Jaasiel: The Gideon Brothers, page 12
“Fuck, taku manawa, I didn’t think you could look more beautiful than you already were, but you proved me wrong,” I tell her, meaning it, she is nothing short of exquisite.
“And you have to be the most handsome man I have ever seen in my entire life.”
“Come on, baby, because if you keep standing there looking at me like that, I am going to forget we have an entire ballroom full of people waiting for us.”
“Um, are you sure they can’t wait a little longer?”
“You’re such a harlot,” I tell her, causing her to burst out in startled laughter.
“Who still says harlot?” she asks, still laughing. “I am glad my makeup has been shellacked on my face,” she says, dabbing at the tears running down her face with the handkerchief I give her.
“Let’s go, you nutball,” she says, taking my hand, and we make our way back to the ballroom.
We planned this night out to the minute, so by the time we made it to the ballroom doors, the music stops, and the attendants open the door revealing Parker and me in our wedding attire.
“Parker and I would like to welcome you all to our wedding. I didn’t give her much time to plan a wedding, and when we began planning, this was the only time all of our schedules were open, so we decided to surprise you guys and have a secret wedding.”
The gasps and I knew its bouncing around the room has Parker and me smiling at each other. My family really is nosey as hell. I take Parker’s hand and walk her over to her father.
“I thought for a minute you lied to me when we talked about how much you wanted to make Parker your wife, but I like your style,” he says as he looks at his youngest daughter. “You look beautiful, ladybug.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” she says.
“My baby is getting married,” her mother says through her tears. “For a minute, I thought you would never get married again, but I am glad that your heart healed enough to open again.”
“Me too, Momma,” she says as she is pulled into a hug from her mom.
“Before we get married, I have a surprise for you,” I tell her, and right on time the two guests I wanted to surprise her with walk in.
“Jaasiel?”
“I thought it was past time your sister and ex-husband saw how blessed you are. You have a highly successful business, people who care about you, and a soon-to-be husband who exists to please you. Let them see that shit, baby.
Let them see that they did not destroy you. And by the way, if they get out of pocket, feel free to unleash the ass-whooping they both deserved years ago, and not that you need it, but your sisters, your other sisters over there, will be more than happy to help you.”
“Jaasiel!” my mother says. “Both of them are Partricia’s children.”
“Sorry, Momma,” I say.
“Yes, they both are mine, so I am going to take a long way around to stop the fight,” Partricia says. “They are both grown, and some things deserve an ass whooping.”
“Ma!”
“Hush, you’re about to get married. Like Jaasiel said, let them see you, baby. It’s time.”
My sisters make their way over to Parker, “I see the calvary has arrived, so I am going to go over here and get cussed out by my brothers,” I tell Parker as I kiss her on the cheek before walking away.
“Why am I not surprised that you would have a surprise secret wedding,” Josh says. “You were always the brother who wanted the least amount of attention. I am happy for you, brother, and your future wife is the perfect complement to you.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, what Josh said, but what I want to know is who is going to be your best man?” Atlas says, making us all laugh.
“Actually, I planned on having a best woman.”
“What!” they exclaim.
“Yep, if it wasn’t for Carla, I would have never met Parker, so she’ll be my best woman. I mean, once I ask her, that is.”
“Do you mean it? I would love to be your best woman!” Carla says from behind me.
“Ear hustling again, dove?” Asher says to his wife.
“No, I came over here to tell Jaasiel we’re ready and overheard him. It was completely accidental,” she says, slamming her hands on her hips indignantly.
“Sorry baby,” he leans down to kiss her.
“Don’t start that shit! Next thing you know, you two will be putting on a show for everyone here. Not only can you two not keep your hands off of each other, y’all breed like bunnies.” Jabarri says.
“We have three children, and two of them are twins. You act like we have a dozen kids.” Carla says.
“You all have the most kids. Well, actually, Savvy has the most with four, you have three, Megan has one, and now Joyce and Joseph have one. Who else is about to pop out a baby?” Aryan says.
“Don’t look my way,” I say. “Looks like the women are ready. Let’s head to the altar.”
I take my place at the altar with Carla next to me as my best woman. I wait a little anxiously for my soon-to-be wife to come to me.
The first notes of Snoh Aalegra’s version of Do 4 Love begin to play, and I watch Parker come to me on the arm of her father. Everyone is standing by their seats. We made sure the tables and chairs were arranged not just for dinner but so they could watch us get married unobstructed. Even though I have already seen her dress, just her walking towards me and understanding what that means has tears welling in my eyes. I was content to be the brother that didn’t get married, but now I couldn’t imagine not having Parker in my life. I love everything about her, and I wouldn’t change a single thing. After I proposed and she tried to get me to sign that ridiculous prenup, she asked me what I expected her to do with her company, and I told her to run it like she had been running. Being my wife doesn’t change shit outside of having the Gideons’ backing. She was worried about how the rest of the family would feel about what she did, and I reassured her they wouldn’t care.
