SOOOO my dumbass realized I miss counted the chapters. This means y'all will get another chapter, epilogue, and a sneak peak to the sequel. I was really set on ending this book😂.

That's all I have to say. 🙂BYEEEE y'all

A classic

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ANDRE

"A tumor?"Kathryn whispered.

"Yes, about a month ago Humphrey came to the ER with a terrible migraine. We ran some test and found a tumor. He knew, but I'm assuming he never mentioned this to anyone."

"I want to hurt him..."PJ calmly stated.

"We tried to resuscitate him, but we abided by his medical wishes. We're very sorry for the loss of your husband, sir."

Tears began to flow out of PJ's eyes. Kathryn wrapped her arms around him as she cried too. I kept my composure. I had to be strong for my brother. He would've done the same thing for me.

Nobody knew Phrey was sick. He hid this from us for a whole month. He wrote his medical wishes by himself. He pranced around town like nothing was wrong. I never would've guess it. I just wish I did.

"We need you to sign off the papers Mr. Harper."

PJ looked up. I looked at the doctor too. Phrey and I had the same last name, so PJ has the same last name. I knew PJ needed a moment to process everything. I needed one too, but PJ and Phrey were so close. I could never imagine losing somebody who meant so much.

"I'll do it,"I whispered.

"No, I'll do it."

The doctor handed the papers to PJ. PJ's hand shook as he signed off. Humphrey's name was in bold letters at the top. PJ's tear fell, and it smeared the hum in his name.

"If you would like to say any final words his room number is 256. I'm sure Kathryn can take you there."

Kathryn nodded. She grabbed PJ's hand, and they walked to the room in silence. I looked at the wall. Of course Phrey's picture was plastered against it. I smiled as I remember the day he was banned from visiting.

"I oughta slap tha fuck outta yo black ass,"I mumbled.

"Nigga! I told them I wasn't gon shoot nobody. Ion know why they was trippin. They some fuckin pigs I swe-"

"YA BROUGHT A FUCKING GUN TA THE HOSPITAL! NOW YA CAN'T COME BACK!"I shouted.

Phrey looked around.

"Who tha fuck ya talking ta like that nigga? I'm not yo bitch Dre."

"Maybe if ya stopped actin like one I wouldn't have ta treat ya like it. Now get tha fuck outta ma car."

Phrey was always doing some dumb shit. He's only been gone for a few hours, and I can't grasp the fact he's actually gone. In the ambulance I watched as they put him on oxygen. I jut watched in amusement. I didn't think it was him. I knew it couldn't be him.

KATHRYN

"Do you want me to go inside?"I whispered.

PJ shrugged. He took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. Phrey's body was covered by a blanket. More tears began to flow out of my eyes as I looked at his body.

Phrey and I weren't the best of friends. We had a few differences, but that never stopped me from loving him. He was like the older brother I never had. He always kept a smile on everyone's face, even if that meant he sacrificed his own.

"Humphrey,"PJ cried softly. "Te mataría si no estuvieras muerto ahora."

He grabbed his hands. I watched as he played with his wedding band.

"He never fails to surprise me,"PJ chuckled.
"I remember when we first met. He told me he was straight. Next day, he's asking me to marry him."

"Humphrey was truly an act,"I laughed along.

PJ turned around to look at me, "Alayah just got attached to him. She's going to be devastated. I have to explain to a 7 year old, her father died."

"We'll get there when we get there...You know Andre and I are here for you. If you need anything, we're here. We love you so much PJ."

He gave me a soft smile. He looked down at his phone. "The wedding is only 45 minutes late. I'm sure you can still make i-"

"PJ, Humphrey just died. We can't have a wedding right now."

"Humphrey wouldn't want you to be moping over his death. You know that Kathryn. Please just go get married. Don't let this fool ruin your night."

"I can-"

"Niña que te digo? Leave hoe! Go get married!" He shouted at me. I opened my mouth to say something, but he quickly stopped me. "You and Dre have been waiting for this day. I would hate for you to waste all that money. Go get married. The next time I see you, you'll be Mrs. Harper."

I wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me back. He was so strong, and I love that about him. I wouldn't know what to do in his shoes.

"I love you PJ,"I mumbled into his ear.

"Yo tambien te amo mama."

ANDRE

I watched as Kathryn slowly walked down the aisle. She was smiling real hard, which made me smile ever harder. She was beautiful. I wouldn't know what I would do without her.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here on this beautiful day to witness the union of and in holy matrimony. This is a day of great celebration and reverence, on which we come together before before God to recognize and commemorate the sacred love and dedication shared between these two people. It is wonderful to have family and friends here to join us today. The bride and groom would like to thank their guests for being here, and would like you to know that each of you were invited here on this day because you have played an integral part in their intertwining lives."

As the Bible reminds us in Corinthians, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails."

In the time that Andre and Kathryn have spent together, they've built the sturdy foundation for a lifelong relationship. After a great deal of thoughtful consideration, they have decided to bind themselves to one another for the rest of their lives"

May you all remember and cherish this sacred ceremony, for on this day, with love, we will forever bind and together,"Pastor Fowler spoke.

Kathryn's smile never left her face. She kept her eyes locked with mine. She was happy, and that's all I want for her.

"Who gives this bride today?"

"Unfortunately my father nor Humphrey were able to make it today,"Kathryn whispered.

"If there is anyone in attendance who has cause to believe that this couple should not be joined in marriage, you may speak now or forever hold your peace."

The crowd was silent.

