No Ordinary Love (30 page)

“I gotta give it to Case baby, ‘cause she was all over your top, and no matter how you tried to back her down, she never did.”

Daemon gave his friends credit for knowing him. “That’s why I’m marrying her,” he proudly claimed. Then turned his attention to David. “I just want you to know that if Mi-Chelle would have acted any crazier and unsettled Case, me and you was gon’ box. Real shit!”

“I’m sorry ‘bout that, man. I honestly did not expect no shit like that to go down. I thought I was going to throw up when I saw her standing there. Shit, was more sick when I saw Trina’s face,” David explained. There were no words to express the pure heartache he experienced when all the joy vanished from Catrina’s eyes. “I’m just glad we was able to resolve that without no extra drama,” David admitted.

Tyree choked. “You don’t think that was drama. She hawk spit in your face. I was sure Trina was ‘bout to kick her ass. Then when she accused Bri of sleeping with you, I thought Bri was ‘bout to dig in that ass. Yours and hers.”

“Again, I’d like to apologize. I was so fuckin’ sure Trina was gonna throw that ring in my face.”

“You lucky that she didn’t, but considering y’all history, I hope she not thinking ‘bout it now. And I’m damn sure happy y’all are removed from the singles market, fucking up the hearts of others,” Tyree informed.

“You funny as shit but that’s so true.”

The waitress came up to their table offering refills and any additional help she could provide. Looking at the time, revealing that it was twelve pm and that half their day was gone, they all declined and requested the bill.

“What’s next?” David asked mentally prepared to pull out the detailed itinerary Catrina had slipped in his hands the night before with strict instructions to follow to the letter and most importantly, to not be late.

“Barbershop so Mike can hook me up. Trina supposed to be sending over a planner to the hotel to make sure we on schedule. Tell the camera guy we goin’ cross the street.” Daemon stated.

David paid the bill as they climbed out the booth and said, “Just had your last meal as a single man.”

“So, you nervous at all?” Tyree asked.

“Naw, I’m nervous ‘bout that, I’m excited! Tonight when we go to bed, she gon’ be my wife. And that’s all that matters, right?”

Both, Tyree and David nodded. “That’s all that matters.”

With that said they made their way out of the restaurant to wait at the red traffic signal at the corner of Broad and Susquehanna Avenue. The normal Saturday flow of traffic was heavy on both the sidewalk and the street. Both northbound and southbound trains must have just stopped as people were flooding the corners after coming up from the subway surface. Taxi hacks could be heard soliciting people for rides.

The three were spotted by someone they knew coming out of the Crown Fried Chicken, they stopped and talked, mostly about Daemon’s wedding. David glanced down at his watch and smiled, they had made it to the barbershop an entire half hour ahead of schedule.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Vows

The Checklist

The sun was shining high in the pearlescent blue sky and held a promise of new beginnings. Without a dark cloud in the sky, anyone could easily be reminded of a midsummer garden. The temperature, almost at its peak, reached seventy-four degrees by 4:00 pm. The silent breezes caressing bare cheeks and shoulders made the day absolutely beautiful.

The newly painted building, seemed to be caressed by the ivory drapery that flowed from its top. Vines of lilac and yellow gardenias climbed the eight foot columns topped with vases of calla lilies and purple trimmed orchids. The columns enclosed the podium and highlighted the area that would serve as the marrying space for the couple.

The bare and cracked street had been covered and topped with glossy hardwood flooring to provide a level standing ground. White chairs trimmed with lavender and pale yellow bows were lined across the seating area.

The mowed down forty feet strip of winding grass was covered by an ivory aisle runner lined in yellow and lavender threading. The monogrammed letters of D & C H streamed across to the top as it met the hardwood flooring.

“It’s so beautiful out here, Aunt Trina,” Karea said. “Mom is going to cry.”

Magnificent was the accurate term. “I’m speechless. It looks a hundred times better than it did on that sheet of paper,” Catrina spoke aloud but more to herself than to Karea. It took her a couple of minutes to take it all in. Catrina’s true calling regained control. “Go get Charine for me, then go check on your grandma so I can make sure she’s okay.”

Karea hurried off.