I was proved right when I revealed her profession to them. Not only did they laugh their asses off, but Aryan bought her a jacket that said Pimptress on the back. Jabarri offered to upgrade her computer system, and of course, Atlas and True offered their enforcer services. I swear they need intense therapy. I told her when I asked her to marry me, I asked the woman she was, not who she thought I wanted or needed her to be. Not soon enough, she reaches me, and her father is putting her hand in mine. I pull her into my side as we turn to face Pastor Errington and wait to be married.
“Well, here we are again. At this rate, I should just move into the house until the rest of you are married.” He says, causing all of us to laugh. “But it is nothing short of a pleasure and honor to come every time I am called to marry one of these extraordinary young men,” Pastor says.
Pastor Errington proceeds with the ceremony with his usual warm, kind, and humorous personality until it is time for us to exchange vows.
“Outside of my family, I have had one place that was home to me, that was my comfort and safety until I met you. It was only fitting that I met you through doing what I love to do, one love brought another. I have watched my brothers find love with some of the most amazing women on this planet, women who perfectly balance and center them. I have seen what real love really is through them and through my parents, so I know what we have is perfect. You are my person, and I do not have adequate words or adequate time to thank God that out of the almost eight billion people on this rock, He thought enough about me to send me you. You are the fire to my ice, the yin to my yang, and I wouldn’t change a single thing about you. I didn’t fall in love with a future version of you I fell in love with who you are right now and every day the Lord allows me to live, I will wake up and choose to love the woman who wakes up next to me no matter what version of you it is. In you, I have gained a partner, a friend, a wife, and a partner in crime. I cannot wait to be the husband you deserve and be able to call you my wife. I promise to feed you, support you, laugh with you when life is funny and hold you when this world is unkind. I will always protect you, even if it means with my life, because without you in it, I will no longer want to be here. I will work every day to be worthy of the gift of your presence in my life. You are my home; your heart is my safe space.”
Nineteen
“Whew, I should have gone first,” I say, fanning my face in a futile attempt to stop the tears from flowing. “You know your way around the kitchen and words, that’s a very dangerous combination. Jaasiel, I was not looking, desiring, or manifesting a man, let alone a husband in my life, and I never dared to hope for someone as perfect for me as you. Your love is a soothing balm to my tattered heart and a sweet song to my bruised soul. You are the coolest breeze on the hottest day. The peace you bring to me is unmatched by anything else this world could ever offer me. You are everything all at once and more than I could have dared imagine. You are more than any love story could create. You surpass the greatest love story ever written by the greatest author. You Are Everything! You are the greatest gift I have ever been given, and that gift is magnified by the family you have brought into my life. I will always be your taste tester. I will always love the man you are, I will be your confidant, I will keep your secrets, and I will be grateful every day for the way you love me. Every day I am given life, I will strive to be the woman, wife, and friend you have cultivated in me. I will be your biggest cheerleader and greatest support in this life, and in every variation of life, my love will always be yours.”
As soon as the last word is out of my mouth, I am being crushed by his embrace, and there isn’t a dry eye in the house. After he releases me, I peek over to where my ex and sister are sitting and almost choke trying to hold in my laugh. His face is longing, and her face is murderous. If I didn’t know better, I would think they are miserable together, but whenever they are around our parents, they appear to be the happiest couple ever coupled. And we are not even going to mention their social media pages. They are always traveling and posing together like the happiest couple ever. But if looks could kill, I am sure I would be looking at the pearly gates right now.
Another prayer, the exchange of rings, and before I know it, Pastor Errington says, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jaasiel, you may kiss your bride.”
He is so cute. I swear he is blushing as he gives me a chaste kiss on the lips before pulling me in a hug and whispering in my ear, “Your dad is watching us. I can’t kiss you like I want to with your dad looking at me.”
Ugh, I couldn’t love this man more if I tried to.
“It is my great pleasure to present you Mr. and Mrs. Jaasiel Mikaere Gideon.”
Our family explodes with clapping and whistling to Pastor’s proclamation, and I think my face is going to break from all the smiling. We make it to our table and our family comes over to talk and congratulate us. We had our table placed in the middle so we could interact with everyone easily. Our wedding is pretty casual and laid back, but I think it fits Jaasiel and my style perfectly. And it soon turns into a typical family event.
“I knew something was up with this impromptu dinner you and Jaasiel decided to throw, so I threw this in my purse just in case,” Savvy says. After the spa day with the ladies, I got the okay to call her Savvy. We had such a good time that day getting to know one another, well, me getting to know them. They are the craziest, funniest, most violent, and most loyal group of women I have ever met.
I found out that because they rent the entire spa for the ladies so often, they bought half of the company. The woman who owns it is a single mom who took all her savings to open the spa of her dreams. She dumped her money into location, aesthetics, staff, and, most of all, marketing, so she was doing well. But when Anson approached her with more than the spa was worth and let her keep part ownership for a fraction of what he offered, it was a no-brainer for her. She got to keep her business at no financial risk to her, the only thing Anson asked for was four days a month where the spa would be for the Gideon women that’s paid for as well. Savvy pulls out a long box she sets in my hand, “All of the Gideon women have one.” I open the box, and there is a beautiful charm bracelet inside. There is a P, a black diamond for my business name, a white suit and a white hat, along with tiny brass knuckles. There’s also a J and G, and, of course, a chef’s hat and a pan on it. “There is room for more for whatever you guys want to add to it. Welcome to the family, sis.” I stand to hug Savvy and notice my sister walking up just as Savvy calls me sis.
