“Are you nervous?” I asked Ezra.
“Nah, in my mind, she’s already my wife,” he said. “I’m just taking the next step and giving her my last name.” I nodded and turned my attention back to Blossom. None of the girls knew what was going to happen except for Magnolia. Ezra went to her and Lennox to see if they would mind him proposing tonight. I knew what their response would be, but it was a respect thing. The way Magnolia explained it, tonight, was about celebrating all the love in this room and not just hers. What I’ve learned about the oldest Baker sister is that she’ll do anything for her sisters, even share her day with one or all of them. And it wasn’t something she felt like she had to do, it’s what she wants to do. I admired that.
“I’m happy for you, man.” He glanced my way and nodded. “Proud of you too. We’ve come a long way from those two boys fighting for respect in this world.”
“We have. I’ll fight with you any day, though.”
“Same goes for me.”
The girl's aunt stepped in front of us, and Ezra excused himself. Lori moved into the spot Ezra occupied seconds before and said, “Seeing them happy is all I ever wanted.” I followed her gaze, and they were now dancing around Magnolia while laughing. I smiled.
“And all they want is for you to be happy,” I told her, placing my eyes on hers. “Are you happy, Lori?”
“You know what, I am.”
“Then, I guess you all got what you wanted then.” She laughed.
“I like you, Roman. You’re exactly what my baby needs.”
“She’s what I need.” Blossom had become my world. My love, my best friend, and my family. “I’ll be sure to take care of her. Don’t ever worry about that.”
“I will hold you to that.” The music cut out, and the DJ Lennox hired spoke into the microphone.
“We know tonight is a celebration of the union of Lennox and Magnolia Clarke, but we have something else that needs celebrating,” he said. I spotted Ezra moving across the room, moving toward Lilac. Magnolia tapped her shoulder and pointed.
“Enjoy yourself,” I told Lori before I headed in Blossom’s direction. She must have felt my presence because she turned to look at me with wide eyes after Ezra got down on one knee. I positioned Blossom in front of me and placed my chin on top of her head.
“Oh my God,” Blossom whispered, with her hand covering her mouth.
“Don’t cry on me, Lac,” Ezra said, grinning. My cousin was confident in his decision to take this next step, and he had every reason to be. There was no question that Lilac was going to say yes. She stepped closer to him and placed her hand in his. I took in the room, and everyone was here. Brynlee and Samir, Nova and Elijah, Noah and Elena, and Semaj and Zena were amongst the crowd. Even my mom was here staring at Ezra and Lilac with tears in her eyes.
“I can’t believe you,” Lilac whispered.
“You should have known this was coming, baby,” he replied back. “I knew I would love you before I ever had a conversation with you. I knew I would marry you after our first conversation. This is just me doing what I’ve always known would happen. Some nights I watch you sleep, and all I can think about is how lucky I am I have to you. How I don’t ever want to lose you. I can’t lose you. My best friend before I even knew it… Will you marry me?”
He popped the black velvet box open, and Lilac said in a voice loud enough for us all to hear, “Of course I’ll marry you.” You could hear it in her tone; she was just as sure about this as he was. The room erupted into cheers, and then the DJ played, Best of My Love by The Emotions. Everyone began to dance, and I spun Blossom around. She stared up at me with a wide smile on her pretty ass face.
“You knew, didn’t you?” I nodded.
“Took everything in me not to tell you,” I said, smiling. I told this woman everything; she was truly my best friend. I never thought I would see the day that this would happen, but it did, and I wasn’t mad about it. In fact, I was grateful.
“This night has exceeded my expectations.” I held her close as she talked. “I’m so happy. How about you, baby? Are you happy?” Her question was innocent, but I still let my eyes take in my surroundings briefly before responding. Besides my uncles, everyone that meant something to me was right here in this room.
“Yeah, baby,” I said, placing my attention on her sultry eyes. “I’m happy.”
The saying, time flies when you’re having fun, rang true for tonight. After dancing the night away, the party was over, and Blossom and I were headed to my place.
“Tonight was magical,” she raved. “Your mom had the time of her life.”
“She had too much damn fun,” I said, shaking my head. The woman danced with every man in the room and wouldn’t let me step in at all. Type of shit is that?
“You were jealous.”
“Hell yeah. How my mama gone dance with everyone but me?” She laughed and grabbed my hand.
“Because she was letting me have you all to myself.”
“You think so?” I took my eyes off the road for a brief second to look at her.
“I know so. She winked at me while she danced with Devin.”
“I should’ve known she was up to something,” I grumbled. “I had a talk with Lori. Asked her if she was happy.”
“And what did she say?”
“You don’t have to worry about her, baby.” I squeezed her hand. Blossom has told me on more than one occasion that she worries about her aunt being alone in New York without them. All of the sisters preferred that she lived here, but I think New York is where she belongs. “She’s happy, and it wasn’t a lie.”
“I would ask how you know that, but you seem to be able to read every one.” I kissed the back of her hand, and she sighed.
“I can only read the people who want to be read. Your aunt wears her emotions on her sleeve just as you do.”
“I do not!” she argued.
“Says you.”
“Ugh.”
“I love it when you get all frustrated with me.” In reality, she was never frustrated. Blossom loved that I could read her like a book. I loved that she was so open to me; that I could even do so.
“And, I just love you in general.” I pulled my truck into the parking lot of my building and turned in my seat.
“Before we go inside, I want to ask you something, but I want you to think on it first and then give me a response.”
“OK,” she whispered, taking my other hand.
“I want you to move in with me.” She went to open her mouth, and I held my hand up. “Think on it first.” This thing between us may be new, but I was certain that Blossom was it for me. Going to sleep and waking up without her on some mornings was killing me. And even though she spent most of her nights in my bed, it just wasn’t enough. I needed and wanted her with me at all times. I would respect whatever decision she made, because it was solely up to her how fast she wanted this to move. I was on her time, but I’m hoping she’ll side with me on this one.
Epilogue
T aking a shower always helped me think clearly. I had the water hotter than usual as I scrubbed my body down and thought over Roman’s request. It was a no brainer for me, but he told me to think it over, so that’s what I’m doing.