Once You'Ve Touched the Heart (47 page)

Cynthia had a questioning look on her face. “How did you know JD was the one?”

“My heart told me six years ago when I first saw him.” Tracy smiled.

“It doesn’t work that way for everyone, Tracy,” Cynthia sadly replied.

“Once someone touches your heart; you’ll know it and it will work, just that way.”

♥

Martha and Mrs. Langston rode in the first limo with the flower girl. Monica, Rosaline, Cynthia, Ashley and Tracy rode in the second limo with champagne in hand. During the ride JD called. “Hey, babe, where are you?”

“On the way to the church.” Where are you?”

“We’re still at the house. Cynthia won’t let us in the church before 5. Are you nervous?” He asked.

Tracy shook her head. “Not at all. What about you?”

JD looked down at the floor, then back up. “I’m good. I have something for you.”

Tracy smiled. “What is it?”

“Hold on for a second.”

Tracy heard a few clicks in the phone, then, “Hey Sugie,” the voice boomed into the phone. Tracy tried to stand up in the limo, but hit her head on the ceiling of the car. The glass of champagne fell on Cynthia. “Turk! It is so good to hear your voice. Oh, Turk, I wish you were here.” The women in the car looked at Tracy, wondering who in the hell she was getting so excited about.

“I wish I was there too, little sis. But you got JD. You are in good hands. What was that you told me that day in the field? Your friend said he was out of your league.”

Tracy smiled. “You remember that. That was Cynthia.”

“Yeah, where is she now?” Turk laughed.

Tracy laughed back. “She’s my wedding director and one of my bridesmaids.”

“All I want to know, is she eating crow?”

“No, I think she is kind of happy for me. It’s hard to tell with her.”

“Well, if she ain’t, I am. I really don’t have to worry about you now, Sugie. Harrison is a good man, through and through. I know you gonna be straight now; he will not allow anyone to hurt you. He loves you almost as much as I do.”

“I know he does. I love him and you, too.”

Turk was a little touched by his little sister’s words as he realized he was no longer the main person in her life. “Sugie, my time is about to run out for this call. I just want to tell you I love you and I will always be here for you whenever you need me.”

Tracy’s eyes began to tear up. “I love you, Turk. I wish you could be here for this. I will take lots of pictures and send some to you, okay?”

Turk smiled. “Give them to JD. He’ll make sure I get them. Smile pretty, all right? I love you, Sugie.”

“I love you, too, Turk. Bye.”

JD came back on the line. “I’ll see you at the other end of the aisle.”

Tracy blushed. “I’ll be there,” she said, then hung up the phone. She turned to Ashley. “I’m getting married today.”

Ashley smiled at her. “I know.” They hugged each other.

“Oh, cut that shit out before somebody starts crying.” Cynthia sighed.

♥

The photographers arrived while Cynthia was doing a final check on the women. Everyone in the large dressing room was ready, so she sent one photographer in that room to begin with candid pictures. She went into the smaller dressing room with Tracy and Ashley. Ashley was standing with her back to the door and Tracy was standing in front of her. When Cynthia opened the door, Ashley turned to see who it was. Tracy stepped back to look past Ashley and came into full view. Cynthia was simply amazed at the vision that stood before her. For the first time that day, she was brought to tears.

“Tracy,” she said, almost in a whisper, then shook her head and smiled, “I take back every word I have ever said about you not being right for JD. Looking at you this moment, I couldn’t imagine another person being at his side.”

Tracy smiled, then walked over and hugged her. “I could never imagine another person making this day happen for me.” Cynthia exhaled. Ashley wiped a tear from her eye.

Cynthia touched her earpiece. “Okay, thank you,” she spoke into it. “JD and the guys just arrived.”

Tracy’s smile widened. “Well, that’s a good thing.”

The photographer knocked on the door. “Are we ready for pictures in here?”

Cynthia looked at Tracy. “Yes, she is ready.”

The photographer stepped inside and began taking shots. Cynthia turned to leave.

“Cynthia, would you take one with me?” Tracy asked. “And call Rosaline in here for a minute. I just want a picture of the four of us together, looking good.” They laughed.

