Until Her

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“Girl, you are cheesing from ear to ear."

I was smiling pretty hard. Despite Vivian and her brand of crazy, I know that everything is going to be all right. I’m not going to think about all the bad s**t that can happen. I’m only going to see the good. Jackson will catch his man, and then he'll come home to me.

"Yeah, love does that to you,” I say in a dreamy voice.

''Apparently," India says, sitting next to me.

"You bring up the destination wedding?"

"Yeah, he gave me the green light to plan."

India darts off the couch and does a little dance and shimmy, clapping her hands wildly like a crazy woman.

"Hell to the yeah. Jamaica, here we come. Time to get back to the roots of it all. Hot men, and even hotter nights. HOLLA!"

“Indi. Calm. Down.”

"Did I hear Jamaica?" Joey asks.

''You sho did, Joey Cavanaugh, and guess who is planning that b***h? Me, dawg, me!"

I'm excited. But my current ailments won’t let me get up and celebrate. But I'm jamming on the inside. I'm picturing white sandy beaches, mojitos, and sweaty, naked nights. Turquoise water, island music, and all the scenery Jamaica has to offer. I’ve only been a few times for photo shoots. My mom’s side of the family is Jamaican, but if you ask her now, all she’s willing to talk about is her southern roots. She’s never been to the country of her ancestors. It makes me happy that she’ll be able to go now. Either way, I’m excited. I’m not sure about the honeymoon, but I know I want it to be long and wonderful.

"India, pull out the computer. I already know a place," I say. I did a photo shoot once in Negril, and it was perfect. "Gurl, if I know you, it’s trendy. But let me get this one out the gate. I kind of have an inside contact on this.”

I’m not about to stop Indi or any of her ideas. If she wants to handle this, I’m all for letting her set up shop and run with it. I have too much on my mind with all the doctors and worrying about whether or not my man is going to make it out of the current s**t storm unscathed. I nod.

"Oh, Anna, I’m so happy for you. I hope this happens after the little Cavanaugh gets here. I want to wear a beautiful dress that fits."

"Oh, Joey, I got you. You're gonna be a radiant Matron of Honor," I say.

"Sweetie, I plan on rocking it like it’s nobody’s business, and then, of course, rocking Treat."

We all laugh.

"We know you'll be rocking that fine ass man of yours," India says, eyeing Joey from head to toe.

“All right we need to cap the guest list to intimate. Family and close friends only."

"Agreed," I say.

We're excited about making plans. India takes the computer from me and starts doing research. Joey is making a list of potential guests, and Ava is screaming that she wants to be the prettiest princess.

“You will be, Ladybug," I assure her.

"You promise, Honey?"

I still can’t get over how Ava calls me Honey. It’s cute, although deep down, I like Honey Mom, better.

"I promise."

"Yay!" Ava screams, twirling around in circles until she gets dizzy and plops on her butt.

''All right, Ava. Let’s clean up this mess on the floor and table and let Honey and India go over wedding stuff. You and I will help Uncle Treat.”

"Okay.”

Ava is all too happy to help clean up. Although she does more directing than anything else.

"Hey, India."

"Yeah, toots, what’s up?"

"After the doctor and therapy tomorrow, can we stop off somewhere?"

“Anywhere you want to go, I got you.”

"Let’s go by the shop, and then I want to look at some tattoo places.”

"You want ink? You know Skrilla does that at Quincy’s shop.”

“Yeah, take me to Q’s. I have a tattoo in my head. I think it will be perfect. Gotta heal first, I know, but it’s a great celebration of life piece.”

“Okay, cuz, I got you.”