Conflict

{Epilogue}

"Bitch! I just did your make-up and you already look like a train wreak!", Lisa said as she walked in with Kim, Gigi, and Amber behind her. They all look so lovely in their dark red bridesmaids dress.

"Don't yell at me! I'm nervous as hell! What if Jamarcus decides he doesn't want to marry me? What if he doesn't show up? What if his suit gets ruined? What if I hypothetically didn't tell him that I'm carrying his baby yet? I don't have anyone to give me away. What if no one shows up? What if I say the wrong thing or stumble over my words? What if I cry before I get out there? I'll look like a mess before my wedding. What if Jahlil isn't here? I need my son here. Let me call Emily."

Gigi took my phone out of my hand then pointed it at me.

"Look here Janelle, just breathe. I'm not sure who's more nervous: you or Jamarcus. I spoke to Jamarcus and Jahlil not too long ago. They are dressed and ready. Relax."

Lisa removed all my make-up then started reapplying it.

"Listen to Gigi on this one. She be right sometimes."

Gigi gave her a certain look that put a small smile on my face.

"Janelle you are a beautiful bride. Don't worry about anything. So what if you mess up on a word? We know what you mean. H-"

"Hold it all the way on up!!", Amber cut Kim off. "Lisa I'm surprised you didn't catch on to what this heifer just said! Janelle, you're pregnant?!"

I started to blush and look down at my beautiful dress. The top has a lacey corset feel to it while the bottom is big and puffed out. Jahlil helped me pick it out.

"Yes. I am, okay?"

"What?!", Kim, Amber, and Gigi said in unison causing me to laugh. Lisa licked her lips then formed a goofy ass smile on her face.

"Giiiiiiiiiiiiirl, I KNEW he was puttin it down! Bitch, you didn't tell us? Why?"

"I didn't know how. I'm not that far along. The only person who knew is Flo, and that's because I got sick one day at the restaurant. I'll tell him and everyone else later."

Flo is an elderly lady who works at MY restaurant, Cultural Cuisine. Sounds a lot like the name of my mother's restaurant, huh? That's because it is! Well was. In her Will, that no one knew she had, she left me the restaurant. If someone told me I would be a business owner, I would probably tell them that they were nuts.

I fully expected Tanisha or Tameka to end up with it.

"Yall, I can't believe this is happening to me. Me of all people! I feel like I've been trying to find myself all these years." I stood up from my seat and turned to look in the mirror. "And here I am. With my man, my family, and my friends, there is no triumph that I can't overcome."

Through the mirror I could see my girls wiping tears off their faces. I turned and opened my arms to them.

"Show me love?"

They all hurried over to hug me.

***

"Okay Janelle, this is it. You can do this.", I said aloud to myself before the piano started to play.

Before I could take my first step...

"Are you ready?" He came up beside me and locked arms with me. Tears splashed against my cheeks as I gave him a head nod.

Everyone stood to their feet as we made our way down the aisle. When we reached Jamarcus, Jahlil put my hands into his then took a step back.

"Who gives this woman away?"

"I do!", Jahlil said with the most adorable smile on his face.

He went and took his seat then the wedding began to go on.

Throughout my life, I've had to deal with a lot of conflict. Conflict with family, conflict with friends, conflict with others. Without Jamarcus, there is no telling where I'd be in my life right now. Luckily, I don't have to imagine life without him.

What do I call this moment in time?

Conflict Resolution.

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The End!

I may do a sequel to this book a little later in time. My next stop will probably be the sequel to Internal/External Battle. The sequel to this story, though, might be about Jahlil when he becomes a little older. Janelle may still be the center of attention. Who knows?

SPECIAL thanks to @NakeyiaPeacock for being my motivation to finish this one out.