coffee shop. (COMPLETE)

chapter twenty-five.

"so this is for the lover in you
this ring means i'll always be true
this is how we'll start love anew
this time it's gonna last forever"
(this is for the lover in you -- shalamar)

☕️🍂

Naila Brathwaite-Brown.
Pismo Beach, California.
August 31, 2017.

Fluttering my eyes open as light from the outside filtered into the room, I had an incredibly warm feeling take over my heart as I realized what day today was. This was the first time I had woken up alone in a while, and the only reason I was is because it was bad luck for a bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony. Today was the day that I would be joined in holy matrimony to the love of my life. 2 years ago I would've never thought that I would be in this position, pregnant with my man's child while I was struggling to fit in my dress getting ready to marry him, but here I was.

Calling my mother from her suite near mine, I felt a wash of happiness and serenity take over my body. I was so incredibly content today, the indescribable joy becoming slightly overwhelming. Taking a good look at my ever-growing belly as I sat cross-legged, I just had to silently thank God for all that he's done to get me here. I was so immensely grateful to have people in my life who care about me, and I was also so overjoyed about reuniting with my mother. The heartbreaking news of her illness shattered me, making me incredibly upset and low but when we sat down afterwards to just talk about everything. From my troubled childhood to what she went through with my father to how she found out about her cancer, we aired everything out until about five in the morning. We hadn't even realized we had been talking for that long until the sun started to come up, and we just had to laugh. My hope and faith in my mother was on the road to be restored, and to have her walk me down the aisle today was something I was so happy to have happen.

Peeking her head in my door once she arrived, the bright smile adorning her face made me feel giddy on the inside.

"How do you feel this morning, love?"

"Oh momma ... I'm so excited. I thought I would be somewhat nervous but honestly there's nothing to be nervous about. I'm secure in my love for this man and I know everything will work out. He loves me and I love him even more, and I'm so ready."

Taking me into her arms, my mother hugged me with everything she had in her body. I appreciated this so much, giving me that little piece of reassurance I needed to know that today would go off without a hitch. I was finally getting married.

-

Finally getting the zipper up to my dress, I took a good look at myself in the mirror, being pretty impressed. My dress was gorgeous, a timeless piece that I ended up picking out at the last minute. A full lace A-line piece with delicate lace sleeves, I was in love with my silhouette that was reflecting back at me in the mirror. Putting her tiny hands on my shoulders, my mommy sighed approvingly as she looked at me in the mirror. I saw her expression soften, and soon a single tear flowed down her face. The day was finally here, and I could see the awe in my mother's face as we looked at each other.

Turning to face her, I took her face into my hands as our foreheads touched. Giving me an endearing kiss on the cheek, my mother began to cry in my arms as I joined her, trying to hard not to mess up my makeup. Mommy looked so beautiful, dressed in a beautiful ruched pink dress, one perfectly matching the colors of my wedding. Today would be a small affair, taking place on a tiny stretch of Pismo Beach. The late-summer temperature was perfect today, with it not being too hot and it not being too cold. I wanted today to last forever.