I couldn’t take it any longer as I opened the door wide and entered the sanctuary, ready to become his wife.
Kev looked toward the door and that’s when he saw me coming in the room. You would have thought time stopped when he first saw me.
He said out loud, “You are a picture of art in motion.”
My hair was pulled back off my face with a couple of spiral curls that fell ever so gently across my forehead and the makeup was done just right. I remembered the makeup artist telling me I didn’t need a lot because I was already beautiful.
“You are everything I ever wanted,” he said.
At that moment, as I walked toward him, I could tell he was thinking about us. No more drugs, no more, good-bye to it all. Kev walked to get me. I noticed the tears coming out his beautiful eyes and I smiled at him, knowing that his tears were that of joy. I was sure Kev didn’t count on breaking down like this; he usually knew how to keep it together. He was cool and laidback but today was the day that Kev let his emotions show.
He reached for me and stood in front of me, gazing in my eyes. He took my hand and led me to the minister. I trusted him, and never felt like I was going to stumble or fall.
I looked around the chapel and that’s when I saw my sons and Toya. I covered my mouth with my hands. I looked at Kev and put my arms around his neck and held on to him. I whispered, “Thank you, baby, thank you.”
It was spectacular to think he pulled all of this off in next to no time at all. It was amazing. I was overwhelmed.
The ceremony was by candlelight. We continued to hold hands when we approached the minister. He was a tall and distinguished man and I noticed how together he was. He had on a black robe with a little white design down the front of it. His hair was gray and cut short to his head. He was a dark, older gentleman with the sternest look upon his face, letting me know that he was there strictly for business, which I knew was the Lord’s work. He held the Bible in his hands, opened to a page, and began to speak.
“Reese Taylor Bradford, do you take Kevon’ Joseph Valan’ to be your husband?”
I thought for a moment and stared down to the ground, looking at the beautiful marble floor; then I looked at Kev and squeezed his hand real tight and said, “Yes, I do, I take you to be my husband.” Before I could finish my sentence I was crying like a baby.
Kev was posed the same question. “Yes,” he answered. Kev held me real tight, showing in his actions that he would always protect and love me until death do us part. We heard the minister’s instructions; he sealed our union with a kiss. Death do us part.
We smiled and listened as the guests cheered us on. I looked around and saw my new friends from the hair salon and the workers at the resort. My boys ran up screaming, “Mommy!” I smiled, bent down, and embraced them both with a long hug and kisses. I was so thankful that they were there with us. We were all there to start our new life together.
Kev had arranged for a lovely dinner after the ceremony. Then as we listened to the live band we danced cheek to cheek. We didn’t separate after the wedding; we stayed side by side.
Me and Toya talked and I danced with my sons, hugged on ’em, and took as many kisses as I could. “Toya! How did y’all pull this off? I know Kev had you in on this.”
“You know he did,” Toya said. “Girl, when he called me and told me y’all was getting married I cried like a little baby! I knew y’all was for each other. I told you. I dropped the phone for a second and started shoutin’!”
We laughed and hugged again before Toya took the boys back to my room. After we said good-bye to the boys it was time for us to leave as well.
I stood there for a few more seconds watching the boys disappear on the elevator. Then Kev slipped his arm around my waist and whispered, “Let’s go.”
In the elevator to the room Kev let out a big sigh. “Baby, can you believe this?” He smiled, staring, waiting for my reply. He reached down and touched my hand then looked at the ring on my finger.
“I know, huh, this is crazy. I never would have thought that we could be together, Kev.” My eyes were lit up like a Christmas tree. “Kev, thank you for bringing the boys. When and how did you pull all this off?”
Kev put his arms around me. “I love you, Reese. I’d do anything for you, baby.” He kissed me on the cheek.
The elevator stopped at the top floor. “Kev, this is the wrong floor. We’re on the wrong floor.” Puzzled, I wondered, why is Kev getting off like he don’t remember where his room is?
He shot me this smirk and nodded for me to follow him.
I finally got off the elevator and followed him. “When did you do this?” I said, following him and still puzzled.
“Earlier, Reese, come on, babe,” Kev said while carrying my shoes. He was excited. He wanted to show me how much he loved me.
Kev opened the door then said, “Wait.” He put my shoes inside the door, and then ran back over where I was standing and picked me up. I put my long arms around his neck and my head into his chest while he carried me inside the room and over the threshold.
I couldn’t see the room well because he was holding me, but when we finally reached the bedroom and he laid me on the bed I jumped up and went to look around. I couldn’t help it; I was so excited.
There were three rooms in all, all of which were lit up with candles. The bathroom was off the hook with a Jacuzzi, tub and shower also. I ran to the front room and looked around at the place. I noticed there was a chandelier hanging and the whole front room floor was marble, and that’s when I saw all the roses on the floor.
Kev sat down and watched me move around in the dress and said, “Um um um, how beautiful your light brown skin looks in this dress.”
He came over to me and took my hand and spun me around. He stretched our arms out and we looked into each other’s eyes. He then pulled me close for a dance with him. His chin lay on my head and he rubbed my back as we moved together. I thought to myself, now this is true love.
He spun me around again, but this time my back was facing him. He put his arms around me and noticed my skin glistening when the light hit my back, he confessed. He turned me face to face to him, shook his head back and forth, embraced me, and started to kiss me on the neck.
I felt the chill bumps rise on my skin.
“There’s bathwater for you,” he said.
I turned to him and kissed his lips. Kev softly slipped his arms around my waist, closed his eyes, and kissed my neck until he reached my lips. Then he whispered in my ear, “I wanna bathe my wife, will that be okay?”
My heart raced as he carried me into the bathroom and shut the door.
Chapter 23
Kev’s Story