♥

It was a good thing JD had a large family. Between the males in his family and the employees hired by TNT for this event, they had enough groomsmen to place two at each of the five aisles in the church. To assist with security issues, dignitaries were ushered in and seated together in the center. Party affiliations were ignored at this event per JD’s request. Family members were seated to the left and right aisles. Concerned that Tracy’s side would be empty, Cynthia placed friends and some of JD’s many relatives in that area. When a couple walked up, Cynthia overheard them saying they were family of the bride, it took her by surprise. She went to the hostess handling the announcements and asked who was here on behalf of the bride. The hostess pointed out a woman and a couple. Cynthia approached them. “Hello, I’m the wedding coordinator. I was told you are relatives of Tracy.” She smiled. “I would like to make sure we announce you properly. May I have your names?”

Lena smiled. “My name is Lena Washington, and I’m Tracy’s mother. This is Valerie, Tracy’s sister, and her husband, Ben Chavis.”

Cynthia wrote the names down, praying she did not have a look of surprise on her face.

“Is it Ben or Benjamin,” she asked, trying to be polite.

“Will it be possible for me to see Tracy before the ceremony?” Lena asked.

Cynthia did not want to offend the woman by saying “Hell no, you haven’t seen her in all these years, you don’t need to see her now,” so instead she replied, “I will check on that for you.”

Lena stood. “I’ll go with you.”

She smiled and hesitantly spoke, “All right, just follow me.”

Tracy and Mrs. Langston were in the dressing room talking when Cynthia came through the door. “We have an issue,” she exclaimed.

“What is it?” Tracy anxiously asked.

“There’s someone here stating she’s your mother and would like to speak with you,” Cynthia explained.

Tracy inhaled. “Okay.”

Cynthia was not sure if this was the right thing to do. “Tracy, we are minutes away from the ceremony, are you sure you want to talk to her right now?”

Mrs. Langston went to the door and opened it. Lena stepped in, looked at Tracy in her gown and for the first time in a while she saw her little girl. Lena didn’t say anything for a minute and neither did Tracy.

“Cynthia, let’s step outside and give them a moment,” Mrs. Langston suggested.

Cynthia hesitated. “Tracy,” she said as she took her hand, “you going to be okay?”

Tracy smiled. “Sure, you go ahead. This will only take a minute.” Cynthia walked past Lena and closed the door behind her.

Lena slowly walked over to Tracy and smiled. “You are a beautiful bride,” she said proudly. “Thank you for the invitation. I hope you don’t mind, but I brought Valerie and her husband.”

Tracy smiled. “No, I don’t mind.”

Lena was uncertain where she wanted to go from here. Her intent had been to get with JD or Brooks to question them further about the picture.
She wasn’t certain, but it seemed there may be an opportunity to increase her personal cash flow if her suspicions were correct. When she arrived at the church something made her want to talk to Tracy. “I’m sure mothers are supposed to say something wise and meaningful to their daughters at this moment. I have no idea what that would be.” She smiled. “I take it you’ve had sex with this man?” she said in a questioning tone.

Tracy simply raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Have you seen Jeffrey, I mean really looked at him?”

Lena laughed. “Yes, I have; that’s a fine ass man. I know I would not be able to keep my hands off of him.”

Tracy smiled. “All right now.” A moment passed. “Why did you come today?” Tracy asked.

Lena took in a deep breath. “Do you want me to be honest or tell you what you want to hear?”

Tracy thought. “Honesty always works well with me.”

Lena nodded her head. “All right, I came here to talk to James Brooks about something that took place the last time I saw you,” Lena confessed, “but when I got here and saw all the people I was kind of wondering how you were going to handle it. You always were a loner. Maybe I finally got hit with the mother bug for you. I don’t know. Something made me feel like you needed me. Isn’t that funny?” Lena snickered.

“No, it’s not funny at all,” Tracy replied. “I think every daughter needs their mother on a day like this. So much uncertainty and nervousness naturally comes along with the happiness of a wedding day.”

Lena looked at Tracy. “Do you need me, Tracy?” Lena walked over to Tracy and took her hand. “I haven’t done a lot for you in the past; I can’t change that now. But I would consider it an honor to walk you down the aisle to marry that fine man.”

Tracy stepped back and pulled her hand away. “Hmm, I’m not sure we can do that,” Tracy stuttered out.

James knocked on the door and walked in. Cynthia had not felt comfortable with the scene in Tracy’s dressing room, so when she left Tracy, she went directly to the room JD was in with the minister and the groomsmen.

“JD, Tracy’s mother is in her dressing room. Now I don’t know if that is an issue or not, but I thought you should know.”

