Once In A Lifetime (Sequel to Secrets)

The Big Day: Part 1

*2 Weeks Later*

Ray's Pov

Today was the big day for Craig and Natalie. I should be happy to see my man get married. I love them both and want them to be happy. Deep down I feel like it should be me. I need to move on and I was. Well until I heard that they were seriously going through with marriage. To make matters worse I noticed Natalie's baby bump. That made me go crazy. That should be my child that she's carrying. I don't know what it is about her but I can't get over her. 😔

I look in the mirror and fix my hair.

"You alright man?" Asks Chris walking into the room.

"Not really. I feel like someone took my heart and broke it into a million pieces."

"Don't do this to yourself. We've already been through this. You had your chance with her, and you fucked up. It's time to keep it pushing. You can have any girl you want. Why you trippin over Natalie for?" Asks Chris

"You don't understand. How could you I mean you have a family. I'm the one watching the love of my life be with someone else."

"Maybe it was a bad idea you being In the wedding. Keep talking like this and Craig is gonna flip out. Please don't do nothing stupid." Says Chris

"I'll try not to."

"You must not of heard me, don't do no dumb shit! I ain't having it today. If something goes wrong Nikki is gonna beat my ass. The girls told me to keep an eye on you, and that's exactly what ima do." Says Chris

"I don't need a babysitter. I'm a grown ass man I handle my own."

"Apparently you can't otherwise I wouldn't be here watching you. Get yo shit together. You my boy and all, but Craig is my boy too. Y'all finally squashed your beef. Now you wanna go and fuck shit it up. Leave it alone man I'm begging you. I don't want to ruin their day. Imagine how Natalie will feel when she finds out what your trying to do." Says Chris

"Deep down I know she wants me too."

"Now I'm convinced that your crazy." Says Chris

"What's he doing now?" Asks Jacob walking into the room.

"Acting reckless." Says Chris

"Man shut up."

"Ray what are you up to?" Asks Jacob

"I'm getting my girl back."

"No you're not. I can't stand here and let you do that. Think about Hazel she will hate you if you ruin her Mother's Day." Says Jacob

"Don't y'all want me to be happy?"

"Yes but you're being selfish. You see how happy she's been right. It seems like she's doing just fine without you." Says Jacob

"I didn't say nothing when you fought for Aaliyah." 😒👏

"Nah nigga that's different. We have a child together." Says Jacob

"What's all this yelling I hear?" Asks Craig walking into the room.

"Craig man how you feeling?" Asks Jacob

"I'm not gonna front I'm nervous ass hell." Says Craig

"You can do this." Says Chris

"We've all been waiting forever. You're more than ready. Besides you got a little one on the way. Now y'all can be the perfect family." Says Jacob

"I know this is what I've always wanted. I can't believe it's finally happening. I didn't think Natalie would take me back. After cheating on her. To my surprise she did. I'm not gonna mess up this time." Says Craig fixing his tie.

I want to say something so bad, but I fight the urge and stay quiet.

"What's wrong with you Ray?" Asks Craig

"What you mean?"

"I don't know you just don't look like yourself today." Says Craig

"I'm straight."

"Alright if you say so." Says Craig
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Craig's Pov

I don't know what's up with Ray, but I'm getting a bad vibe. I hope he doesn't ruin my day. I understand that he still loves Natalie. It's obvious that she's not into him. I swear if he does anything stupid I will kill his ass. I can't bear to see my girl go through anymore pain. Especially stress the doctors already said she's way too stressed out. I don't want anything to happen to the baby.

I'm ready to get this over with. My nerves are really getting the best of me. I'm never nervous this is a first.

After everyone is dressed, we make our way outside. I wanted today to be special. So the wedding is on the beach. Today is the perfect day it's nice and sunny out.

"You ready?" Asks Chris

"I'm ready as I'll ever be. I hope I see all of get two the knot one day."

"Of course just no time soon. Me and Nikki are good. Too many crazy things have been happening lately. I'd rather wait until things cool down. But no doubt she's the girl I will one day marry. I can't picture myself with anyone else. Even though she drive my ass crazy. She's always had my back since day one." Says Chris

"Same here," says Jacob.

"Oh really? The way you and Aaliyah been arguing lately, I never would have guessed."

"We just going through a lot right now. It don't help with me battling to stay clean. It's a lot for her to deal with. I'm trying to get my shit together, I don't want my son thinking I'm a dead beat dad. Everything I do is for that little boy right there." Says Jacob pointing to baby Prince.

"That's what I like to hear. I hated seeing you on that stuff. I can't let you take all the blame. I was your pusher and I should have said no. Instead of letting get high off my product. Aaliyah would kill me if she knew. You didn't tell her did you?" 😳👀

"Hell no I'm no fool. I kept that part to myself." Says Jacob

"Oh good just checking. I don't want her reckoning my shit up." 😫

"Chill man you good." Says Jacob

"Remember when me and Nikki were going through it. She tried to cut my ass up." 😒 says Chris

"Hahahaha how could I forget. That was so funny." Says Ray

"Not really not when my precious face is at steak." Says Chris

"Man all our girls are a mess."

"Well I do like my women crazy." 😏 says Jacob

"Oh trust me we know." Says Ray

"Enough gossip we gotta get down the isle."

I start to walk down to the front of the alter. I stand in my spot and the guys get in line behind me.

I look over and see my pastor.

"Hey Pastor Brown."

"Hello Craig today's the big day. You ready to be one with Natalie?" Asks Pastor Brown

"Of course I'm been waiting for this day."

"Glad to hear it. It's a beautiful thing when two people love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together. Now a days these young people don't know the meaning of love. They will date multiple people at one time. No one takes relationships serious anymore. Your generation has a lot to learn. I'm happy to see a young man like yourself ready to settle down." Says Pastor Brown

"I can't say that I've been perfect. I'm sure you've heard about what happen. I was at one point unfaithful to Natalie. Thankfully it was only once and I learned my lesson. I'm just happy to have a second chance."

"This is why I've always like you. You always have a positive out look on everything. You know more than anyone that I believe in second chances. The important thing is that you learned from your mistake. So you don't end up in the same predicament as before. I've know you since you was a little boy. I feel honored to be the one to unite you and Natalie." Says Pastor Brown

"Thank you that means a lot to me. I feel much better, now that we talked. Your words of encouragement as helped me. I don't feel nervous anymore."

"Good." Says Pastor Brown

The music starts to play. It's showtime. 😁

Everyone gets in their spot.

All of the guest start to take their seat. I look in the audience and see Natalie's parents. I have to say through all of our drama, her parents never stopped loving me. They were the main ones rooting for us. It was my mom who was skeptical of Natalie. She would say that Natalie is unstable. She changed her mind after I was shot. Natalie never left my side. When I look back at everything I've been through, I don't regret a thing. All of my struggles have only made me stronger. I look into the audience and see all of my loved ones here to support me on this day.

I hear singing and I see Hazel throwing flower petals down the walk way. My baby girl is growing so fast. ☺️

As she walks by Hazel smiles at me. Next comes baby prince and Chris jr. They are both the ring carrier. Chris Jr is holding baby Princes hand. It's the cutest thing ever. I look over at Chris and Jacob and see them cheesing like crazy. I can't wait until my little man gets here.

I finally see the braid-maids. There wearing purple and Mia is the first one I see. Followed by Nikki, Aaliyah, Melanie, and Cecilia. They all look amazing I can only imagine what my baby looks like.

It seems like forever waiting for Natalie. But then everyone turns their head and I look up and see her. The biggest smile came across my face. Me and Natalie looked at each other for the longest. It felt like it was just me and her. I couldn't take my eyes off her. She truly was breath taking. My nerves finally went away. All I could think about was saying I do.

Her father kissed her on the cheek before handing her off to me. She stood next to me, and I whispered "You look beautiful."

She smiled and whispered back "and you look so handsome."

We turned toward Pastor Brown.

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses to join Criag Crippen and Natalie Allen in matrimony."

Pastor Brown continues to talk, then he lets us say our vows.

I take Natalie's hand in mine and brace myself.

"Natalie words can't even describe how happy I am to call you mine. I know people have had their doubts about us. I never once questioned our relationship. I don't care what anyone says. You were meant for me and I was meant for you. I love you and I love Hazel. She's the daughter I never had. I'm so thankful to have you both in my life. I know I put you through a lot. We've had our ups and downs but through it all you've never left my side. Natalie your the girl of my dreams. A life without is life you is a life not worth living. Whenever I'm mad, stressed, or sad all of my feelings go away as soon as I see you. You have the power to make me forget about everything. When we're together, I never want to let you go. Baby you're my best friend, my lover, my everything. I had no idea what love was until I met you."

"Craig that was wonderful, now that you have spoke, Natalie you can say your vows." Says Pastor Brown.

"Craig you are the man of my dreams. You're my night and shimming armor. Before I met you, I was tired and broken down. I didn't think that love was even possible. You put the pieces of my life back together. You took Hazel in and treated her like she was your own. I know your going to be a great father to our child, because you already are to Hazel. Whenever we're together I feel like I'm the happiest girl in the world. When you kiss me I feel like a teenage girl all over again, I get butterflies inside me. When we aren't together I go crazy. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I want us to grow old together and watch our kids grow up." Says Natalie

After we both say our vows, Pastor Brown makes us repeat after him.

"I Craig Crippen take you Natalie Allen to be my wife my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live."

"I Natalie Allen take you Craig Crippen to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live." Says Natalie

"We will now take the rings." Says Pastor Brown

Someone picks up baby Prince and takes the rings from him.

I turn to Natalie and say "I give you Natalie this ring as an enteral symbol of my love and commitment to you." I put the ring on her finger. Then Natalie turns to me.

"I give you Craig this ring as an internal symbol of my love and commitment to you." Says Natalie

Thank goodness no one objected. For some odd reason I really thought Ray might object, but he didn't. 😌

"By the power vested in me by the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride. Says Pastor Brown

The moment I've been waiting for. I grab Natalie and pull her into a kiss.

"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Crippen." Says Pastor Brown

Everyone starts to clap, and I hear my boys yell.

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Sorry for any errors. More on the way. There's a few chapters left, before this book will come to an end. 😔 I will admit this book got me in my feelings. 🙈