125. The Right Dress 💰

Last night, I left my house and drove to Monica's amusement park, mega mansion. I never would've thought in a million years that this would be our lives. Monica was waiting outside of her massive double doors when I pulled into her circular drive away.

She jumped up and down when I got out the car.

"Girl, I've been standing out here forever!" She told me.

"Why is your house five hours away from the gate's entrance though?

Monica smirked, "I just picked the house. I didn't design it."

I shook my head.

"Where's your bags?" She asked me.

"In the trunk." I opened it with my key.

Soon, we carried my three bags inside her house.

I was speechless. "Is this house bigger than the Rivers' Residence?"

Monica shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know the square footage, but the back yard is bigger." Monica led the way through her house to the guest bedroom.

"Cousin, I can't believe you've been sleeping in this house by yourself."

"I don't. I make Zeke Facetime me so we can go to sleep together."

I shook my head.

"I know he ends it when he knows I'm sleep. He doesn't like to charge his phone overnight."

They were already husband and wife in my head.

Monica and I went up a flight of stairs and then crossed a walk way where you could see downstairs on both sides. Finally, we arrived at two doors. She opened one and walked inside.

I followed her inside one of the biggest bedrooms I've ever been in. "Are you sure this is a guest room?"

"Yeah. Why?" Monica asked me.

"Looks like a guest room for the Royal Family."

Monica thought I was a comedian. "Cousin, this is the family suite. So whenever we have relatives over, y'all can sleep in here. This room has a closet and private bathroom. There's two more rooms on this side, but they're smaller and they share a bathroom." She put one of my bags on the bed.

"Where is your room?" I asked her.

"Downstairs towards the back of the house. It's just a tad bit bigger than this room, but don't worry I'll be sleeping in here with you tonight."

I dropped my bags on the floors before stretching my arms. "Monica, this is a lot of house."

"It is now, but we plan to have four kids. I had to argue Zeke down to that number. That crazy man was talking about seven kids, because it would complete our family." She rolled her eyes.

"Really?" I asked her. "You really bring out another side to Zeke."

Monica smacked her lips. "No, that man just chooses to share it all with me. Sometimes, I'm like Zeke slow down. Can we see how these newlywed years are gonna be before we jump to year 10?"

I smiled, "Y'all are such a couple."

"My dress arrived today. You want to see it?" She asked me.

"Now you know--"

Monica grabbed my hand before I could completely answered.

We ended up going down stairs to a far away room that stored several shoes, purses, and clothes like a boutique.

"What kind of storage room is this?"

"Oh, we entered my closet through the back door," she said so casually.

Who on earth has a back door to their closet? From this point on, I decided to not count my cousin's blessings; especially, when she wasn't boasting about it.

Monica rolled out a beautiful ombre blush pink dress. It had a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was in a detailed, lace design with two loose straps. The dress was fitted at the hips, and flared at the thigh with layers of fabric. It was the perfect dress for Monica.

"What do you think?" She asked me.

I was speechless. "It's gorgeous. I wish I was there when you picked it out and tried it on."

Monica brightly smiled, "What are you talking about, Jamie? You had to work. This is my wedding, whether people participate or not. As long as Zeke is the groom, I'm good."

My hair stood up. "Zeke?" I don't know why I just noticed that She's been referring to her fiancée as Zeke instead of E.

"Oh, it was suggested to use his preferred name so people would know who I was talking about. Don't want people gossiping about the bride and another man."

I rolled my eyes. "You're talking like it's gonna be more than family and friends there. Did y'all invite the paparazzi or something?"

"Of course not, but if the location gets leaked, all we can do is rely on security to do their job."

I agreed, "And you don't think about anything except saying 'I do.'"

Monica nodded her head. "Are you ready to see your Maid of Honor dress?"

How could I forget about my dress? I covered my eyes as Monica went to get my dress.

"Open your eyes," she told me.

My mouth was wide open. In front of me was a long, gold sequin dress with thick straps and a slit on the side.

"You like it?"

"Yes. This is cute, but you don't think it's too much?"

"Not for my cousin!" Monica took it off the hanger. "Go try it on. Don't worry about unzipping it. It's fitted, but it's very stretchy. I'm going to go get us something to drink. I'll be right back."

I held the dress in my hand, and I could feel the weight of it. It was like I finally came to the realization that everything was changing. My only cousin who is like my sister was getting married. No longer would she be a few minutes away to hang out. I know we can call and even fly out to visit one another, but our lives would be moving in different directions. Maybe, that's why we were blessed to spend so much time with one another. Ughhh! I can't believe I'm about to cry, and the wedding hasn't even happened yet. Before a tear could escape, I removed my clothes and put on the dress.

Monica was not lying. It was a comfortable gown. I made a few poses when I stood in front of one of her floor to ceiling mirrors. Then, I took the dress for a catwalk. I felt like I was at the Grammy's all over again. Jae A.B. wins Record of the Year for Choose, Best R&B Performance for Home, Best Music Video for Easy, and Best New Artist. I did a spin just as Monica walked in holding two water bottles.

"I knew you would like it!" She handed me a water.

"It's so comfortable, Moni. I feel like I can run around in this dress."

Monica gave me a stern look. "Umm, no. That's a 30 thousand dollar dress."

I almost spit out the water for the flavor alone. I looked at it. "Watermelon?"

"It's good for you," Monica told me.

I looked at my cousin. "You paid 30 thousand dollars for this dress?"

"Mine was double that."

After a moment of silence, we both laughed.

"I'm willing to go overboard with this wedding, honeymoon, the house, and vacations, but everyday? We will not."

That's the Monica I know. "But this water... it tastes like dried up watermelon without the seeds."

Monica said, "Zero calories, though. I gotta be able to fit in my wedding dress."

I pointed at her dress. "If it feels anything like the one I'm wearing, you'll be able to fit it even if you were three months pregnant."

"That's true!"

That evening, we ordered food and stayed up until two in the morning talking and watching movies. Waking up late, we rushed out the house at 7:15 a.m. Our flight was to depart at 8:25 a.m. Goodbye, L.A.

Hello, East Grove. We arrived at the hotel where the wedding party was staying. Security was tight. Monica learned that tourist from all over flew to East Grove when a rumor spread that two celebrities were getting married. People assumed that Zeke would be attending Larry's wedding. I was glad for that narrative, because the way people could investigate online was better than any detective. I couldn't imagine my cousin's life if people knew that Zeke Rivers was marrying a popular YouTuber. Her private life would become public domain for all to unfairly criticize.

That morning, Monica and I slept in - sharing a hotel room. That afternoon, we did what misbehaving cousins do - play on the elevator, go to the gym and play on the equipment, go to a private banquet and take some food to go, go to the computer room and play games on the internet, and finally we snuck into Zeke's hotel room minutes before he walked in.

He jumped on top of Monica when he saw her.

I couldn't clear my throat loud or fast enough.

"Ah!" Monica happily screamed. "E, that tickles!"

Zeke kissed her neck. "I missed you so much, baby."

"I missed you, too."

"I'll see y'all later." I quickly walked out the room, escaping into the hall.

"Jamie?"

I looked down the hall to see A.B. holding a door open.

The sight of him took my breath away. I waved at him. "Hey, stranger."

A.B. walked towards me. "I thought you and Monica were still asleep. How was your flight?"

"We almost missed it, but it was good."

A.B. stood in front of me. "How does it feel to be back home?"

I thought about it. "Hmmm... Feels like I've been away too long."

"You want to go for a walk?" He asked me.

I nodded my head.

Our hands naturally bonded as we walked side-by-side. This definitely felt right.