Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
I know Saga better than she thinks. I know her body better than she knows. With all the stress she’s under with her family, I’ll wait to point it out to her.
My phone rings and I curse, jumping out of the bed to rush from the room before it wakes her. I smile when I see it’s my mother. She’s been instrumental in me getting things ready for tonight. She loves Saga.
“Hey, Mom,” I say.
“Hey, honey. How are you? How’s Saga?”
“I’m fine,” I smile as I think of my pregnant wife. “She’s great. Nervous about tonight, but it will all work out.”
“Your father had to go to the office to meet with a client, but we’re excited to hear the new album and to celebrate your new future,” she says.
“This is the last one, Mom,” I say what I’ve been holding in. “I spoke to Irving. A greatest hits album will complete my contract. One more tour and I’m done.”
“I saw this coming. You’re so happy being married. The look in your eyes when you look at her. You two were meant to be,” she says, a smile can be heard in her voice.
“I love her more than I thought I could ever love someone. It’s so crazy. It’s like from the moment I first saw her, I knew. She was it. I would have done anything for her that very first night.
“Even when she’s fussing at me for leaving towels and shit all over the place, I still think she’s perfect. You know how much I hate amusement parks, but I went just because it made her face light up,” I think out loud.
“That’s love for you. It will have you doing things you never thought you would. I’m so proud of you, Bishop,” she says.
I find myself pacing outside the door to our bedroom. My head is filled with so much I want to do with my wife and how our future will pan out.
“I need tonight to work out. She misses her family. They mean so much to her. Everything’s about to change. I need them to be a part of her life.”
I tug a hand through my hair. I haven’t had anyone to talk to about all of this. I guess that’s why it’s all spewing out now.
“It will be fine.”
“I should go. I have a lot to do. I’ll see you tonight,” I reply.
“See you tonight. I love you, darling.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
Saga
A nap and the spa were just what I needed. I feel so much better. I’m still anxious for tonight, but the queasiness has passed. I’m hoping that holds for the rest of the evening.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking while I get ready for the party. My heart hurts that this has torn my family apart, but I’m in love with the man I’ve chosen to marry. Keyword chosen.
I’ve lived my life worried about making my parents proud. Even when I chose to move to New York, I deliberated for so long. I overachieved at work to show my father I made the right decision for me.
“Saga,” I hear called into the room.
I step out of the closet to find my sister looking around. I can’t help bursting into tears as I rush to pull her into a hug. She holds me close and rocks me as we embrace.
“Reminisce, what are you doing here so early?”
“I wanted to get a chance to see you before everyone else arrived. Besides, it’s not that early. You have thirty minutes before the time that was on the invitation,” she replies.
“Ugh, I’ve been lost in my head. I didn’t know I lost that much time,” I huff.
“Girl, I thought maybe staring at your husband fried your brain cells. That man is fine. He is putting a hurting on that suit. Like… just wow,” she says, fanning her face.
“You’ve seen him? I haven’t seen him since I got back. He’s been busy getting this place ready and I’ve been off at the spa,” I say and frown at myself. “I’m a terrible wife. This all has to be hard on him.”
“The place looks and smells amazing and he looks as cool as a cucumber,” my sister says.
“I hope Mommy and Daddy think so,” I say, my shoulders slumping.
“Leave them bougie folks to stew in their old ways. Daddy is always talking about the opportunities he’s built for us, but they named us Saga, Reminisce, and Legend,” she says and rolls her eyes.
I start to laugh. I love my sister. She’s always direct and has always said what’s on her mind.
“This is true.”
“It’s why I had to start my own firm. Top of my class, but my name… people take one look at my résumé and go, nope. But seriously, I thought you were crazy for marrying some guy you just met, but you look happy and the way his face lit up when I said your name, he adores you,” she says.