"Marriage is a sacred ceremony. Today we observe the union of these two people with the respect the occasion warrants. What we honor with reverence, however, we also celebrate with great joy! For married life – a shared life – is a tremendous blessing. Now, as Kathryn and Andre embark on this journey together, they will be able to nurture a love that makes each of them better versions of themselves. Marriage is, indeed, the perfect garden from which to sow and harvest personal growth"

Kathryn and Andre learn to work together, to laugh together, and to love together. Don't get caught up in worldly things that will draw you apart. Instead, focus on your shared devotion and turn inward. As your relationship strengthens you will find that you come to share a remarkable love; a love that is both abundantly given and freely accepted."

The joy you'll find as you pursue your shared lives will fuel you to face head-on the challenges you'll encounter on this Earth. On your journeys together, keep your spouse in the space of highest priority in your heart. The love you share must be guarded and cherished, it is your most valuable treasure,"Pastor preached.

I wiped the tears from Kathryn's cheek, "Ya ta pretty ta be cryin' right na' baybeh."

"Under the eyes of God, I solemnly consecrate these matrimonial proceedings and the sacred covenant you shall both enter into on this day.

"Marriage is an ancient rite. As you enter into this union, you are choosing to take part in a historical human establishment and are pledging your commitment before the witnesses present here today to enter into that tradition with honor. As Jesus said: "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female," he also taught that, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

And, the sacred vows that you make to one another today present you with the opportunity to express your love in your own words. I would at this time invite you to publically declare these vows, you may begin."

Kathryn pulled out a piece of paper and started to read, "Andre...my best friend...my rock...my everything. There's so many words to describe you, but there's only one to describe how I feel around you...happy. Since the day I opened that door, you've brought nothing but happiness to my life. Of course there were times I wanted to hurt you,"The guest began laughing. "but all of those moments, I laugh at. Andre you've supported me even when I didn't support myself. You've helped my realize that the best moments in life are short, but with you they feel like an eternity. I thank God everyday for you." She looked me in my eyes. Her soft smile slowly faded as she began to read again. "So many people ask me if I would do all of this over again just to meet you. Andre I would do it ten thousands times if that meant that I get to be with you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. You brought one of the biggest joys into my life. I thank God everyday you're here Andre. I love you so much baby, and I will never change my mind."

She reached up and wiped the tear from my cheek. I smiled as she smiled back.

"Beat that,"She mouthed.

"You may make your promise,"The minister pointed towards me.

"Kathryn just told me ta beat ha vows, and I happily will. See I didn't have ta write on papa'e ta express ma feelings fa ya baybeh. Ya been my life since ya woke outta tha coma. Everyday I'm tryna make ya life amazing, and from tha looks of it I'm succeedin. Ya captured ma heart when ya walked in ma room. Ya captured Amarah's heart, and I love ya fa that. Most women don't wanna be a step mama. Ya didn't just neglect Marah. Ya love ha like she ya own, and shi-"Kathryn shot me a look. "I'm not allowed ta cuss at ma own wedding? That's besides tha point. Ya keep me on ma toes. Ya neva fail ta amaze me Kathryn, and that's why we're hea'. Baybeh God, Fate, Buddha, whoeva gotta special plan fa us. I couldn't imagine not completing it without ya. Ya said ya would do it all ova again, but baybeh ya wouldn't. I would take a bullet fa ya right now. I would jump off tha tallest bridge fa ya. I would get his by a train fa ya. I would do anything fa ya, because that's how much I love ya. I love ya Kathryn."

I wiped the tear falling from her cheeks. If my pops was here, I would without a doubt be hearing him say 'Y'all cry ta much. Get on with tha wedding.'.

"Andre and Kathryn please face one another and join hands,"The Pastor placed our hands on top of each other.

"Under the eyes of God, Kathryn, do you take Andre Harper to be your lawfully wedded husband? By making this commitment, you are joining in the sacred covenant of marriage.

"Do you promise to honor him in love, to be sensitive to his needs, to comfort him in difficulty, and to put your full and complete trust in him, so long as you both shall live?"

"I do,"Kathryn smiled.

"Under the eyes of God, Andre, do you Kathryn Smith take to be your lawfully wedded wife? By making this commitment, you are joining in the covenant of marriage.

"Do you promise to honor her in love, to be sensitive to her needs, to comfort her in difficulty, and to put your full and complete trust in her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I do,"I smiled very widely.

"Very well. To commemorate this union, you may now exchange rings. The circle formed by each ring symbolizes your eternal love and commitment to one another. Let these rings remind you always of that love, and of the promises you have made here on this day.

Will each of you please repeat after me as you place the ring on your loved ones hand?"

Kathryn grabbed the ring from the ring barrier.

"I, Kathryn , give you this ring..."

"I Kathryn give you this ring,"She smile at him.

"As a symbol of my love and commitment..."

"As a symbol of my love and commitment."

"With this ring, I thee wed..."

"With this ring I thee wed."

She placed the ring on my finger. I took the ring from the barrier and held it against her hand.

"I, Andre, give you this ring..."

"I, Andre, give you this ring."

"As a symbol of my love and commitment..."

"As a symbol of my love and commitment."

"With this ring, I thee wed..."

"With this ring I thee wed."

I slipped the ring on her finger.

"By the power vested in me, by the Universal Life Church and by the state of Georgia I pronounce you, and as wife and husband, lawfully wedded before God."

"You may now kiss the bride, forever sealing your union."

I bent down and kissed Kathryn. She put her hands around my neck, and I felt the cold gold. She pulled away and smiled at me.

"I love you."

"I love ya mo' baybeh."

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. and Harper!"