediately located my purse and opened it to find everything intact.
“So, where to now?”
“Jersey, for the airport,” he answered
“But there’re several here in the city.” My brows lifted.
“We’re going to a clear port. Our flight is private, Alexis.”
My face stretched with anxiety. “Private?” I echoed in pure shock. “Are you ready to tell me where I’ll be living for the next two weeks?”
Ezra snorted, his chin resting on his fingers, amusement lining his eyes.
“Indonesia.” He gave me a minute to allow it to register. “A small, private village, 45 minutes outside of Bali.”
I couldn’t process the word private so many times much less calculate in which sea was Indonesia.
“Ezra…”
“Don’t worry, beloved. I promised you a fairy tale wedding, and that included your honeymoon. Don’t think about the extravagance, don’t worry about your contribution. You’ve given me an unspeakable gift in becoming my wife. You deserve this and more.” His eyes, he now pleaded with me. “You’re always looking out for others. For once, allow someone to look out for you. Bask in the provisions made for your joy and contentment. Enjoy the time that’s been carefully planned to celebrate you.”
His gaze fought against mine. I wanted to accept his lead and sit back and relax, but for the reasons he named, I couldn’t. I wasn’t programmed to only be concerned with me, and certainly not to spoil myself. But how could I articulate this to him and not come off like a cry baby?
So, once again, I forfeited. I visibly relaxed my shoulders and sat back in my seat.
“Thanks, Alexis,” he breathed in relief before sitting back himself.
It was dark out, city lights lining the roads, bustling residents and tourists out and about. After a while, I glanced over to Ezra and saw him engaged with his phone, so I decided to do the same. I checked Facebook, a humdrum act, but something to do. I was surprised to see so many alerts. Between Nyree, Tasche, Lillian, Miranda and Anushka, the world knew I was a married woman and what much of my private day looked like. I found it odd how out of all of Ny’s ten tags, only one included a picture with me. Similar to her, hardly any of Miranda’s two dozen or so images included Ezra and me, but she was sure to get a good one of us at the altar and coming into our reception. If I were to guess by the themes of her pictures, capturing images of my big day was her showing off who she knew at the pastor of Redeeming Souls’ wedding
.
But the most shocking alert of them all was the one requesting a relationship match of married. It was from Ezra. My eyes lunged over to him. He must have sensed it as he turned to face me. I didn’t know what to say and apparently didn’t have to say anything at all because he glanced down at the face of my phone, then seemingly understanding what I’d just seen, he turned back to the window, but pushed his hand over to meet my left palm and clasped it in muted comfort. Mechanically, I used my right hand to accept his relationship, letting the world at large know that I’d become Mrs. Ezra Carmichael.
The drive to the clear port was met with silence. It was clear Ezra was turning over something in his mind. My wildest thoughts considered him regretting what we’d just done: got married without being in love or even knowing each other, much less. My growing panic was quieted when we pulled into the airport and virtually onto the tarmac.
Ezra assisted me out of the car while the driver went over to speak to a man, handing him a folder of sorts. Two other gentlemen in livery waited in silence until being given an affirmative nod by the one who scanned then accepted the folder.
“Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael,” one of the two standing at attention on the tarmac lit by bright lights spoke, “your things have already been boarded. Please follow us. Your aircraft awaits you.”