Epilogue One Year Later

I couldn't helpbut admire myself in my wedding dress. My father insisted on paying for this whole wedding. Jacob offered to put in, but he was adamant about giving me away the right way this time. I got the experience I didn't have the first time with my mom and Ebony.

We were having a small ceremony with just our closest friends and family right in our back yard.

Somya Tripp of Elite Glamour did an amazing job of transforming our back yard into a romantic oasis for the ceremony. I'd been up since early this morning, peeking out of our bedroom window to watch the process. Our colors were cream and nude. The only pops of color were the red, pink, and white flowers on the tables we would be eating at and the same colored flowers strategically placed for decor.

Once again, Jessa was Jacob's best man while my sister's husband served as a groomsman. Ebony was my matron of honor and Myra was my maid of honor. Barkly and Pawly were our ring bearers and it took alot of training to get them to act right and walk down the aisle. My mother and Mrs. Mitchell were cooking all the food, while Mr. Mitchell was on grandpa duty with our baby girl, Jayelle Simone Mitchell.

She was only four months old and the light of our life. Baby girl was the spitting image of her daddy, and I was so in love with both of them. Watching Jacob be a father was the most beautiful thing I'd ever witness. He sang to her, horribly, but she loved it. He read her bedtime stories. I never had to get up in the middle of the night with her because the first whimper had him on his feet.

There were times I'd walked into her room and found his big ass curled up in her crib with her laying on his chest, fast asleep. The way she looked at him was one of pure love and adoration. Her smiles simply made me melt.

"You look beautiful, pooh," Myra said, fluffing my train out. "That snap back ain't come to play. Who had a baby four months ago?"

I giggled. "Thank you, My."

There was a knock on the door and in walked Jessa. She'd gone with another pantsuit, and as usual, she looked flawless.

"That's my bitch!" she said, snapping her fingers. "You look fabulous, love. I can't believe we are doing this shit again."

I laughed. "At least it's a happier occasion for all this time."

"True. Jake won't have to curse at anybody."

My man still didn't play about me. He was and would forever be my biggest stepper.

"How is he?" I asked Jess.

"Girl, you would think y'all aren't already married. He's anxious to see you."

"Does he look handsome, Jess?"

She rolled her eyes. "He's a'ight." A smiled played across her features. "I'm joking. He looks very handsome. I see the two of you sneaking out on the reception later."

That made me laugh because I could foresee it, too. I couldn't get enough of that man. My entire pregnancy, I was on him. In fact, we were trying to get it in when my water broke. I was high-key disappointed that we couldn't finish!

The door opened once again, and in walked, Ebony with my baby, and Kelcy from Arranged Hearts. We made sure to send her and Chance invitations. Without them, this union wouldn't have been possible in the first place. When we had our three, six, and twelve-month check-ins with them, neither of them were surprised that we had made it. They revealed that during the matching process, they'd played our videos side by side, and it was a no-brainer for either of them.

"Hi, Mommy's pretty girl!" I said, reaching for my baby. "Hey, y'all."

As soon as she saw my face, she smiled and cooed. She looked so cute in her little dress.

"Has she been any trouble, Eb?"

"Girl, no. She's enjoying being spoiled by her grandmothers. They insisted on giving her a little taste of mashed potatoes, and she tore that shit up."

I tickled my baby's tummy. "Your grandmas are gonna make you a butterball, pud!"

She grinned, and my heart swelled with pride. I didn't think I'd ever get used to her being mine.

"You ready to do this all over again?" Kelcy asked.

"I would marry that man ten times over. Thank you for putting us together, Kelcy. You did your big one."

She giggled. "Thank you for trusting Arranged Hearts with your heart. We love success stories. Maybe we can get you two to come back for a video interview on your journey?"

"I think we can do that."

The door opened once more and in stepped Somya and my father.

Somya clasped her hands. "Ladies! It's time to take your places. We start in ten minutes. Come, come!"

