2006 (34 years old)
"There you go..." My mother says, zipping the back of my dress closed. I look in the mirror giving her a smile as she returns one back. "You look gorgeous, Jay." I sigh and sit in my chair in front of the mirror perfecting my makeup. "Thank you mom.." I smile weakly. My mother shifts around a little and sits next to me. "Have you heard any thing from him?" I shake my head fiddling with my make up brush. "This is a new chapter in your life... And maybe he isn't in it. Baby, you will be ok.." She cups my chin, and pecks my forehead. "I know." I respond. "Let me ask her first." I hear Sasha whisper outside the door. "Sasha just let me in...I'll be quick." A distinctive voice replies. "I don't want you to upset her." She says. My mother opens the door and looks back at me. Michael stood in the doorway, dressed in a classic suit and tie. No glitter, sparkles or diamonds. My stomach flutters as he walks inside towards me. My mother crosses her arms as Sasha runs in behind him. "Jayla I tried to make him wait, he just-" "It's fine." I say calmly. "If we could be alone for just a second...I'd appreciate it." I request. Sasha and my mother walk out, closing the door behind them. My eyes fixed on Michael through the mirror. He stood there, staring back at me through the mirror. "Well..." I say quietly. "You look beautiful Jayla." He responds just as quiet. "Thanks." "Look, I just wanted to let you know I'm here. I'll go sit out there.." He says walking towards the door. "That's all?" I say. "No, we need to talk.. I want to finally get this completely out of my system so you and I can move on." He sighs. "Why now? Why here?" I whine, turning to face him. "All the times I've tried to talk to you about us. You've cut me off, shut me out, or hung up on me.." I scoff. "Why now? Because once you walk out that door, you're giving yourself to someone else and I won't be able to express how I feel about you the way I want to after you say I do. I need to do it right now...you don't even have to respond just listen." I cross my arms, breathing outward my frustration. Michael leans in front of me, attempting to grab my hands. I pull away slowly. "Please..." I mutter. His eyes search my face as he clears his throat awkwardly. "Ok... Jayla, I am really, really sorry for everything I've ever put you through. I've sat and thought about the things we've done together and I miss the connection we once had. Before all of this...back when we were younger. We had so many creative adventures together..I never wanted this to end. Our friendship means more to me than anything in this world, and if I could do anything to keep it, I would. Please accept my apology. Let's start over." I couldn't help but smile a little at his apology. I've been waiting for this for years, and to finally have it made me feel amazing. It also made me feel good to know he truly cherished our friendship as much as I did. "That smirk on your face tells me what you're thinking." He jokes, poking my cheek. I let out a small giggle. "I miss our friendship too... I just want us to be able to deal with our feelings better, and be able to communicate. I'm willing to work on that if you are." "Ok. I'll work on that.." He smiles. Sasha opens the door softly, "sorry, but Jay you've got 3 minutes." "Ok.. We were just finishing up." I reply. I stand as Michael stands in front of me. "Well, I'm gonna go and find my seat. I'll see you later..." He says, wrapping his arms around me for a hug. I place my arms around his neck, hugging him back tightly. "Congratulations." He whispers in my ear. "Thank you." I reply. I watch him as he walks out and Angel runs into his legs. "Uncle Mike!" She yells, before running into my dressing room. Since my father and brother are gone, I chose my daughter to walk with me down the aisle. "You look pretty mommy." She grins. "So do you!" I exclaim.
The doors open and I see my future husband standing at the end of the room smiling ear to ear. I hang on to my baby's hand as we walk down the aisle together. So many of my celebrity friends and family stand in awe and are so absorbed into my daughter's cuteness. "Hi daddy." Angel says as Brian picks her up and pecks her cheek. The audience giggles at her as Brian and I point her to my mother. "Hello beautiful." He whispers, with a grin. "Hi." I smile back, inhaling nervously. I place my hands in his as we begin the ceremony.
"Is there anyone who thinks that these two people should not be married?" I nervously scan the room and lock eyes with Michael. He doesn't say a word. He gives me a smile and zips his lips shut, causing me to giggle a little. Brian and I exchange vows and rings as the preacher pronounced us as man and wife.
We sit at a long table lined with my bridesmaids and Brian's groomsmen in an extravagant dining hall. Our friends and family seated at tables in front of us. "You looked so amazing. I'm so glad we did this" Brian whispers. "Me too baby." I whisper back, pecking his lips and wiping his lips of lipstick. Brian's best man, his best friend Drew, stands to do his speech. Clinking his fork against the glass to get everyone's attention, he breaks my focus from Brian. "So. B and I have been boys for 15 years... And Jayla, I've got to admit he and I had a bet. When you first came on the scene and got real hot in music, we bet that the best man would come in and sweep you off your feet. Wine and dine you, show you different ways how much we love you, and all kinds of romantic things to win you're heart..." He says sweetly. "Well I'm too lazy for all that so..the best man won." He giggles. "Brian was clearly dedicated and he still is. I tell ya Jay, you've got a good man right here. I've never heard anyone talk about their woman the way he talks about you." I smile holding Brian's hand as he kisses it. "When he found out about my beautiful God daughter Angel...that man cried. He looked at me and said 'Drew...that woman is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Now there will be something we created together out there.' And I told him, he better hold on to you. It's hard to find a love like that. Congratulations you two." Brian leans over and kisses my cheek. He raises his glass to the air and everyone follows suit, drinking champagne. Brian pats Drew's shoulder and thanks him.
Brian and I waltzed across the dance floor hand in hand, our eyes locked in each other's gaze. He pushes his lips against my forehead and leans my head onto his chest. I smile into his chest absorbing every movement and holding him closer to me with every step. Inhaling his cologne and listening to his heartbeat. After a while, Angel got restless and ran to us, so we had to share our first dance with our daughter. We both giggle as Brian holds her in one arm and twirls me with his other arm.
I walk over to Michael, who was sitting and chatting with my mother and Brian's sister. "Sorry ladies, can I interrupt for a moment?" I smile sweetly. Michael looks at me in almost a hopeful tone as I reach out my hand to grab his. He stands and walks towards me. "Excuse me ladies..." He says politely, "Thank You." He groans. I laugh as he and I walk towards the dance floor. "What were they talking to you about?" I giggle. "Your mom asked what you and I were talking about earlier and your sister-in-law kept asking if I was single." He whines. I giggle again. "I'm sorry." He places his hands around my waist as I put my hands on his shoulders. "Your husband doesn't look too happy about this." Michael mumbles. I turn my head to see Brian practically glaring at us. "Maybe you should go talk to him.." I suggest. "What?! No, Brian can't stand me. Talking to him won't help a thing." Michael says. "It will, he doesn't know you and I have spoken and have come to terms with things." I say quietly. "Just go clear the air. Take him to the side and talk to him." Michael peers back over at Brian and sighs. "Fine." He releases my waist and walks reluctantly towards Brian. I watch as he coaxes Brian over. "Hey, congratulations." Michael says innocently, shaking his hand. "Look, I just wanted to clear the air between us. Jayla and I had a talk and we are just friends. We have ended the chapter of us together in our lives and have moved on. I just want you to know that I respect you as her husband and everything that happened beforehand, won't happen again." Brian nods his head and shakes Michaels hand again. "I appreciate that. Thank you." I smile as I watch them begin to talk and get along. I pick up Angel and begin dancing with her and take pictures.
YOU ARE READING
You Are My Life
Fanfiction"If you would've told me at 13 that this would be my life, I would have never believed you..."
