12. Monroe

Iwaited behind the makeshift doors at the end of the aisle. My heart beat fast with excitement. The weight of what I was about to do, get married only six hours after saying yes, played heavily in my brain. There were so many things that could go wrong. London could turn out to be worse than Kashus, but I was willing to take the risk. A lifetime of being tied to Kashus Grant was like a death sentence. The fact that London had bought me an engagement ring made my heart swell. It was so thoughtful and only confirmed that he was a rare breed. I only hoped he didn't change up me.

Aunt Vanessa greeted me behind the doors. "It's almost showtime." She'd been a Godsend getting me ready for this last-minute wedding. Five hours ago, she showed up at London's villa with a full glam squad and her mother's old wedding dress. Luckily for me, London's grandmother had been pregnant when she married. It took a few alterations, but the dress eventually fit me perfectly. The trumpet style white dress flowed over my curves perfectly, making me feel like a goddess.

"Mama's dress looks beautiful on you, Monroe." Aunt Vanessa snapped a picture. I smiled as I slipped my hands down my body trying to calm my nerves. "It's natural to be nervous, sweetheart." She tucked one of my loose curls out of my face. "My nephew is a good man. I trust he'll do right by you." She reassured me. She knew why we were getting married, and she was still offering us her full support. It was a breath of fresh air from what I was used to.

"You deserve happiness, Monroe." She stared into my eyes. I welcomed her words. Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself of how powerful this moment was. This was not the marriage that my father had arranged for me, but the one that I had chosen for myself. That was what made this special.

"Your future husband sends you a gift." Alyza came from around the doors, holding a phone. "It's yours. I can give you the phone number later."

"London bought me a phone?" I stared at the empty screen confusingly before a familiar face appeared.

"Contessa?" I questioned in disbelief. Tears instantly pooled in my eyes. I had missed her. This was probably the longest I'd gone without talking to her since she'd become a part of my family.

"Yes, ma'am!" Her voice illuminated through the phone.

"Tessa!" I shouted again. Excitement dripped from my voice.

"Royale said to keep it short," Alyza whispered. I nodded, taking the phone from her hand and walking a few feet away.

"I'm getting married!" I announced. "I ran away, Tessa. I don't want to be stuck in a loveless marriage with Kashus." I confessed all at once. An instant wave of relief washed over me.

"I know," she replied.

"You know?" I wondered how much she was privy to. I know I'd asked London if he could send a message to her, but I never confirmed if he had.

"Yes, you got a lot of explaining to do, heffa, but I won"t ask you to do it on your wedding day. Hold the phone back. Let me see you."

I did as she asked, pulling the phone back so I could show off my dress. There was so much I wanted to say to her—so many things to catch her up on.

"Monroe, oh my God! You look gorgeous!" she squealed into the phone, causing me to smile.

"Thank you," I replied.

"How are you? How's the baby?" I questioned.

"We're fine!" She pulled the phone back so I could see her growing belly bump. I smiled. We stared at each other off and on, settling into an awkward silence… both of us avoiding the elephant in the room.

"Are you safe?" Tessa broke the silence. A look of concern plastered across her beautiful face.

"I'm okay, Tessa. I'm the safest I've been my entire life," I told her. Contessa's face immediately relaxed.

"Good." She smiled. She was happy for me but was worried about my safety. Contessa understood the gravity of what I was doing. Defying family tradition, it was dangerous, and neither of us knew the outcome.

"How long do I have to keep this a secret from your father?"

"I'm not sure." I shrugged.

"Dr. London is something. He tried to fly me out there this evening. I thought I was going to have to show him orders from the doctor that I couldn't travel this late in the pregnancy."

I giggled at her mentioning London. "He's the most unselfish man I ever met."

"He has you smiling. I've never seen you smile that damn hard."

I couldn't even hide the grin that was plastered on my face. London did make me smile.

"Which is saying a lot considering the circumstances, this decision is abrupt but—"

"It's your choice. I get it." Tessa cut me off, and we shared another knowing silence.

"I wish you were here, Tessa."

"Don't worry, I'll be watching from my phone."

"Times up! We gotta start soon, or we'll miss the sunset." Alyza walked up behind me.

"I love you!" Tessa screamed as I handed Alyza the phone.

