“Man, fuck you!” Blue shot back as he walked to the mirror. Dru smiled. His little brother was renewing his vows. A while ago, he never would have thought he’d see the day. Dru stayed bitching at his brother about where he stuck his dick. Now, he’d been faithfully committed to one woman for five years. Dru walked up to his brother, patting him on the back of his blue tuxedo.
“I ever told you I was proud of you, boy?”
“Aye, don’t start that mushy shit.” Blue waved him off, but Dru ignored him. He had something to say.
“I never thought I’d see the day yo’ ass got married. Now, you standing here celebrating five years. You are a great dad and a great husband. You and sis are goals. Watching y’all make me believe in love and loyalty, nigga. You know Pops fucked me up with the way he stayed cheating on my mom. Yo, bro, you make me believe that being with one woman is possible. I’m proud of you.” Dru embraced his brother in a hug. He didn’t get emotional much; he was a mean nigga, but this day was tugging on his heartstrings.
“I appreciate that, man. Maybe you and Marli will make it here someday. I’m rooting for y’all, nigga.”
“Maybe,” Dru spoke under his breath. His brother knew that out of all the women he’d been with, if he was going to settle down and be faithful to anyone, it would be Marli. He just didn’t quite know if she was ready.
“Aye, y’all, it’s time to go,” Tez announced. Dru looked around as two of their other artists, who were acting as groomsmen, stood.
“Let’s go get yo’ ass married, again,” Dru said as they filed out of the room.
Everything was moving fast; they’d arrived at the beach and took their places in front of the gondola. The small crowd of family and friends stared at them with smiles. Dru touched the button with his father’s picture that was pinned on him. His heart was full, and he hoped his father was proud of the men he and his brother had become. The music changed, and Marli appeared at the end of the aisle. Their eyes locked on each other immediately. Every step she took toward the front made his heart beat faster. She was fucking gorgeous. The sounds of Monica played as she swayed down the aisle. Dru didn’t know whether it was the emotions of the day or not, but something was waking up inside of him. Despite all the drama, the paternity of her children, and four years of silent treatment, he knew Marli was his person, the only woman that had ever ignited real emotions inside of him. As she got closer and closer, what he wanted between them became clearer and clearer.
“Lock it down, nigga,” Blue leaned over and whispered in his ear. Dru nodded his eyes, never leaving hers, even after she’d taken her space at the front of the gondola. Dru didn’t see anyone else going down the aisle because, in his head, the only two people present were him and Marli.
“Please stand for the bride!” the officiant announced, causing him to look toward the entrance of the aisle. As Kay and her uncle came into view, his head immediately turned to his brothers. Kay was the most gorgeous bride he’d seen. He knew his brother wouldn’t be able to hold in his tears. Without saying anything, he reached into his suit pocket and handed Blue a tissue.
“Thank you, bro. She fucking beautiful.” Blue sniffed, wiping the corners of his eyes with the tissue.
“She is,” Dru replied, his eyes moving back to Marli as Kay made it to the end of the aisle.
“Do you give this woman to be married to this man, again?” the officiant proposed.
“I do,” Kay’s uncle answered. Blue greeted him with a handshake and a hug as Kay stepped onto the stage. Kay and Blue embraced with a kiss, making everyone in attendance swoon. The shit was beautiful, and Dru felt fucked up because he couldn’t keep his eyes off Marli. Her hair was up, showcasing all her facial features.
“Got damn, you look beautiful, baby.” Blue took the words right out of his head, only Dru’s weren’t meant for Kay.
“As a request of the bride and groom, we’re going to skip right to the vows,” the officiant called out. Dru was glad to hear that. The sun was starting to cause sweat to form on his forehead, and he couldn’t wait to get out of his hot suit. Besides, he was ready to get to Marli. His body was beckoning to be in her presence. As Blue grabbed the microphone, Dru’s eyes found Marli, and this time, her eyes were on him too.
“Kaylee Willis, the last five years have been filled with a lot of things I never thought I’d do… a lot of me apologizing for shit without understanding why… a lot of sleepless nights with the twins, facials, and girly movies I never expected to like. We’ve had a lot of unforgettable adventures. We’ve become quite the power couple. We’ve made a lot of money together and had a lot of sex.” The guests erupted in laughter.
“Thank you for taking a chance on me after only knowing me a short while.”
“Less than a week!” Ms. Loretta called out from the crowd. Kay and Blue both laughed.
“After only knowing me for a week, you took me as your husband, and it’s truly changed my life. Being able to love you and having your love has been the best thing that has ever happened to a nigga. I hope to love you for a thousand more years.” Dru smiled at his brother’s words. Every word seemed to speak to something in his soul. Blue handed the mic to a sobering Kay, but not before swiping away her tears.
