Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 97951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“You were going through a lot of things… Personal stuff, and for some reason, even though I was going through a lot of stuff, too, I saw it as my job to help you feel better. To make your time here at the Red Rooster somethin’ to look forward to. Eventually, our time here together came to an end. Neither of us admitted to one another that our feelings were more than just those of two young adults who’d become compadres. They had grown.
“Strengthened. Developed into a grown man and grown woman sort of adoration. We’d fallen in love, but due to so many things, like being somewhat in denial and other factors, some of them not our fault, the friendship, companionship, all of it, was put on ice. Well, ice melts. The sun came out, and things heated up.” A few people clapped and whistled. “Something in the universe reignited those old flames, and I was thawed out fast.
“I ran into you one night, after all of these years, and I went from ‘She’s cute as hell,’ to ‘God, thank you,” his voice rattled, “you brought her back to me.’” Applause ensued, the emotion on overload. “I told you then, and I’m telling everyone else right here, right now, that I prayed for you, Nadia. I asked God to bring me my wife. Some of my friends said I’d never get married. They said I wouldn’t settle down, or I was too picky. I made sure that I had myself together before I made the request. Sent the prayer to heaven. I wanted to be mature enough to be a good man for you. The man you wanted. The man you needed. The man you deserved. I had thought about you on and off over the years, and when… when I saw you that night at the club, sitting there alone, looking absolutely beautiful… I knew… I just knew, you were the one.
“They say, if you love someone, let them go. If they return to you, then it’s meant to be. Well, this is definitely meant to be. I want to be your husband. I want to be your lover. I want to be your best friend. I want to be the father of your children. I want to be your partner in every way possible. I will be there for you—morning, noon and night, twenty-four seven. We’re both independent people, but you have saved me in ways you don’t even understand. I’ve been in love before, but never, and I mean never, like this. I didn’t even think it was possible to be this deeply in love, but you showed me right quick and in a hurry that not only is it possible, but you were the one to give me such an amazing gift: The gift of your heart.” She blinked tears away. “All of your life, you’ve endured storms. The clouds come, and you dread what’s to follow.
“I’m your umbrella.” He squeezed her hands as a tear traced her cheek. “I’m your shelter. I’m Noah’s ark when that storm turns into a full-fledged flood, and there seems to be no escape. My shoulders are big enough for you and our family without me breakin’ a sweat. You can count on me to keep you safe. Protected. You’re no damsel in distress, but you’re my woman and I’m your man, and that’s what a real man does. He makes sure his bride knows she’s got someone in her corner. Someone who walks in front of her—not to control you, but to take the brunt of whatever is comin’ our way.” He placed his hand across his heart. “My mama enjoyed a song by SWV called, ‘Rain Down on Me.’” The acapella version of the song began to play at that moment. Lennox let it play for a while as he gripped his queen’s trembling hands. Nadia began to sob and shake her head. A new smile on her face, but old pain in her eyes.
“My mama absolutely loved this song. I’d like to think that she’s here with us today. Celebrating our day. In fact, I can feel her. She’d love the wife I’ve chosen, because you’re a good woman. Just like her.” Tears streamed down his face, and this time, he didn’t look away. “Mama had her own storms to endure—everyone does. You never have to face yours alone, Nadia. I’m here today. I’m going to be here tomorrow, and I’ll be here forever. When I look at you, because you’re so incredibly beautiful and sexy to me, I feel absolute, all-consuming yearning for you, and I make no apologies for it. My love for you is loud like thunder. It’s huge, like the ocean.
“When you need a moment alone, I’ll give you your space and become a tiny raindrop, giving you room to breathe. However, please understand, when we have a monsoon, baby, some sort of argument or disagreement that has us at odds, we’ll always come together eventually and talk, communicate, and work things out, like grown folks do. I’ve waited all this time for you. I will fight for you. I will fight for us. I’m not leavin’ without a battle. It took too long to get here, to make our way back to one another, and ain’t no stopping us now. When you have a good thing, you treasure it. God brought us back together because it was finally our time.