|A L W A Y S & F O R E V E R| B O O K 1

56||L o v e & F o r g i v e n e s s

Date: 7/6/16
Day of the Week: Wednesday
Location: Chesire, England
Place: Peckforton Castle

Omniscient
The wedding ceremony had come to an end, and now everyone was enjoying the reception. Ciara sat alone at the table designated for her and her groom, exhausted from dancing with everyone throughout the night. She scanned the crowd that was full of her and Russell's family members and friends. Some sat around mingling with each other while they chowed down on the different foods and desserts, sipping from glasses of the finest champagnes and wines that surrounded them. While the rest took over the dance floor to DJ Nabs playing in the back. He had come all the way from Atlanta to be there, and by the looks of it, their guests were enjoying him. Her lips curved into a smile of satisfaction as she took in the sight in front of her. For the first time in a long time, the people in her family were getting along or at least being cordial for her and Russell's wedding day. All she wanted was for her wedding day to be drama-free, and that's exactly what it was. There was no unnecessary arguing, fighting, or pettiness being thrown around. That's the last thing she wanted. Especially not on one of the most special days of her life. She loved that everybody was having a good time as a family should. Even her grandmother was having a ball, dancing as though she were still in her days of youth. It seemed like she hadn't had breast cancer. She seemed well for her condition. A true warrior she is, she thought to herself. Alongside her was Russell and her son. They were in the center of the floor, leading a dance battle. Pretty soon, everyone crowded around, hyping them up. Ciara broke out into a fit of giggles as Zahir channeled his inner Michael Jackson moves. Most of the people had taken their phones out to record now. If she had her phone on her, she would have too, but it was against the rules for today. Both she and Russell agreed to be phone-free during their wedding and honeymoon.

Once Zahir noticed that everyone's attention was on him, he covered his face as he blushed, running behind his stepfather. Russell laughed at his sudden act of shyness. He was never like this behind closed doors.

"Don't be shy, lil' man. Show 'em' what you got." He shook his head no, grabbing ahold of his leg and hiding his face behind it so no one could see him anymore.

"Come on, lil' man. It ain't nothing to be scared of. Look! Look at me dance!" Back at their table, Ciara watched her boys interact with each other.

Both she and Russ knew that he couldn't dance, and people often teased him for trying. He knew he could barely stay in rhythm to the beat of a simple song, but he did it for his stepson and wife. Because he knew his horrible dancing always brought laughter and smiles to their faces. So he didn't care that everyone was witnessing him showcase his most horrendous moves. He didn't care that they were recording, and most importantly, he didn't care that they were laughing. Years ago, he would have never done this in public.

"Oh my gosh, babe!" Ciara held her head down in embarrassment as he did his best impression of moonwalking. He noticed that his wife was sitting at the table all alone, so he bent down at eye level to Zahir.

"Hey, buddy. Can you do something for me?" Zahir nodded his head.

"Go get mommy for me. Tell her to come dance with us." He whispered in his ear. Zahir ran over to her, grabbing her hands into his.

"Hey, baby! What's the matter?" She asked, concerned about him running over to her.

"Come dance with us, Mommy! Pleeeeeease?Pretty please?!" He pleaded while tugging on her hands. She let out a deep sigh of exhaustion.

"Aaw baby. I would come dance with my two favorite boys, but Mama needs to rest for a minute. Tell Papa Russ that mommy's tired and her feet hurt." He pouted, disappointed that his mother wouldn't be joining them. He held his head down while playing with his fingers. It was a habit that he'd picked up a while back.