“We just wanted to come over and congratulate you. I was happy and surprised to get your invitation I was wondering how long you’d hold this grudge over nothing.”
“First of all,” I cut her off mid-sentence. “I forgave you a long time ago, but contrary to popular belief forgiving someone does not mean you have to interact with them. I’d be a brand-new fool to let you have access to my life again and let’s not try to minimize the fact that you are now married to my ex-husband and were, in fact, in a relationship with him while I was still married to him. Any sane person would not consider that nothing.”
“You didn’t even want him anymore! It’s downright selfish to feel like just because we are sisters, the man that wasn’t for you could be perfect for me, and we can’t be together just because you were married to him!”
“I’m selfish! You know what? It is my wedding day, and I will not let you ruin it for me with your stupid ass mentality. Now truthfully, I didn’t invite you, my husband did, so I suggest you go back to your table with your husband, have a seat, and shut the fuck up because I can guarantee you the patience I showed you before will not be extended this time and I will beat your ass in my wedding dress at my reception.” I seethe out.
“Sis, you okay? We good?” Savvy asks, but I also notice all of the women have come over with her.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with you, so you can come back to wherever you came from,” she snaps at Savvy, wrong move.
“I’m the last person you wanna bring that tone with. Unlike my sister here it’s not my wedding day or reception, so I don’t have a problem beating your ass right where you stand.”
“It’s okay, Savvy. She’s about to go sit her ass down,” I say, looking at Ananasi. Terrell hasn’t said a word, and I realize why when I notice Jaasiel is looking at him like he’s saying I dare you to say something. Smart man keeping his mouth shut.
“Still immature as hell,” she says as she is trying to go to her seat.
“The next smart mouth ass comment that slips past those crooked ass teeth is going to get you fucked up. This is your very last warning, say one more thing, and I am going to knock your ass smooth out!” I bite out through my clenched teeth, and sensing she has pushed me too far, she clamps her lips closed before walking back to her seat.
“She can come up missing. I mean, I know she’s your sister, but you have an entire team of sisters now,” True says.
“You promised no guns tonight, True!” Carla says.
“I left my guns at home, but you didn’t say anything about knives,” she says.
“Or explosives,” Megan follows.
“Or poisons,” Joyce joins in.
“Wow, just wow,” Carla says.
“So, you don’t have a weapon?
“I mean I have a garrote,” she says, fingering her necklace.
“Savvy?”
“Oh, I got Jag. That’s all the weapon I need,” she says. And we all shake our heads in agreement.
“Let’s eat, baby,” Jaa says.
Praise truly outdid herself. We start with lobster and shrimp cocktail with Bloody Mary sauce, pecorino and truffle honey crostini, prosciutto-wrapped figs with gorgonzola cream, and then for the main course, there was roasted rack of lamb with a mint jelly glaze, seared scallops with a lemon Buerre blanc sauce, filet mignon with wild mushroom demi-glace, roasted salmon with dill cream sauce. And for dessert, since we opted out of having a wedding cake, we decided on mini crème brûlée with fresh berries, lemon tart with raspberry coulis, tiramisu trifle tups, and chocolate lava cakes with vanilla crème anglaise. I have to agree with Jaasiel, in another couple of years, she will be just as good as him. Her food is exceptional. I take a look around the room and begin to get a little emotional. I have come a long way from where I was. I was so angry and bitter the night I unintentionally started my company, but I realize now that everything I went through brought me to this point. It was a painful journey at times and there were more times than I care to count that I wanted to give up, to lay down and die, but God did not allow me to give up on myself. Over time, I found the success and happiness I was looking for and then when I was content with my life and happy with me, He sent me Jaasiel. Yeah, He’s good, but that’s why He gets the big bucks. I see you, big G! I think grateful beyond words.
“You alright, Reka?” Jaasiel asks.
“I’m perfect,” I smiled over at him.
“Good, now let’s dance,” he jumps from the table taking my hand and tugging me out of my seat with him. The crew we hired to set up is amazing. As we make our way to the other side of the table to the dance floor, they make quick work of dismantling the tables and reconfiguring them to give us more room to dance and party.
Leading out to the middle of the dance floor, the first strands of Chrisette Michelle’s A Couple of Forevers begins to play. I go willingly in his arms and follow his lead not only in this dance but in life. After that, I feel like I am playing musical dances, dancing with my father, his father, my mom, his mom, then all his brothers, Peter, and the General. By this time, the dance floor is filled, and we are having the time of our lives.
After the required dances we slipped off to change into our final outfit of the evening. I change into my signature all-white pant suit with ankle-length pants to show off the Versace™ Medusa Chain heels Jaasiel gifted me for tonight, and Jaasiel matches it with one of his own.
