Kingsbridge (a Nas Story)

PROLOGUE

Nasir | January 1998

I stood at the alter with shaken nerves. We were far from home and there was no way to turn back. Not that I wanted to. I adjusted the top hat over my waves nervously as the doors to the mansion opened.

I could make out two silhouettes before me. One wearing a black tailored suit with a red rose peeking from his breast pocket. The other silhouette—my wife.

'The Love Theme' from The Godfather's soundtrack began to play as George slowly lead Giana down the aisle towards me. Her face was covered in a thin, mesh material of her viel.

The guests stood on their feet as she walked slowly over the white carpet. Some of them taking photos with their disposable cameras as she stepped to the beat (or lack there of) of the musical score.

Her dress was cut above knee length and the straps of her dress draped beautifully over her shoulders. A layering of diamonds and pearls decorated her neck. She hooked her right arm under George's.

Her stockings were sheer white and her feels were opened toed and platform. Her hair was down her back, loosely curled and tucked behind her ears. The closer she had gotten to where I was standing, the more legible the writing on her viel was.

Etched with precision, the hemming of her viel read: 'An offer you can't refuse' in red embroidery. I laughed as I threw my head back. My baby brother, Jungle, patted my shoulder like a proud father.

George held Gia's hand as he walked her up the elevated platform safely. We all turned to the officiate of our wedding ceremony.

"January 3rd is a special day for this lovely couple. Today is not only their fifth year anniversary, but the first day of marriage for many years to come." Said the officiate. She was a black woman named Eliza that we found to be fitting to marry us during the wedding planning process.

"On this momentous day, who has the highest honor of giving this woman away to this man?" Eliza turns her gaze to George. I looked at George with a cheeky grin as he turns to Giana with a smile on his face.

"I do." George said with his heavy, Italian New Yorker accent. He leaned over to kiss Gia's forehead over her viel as he took her hand into his.

"Giana, I'm so honored to give you away." He said to her. He held her hand a bit longer before placing her hand into mine. He placed a firm hand over my white, coat covered shoulder.

"Nasir, I'm proud of you. You've come a long way, kid." George said into my ear. "You take care of my daughter, you hear?" George squeezed my shoulder his with hand.

"No doubt." I said with a smile as I shook George's hand firmly. I watched him turn on the hells of his loafers as he stepped off of the platform and sat next to my mother in law.

"You all may be seated." Eliza said to our guests as the took their seats in the garden of this decked out Sicilian mansion we rented for this very moment.

"Giana and Nasir have been together for five years and share a beautiful four year old son who will be helping me out today." Eliza said with a smile as she looked down at our boy who wasn't a baby anymore. He was a grown man trapped inside of a little body.

He was so smart and could talk circles around you. He's top student in his pre-school and can draw his ass off for a boy his age. Looking at him hold our wedding rings in his hand made me smile at him.

"Destined, are you ready to marry your mom and dad?" Eliza asked as she crouched down to his level to put the microphone in his face.

"Yeah!" He said with excitement. All of the guests laughed at our baby boy.