“Nothing,” Alexa replied without raising her eyes. “Now hold still.”
“Yeah, sure!” Maya said as she whirled around to face Alexa. She seized her arm, pulling her close to her. “Did you and Darius get into another fight?”
Alexa glanced up into Maya’s eyes at the mention of Darius’s name as their previous night’s encounter came to mind. She shook her head, wanting to erase all memory of that evening. “No, I kept my promise on that.”
“Then what’s wrong?” Maya pressed on. “You’re not asking like yourself.”
Alexa shrugged, trying to come up with a good story to ease Maya’s suspicions.
“Honestly, I just have some things on my mind,” she replied nonchalantly. Maya was way too perceptive to deceive at times and her best defense was to appear indifferent during one of her inquisitions.
“Like what?” Maya probed, her eyebrows raised with curiosity.
Alexa rolled her eyes. “Maya, you are getting married in exactly,” she glanced at her watch, “one hour. Stop harassing me about my problems. I am fine, really.”
Maya sighed, unsatisfied with this response, but decided not to press the issue because she had her own matters to contend with. For this Alexa was grateful as she did not want Maya’s mother, aunts and others in the room all in her business, although she would have liked the opportunity to talk to her friend.
Alexa realized that adjusting the headpiece didn’t require mind effort, leaving her thoughts to drift. Last night was sleepless. Just thinking about what could have happened between her and Darius made her nervous. The anxiety she felt was so apparent that she decided to skip out on the prenuptial brunch. She needed to clear her mind of Darius and get her emotions under control.
She hated that she wasn’t there for Maya considering that she had promised to be by her side until she walked up the aisle. But she was afraid of seeing Darius and having to look in his face after he had so clearly read her innermost feelings.
Alexa had always believed that they had some kind of “mind thing” going. Their connection allowed them to read each other’s emotions and thoughts because they were so in tune with each other’s body language and facial expressions. The components of their shared chemistry were so complex yet intriguing that it actually drew them closer, which only heightened their desire to be in each other’s presence even if neither of them would admit to it.
Once the headpiece was secured, Alexa stepped away to allow the makeup artist, Angie, to do her thing. Standing there made Alexa hungry. Since there was no food around to be thought of, she decided a cool drink would have to suffice. On her way in, she recalled passing a Coke machine and thought a Sprite would be good.
“Maya, I’m going to get a drink,” she announced, digging through her small purse for some loose change. “Do you want anything?”
“No thanks,” she replied. “But please hurry back.”
Alexa promised she would as she left the room. To her relief she didn’t have far to walk as she found a closer machine around another corner. She purchased a Sprite and popped the can right there and took a long swig. She exhaled with satisfaction as the clear liquid burned the back of her throat like harsh liquor. Rather than go back into the swarming dressing room, she decided to stay out in the hall.
Her nerves were so rattled that one would think it was her wedding day. The proof was in her sweaty palms and weak knees. In exactly ten minutes she would be walking down the aisle and all eyes would be on her. Under ordinary circumstances, she probably wouldn’t think twice about it, but knowing that Darius was out there unnerved her.
She pressed her hand against her fluttering abdomen in an attempt to calm herself when Bobbi, the coordinator, decked out in an elegant tuxedo jacket with a long matching skirt, breezed past.
“Time to get ready!” she announced. She stopped at the dressing room door and poked her head inside informing the others as well. Alexa could hear a shriek and within minutes, the bridesmaids exited the room followed by Maya’s aunts.
Only Alexa and Maya’s mother remained. However, they did not stay there for long as Bobbi poked her head in a second time to inform them to line up in the main hall.
“I’ll see you in the sanctuary, baby,” Mrs. Jameson announced as she placed a kiss on Maya’s forehead.
Alexa knew that she was up next, so she quickly got her hug in and whispered, “Keep smiling, it’s your day.”
Monaye and Brielle, who were spinning around the room making their frilly white-and-gold dresses swirl around their little knees, stopped long enough to give their mother a kiss before leaving with Alexa.
Sasha had grown tired and fell fast asleep. She found refuge in the loving arms of her great auntie.
Alexa assembled the other two in the foyer of the church with their gold baskets filled with ivory rose petals before handing them over to one of the ushers who promised to make sure they went down the aisle on time.
While she waited for her cue, Alexa poked her head inside the door and her eyes widened in awe. The room was dark with the only light illuminating from the ornate candelabras positioned on stage.
White tulle was attached to each aisle pew and flowed up to the stage where it entwined gracefully up the base of two tall white columns, which held two huge baskets of black roses.
The church was full, which was not unusual as the couple had lots of family and friends. According to Maya, their guest list contained several well-known local celebrities and political figures that she had befriended over the years.
In the reserved seating sat author and Maya’s namesake Maya Angelou. Also in attendance were gospel greats CeCe and BeBe Winans, comedian Steve Harvey and his wife, as well as the R & B singer Anita Baker. There were even some professional sports figures that Alexa recalled seeing on television but whose names she could not recall.
Bobbi jetted out of nowhere, wearing a headset that she used to direct commands to her assistants located in other parts of the building.
