A male soloist sang Stevie Wonder’s “You and I” as Kennedy walked down the aisle. She was stunning in a strapless ivory ball gown. Her train stretched out almost ten feet behind her. Her hair was pulled back in a neat ball of pin curls, showing off her pristine face. By the time she reached the altar, tears of joy were dropping one after the other. Chaz had to take his handkerchief and wipe her face.

Arnessa sat in her chair, thinking how she had seen weddings only in the movies. She was amazed at how Kennedy just glowed beautifully in her dress. Never giving much thought to marriage before, Arnessa now wondered if she would ever be someone’s bride.

Little did she know that Butta was watching her from the corner of his eye, thinking, In a few years we could be up there. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something made him feel that Arnessa was that special one. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t fight that feeling. For Butta and Arnessa the wedding was the perfect getaway, with all the drama that was unfolding in New York.

Cenise sat to the right of Arnessa, happy to be there. She hadn’t wanted to come at first, but Arnessa made her come along for her own protection. There was no telling what could happen if she was left alone in the city. Cenise was elated when she found out that she was going to the wedding of Kennedy and Chaz, two of her favorite rappers.

Kennedy placed her trembling right hand in Chaz’s palm, and she began to recite her own vows. “Chaz, you are caring, charming, humorous, and charismatic. You are a wonderful son, a responsible father, and a terrific friend. Chaz, you are the man of my dreams. I’m so glad that you’re mine. My love will never leave you, for it will always be with you, beyond time, space, and throughout all eternity.”

It was rare that Chaz shed a tear, unless he was suffering from pain. Kennedy’s words had caused a few to escape his eyes. One thing was for sure, she had his heart. Besides his mother, she was the only woman for whom he’d cried. Though he’d performed on stages in front of thousands, he’d never experienced the emotional mix of excitement, joy, and nervousness that he felt as he gazed at Kennedy. She was the only one for him. He’d known it from their first date. Only a few couples could go through the things that they had and come out unscathed. Quickly, Chaz wiped his face, ready to recite the words that he’d been rehearsing for the last week. Before he began, he gave Kennedy’s grandmother, Big Ma, a wink. If it weren’t for her, the union of Chaz and Kennedy would have ceased to exist. She was the one who’d nursed Kennedy back to health after her breakdown. Big Ma was the one who’d brought them back together once Kennedy was healed. No one was happier than she to see this day.