I gave my baby loving before handing her off to my sister. Everyone followed Somya out.

"You look beautiful!" she said as she closed the door, leaving me and my father alone.

He came to me with the biggest smile on his face. It was crazy how far we'd come.

"Baby girl… wow. You look stunning."

"Thank you, Daddy. And thank you for giving me this."

"You deserved this, Kachelle. You and Jacob proved us all wrong. I'm so sorry you even had to do that. I love you so much. All I want is your happiness."

"I have it. I have life, health, a successful business, my family, my baby, and I get to marry the love of my life all over again. There is nothing else I need."

I meant that. Nothing else in this world would ever compare to the life I was living right now. I knew that with love and faith, we would continue to live in the blessings bestowed.

"Can somebody bring me my baby?" I yelled down the hall.

I wasn't sure why I was so damn nervous. I was already married to this woman, yet my stomach was in knots. I think it was the fact that this time around, everything was perfect. There was no drama. No opposition. Nothing that went wrong the first time would go wrong this time.

The door opened, and my father walked in with Jayelle. My nerves immediately calmed when I took her in my arms.

"Hey, Daddy's princess," I said, bouncing her. "I just needed some of your good energy."

I kissed her chubby cheeks as she gripped my beard. Jayelle Simone Mitchell was my heart and soul. Her birth further confirmed everything I knew about true, unconditional love. It was one thing to care for her and Kachelle while she carried her. It was another to care for her in the flesh. She was the purest form of the love my wife and I shared.

The day she was born was my completion as a man. I was a provider. A protector. A husband. A father. Those were titles I took very seriously. Baby girl was spoiled already. She was going to be a mini version of her Aunt Jessa. With my baby was the softest I'd ever seen that girl. She and Myra were always fighting over who got to hold her first when they came over.

And then there were her grandparents. They did the most, and we just let them. It was safe to say that Jayelle was surrounded by love. I couldn't ask for anything more. Life was good. Aside from family life being on the up and up, my career was soaring to new heights. I released my first romance novel, and it hit number one on the charts. It was a love story based loosely on my own. When I brought the idea to Kachelle, she told me it would be a bestseller. Lo and behold, it was.

"You good now?" my father asked. "Your sister said you were in here pacing when she left." He chuckled. "Why are you nervous about marrying your wife?"

"Your daughter talks too much."

"Keep it real with me, Jacob."

I sighed as I took a seat. "Everything is perfect this time around, Dad. It's a little scary."

He took a seat next to me. "This is how it should have been the first time. There's no gimmick. Nothing is waiting around to pop off. This is just you and Kachelle getting the wedding you deserve. Don't get me wrong, the first one was beautiful. But this one is more personal. It's a chance to relish in the love that has grown between you two. You didn't have a traditional journey, but it's been beautiful for the most part. You deserve to celebrate that. You got your vows?"

"I didn't write vows. I'll know what to say when I see her."

He smiled. "My boy. That was me with your mother. The words came with ease."

There was a knock on the door, and Somya stepped in.

"Gentlemen… it's time. Your bride is absolutely stunning, Mr. Mitchell."

I blew out a breath as I stood and handed Jayelle to my dad.

"I'm ready."

I followed him out of my office, and then we both followed Somya to the back patio door. Jess and Omar, Ebony's husband, were already waiting. Somya, Dad, and my baby headed out while we waited for our cues.

"Second time's the charm," Jess said, squeezing my shoulders. "Make sure you two keep it down when you leave us to consummate."

I laughed as I playfully shoved her. "Shut up, Jess."

The music started up. The door opened, and Somya waved Jessa and Omar out. I took several deep breaths. Before I knew it, the door opened again, and it was time for me to make my entrance. I stepped out onto the patio and followed the flower-lined path up to the altar, and took my place.