“Moms, you’re up next,” she announced, stepping aside for the elegantly dressed women to get into place. Both mothers stepped into place and began to fuss playfully over the handsome usher designated to walk them down the aisle. He blushed with embarrassment from their comments about his debonair good looks.
When the large oak doors opened, the mothers each entwined an arm with the usher. Everyone beamed with joy at the sight of the attractive trio strolling down the aisle. Bryant’s mother looked healthy as ever. Everyone was grateful that her setback had not prevented her from enjoying her son’s day. Alexa smiled broadly as they strolled down the aisle waving and smiling like a pair of beauty queens. When they arrived at their seat, the women surprised the usher by simultaneously placing kisses on his cheeks, making the crowd burst out in laughter.
With shaking knees, Alexa took her place next in line. She didn’t know why she was so nervous because if anybody knew how to walk down the aisle as a bridesmaid, she did. She had been in so many weddings that her closet was full of frilly dresses she had been meaning to donate to the Goodwill.
When she spotted Bobbi’s assistant raising her hand from the front, she knew it was her cue to begin her walk down the aisle. With a fixed smile on her face, Alexa proceeded forward to the beat of the music.
Camera flashes filled the room from every direction. Determined to keep her cool, Alexa looked straight ahead and smiled, focusing on nothing but the spot where she was to stand.
Once she made it to her spot, she glanced in Darius’s direction. Fortunately for her, he was busy whispering something to Bryant and didn’t see her looking at him. Even in her short glimpse, Alexa could tell how handsome Darius looked.
The Armani tuxedo with crisp, white collarless shirt looked as though it was tailor-made for him. She could also tell that he had cut his hair and trimmed his beard, making him look all the more tempting.
Alexa’s thoughts were disrupted when Bobbi’s assistant stepped forward and grabbed on the cord of the lacy white runner. S
he pulled it all the way back to the door and securely fastened it down.
At that moment, the doors opened again and in stepped Monaye and Brielle looking like miniature angels. Again bulbs flashed and “oohs” and “aahs” could be heard throughout the sanctuary as the little girls delicately tossed rose petals on the ground, announcing their mother’s entrance. Once they reached the front, Alexa beckoned for them to join her side. Monaye did as she had practiced at the rehearsal, but Brielle was another story. At first sight of her daddy, little Brielle dropped her basket and ran giggling into Bryant’s arms. Again, the guests united in laughter as Bryant scooped her up and carried her over to Alexa, managing to coax her into remaining there with a kiss.
The tender exchange between father and daughter was touching. Alexa glanced over at Darius to find him looking at her in return. Rather than look away as she expected him to, he continued to stare as if he was trying to send a message. Alexa was relieved when the beginning bars of “I’m Lost Without You” by BeBe and CeCe diverted his attention.
The pastor stretched out his hands signaling that it was time for everyone to stand for the bride’s entrance. All attention was now focused on the opening doors where Maya stood with her oldest brother, Kenneth.
Although she had seen Maya in her dress beforehand, Alexa inhaled along with the others as if it was her first time. She looked at Bryant who stood there admiring his wife with adoring eyes. Maya boldly blew him a kiss when he returned.
The music faded when the pair reached the altar. The guests cheered as they made their way back to their seats. Pastor Mitchell waited until it quieted before asking, “Who gives this woman to this man?”
“I do,” Kenneth proudly replied. He turned to face Maya and took both of her hands in his. “No one deserves this special day more than you. I love you, sis. The only thing that I regret is that Papa couldn’t be here for your big day because I know he’d love Bryant as much as we all do.” With tears glistening in his eyes, he placed a kiss on her forehead.
His loving words and tender gesture brought forth tears to Maya’s eyes. Alexa was grateful that she had the foresight to tuck some tissues beneath her nosegay and she immediately stepped forward to hand one to Maya.
Pastor Mitchell announced that Maya and Bryant had composed their own vows and stepped back to allow them to share their heartfelt words. While everyone thought Maya would be the one to break down from the sentimentality of it all, they were surprised when it turned out to be Bryant. Upon Maya completing her vows, Bryant took her hands in his. He cleared his throat and looked back at Darius who gave him a quick nod of encouragement, which he returned, getting a laugh out of the crowd.
Bryant clasped his hands and paused, closing his eyes in an effort to get serious.
When he gathered his bearings, he reached out and took Maya’s hands in his own.
“I thank God for blessing me with this woman who is the sweetest most loving person I know. I love and admire everything about you, Maya Dionne Renault. I want to spend many more years with you as you have been a blessing in my life. From the moment we first met, I knew the Lord had blessed me with an angel. With that I say, thank you for being my best friend, thank you for being my best girl and thank you for being the best woman to be called mother of our three beautiful daughters. I want you to know—” Bryant paused in mid-sentence when his chin started to quiver. Suddenly he broke down in quiet sobs of joy after realizing the magnitude of how the woman before him had affected his life. Maya immediately threw her arms around him and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Alexa dabbed her eyes with a tissue and looked over at Darius in time to see him wiping his hand across his face. She thought to herself how lucky Maya was to have Bryant in her life. Here was a man who stood before God, family and friends to profess his complete love for his woman. Through the tears in her own eyes, Alexa knew at that very moment that she wanted the same thing.
