Human Nature A T'Challa Udaku Short Story

Part 5

Looking out, across the morning

The city's heart begins to beat

Reaching out, I touch her shoulder

I'm dreaming of the street

-Michael Jackson "Human Nature"

T'Challa Udaku was madly and blissfully in love. He'd never felt anything like this and he knew that if Naomi were to leave him, he would never find anything like it again. Which is why he was staring at his reflection in a mirror, his fingers running over the fabric of his button-up. M'baku and the other groomsmen had left to check on the   a few minutes ago. He knew they had gone because he probably looked like a nervous wreck pacing the floor of the hotel penthouse, but he didn't care. He was grateful for the peace. He shouldn't have been nervous. He and Naomi were already married. They had done the hard part. They'd already said their 'I dos". The church was just for show, but it seemed like his stomach had missed that piece of information. A block away from this room he knew that Naomi was in her room, probably pulling on her wedding dress as the spoke.

Of course, he hadn't seen it yet. She had made sure to hide any and all information about her attire from her husband. She and Shuri went as far as to encrypt her purchase information in the palace's internet server so that he couldn't find out where she bought the dress from or who made it. T'Challa laughed at the memory. He'd spent hours trying to guess her password. He and Shuri knew that he could have hacked the information if he really tried, but he knew that the dress was something Naomi wanted to surprise him with so he left the information password protected. The king stared at the midday sun over the Mississippi River. He glanced at his watch and noticed that it was almost time to leave. He took another glance at himself in the mirror and smiled. Today was the day that Naomi would no longer be a secret, she would be made his wife in the eyes of the world.

"T'Challa, it is time my friend," M'baku's voice boomed through the door. With a final look in the mirror, he grabbed his suit jacket and headed out of the room.

A block away at the Roosevelt hotel, Naomi Udaku was losing her breakfast and it was not because she was nervous. Not that nerves weren't partly contributing to this bout of sickness, they definitely were. Hunched over the toilet, she knew that one of the best decisions she had ever made was having her hair pulled back into a sleek bun for her wedding. She reminded herself to thank Beyonce for the suggestion. "That's it, let it all out" Gabrielle rubbed her friends back as Naomi sat back away from the toilet. Tasha stood at the door with some ginger ale and nausea medicine. "I can't believe I'm pregnant on my wedding day," the blushing bride grumbled as her oldest friend handed her the medicine and soda.

"Well, technically you weren't pregnant on your wedding day," Tasha shrugged from the doorway. "Shut up" Gabrielle and Naomi answered simultaneously. "Don't shoot the messenger," Tasha grinned while Naomi finally pulled herself off of the bathroom floor. "Hardy har har," Naomi deadpanned, "Seriously though, I can't even drink at my own toast."

"First off, stop whining," Gabrielle smiled, pulling her friend in for a hug, "We are in one of the most expensive hotels in New Orleans, about to live out your dream wedding. Thousands of people are lining the streets to catch a glimpse of you in your dress. You should be on top of the world right now baby girl."

"Exactly you're marrying the love of your life and he's a king." Tasha grinned at her friend. "You have pulled together one of the best weddings anyone could ask for! You look drop-dead gorgeous and you aren't even in your wedding dress yet."

"Exactly! So finish that bottle of ginger ale so we can get you dressed and ready to go." Gabrielle reassured her friend. "And know that we bought you some of that sparkling cider you like. Red grape, white grape, and white grape with peach. That way it looks like you are enjoying all of the delicacies of a nonpregnant bride." Tasha added, "We got you, girl."