Looking out at the smiling faces of our loved ones, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Soon, my love would be in my arms. My entrance music faded out, and the next song started. Ebony and Jessa made their way down the aisle and took their places. Then came Barkly and Pawly happily trotting toward the altar with their little bow ties carrying the rings. A bout of laughter and awwws went up from the small crowd. Of course, they had to stop and sniff or be petted before they reached their destination at my feet. With the command, they sat patiently.

The sound of "What About Love?" from the new Color Purple soundtrack started, and everyone stood to their feet. My baby was obsessed with the movie and that song, in particular. When she appeared at the end of the aisle with her father, I smiled. She looked so happy and so damn beautiful in that strapless, silky wedding dress that hugged her every curve. Her natural curls blew softly in the wind as the tiara from her veil sparkled brightly.

The closer she got to me, the wider my smile grew. When she stood before me, I bit my lip and shook my head as I stared lustfully at her. She might just get pregnant with baby number two tonight.

"Who gives this woman to be wed?" the pastor asked.

Mr. Lewis smiled. "I do."

He kissed Kachelle's cheek, then placed her hand in mine. I helped her onto the altar, immediately pulling her in for a long pressed kiss.

"You just said forget the service order, huh?" Jessa said aloud.

The crowd laughed as I pulled back.

"I had to get it out of my system," I said. "Take it away, Pastor."

He chuckled. "Well, thank you. Dearly beloved…"

The entire time he spoke, I couldn't take my eyes off my wife. It was like we were back at the altar for the first time, and I was struck by her beauty. I'd been staring so hard that I didn't hear the pastor call my name. Jessa lightly smacked the back of my head.

"Your vows, fool," she said with a giggle.

"Right!" I took the microphone. "As y'all can see, I still get love-struck by this beautiful woman."

Cheers and whistles of agreement caused Kachelle to blush. I took her hand in mine as I spoke.

"A whole year later and I'm even more certain that God made you for me. You have been my perfect compliment. My soul tethered itself to yours the moment I laid eyes on you. You are everything I hoped for… everything I prayed for… everything I thank God for. From the moment we said I do, it has been my mission for over 365 days to be the man I was called to be for you. You, Kachelle, are my biggest blessing. Our daughter is my greatest.

"Watching you be a mother to our baby has made me fall so much deeper in love with you. You give so much of yourself to us, and you do it with such grace. You are the best wife and mother, and I am so lucky that I get to experience life and love with you. You have introduced me to parts of my heart that I never knew existed. Today, I reaffirm my promises to be your provider, your caretaker, and your protector.

"I carry you in my spirit. I value and cherish your very existence. You are my blessing, my peace, and my wildest dream come true. God prepared me for you and because of him, I've always got you. I love you with everything I am and everything I will become, now and forever."

A tear slipped down her cheek, as she kissed the back of my hand. Some of our guests were already swiping tears of their own. I handed Kachelle the microphone. She took a deep breath, and I knew she was about to make a grown man cry.

"Jacob… I have always been surrounded by so much love, yet I longed for something that I couldn't fully put into words until I met you. You are the embodiment of what it means to take a chance on God and watch Him provide you with everything you need. My biggest flex is having you as my husband. I love you without reservations or conditions because you have given your love to me so freely. I have never felt more connected to another human being until I met you.

"You've listened. You've been unselfish, and you've been intentional in the way you love me. Before I ever had any knowledge of you… before I ever interacted with you, I fully believe that our spirits were divinely tethered. Though we were initially chosen for each other, I have chosen you every day since. Every page of this love story we've written affirms that I was called to you and you to me.

"Our daughter is our love in human form. Watching you be a father to her… watching you love and protect her… it soothes my soul. You and Jayelle are the reason I know God shows me favor. You are the product of my faith… the substance of all things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. I surrender my life and my love to you. Forever and always."

The pastor didn't get a chance to say anything else before my lips were on hers. The kiss we shared was passionate and filled with so much emotion that I couldn't take it. I dropped to my knees right there, took her hands, and prayed a prayer of thanks for this woman.

She was my love.

She was my heart and my soul.

She was home.

THE END