He's standing, having a casual talk with Dad and looking like he's getting the thrill of his life from whatever their conversation is. Beside him is a beautiful, black woman, whose hands are wrapped around his and I'm not sure if it's from fear or the fact that she's nervous but still, she's not the type of woman he'd go for. She's is wearing an orange mini gown and she seems to be having the time of her life too and once in a while Keenan would look down at her with a smile I know so well. Scratch that, she's his type in every way.
Why haven't I seen the lady before?
A pang of jealousy grows in me, knowing how much Taylor has been affected by Keenan's presence, especially seeing him in the arms of another woman. And I know she might not have deep feelings for him, but the look on her face shows that a part of her will always belong to him and as much as I hate and resent it, I have to accept it to be true.
Choosing not to dwell on something I can't change, I pull closer to her, "We could go meet him." I whisper into Taylor's ear and her gaze breaks from Keenan and she looks at me, looking lost and confused.
"W...What?" she finally understands what I just suggested and stutters out, looking up at me.
"We could go meet him," I repeat, this time more audibly and she nods wordlessly; so I take her hand and we walk towards them.
"And you will do well to take care of yourself son, now more than ever," he says, his eyes darting between Keenan and the lady.
"You're right, sir, I will try," he replies with a happy smile.
Dad says his goodbyes as to Keenan and the Lady and moves on to talk to other guests. The lady says something and Keenan smiles and when he turns around, his eyes meet us and the smile on his face vanishes leaving his eyes cold and his face holding a grimace.
"Hey, Keenan, I'm glad you could make it," I say, offering him a handshake and he takes it and nods casually.
"I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world." he replies and he turns to Taylor and gives her a small smile and then turns to me, "Congratulation, man, you both truly deserve everything good."
Keenan has always been the bigger man amongst the two of us, he never backs down or turns anyone down because his feelings got hurt, he stands by you. He did that by not throwing our friendship away after he lost Phoebe because of it and he's doing that now by being here even though Taylor broke his heart not too long ago.
I on the other hand will not accept an invitation to an engagement party of someone I used to be with and that's why Keenan is the better man.
He's not petty nor childish.
I smile and nod at him, "Thanks. You know what they say, he who finds a wife has found a good thing." I wrap my arms around Taylor's waist and pulls her closer, "I believe that's what I've got.
Something flicker in Keenan's eyes and he opens his mouth to respond but shut it when Taylor begins to speak.
"Who is she?" Taylor demands out of the blue and it takes everyone by surprise at her hard and brutal tone.
"Yes, man, who is she? I haven't seen her around before." I begin to say in a much cool, nice and friendly tone, reducing the tension that seems to have built up between the four of us at her demand.
Keenan smile is small. "Varisha, meet Rory John Gate and Taylor Snowfall, my good friends and Rory, Taylor meet Vary Klean Hilton, my wife."
"Your wife?!" we both exclaim and the few guests around who heard turn to look at us.
"How? When? Where?" I ask, my mouth still agape in surprise.
He just chuckles, "It's a long story, bro, I've known Vary for years now and so it's not a surprise to me, but to most people," his eye wanders to Taylor who silently stares at Vary before going back to his wife and he withdraws his arm from her hold and wraps it around her waist possessively "It might be."
I exhale, not seeing it coming, I thought Keenan was all in with Taylor and I guess I was wrong, "What can I say? I'm shocked! Really."
"Told you I was going to beat you to the altar when it comes to finding the right one." he teases and I do remember him making that vow ten years ago that he'd be married before I can marry the woman I truly loved, but I never knew he was serious until now.
I have been married before, but everyone knew that she wasn't the right one. So technically he beats me to it.
I nod in affirmation, "You did, and I should have believed you, congratulation, Keenan and Mrs Varisha Klean Hilton." I say, offering my hand out for a shake and the nice Lady shakes it and I give her a happy smile before saying, "Welcome to the family."
One week later
"Isn't someone going to give their buddy a kiss before going to pre school?" I ask Reign who is being led out by Rachel towards the waiting limo. She's in her pink top and blue jean and her brown hair packed into a loose ponytail. She has her cute Barbie bag hanging behind her and marching towards the car in haste. She has this eagerness for book, learning and school which most kids her age do not have, I know I was never excited to go to school my whole life, had to be dragged to school as a kid while I screamed and kicked in an effort to escape.
She turns to me, and I offer her my wide goofy grin, "Did not know you were awake, it's early." she says with an innocent shoulder shrug.
I gap jokingly, but the eyes she gives me almost makes me bark out a laugh. "I was!" I exclaim dramatic, "Are you going to kiss me now or not?" I place my hands on my waist in a dramatic way.
"Yes!" she replies, nodding eagerly.
"Okay then." I spread my arms wide and bend down. Reign let go of Rachel's hand and runs to me and hugs me and I put my arms around her little frame.
"How was your night princess?" I ask, beaming at her.
"It was okay, Rory and yours?"
"Good, can I tell you some secret? " she nods and I proceed, "sei davvero carina oggi (you look really pretty today.)"
Smiling happily she says, "Grazier, Rory, (Thank you, Rory.)" she leans in and kisses my cheeks.
I noticed the little girl loved speaking Italian with her mother as much as she loved speaking English and I learnt Italian years ago from taking classes and from Keenan as well. So I am able to speak the language and make her even more comfortable with me.
"You're welcome, princess, have fun at school okay?" I kiss her forehead before letting her run back to Rachel. She waves at me quickly before entering the car and they drove off.
After the engagement, Taylor and Reign moved in with me and sold their house. Reign at first didn't feel okay with the whole environment, but after few days, she began coping with everything and now she's happy and that makes me happy.
Taylor walks out a moment later already dressed for work.
"Thought you would be gone by now." she remark, putting on her earrings and holding a black diamond necklace in her hand.
She's wearing a milk colour silky gown reaching her kneel and she has a black suit on top of it, making her looks both formal and casual at the same time.
"I was just with Reign," I answer, watching her try to put on her necklace, and missing every time. "Let me help." I offer, moving behind her and when she lets go, I move her hair away from her neck and I help her put on the necklace.
I let her hair fall and I move to stand before her to stare into her eyes. "You look beautiful," I say, and she looks away from my eyes, but I take hold of her face and make her look at me. "I mean it. Always."
"Thanks." she flashes me one of her many unreadable smiles and she kisses me on the cheek. "I'll need to speak to Nancy and ask her to assist Phoebe-" she begins to say, but I cut her off with a silencing kiss on her lips.
"Phoebe's got it, I don't want you to do a thing for this wedding, I've got it."
Her cheek heats up and she bites her lips before nodding, "Okay, you will get no intrusion from me anymore." she promises with a smile.
"Thank you." I glance down at my wristwatch, "I should probably go, I've got things to catch up on." I smile at her.
She waves as I enter the car, "Good luck at the office."
"You too, I love you."