taraji h.
wedding morning.
i woke up before my alarm.
not because of nerves surprisingly. but because the bed felt different. tasia was curled into my side like she had every night since the engagement, leg thrown over mine, forehead pressed into my shoulder. breathing slow.
for a second i just laid there, staring at the ceiling, letting it sink in.
today she becomes my wife.
i kissed the top of her head. she hummed, shifting a little closer.
"mm... don't start," she mumbled. "we not supposed to see each other like this for long."
i smiled. "you still my fiancée for a few more hours. i'm allowed."
she lifted her head, eyes half-open. "what time is it?"
"early."
"of course it is. you always wake up early when you're nervous."
"i'm not nervous" i lied.
she smirked and pushed herself up on her elbow, looking at me soft. "you good?"
"i'm perfect" i said honestly.
that made her quiet. we stayed like that for a moment. no phones. no talking. just... us. the calm before everything got loud again.
then the knock came. three sharp taps on the door.
"alright!" winter's voice yelled through the wood. "time to separate the bride and groom"
autumn whispered, "they're brides winter. mama is still a lady!"
"well she looks like a man." i laughed lowly.
tasia groaned. "she been waiting her whole life for this moment."
the door opened anyway and winter came in with autumn behind her, both dressed in matching satin robes.
"okay," autumn said, serious as hell. "nana said no more seeing each other. rules are rules ladies."
tasia laughed. "since when do y'all care about rules?"
"since today," winter said. "this is important."
i sat up, shaking my head, amused.
tasia slid out the bed and stood there for a second, looking at me. really looking.
"hey," she said quietly.
"hey."
she walked over and pressed her forehead to mine. "no matter how crazy today gets... this is still us."
"always" i said.
we kissed softly. nothing more. then she stepped back.
"don't look at me again until i walk down that aisle," she warned.
"i won't" i promised.
and just like that, she was gone.
the rest of the morning moved fast.
hair. suits. people everywhere. cameras again. laughter bouncing off walls. my mama fixing my collar like i was five. somebody handing me champagne i didn't even drink.
but through all of it, my mind stayed quiet. i just kept thinking about her.
when it was time, i stood at the altar. music started. everyone stood. and then—there she was.
tasia stepped into view, white dress hugging her like it was made for her alone. veil soft against her skin. eyes locked straight on mine like nothing else existed.