JD stood up immediately and walked towards the door. “Son, wait,” Pastor Smith said.

“Pastor Smith, you don’t understand, I have to go. There is no telling what that woman is saying to Tracy,” JD explained.

“I’ll go,” James offered. Now James was standing in the room with Tracy and she was a vision.

“Tracy, is everything okay?” James asked. Lena stepped aside and James took in a full vision of Tracy. His breath caught as he exclaimed, “You are beautiful!”

Lena smiled and responded, “Thank you.” Tracy laughed and so did Lena.

James relaxed a little. “Mrs. Washington, how are you?” he asked, wondering why in the hell she showed up.

Lena exhaled. “I’m fine, and no I haven’t said or done anything to upset Tracy. So you can go back and tell JD to relax.”

Tracy looked at James. “Tell Jeffrey I love him and will see him in 10 minutes or so,” she said.

James looked at Lena then back at Tracy. “You’re sure?”

Tracy nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.”

James hesitated for a moment, and then left the room. Lena looked at Tracy. “Baby girl, I’ve been around the block a time or two and a have sense for these things. It seems like that man is very protective of you. Are you sure you are marrying the right man?”

Tracy exhaled. “I’m not sure of many things in my life, but one thing I know is you brought me into this world to marry Jeffrey.”

Lena was certain of that fact, too. “Well then, I guess you better get this show on the road. Do you mind if I stay here with you until it’s time?”

Tracy exhaled nervously. “No, I need the company.”

Lena smiled. “Are you nervous?” she asked with a little excitement.

Tracy giggled. “No, now that’s crazy.”

Mrs. Langston and Cynthia came back into the room. “Okay, Tracy, JD is waiting and the ladies are lined up. It’s show time, girl!”

Ashley stepped in the room. “Veil has to come down now.” Ashley smiled, and then hugged Tracy. “I have been waiting for this moment for six years. Welcome to the family.”

Tracy smiled. “Let’s go get that man.” Ashley laughed.

♥

The only people in the vestibule were members of the wedding party. Cynthia had everyone standing at attention. The music was playing as the processional had begun. “Tracy, step back, no one can see you until those doors open,” Cynthia whispered loudly.

“Okay,” Tracy replied. “Are you going to take the
Star Trek
thingy off your head before you go in?”

Cynthia reached up and pulled the phone off while Ashley and Tracy laughed at her. “That’s not funny, stop that.”

Lena smiled and stood to the side, watching Tracy.

“See you inside.” Ashley smiled as she released Tracy’s hand and walked through the doors.

The double doors to the sanctuary closed after the flower girls entered. Tracy and Mrs. Langston were led to the doorway as Lena stood in the background.

JD and Tracy opted not to play the traditional wedding song for her entrance. Instead JD’s cousin Alexis Harrison was asked to sing a song made popular by Celine Dion, “
Because You Loved Me
.” At the rehearsal the night before, the soloist was instructed not to start the song until Tracy stepped into the sanctuary; only the piano introduction would start once the doors were opened. Tracy was ready, or so she thought. The doors opened simultaneously. As the congregation stood, Tracy froze. The church was filled with people; too many people for her. Mrs. Langston felt Tracy tense immediately. “Tracy?” Mrs. Langston whispered, trying to coax her forward.

Tracy did not budge. “I don’t see Jeffrey,” she said. “I can’t see him,” she repeated quietly, but with fear.

“Relax, Tracy, he’s down there,” Mrs. Langston replied, but Tracy wasn’t moving.

Mrs. Langston looked over at Lena. “She is not moving.”

Lena stepped up and took Tracy’s hand. Mrs. Langston put her shawl around Lena and stepped to the side. “Tracy, breathe, hold your head up and smile.” When Tracy did not respond, Lena squeezed her hand and said, “Tracy look at me!” When she did, Lena smiled. “Now breathe, breathe.”

“I can’t see Jeffrey,” Tracy cried.

“Oh, he’s down there, believe me, but you have to take the first step. Take a step with me,” Lena said softly. “Let’s go marry that man.” Tracy looked at Lena and smiled back at her. “Let’s go, baby girl,” Lena coaxed.

Tracy stepped forward; JD took a step towards the aisle, put his hands behind his back and smiled. Now Tracy could see him standing there in his white tails. “My goodness that man looks good in a tux,” Tracy exclaimed.