“ Thank you grandma for giving me a place that brought my family together. This house shall always be our home. I love and miss you so much. Please look over the kids as I know you always have. Happy New Year Grandma and please give dad a hug for me.” I say taking a sip of my wine before placing it by her urn as letting her have a sip
Making my way to the stairs I get half way up them when I hear a soothing voice speak to me.
“ I will always watch over my great grandbabies and my family. I love you to my loving grandson.” The voice says as I finish making my way to the bedroom
I smiled finishing my way to the bedroom to join the loves of my life for a well deserved night of sleep.
Days after the 1st of January Nick and his family left going back to Alabama. Again Tessa, Nicky, and Justin stayed. Nick reassured us that they would be back up in February for the wedding. I smiled knowing that just in over a month I would be married to five beautiful women two older then me. I didn’t care because I loved each equally with all my heart. Allison and Lindsey finally got cozy in their new home. Lindsey joined Karen and the boys in their bedroom. While Allison took over what was mom’s room.
We told her she could fix it up however she wanted to. Allison thanked me for all I had done for her and Lindsey. I told her they both were very welcome. During that second week of January two things occurred. The first was momma Faye gave Allison a job as her assistant doing weddings to help her provide for Lindsey. The second was Allison and I going to my lawyer to get some paper work started. Since Lindsey called me daddy I thought why not make it official. It was on a Wednesday around 1 o’clock in the afternoon that Allison and I sat in Eric’s office. Allison presented him all the information he would need plus the new information I was sent. He looked it all over before looking up between me and Allison.
“ Look I understand you want to make your daughter’s life a bit better, but I must well deny this to happen.” Eric says shocking Allison and I
“ But why? I haven’t done anything wrong.” Allison says looking hurt at his words
“ I am sure you haven’t, but I am looking after my client’s best interest.” Eric says meaning me
Allison looks between him and I before standing up to only walk out of the office. I let out a sigh only to follow her out of the office hearing Eric try to stop me. I make my way out to see Allison standing at the front door. I walk up to her placing my arms around her.
“ Allison I am sure he didn’t mean anything by what he said.” I say trying to calm her
“ Heath maybe not, but what he was getting at was I wanted you to adopt Lindsey for money. I don’t want any money from you as you have done so much already. I just want my daughter to have her most important wish in knowing that you are her daddy on paper. She loves you that much Heath.” Allison tells me with tears that make my heart sadden
I let her cry before taking her back into Eric’s office. He looks at the both of us with some concern.
“ Heath I am sorry for what I said it’s just.” He tries to finish before I cut him off
“ Eric I know you are looking out for me as you did May, but Lindsey looks at me as her daddy. Allison just wants to make that happen for her daughter.” I say seeing him look at Allison intently
“ Please sir make my daughter’s wish come true.” Allison asks in a pleading way
“ Ok so you willing to take in another munchkin Heath?” He asks with a smile
“ Yep I sure am.” I say as he motions us to take our seats while he starts the process
I look over to see Allison smiling knowing Lindsey was about to be happy a second time in the past few weeks. After Eric fills out all the paperwork then has Allison and I sign a few he then has one of his para legals take it to the court house to be signed. He tells us to give it a few weeks, but to him Lindsey was my daughter. Allison thanked Eric with a hug after telling him she wanted Lindsey to know she would always be cared for if anything happened to her. I stood not far shaking my head hoping nothing happened to her. We left that day with a new found relationship between a brother and sister, and that was deep trust as she trusted me with Lindsey in my heart.
Those weeks that lead to the wedding was filled with all the women in the family going to be fitted for dresses. Gina and Tracey showed the mom’s, godmoms, my five fiancees, and sisters to a dress shop. I just shook my head knowing the seamstress would need plenty of help. While the women were getting all fitted for the wedding. My godfathers were in charge of catering for the wedding/commitment ceremony. I found out they were more on the level of volunteered to do it by momma Ellie, Verna, and Kiko saying they wanted to help Faye and Allison out.
So started the fight between the three debating on what to have catered. Karen and the kids shouted burgers and hot dogs while my brothers all seven of them chimed in steak. I didn’t join in on the so called argument while holding Lindsey and Serena since we were watching her. Us three watched the kids and adults keep up the childish fighting when Serena got off my lap to stand between them all. She raised her hand getting Papa Nate’s attention.
