Esteban, Ready to Risk It All

Chapter 25 ~ Destiny

"Esteban" my body is being pushed. As hard as I try it breaks through the comfort of my sleep.

"Yes" I groan

"Get up man you are getting married today" I hear my father. "He doesn't seem too excited" Mr. Baptiste adds. That wakes me. The last thing I want is for him to get the wrong idea and think I am playing with his daughter.

"Well I heard that he was treated to the Crew tradition last night-" I interrupted my father "Hey wait nope" I put my hand out and shook my "Mr. Baptiste it wasn't what you think I promised." I make a cross over my heart like I'm ten years old. I want him to know I am not lying but I don't want him to know that Remi fulfilled the tradition either.

"Stop looking so sick, I heard Carmen and Remi talking about it when she walked in the house this morning" Mr. Baptiste nudges my dad and both bend over laughing.

"I exhale" my dad shakes my shoulder "Dominica is a good wife, to make a way for you to enjoy the Cultures tradition.". I feel a firmer grip on my other shoulder " Make sure that Cherry is the only stripper you deal with from now on" Mr. Baptiste warns me. "I'm more than happy with my wife" I raise my hands in surrender.

Mr. Baptiste and my Dad leave my room laughing "C'mon Ban, we have coffee, and the barber is here." I pick up my cell and see it's only 9:00 a.m. I got five hours of sleep. I guess that will do. I grab a coffee from the kitchen, and my barber and all of my groomsmen fill my apartment. I can tell my men are excited.

'Where is Rico Jr. I ask Rico." looking for my little ring bearer. "Somewhere chasing after your princess" he laughs "He is with his mom, and she is with Remi" I nod.

I grew my hair out over the last few months to try out a different look, my barber hooks me right up, and my hair is cut close in the back and sides but the top is longer, he has styled it going back and it shows off all my natural waves.

"Good work my man" I dap him up. One by one he tightens up my crew as we get ready.

I hear my cell phone but can't find it. Carlos hands it to me. I look and see Remi's number. I answered, "Good morning my Love". I can't believe how much I miss her right now. "Hi Babe" she is upset about something. I can hear it in her voice. "What's wrong?" I ask and wait patiently. She is quiet but I hear Lani "C'mon Dominica stop crying," and Merci" It's going to be okay, we promise." Now I'm on alert.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I'm confused. "Of course I want to have the wedding." "No, I mean to be married and everything," something has happened, I left my wife happy last night. "You know I want to do this, "I hear the uncertainty in her voice.

" Baby you do remember we are already married, it's a done deal, but let me ask you, are you sure you want to do this?" I pose the question to her.

"Yes" I hear her sigh

"Are you nervous?" I ask " Maybe a little bit, I mean whose Idea was it to invite 500 people." she asks me, I hear her giggle and know she is okay.

"I love you Mrs. Navarro" Now I'm starting to feel emotional "I love you back Commander Navarro," she says " I love it when you call me that, make sure to say later when I have you-" I hear a throat clear and look up. Realizing I am still in the presence of all my men and our fathers. I hear my wife laughing

"Bye nasty," she says and hangs up in my face.

***

I can't believe I'm finally standing here waiting for my bride to walk down the aisle. I smile watching my baby girl walk down the aisle dropping rose petals and smiling brightly at everyone. My daughter has personality and confidence even at four years old, she commands attention. Makes it to the end of the Aisle and walks over to Estefania and the other bridesmaids.