“On our wedding day, I promised to be the best wife I could be to you. I didn’t even fully understand what that meant at the time. We didn’t know each other. All I knew was it felt right. The last five years have been so amazing getting to know you, learning you. We’ve raised two children together, built a home, and opened so many businesses. We’ve traveled and experienced the world together. Last year, when I lost the baby…” Kay’s words trailed off and her voice cracked.
“When we lost the baby… you showed me what it meant to truly love someone for better or for worse. You showed up for me every day that I couldn’t show up for myself. Amijay Blue Willis, tackling therapy together was the highlight of my year. We’ve written an epic love story, baby. I look forward to what’s on the next page. I hope I’ve been the best wife because, Amijay, you’ve certainly been the best husband. I love you.”
Blue didn’t waste time going to her. As he wrapped her in his arms, they both were in tears. Dru moved to them both, handing them the handkerchief. Their love was beautiful to watch. He glanced over at Marli again, tears running down her face from the beauty of the scene in front of her. He knew why she was crying, but it didn’t change the fact that he didn’t like it. He never wanted to see water falling down her pretty round cheeks. If it wouldn’t cause a scene, he’d go to her, but he knew he needed to stay in place. He’d have plenty of time the rest of the trip to be in her presence. Dru turned his attention back to Blue and Kay. They were exchanging rings. Kay’s eyes ballooned at the size of her upgraded ring. Dru smiled because he knew how nervous his brother had been to purchase her the 2.4-million-dollar ring. Kay wasn’t materialistic at all, and she didn’t like spending a lot of money.
“Blue!” Kay gasped as she jumped into his arms and connected her lips to his.
“I guess we can skip to that part.” The officiant laughed, causing everyone else to giggle.
“Amijay and Kay have expressed their love to one another. Therefore, it is my pleasure to now pronounce them husband and wife, again. You may now officially kiss your bride!” He could barely get out the last part, as applause erupted, and they found each other’s lips again.
“I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Amijay Willis.” Kay and Blue turned to face everyone in attendance. Their twins, Imani and Iman, ran to them. Dru joined everyone in clapping. The sight of his brother with his family pulled at his heartstrings. As the wedding recessional started, Dru walked over to Marli, his heart yearning for her. As she grabbed his hand, he pulled her in close.
“Our time coming, baby,” he whispered in her ear. Marli giggled awkwardly as if he was playing. He hoped she knew he meant every word.
Nine
Marli
The beautiful sounds of Mario singing “I Choose You” live, sailed through the air as she watched her sister and brother partake in their first dance. The ceremony had been emotional, but the fact that Dru kept staring at her with love in his eyes had stolen the show. Everyone probably thought she was crying because of the vows Kay and Blue had exchanged. That was part of it, but the way Dru was staring at her awakened so many emotions that it caused tears to flow from her eyes. For the first time ever, she felt like she was falling in love.
“The couple would like to invite the best man and the maid of honor to join them,” Mario announced. Marli’s head snapped in the direction of Kay and Blue. This was a surprise. No one had mentioned a dance. Before she could freak herself out, Dru was there, holding out his hand.
“May we?” he inquired, looking down at Marli. She was conflicted. She wanted to dance with him, but she was scared. Too much had transpired between them since touching down on the island. She was sure being close to him would cause her to unravel.
“I’m not asking, Marli.” He took her hand, pulling her up and leading her to the dance floor next to their siblings. Marli’s eyes found her sister’s, and she stared her down.
“What the fuck, Kay?” she mouthed in her direction. Kay giggled instead of responding. Marli knew her sister had set her up, but there was nothing she could do now. Dru pulled her into his hard body, resting his hands on the arch in her back. His smell was the first thing that sucked her in. Dru always seemed to smell like a fresh one-hundred-dollar bill. It was a smell Marli quite enjoyed. For a moment, the two of them just allowed the music to sway their bodies. Marli’s chest rose and fell rapidly. She was nervous.
“Baby, I’ve already been inside you; it’s no need to be nervous.” He spoke in a tone that only she could hear. Marli tried to control her breathing, but she couldn’t. It was silly. She could fuck this man with no pause, but this dance was terrifying her. The intimacy of it, the music sailing through the air, Dru’s hard body pressed against hers—it was all too much for the girl who didn’t do love. Marli had never shared a moment this personal with anyone.
“You look like a whole damn meal tonight, girl,” Dru whispered. Marli giggled. It was just what she needed to relax. They fell into a rhythm, and everyone around them seemed to disappear. It was only the two of them on the dance floor. Dru pulled her into his chest, and her arms wrapped around his neck. Dru peered down at her with that infamous look in his eyes. At first, it terrified her. Now, she desired it.
“We should talk about me meeting the boys.” His words caused her to still, but Dru continued to sway her body. She was speechless. He had met the boys, countless times, but as their uncle Blue’s brother. She knew by his tone what he meant.