Charine appeared less than a minute later, “Here at your disposal, Queen of Planning.”

Catrina laughed before saying, “Save it, please. Make sure that the lights are all working. And that the drapery is secure at the top.” She looked at her sister. “You need to be writing this down and be quick, guest are starting to arrive. Make sure that those vases are centered.”

“I checked everything,” Charine interrupted, shaking her head. “Then rechecked everything just ‘cause I knew you were going to. Relax, everything is perfect. Absolutely perfect,” she repeated, winding her arm through Catrina’s.

“It definitely is. You did a wonderful job with this wedding. Thank you so much,” Catrina praised.

“You gonna owe me big time after this. I’ma need my own really big wedding with an assistant. With no interference from you,” Charine pressed.

“We’ll talk about it,” Catrina patted Charine’s hand.

Of course they would, Charine had all but spent the last three years as an event coordinator for Perfect Perceptions and shared Catrina’s dream and passion for it.

“You look gorgeous,” David complimented as he approached them. “So do you, Rine,” he added.

“Go away, I’m working,” Catrina replied with a flirtatious smile. “Charine, don’t leave,” Catrina pleaded as her sister excused herself. Charine continued to walk away.

“What do you want, David? I need you to assume your best man duties and make sure D and all your man friends are ready.”

Dave laughed as he took hold of her hand. “The gay boah you sent over has that under control.”

Catrina rolled her eyes. “Daniel is not gay.”

“Bey, he is flaming. He’s like a kid trapped in a candy store with a bunch of chocolate covered treats,” David disagreed.

Catrina flagged him with a laugh. “Whatever! What do you want?”

“I just wanted to make sure you were still going to marry me after last night,” David inquired, tilting her chin up so he could look in her eyes.

Catrina held up her hand. “I’m still wearing your ring,” she answered.

“I didn’t know, was scared that you had too much time to think.”
She smiled as she considered his statement. “No, I didn’t change my mind. Didn’t even entertain the thought. I do have some choice words to be said after the wedding, though.”

“I’m hoping they include, ohh, yea, Daddy right there,” David playfully added. “You’re a clown. Sad part is that you’re serious.”

“I am. See you when you walk down the aisle.” He blew her a kiss as he walked away.

“You have some explaining to do, Catrina.”

Catrina turned to see her cousin Chantel approaching and let out a girlish squeal. “Chantel, look at you.”

“No, look at you. You been keeping secrets! What’s up with that?” Chantel asked.

Catrina captured her cousin in a hug. “I missed you.”

“I just saw you two weeks ago and you did not mention anything about this,” Chantel said motioning to David. “We would have been here last night, but Calea was really fussy. And Ms. Grown ass Cinyah is trying to work every nerve in my body. Imagine us at fourteen. But never mind that for right now. It looks really good out here. Where’s Case?”

“She should be on her way here. Where are the kids? I need me some kisses.”

Chantel shook her head. “Unt unh, heffa. What was all that?”

Catrina smiled and held up her hand. Chantel’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open as she grabbed Catrina’s hand and examined the ring. “Shut the fuck up! When?”

“He asked me last night.”

“Oh my God! You going to have to fill me in after. I cannot believe this. This ring is nice as hell.”

“Yea, I’ll have to fill you in later. It’s all about Casey right now.” Catrina agreed.

The I Do’s

At the sound of the first strong cord of “Here Comes the Bride” all whispers and murmurs commenced and all attention turned to Casey. She stood nervously as she hooked her arm around Terrance’s arm, who had been in many ways her father as well.

Terrance squeezed her hands and nodded his head to reassure her. He added, “You look beautiful and everyone is waiting on you.”

Casey smiled. In the distance, she could make out Daemon standing there, already at attention waiting for her to join him. His eyes already glued to hers as she took her first step. They remained glued to hers until Terrance replaced his arm with Daemon’s. Just at that moment Daemon kissed Casey before stepping up to the pastor.

“Hold on, Daemon, the kiss comes after,” the pastor laughed.

More laughter followed as she handed her bouquet to Catrina and laughed at something whispered to her by one of her bridesmaids. Finally settled, the couple stood hand in hand gazing into one another’s eyes with secret promises.