“ Yes honey what is it?” He asks while she looked up over at him
“ Why not both for catering.” She says running back to me crawling up to return sitting across from Lindsey
“ You know she is right Papa Nate. Why not have both burgers and hot dogs for the kids and steaks for all the adults.” I exclaim seeing my godfathers all nod
“ Well go with little Serena’s idea since she acts older then she is.” Papa Ricky says getting groans
So with that decided they all three start making phone calls from the numbers Ron gave them the other day. As I sat in my chair thinking feeling Lindsey and Serena cuddle up to me while Karen and the boys sit down in front of me watching Pacific Rim on t.v. I think life could not get any better.
Finally as January left February took it’s place. The remaining week and a half until Valentines Day was filled with remaining dress fittings and suits for the guys. Momma Verna got help with a big canopy to put on the beach. Benches were lent to us for all the family and few friends to sit upon. Since this was my first marriage and my fiancee’s first we wanted it to be done right. Karen, Lindsey, and Serena were fitted with dresses also being the flower girls. My sons were going to be the ring bearers with Lil Heath being the moms. I was nervous in that final week as to what I would say. I rehearsed my words in my head over and over. Hoping that two loving souls might help me during this coming event.
The day had come to find myself standing just outside the canopy waiting for the music to start. The best men Chris, Adam, Jack, Travis, and Jamie have all ready walked the maid of honors down being Selena, Michelle, Kaye, Sierra, Mandy, and Renee to the alter. Karen, Lindsey, and Serena just walked down spreading red and white rose petals amongst the sand. I turned to my left to look at my beautiful mother.
“ You nervous mom?” I ask her seeing sparkling eyes
“ Yes honey I am. Are you baby boy?” She answered asking in return
“ Yeah, but we will get through this with no worries.” I answer getting a smile
“ Well that’s us baby let’s go.” My mother says as the music started
Mom and I made our way down the aisle as everyone turned to see us. She was wearing a off white dress with a shaw to keep her shoulders warm. Once we got to the alter we stood on either side awaiting our loves. At that moment we watched as the flap on the canopy opened and there walking down the same aisle was Papa Mike escorting Jasmine and momma Faye. Behind them was Papa Nate with Diamond and Hannah, then Papa Ricky with Tiffany and Jacqueline. Next was Caleb with Jessie followed by Nick with Tessa. My sons and Lil Heath was already by the alter holding small pillows that the rings laid upon. Once our loves were handed to us we all turned to Momma Verna to see her bright smile light up. The music was turned off as she started to speak.
“ Dearly beloved we are here today to witness love come together. Although some would think these ten were crazy they would probably be right.” She pauses getting laughs before continuing “ But seriously these ten found a love that most could never find. I have seen each of them show that love in many ways. As a mother to six of them and a sister to four I hope those here today can feel their love too. So with that said I will let Heath start by making his vows be said.”
I nodded before turning to my five loves. Taking their hands three in my right and two in my left I began with a smile.
“ Each of you came into my life when I need love. Jasmine you were there when I was at my lowest thinking I would never find love again. You kept me straight on my path as I saw the world in a new light.” I say looking at Diamond to continue “ Diamond you are that next heart that showed me love also. You are wild and fun to be around. When I was being stupid you set me straight.” I say seeing tears before looking at Hannah “ Hannah you started as a sister, but confessed your love months ago to me.
You made it clear you wanted to be a part of what Jasmine and Diamond had. I am glad you did for I loved you just the same.” Again I see tears before looking at Tiffany” Tiffany what can I say you have known me the longest besides Jasmine. You broke my heart long ago, but never stopped loving me. You stayed true to yourself all those years with hope to be with me again, and here we are darlin. You gave us a daughter just as Jasmine and Diamond gave me sons.” I say feeling tears hit my hands looking at Jessie Lee “ Jessie just like Hannah you confessed your love for me and those next to you.
You wanted to be a part of me as well with them. I love you all so much, and want everyday to wake up with you in my arms.” I say pausing before looking at each one before I continue ending my vows “ I vow to all five of you I will never leave you. I will protect you all with all I am. I will stay true to my heart and all five of yours. Until my last breath I will be the husband you want, need, and desire until the end of time.”
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