"I love you, too!" I shouted back.

"I'll hold this during the ceremony." Alyza took the phone and headed to take her seat. A rush of emotions flooded me. The amount of effort London had put into making this day special was so heartwarming. Contessa was my only friend in the world. Having her here if only by phone meant a lot to me. I returned to my spot behind the doors and waited for my cue, taking in the moment and allowing the gentle rustling of the palm trees to calm me. Suddenly, a sense of peace washed over me, and I felt at peace with my decision.

"You ready?" Meechie grabbed ahold of my arm.

"She better be, and we don' flew all the way out here." Polo walked up on us and latched onto my other arm.

"As ready as I can be. Thank you, guys, for doing this," I replied.

"That nigga behind these doors is my brother. We have been locked in since we were lil pee pee diaper wearing niggas. He asks me for something, anything, I'm pulling up. He asks me to go to war behind a girl he's feeling, and I walk her down the aisle. We family now, mamas. That's that!" Meechie confessed, causing butterflies to flutter in my chest.

The love and loyalty he had for London was something I'd always longed for. It was beautiful. There was nothing I could say back that would suffice, so I just nodded. The music began, and I knew that meant the wedding would soon begin. I took a deep breath, and on cue, the doors parted. London came into view at the end of the aisle. My feet began to move, and our eyes locked on each other. The tears that gathered in the rims of his eyes were that of a man marrying the love of his life. I sailed to the aisle. My feet sank into the sand, feeling like I was in a dream, but this was real life—my life. As we neared the end of the aisle, London moved to me, taking me by the hand.

"We supposed to give her to you, nigga, back up." Meechie chuckled, causing me to giggle.

"I don't follow directions," London replied as he gently yanked me away from Meechie and Polo.

"You look gorgeous." He guided me underneath the beautifully decorated white arch. I looked back at my aisle escorts and thanked them quietly as they took their seats in the audience. It was a small crowd that consisted of Aunt Vanessa, Alyza, Polo, Meechie, and Contessa was propped up in a chair on the video call.

"We are here to unite you two beautiful people in marriage," the officiant announced, causing me to turn my attention back to London. "Today, the two of you become a little more than you were before. In the eyes of the law, you'll be husband and wife."

I stared at London nervously. My body trembled.

"Look to one another and remember what brought you here. Your love, yes, but also all the decisions you have made to keep your relationship growing. Remember that you are both deserving of love and worth the effort that goes into loving each other."

My eyes bounced from the officiant to London. My heart pounded out of my chest.

"Now turn to each other," he instructed. London took my hands in his.

"Do you, Monroe Iris and Royale London, desire to be marriage partners?" We shared a giggle as London and I both nodded at the same time. "Do you promise to make every effort to share your love and respect for each other from this day on?"

"I do," London said without any hesitation.

"I do," I replied.

"Rings, please," he requested. Polo handed the officiant the rings. "Who wants to go first?"

"I will," I responded. He handed me the ring Alyza had helped me pick out at a small jewelry store in the market. I spent the last money I'd had on it, and it was worth it. The look of surprise on his face as I slid the ring onto his finger was priceless.

"As you place the ring on Royale's finger, please repeat after me," the officiant instructed.

"I, Monroe, take you, Royale, to be my husband. I want us to create our life together with honesty and compassion, from this day forward."

I repeated each word. My heart beat fast as I slid the ring completely on his finger. London mouthed thank you as the officiant handed him my ring and began reciting his vows. The moment London opened his hand and revealed the beautiful, diamond studded band I nearly fainted. I wasn't expecting something this fancy. He had already gone all out on the ring. My eyes filled and tears that had been pooling finally released. London grabbed my left hand and slid the ring on my finger.

"I, Royale, take you to be my wife. I want us to create our life together with honesty and compassion, from this day forward."

My heart beat so heavily as he recited his wows to me that I was sure London could hear it. I looked into his eyes, feeling the strength and support that he provided radiate through me.

"It is my pleasure to pronounce you man and wife. You"re officially married and may seal your union with a kiss."

London wasted no time pulling me close and planting his lips onto mine. Cheers and claps rang out, but we were in our own little world. As our tongues swirled, I found it harder and harder to accept this marriage was to be only on paper. It felt as if I had just married the love of my life.