“As beautiful as she looks, we’re going to require that you look this way for a couple minutes. Then she’s all yours.” With that said the pastor began with: “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony.”

Casey quickly dashed at the tears that streamed down her cheeks. “I’ve waited my whole life for this.”

The wait had ended.

In front of God, all their family and friends Casey and Daemon committed their lives and love to one another for as long as they both shall live. When the pastor pronounced them husband and wife, Daemon was given the go ahead for the kiss. He took his wife in his arms and kissed her as if they were in private. The applause erupted from the crowd as the pastor announced them as Mr. and Mrs. Daemon Hicks.

Hand in hand they walked down the aisle to stand at the edge where their wedding party joined them to create a receiving line. One by one, guests kissed, hugged and well wished the bride and groom.

“You made a beautiful bride… will make an even better wife. Congrats, Casey. You too, Daemon, you make sure you treat her right,” Daemon’s longtime Neighborhood Watch captain from his old North Philly block said.

Daemon nodded. “I will. Thanks, Mr. Henly.”

More hugs followed and almost seemed endless as Casey let out a heavy sigh when finally the last guest walked away.

“You have something better to do?” Catrina inquired.

“As a matter of fact, yes. I would like to...” She laughed and wriggled her brows.

“Ill, that’s disgusting. Please not in the dress. And there are fragile ears round here,” Catrina reminded them of Karea’s presence.

Casey’s voice dropped to a whisper. “The dress is coming off.”

“Shh.” Daemon told her, laughingly catching her waist. “Don’t tell her our plans; she did not put that in our schedule.”

“I know that’s right and the schedule is tight so pictures are next. The guests are off to the Marriott to have cocktails and some appetizers. No quickies before then.”

“That mean we can’t fit one in either?” David joked.

“I think we all could use one, my wife looking all good,” Tyree joined.

“Negroes please,” Catrina interrupted their joint effort. “Not one of these ladies will be lifting up their dresses for y’all before we get to the hotel. I need y’all to focus.”

“So that mean you plan on lifting yours up afterwards,” David questioned, not missing a beat.

Catrina gave in and laughed. “I might be persuaded to, but later, much, much later.”

The Reception

The Marriot Ballroom was picture perfect when Casey and Daemon stepped into it after having been introduced as husband and wife. The wedding party had designed a soul train line and was lined up on both sides waiting for the happy couple to dance down it. Casey and Daemon laughingly two stepped and bopped down the aisle to KC and Jo Jo’s,
“All My Life.”
They were followed by the wedding party and ended the performance by sitting in the seats behind the main table on a stage.

Within minutes champagne glasses were over flowing and so was conversation. Casey was yearning for a taste of the chocolate covered strawberries she’d passed and been denied during their entrance. She opened her mouth to ask Catrina to get her some just as Daemon appeared with a plate of them large enough for them all.

“Oh, my God, this is why I married you,” she joked

“I knew you wanted some. You kept looking back while the pastor and his wife were talking to you.”

“This baby is making me hungry as hell. I damn near want to eat everything I see. At least I don’t have to worry about trying to fit into my dress anymore. You think you can go get more sweets for your sweet?”

“That baby gonna blow you up. She can’t wait to eat reckless,” Catrina told Daemon and Casey.

“I’m sensitive about my weight,” Casey told her. She looked over her shoulder. “Where’s Rea? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“She’s over there with Nyah and Yah in that corner playing some game,” Daemon reassured her.

“I’ll check on her,” Catrina offered.

“I know you will,” Casey agreed when she spied David in that same area.

“Whatever. I’ma go tell the DJ y’all ready for y’all first dance as husband and wife.”

The DJ made the announcement and the melodies for Tamika Scott’s
Greatest Gift
began as Casey and Daemon made their way to the dance floor.

Daemon bowed in front of her as he took her hand in his. “Mrs. Hicks.”

Casey curtsied, and replied with, “Mr. Hicks,” as he pulled her to him in an embrace. Casey’s body swayed into his as he held her close and they moved to the song.

“You’ve never looked more beautiful than you do right now.”

“And to think if I didn’t harass you we wouldn’t even be here.”