The reception was held in the luxurious ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
The elegant setting at the church was carried out in the hotel ballroom as well. The room was divided into two parts. One side of the room was reserved for the sit-down dinner while the other half was for the wedding party table. The band and dance floor were located in between. Next to the wedding table was an ornate wishing well, where Maya and Bryant asked for donations. Rather than receive gifts, the two thought it would be a good idea to accept donations for the local Boys and Girls Club.
As Darius entered the ballroom, he nodded in approval. The Renaults had gone way out. Not only was the reception hall tastefully decorated and the gift idea honorable, a gloved wait staff was on hand to serve chilled flutes of champagne and delectable hors d’oeuvres.
Darius didn’t get a good chance to look around when one of the waitresses approached carrying a silver tray with the bubbly liquid.
“Thank you,” he said picking up the glass by the stem.
“My pleasure,” she cooed, giving him a look that said I want to eat you up. Darius smiled in return but his mind was not focused on anyone or anything except Alexa. He hadn’t seen her since the reception line at the church. He hoped that she wasn’t holding the night before against him because she had no reason to. However, he couldn’t help but notice how she was avoiding him.
The ceremony was deep, so deep that it had him thinking. To love someone so completely and so deeply and have her love you in return with the same intensity had to be an amazing feeling. Bryant’s tears left him speechless. He commended his friend for displaying his heart like that. His take on the ceremony had him thinking how much he missed that feeling and how much he desired to have it back in his life.
After breaking through the crowd of people milling about, Darius spotted the rest of the wedding party seated at their reserved tables. His attention immediately zeroed in on Alexa. Like a schoolboy, his heart began to beat fast and joy grew from the mere sight of her. He longed to be by her side and within minutes, before he could even think about what he was going to say, he found himself approaching the table.
Alexa must have felt him near because she looked up just as he approached and smiled shyly.
“Hey, lady,” he greeted as he took a seat beside her.
“Hi,” she softly replied. He noticed how she acted as if she could not look him in the eye.
Could his confession from the other night, coupled with the emotional wedding ceremony, have had the same effect on her as well? He wondered. He took his place beside her and turned to say something when he was interrupted.
“Can I please have everyone’s attention,” the leader of the band called out. Everyone turned around respectfully.
“I want to welcome you all to the wedding reception of the year!”
The guests cheered in response.
“I would first like to say that it is an honor to be able to provide the entertainment for my good friends, Bryant and Maya Renault. I would like to take a moment to say that I pray that God blesses your marriage another fifty years. You are the most genuine, loving and special couple that I know. You do so much for others in the community through generous donations and you’re both so giving of your time. I wish you all the best. We hope to get the opportunity to perform at your silver and gold anniversary affair.”
Everyone cheered and clapped again.
“This is the part of the reception where we ask the couple to come to the center so that we can honor you in song for your first dance.”
The smiling pair rose from their seats with hands clasped and gallantly approached the dance floor.
Bryant immediately pulled Maya into his arms and all eyes were on them as the lead singer serenaded them with LTD’s “Love Ballad.” The couple swayed to the beat softly exchanging words of love and occasionally sharing tender kisses, totally oblivious to those around them.
Alexa felt a tug at her heart once more as she deemed her friends the most romantic couple in the world. The rehearsal dinner, ceremony and now th
is was starting to get to her. She didn’t know how much more of it she could take.
So it was to her surprise when Darius interrupted her thoughts by sliding his finger seductively down her bare arm.
“Hey, woman.”
Alexa jumped then shivered as his touch ignited a current of electricity which ran all the way to her abdomen. She gazed up at him through fluttering lashes.
“Hey, yourself.”
“Some wedding, huh?”
She took a deep breath and nodded. “It was something else, that’s for sure.”
“About last night,” he started. He wanted to make sure that she understood he wasn’t trying to take advantage of her.
“Shh,” Alexa cut him off gently, placing her fingers to his lips. “Let’s not talk about that right now. Today is their day.” She nodded towards the dance floor.
The two glanced over just as Bryant spun Maya away from him and twirled her back into his embrace. The movement caused the spectators to cheer. When the song ended, the band began to play an upbeat tune.
“Okay, let’s get the party started in here!” the lead singer said, waving his hands above his head. The crowd began swaying to the beat and waving their hands in the air in response as they made their way out onto the dance floor.
Alexa bobbed her head to the beat. She didn’t get out much in Denver. Clubs just weren’t her thing anymore. However, the music had her pumped and she felt like dancing.
She glanced at Darius out of the corner of her eye. Back in the day, he was two left feet. She wondered if his skills had improved any.
Darius felt Alexa’s eyes on him and he turned to find her grinning mischievously. “Yes?”
Alexa leaned over and breathed into his ear, causing him to shiver down to his core. “There’s something I wouldn’t mind doing.”
“And what would that be?” he asked, trying to keep his cool although he was yearning to allow his imagination to take over. All it would take is a sweep of his arm, he thought glancing at the contents on the dinner table. Her eyes traveled over to the dance floor.