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CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
One Year Later.
CURIOSS stood in front of a large mirror in her bridal suite, her hands trembling as she adjusted the laces of her wedding dress. The gown was simple yet elegant, with a flowing skirt and delicate embroidery that glistened in the sunlight. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. After everything she had been through, this moment felt like a dream she wasn't sure she deserved.
"Damn bitch, you look good as hell," Reina said, stepping into the room with a wide grin. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy as she helped Curioss with her veil. "That nigga ain't gon know what hit him."
Curioss chuckled, though her voice cracked. "I never thought we'd get here Reina. Man we been through some shit. From losing Ka'deem to getting him back and all the crazy off the wall shit in between... I'm just tryna soak it all in."
Reina squeezed her sister's hand. "You've been through hell and back sis and now look at you. You got yo happy ending. You and Saint deserve this and we all here to celebrate you both."
"Mama would be proud."
Curioss's father approached her, his face etched with emotion. He cleared his throat, struggling to keep his voice steady.
"Curioss, I just wanted to say... seeing you here today, looking so happy, it means the world to me. Yo mama would be so proud. She always wanted you to find someone who would love you as fiercely as you deserve."
Curioss's eyes welled up with tears as she hugged her father tightly. "Thank you daddy. It means alot to hear that. I wish mama could be here, but I feel her presence in every step we've taken to get here. It's been a long road. I'm so grateful for this moment."
Her father nodded, his eyes glistening. "You've come a long way baby girl. I've watched you fight through enough, and seeing you so happy today, it's a blessing. Saint's a good man, and I know you two will build a beautiful life together."
Double found himself reflecting on the past. He had always been close to Saint, and seeing him so happy made him think about everything they had been through. He approached Curioss, who was still in the dressing room, staring at herself in disbelief.
"Curioss," Double said, his voice gruff but sincere. "Can we talk for a minute?"
Curioss looked up, a smile touching her lips. "Sure, what's up?"
Double took a deep breath, his eyes locking with hers. "I just wanted to say...you deserve all this happiness. Ian want you thinking you don't. I've seen you fight through the worst, and you came out stronger. That nigga lucky to have you, and so are we. You been through hell and now you finally getting the peace you fought for."
Curioss's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Thank you Double. Man I love you, it means a lot to hear that. We've been through so much, and having people like you in my corner has made this shit so worth it."
Double nodded, his expression softening. "You know I got you, always. Saint and I go way back. We've been through a lot of shit together, and seeing him so happy now... it's a relief. Shit makes me know that, niggas like us can have happy endings too. You both deserve this. And I just wanted you to know that I'm proud of you. For everything you've done, for the love you've shown. It's been a rough ride I won't even lie, but you here now, and you earned every bit of this shit."
Curioss hugged Double, her gratitude evident. "Thank you best friend. It's been a journey, and having you and everyone here means the world to me. I couldn't have done it without y'all."
Outside, the ceremony area was a vision of royal elegance. The chairs were set up on the sand, each one draped with white fabric and adorned with small bouquets of roses. At the front, a makeshift altar of reclaimed wood and flowers stood proudly.
Double, Stacks, and Lyric, dressed in sharp suits with their own personal flair, stood by as groomsmen, their expressions a mix of pride and nostalgia.
Reina, Monique, Mehki, were the bridesmaids, their faces bright with smiles and their conversations punctuated with laughter. The children, Kaylon, Nasir, Remni and Ra'Jah ran around in their suits and dresses, their excitement noticeable.
As the time drew near, Curioss's father walked her down the aisle, his eyes misty with emotion. Her close ones stood in silence, watching as the most important moment of Curioss's life unfolded before them.
Saint, waiting at the altar, looked both nervous and thrilled. His eyes locked on Curioss, and his face broke into a wide, genuine smile as she approached.
When Curioss reached the altar, Saint took her hands in his, his grip firm and reassuring. "Damn shorty, you look beautiful ," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Ion even know how to put into words how much this moment means to me."
Curioss's eyes were filled with tears. "I thought I'd never get to stand here with you. Everything we've been through, all the pain—it was all worth it to be here now."
The officiant, an old friend of Saint's grandfather who had seen him through thick and thin, began the ceremony.
His voice was warm as he spoke the words that would unite them. "We're here today to celebrate the union of Curioss and Ka'deem, two souls who have fought through the trials of life and come out stronger. Do you, Ka'deem, take Curioss to be your lawfully wedded wife, to cherish and protect, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health?"
Saint's voice was unwavering. "I do. Curioss, you my everything mama. I'd go through hell and back just to be with you. I promise to love and protect you for the rest of our lives."
"And do you, Curioss, take Ka'deem to be your lawfully wedded husband, to stand by him through the good times and the bad, to support him in every way possible?"
Curioss's voice was filled with resolve. "I do. I've seen the worst and I've fought for us. I promise to stand by your side and to build a future with you, no matter what comes our way."
With the vows exchanged, the officiant smiled. "By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Saint pulled Curioss into a deep kiss, their lips meeting with a passion that spoke of their journey and their love. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, the sound mingling with the crashing waves and the soft strains of music playing in the background.
She was finally at peace, she was finally not fighting. She was finally where she was meant to be.
"Till Death Do Us Part baby."
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The end! Omg I will most definitely miss this book so much. Saint and Curioss's story was such a rollercoster. I might do a bonus chapter in the future, who knows. (:
