"You sure I look good? You better not have me out here looking crazy," Kevin teased.
I laughed. "Relax. You look fine baby." Kevin looked himself over in the mirror one last time. I grabbed my purse off of the counter with all of my things and grabbed Kevin's arm. "Let's goooo. I don't want to be late sir." He chuckled and grabbed his phone and keys.
"Are you sure you're going the right way," I asked, "I could've sworn that the restaurant is the other way." Kevin grabbed my hand. "I'm going the right way. I know where I'm going." I side- eyed him. "No you don't."
After about fifteen minutes we pulled up in front of an apartment building instead of the restaurant." I looked around confused. "Kevin. Why are we here---" I paused for a moment, "and is that my parents car?" I peered out the windshield then I looked over at him. "Baby what's going on?"
Kevin chuckled. "Your parents wanted me to bring you here. They have something for you," Kevin said to me. I raised my eyebrow suspiciously. "Okay. What is it," I asked. Kevin chuckled again. "You have to get out of the car to find out babe." I looked at Kevin and unbuckled my seatbelt. I opened the car door and stepped out. I walked over to my parents car and peered in the passenger window. I knocked on it. My mom opened up the door. "Heeey Lys," she said as she stepped out of the car and hugged me. "Hey mommy," I said as I wrapped my arms tightly around her. My dad got out of the car and dapped up Kevin. "What's up son-in-law," I heard my dad say from the other side of the car. My ears perked up. "Son-in-law," I said looking between them. I quickly pulled Kevin aside. "Do they know," I mumbled. Kevin just looked at me and grinned. He walked away from me and met up with my parents at the front door.
"Kev," I called out to him.
"Baby just come inside," he laughed. He waited for me at the door and grabbed my hand when I stepped inside.
We took an elevator up to the third floor. I held onto his arm. He kissed my forehead. I looked up at him and traced his lips with my fingers. "I love you." My mom stole a quick glance of us and smiled.
The elevator stopped and we stepped out. We walked up to apartment 313. My mom took out a pair of keys and unlocked the door. My parents walked inside ahead of us. "Tada," my mom said holding out her arms. "What do you think?"
I looked around the spacious loft. "It's beautiful," I gasped. "Y'all moving in," I exclaimed excitedly. My parents laughed. "No. You are," my dad said. I looked between them both. "What? Are you serious? Oh my goodness. Thank you guys so much," I squealed as I hugged them both.
"But there's more," my mom said to me.
"Huh? Whatchu talkin' bout mama?" My parents chuckled. My siblings along with some of my other family members popped out of various places in the loft. "Surprise," they shouted out. I was so shocked as they came up to me to hug me. "Oh my goodness. Hey guys," I said excitedly. "I'm so happy to see y'all." Someone tapped me on the shoulder and it was Janelle and Adrian. "Oh my gosh. Hey! I can't believe y'all are here," I squealed giving them a hug. "Congratulations on your new place. It's beautiful." Thanks Janelle. "I'm so glad y'all here," I beamed.
"Attention everyone! We have an announcement to make," my mom called out. I turned around to give my mom my attention, but when I looked down Kevin was on one knee in front of me. "Kevin what are you---" Everyone started surrounding us with cheers. He dug in his pocket and pulled out a ring. "I know you are not---" I said in shock. I was starting to get misty. "Kev you are not about to do this---"
"Let the man speak girl," my dad teased. Everyone laughed.
"He held up the ring and grinned. "I know we haven't been dating long," he started, "but after our first date I could tell that you were it for me. From the very beginning you filled me with so much joy and when I'm with you time stops. My homies can atest to that," he laughed, "because when I'm with you I'm not thinking about nothing or no one else." "Nothing but facts," one of his friends shouted out." Laughter carried throughout the room. "Baby my world is empty without you in it." "Damn! It's like that cuh," another one of his friends shouted out. Kevin laughed. "Yeah it's like that man. Shut up," he joked. "You interrupting my proposal." Laughter erupted from around the room. "What I'm saying is," Kevin chuckled, "I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Everyone was cheering. Two of my brothers patted him on the back encouraging him to continue. "Alyssa Victoria James will you marry me?"
"You better say yes," one of my sisters shouted out. I laughed and wiped my eyes. "Kevin Marcel Davis. I would be honored to be your wife," I said. He eagerly placed the ring on my finger. "Look at that it's the perfect fit too," he laughed. Kevin got up off of his knee and wrapped me in a hug. I held his face and kissed him. "I love you," I said giving him a few pecks on the lips. "I love you too," he said. Everyone cheered.
My dad popped open a bottle of champagne. "It's time to celebrate!" My dad poured everyone a glass. "To Alyssa and Kevin!" He shouted. Everyone raised their glasses. "Alyssa and Kevin!"
Kevin swooped me up again and kissed me. "You are so slick," I laughed. "How'd you get my parents on board? And my brothers? You met them?" I bombarded him with a ton of questions and everyone laughed. "With the help of Janelle," he laughed, "I took the initiative one weekend to meet your family and spend time with them. I was a lil nervous, but they welcomed me with open arms." I was so shocked. "And if my brothers like you that's a really big deal. What'd you do?" I asked looking up at him.
"Aye what happens between brothers stay between brothers," one of my brothers shouted out. "Um. I appreciate the fact that y'all bonded and everything, but that's not gon' work, because I'm about to be Mrs. Kevin Davis." Everyone laughed.
As time went on everyone came up to congratulate Kevin and I, hug us, and offer us words of encouragement. Before everyone left I wanted to say something. "Excuse me everyone," I called out. They started to quiet down within a few minutes. They gave me their attention. "I just want to say that the outpour of love you all have shown me tonight has been paramount. I am so thankful that you all came out to support Kevin and I. I was truly surprised by this all and am so glad that you were all a part of this." I started tearing up again. "I love y'all more than y'all know."
"Awww Lys," everyone started and surrounded me in a big group hug. After a few seconds they let me go. I dabbed at my eyes. I blew a kiss at my parents. "Y'all are the best." I looked over at Kevin. "I love you baby. I love you so much." I kissed him again, more passionately this time though. "Alright that's enough," one of my brothers teased. Everyone laughed. I turned away from them and playfully kissed him so more.
After a few more minutes people startled to trickle out. They hugged me as they left. My parents were some of the last ones to leave. I thanked them profusely for the loft and hugged them tightly as they headed out. Only Adrian and Janelle were left now.
"I'd love to stay and chat, but I know y'all want the place to yourself," Janelle teased, "So, we're gonna head out."
I chuckled. "Okay love," I said reaching out to give her a hug. Come over tomorrow and let me know when you're back on campus. I reached over and hugged Adrian. "Thank you so much for coming. I really appreciate y'all." After I shut the door behind them I wandered around the loft with Kevin not too far behind me.
"Wow. My parents really out did themselves. This place is really beautiful."
"Yeah. They really did," Kevin chimed in from a little distance behind me.
I stopped at my bedroom door and peered in. I walked in and looked around. My parents wanted me to decorate my place how I wanted it, but they set up a temporary bedset in my room so I wouldn't have to sleep on the floor. I was so thankful.
"Lys," Kevin called out to me from far away.
"Yeah," I called out as I left my bedroom. "Kev where you at," I said as I walked into the living room. Not seeing him there I walked into the kitchen.
"Damn. This loft must be bigger than I think if Kevin can hide his ass in here," I said to myself. "Babe where are yooou?" I left out of the kitchen. "In here," I heard Kevin say. I started to hear music playing. I walked down a little hallway and towards a den-like room I didn't even know existed until now. It was hidden a good ways back from the kitchen.
I walked inside and saw Kevin standing on the other side of the room
"Hey," I smiled.
"Hey," he smiled back.
I walked over to him and grabbed the red wine he offered me. I said thank you and took a sip. I peered over the glass and looked at him before removing it from my lips.
"What," he grinned.
I replied, "nothing," and sat the glass down on the nearby table.
He chuckled and grabbed me by my waist. "What," he said again, his voice now a whisper in my ear. Feeling his body pressed up against mine felt safe. I looked into his eyes and then let my eyes linger over his lips. "I just---I can't believe that I actually get to marry you," I smiled. He sat his glass down beside mine and looked at me. "I'm really the lucky one though. I get to marry the woman of my dreams." I blushed unexpectedly.
"Kevin---"
"What? I'm serious," he interjected. He looked down at me and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. "Let's toast," he said picking up both of our glasses.
I raised my brow as I took the glass from his hand. "Okay. A toast to---"
"The Davis'," Kevin chimed in.
I raised my glass and clinked it with his. "To the Davis'," I smiled.