June 9, 1983
Reporter:
We are live on one of the biggest days in music history. Right now I am standing in front of the Beverly Hills Hotel where in about an hour probably the biggest wedding ceremony of the year will be held! That's right! The two most popular Hollywood stars, Michael I Jackson and Aaliyah Haughton will be tying the knot here tonight. Only three weeks after Liyah being hospitalized due to lack of nutrition and dehydration, Michael proposed to her in their apartment they share together in Los Angeles. It was kept quiet for five weeks before the engagement was recently made public two weeks ago on an interview here on Entertainment Tonight with Promise. Liyah, the crazy in love bride was shy about the whole thing, but did show off her ten carat diamond ring to Lisa saying, and I quote, I am deeply in love with him. He's everything any girl could want in a guy. He's he's sweet and funny. He's very understanding. He's my bestfriend, my lover, and I look forward to spending our years together. It's really hard for me to explain exactly what my feelings are towards him because I'm lost for words, but he does mean everything to me. Unquote.
The wedding ceremony will be private with only close friends and family, unfortunately. But they will allow ET's camera's into the wedding reception. Where we will get a glimpse of the happy couple.
~•~•~•~•~
"Leena, why did you invite all these people here?" I asked as I looked at her through the mirror I was standing in." I mean when I said I wanted a small wedding, I really meant a small one."
She rolled her eyes and walked up to me and began straightening the dress I wore on my body. " Liyah, I only invited people that you both know. Michael just have a lot freaking people he know." she turned my body around. "Danny, are you sure you got this dress fitted right?"
Danny came in holding something white in his hands. "That's the wrong dress, Lee." He told her. "Girl, just move, you leave the dress to me. Go fuss at the girl's in there or something." I smiled at Danny who was already unzipping the dress I had on. "Girl, I don't know what made that girl think you would actually where this. It does nothing for you figure."
"Well, who else would be wearing white?" She asked as she placed her hands on her hips.
He shrugged his shoulders. "Leena, use your common sense honey. I know you ain't got the smarts of a two year old, but damn." I started laughing. I loved Danny. From the day that I had met him back in '78, he always able to put a smile on my face with his crazy personality, no matter the mood I was in. "Close your eyes, girl." He told me.
He began helping into the dress I was supposed to be wearing. "Now Liyah, since you are so picky I had to get your dress custom made. I told them to make it simple, but sexy and I have to say, I am pleased. Girl, Mike is gonna fall over when he see you in this, girl."
"Let's hope I don't fall over first." I said.
"Stop being so pessimistic."Leena huffed. "You're the only one I know who will make her wedding day be a negative thing."
"I'm not making it a negative thing. I'm so nervous! All those people are gonna be staring at me." I said. I wrinkled my nose at the thought.
I heard one of them suck their teeth. "What makes this any different from performing in front of thousands of people?"
"I'm moving, I'm dancing, I'm singing." I explained. "Not, walking down an isle with a bunch of people looking at me, and half of them I don't even know."
"You know, Li." Danny said." There's a trick to that. Just only stare at Michael."
"Yeah, just look at him. He's probably having the same anxiety issues." I didn't know if she was giving me advice or just saying that. I was still standing there with my eyes closed and I couldn't see her expression. I could feel him buttoning the dress in the back.
I couldn't stand wearing dresses. I hated it so much. If they had allowed me I would've just go with my original plan of just going to a court house and signing papers. But of course, I should've known that plan was going down the drain as soon as Leena and Nikki heard the word 'Engagement'. They literally began planning the wedding in two hours. I remember seeing there expressions as they came up with ideas for theme and everything. Their eyes looking as though they were about to pop out of their heads. Their smiles wide, going from cheek to cheek. I just sat and disagreed and agreed to the stuff I didn't like and did like. The dress was the biggest issue.
"You can open your eyes now."He told me.
I felt a pang of awkwardness come over my body when I came to realization that I was about to see myself in an off-colored white wedding dress. My hair was already in a pony tail with my hair at the top being pushed into a hump, and my make up was already done neutrally to match my hazel brown eyes. I wasn't allowed to see anything else. Not the braid maid's dresses, or the flowers, I wasn't even able to see decorations. I was blind to everything, and the suspense of how everything would turn out was killing me. The dress was one of them. I didn't want to end up in something all big and outrageous. I wanted it to be simple and comfortable. Danny just had thing for making everything we wear sexy.
I took a deep breath and opened my eyes, very slowly.
I found myself standing in a long sleeved white dress. It was light on my body and, showed off my figure. In the back, where the dress hugged my waist and hips perfectly, my back was slightly being revealed through lacing. It looked like something that stepped out of an early 1900s movie. It was classic and silk, flowing down my long legs and leading behind. It was simple, nothing over the top. "Please tell me you like it." He said, with worry filling his grey eyes.
I smiled with relief. "Yes, Danny. I love it." I oozed, as I hugged him. "It's not too much. It's simple and it's hot!"
"Good, because I told them to make it open-back because you have the sexiest sway in your back I've ever seen, girl."
I narrowed my eyes at him, smirking. "Sometimes I wonder if you're really gay."
He sucked his teeth, and rolled his eyes. "Girl, please. I spent years trying to get with Michael until someone finally decided to tell me he wasn't gay. Too bad the media can't be right." He said as he began touching up my make up.
My face fell.
"What?! I was new, and I thought everything that was written in papers were true." His face changed into a teasing expression. "But I ain't gone lie, girl. Michael has gotten sexy. I see why you ride him almost every night."
My mouth dropped, and I smacked him in the back of the head. "Danny, don't get your ass kicked!"
"I know the bride is not in here cursing people out!" I heard Liana's bell toned voice was walked into the room. She stopped in her tracks and gasped. " Oh, my God! Sasha get in here!"
"What, Lian-" She stopped in mid sentence and stared at me, her hands covering her mouth as her eyes began to water. "Wow, I never thought I'd see the day that Aaliyah Dana Haughton would actually wear a dress! Liana, we'll have to mark this on the calendar."
"You're not gonna cry are you?" I asked.
She let her fall to the side. " You know I am, you look beautiful. "
I looked in the mirror. "I'm okay. I just hope I don't fall on my face." I began chewing my bottom lip.
She began to rub my back, soothing me. " It's okay, everyone is nervous on their wedding day."
" I thank I'm probably the most nervous bride of all history." It felt weird calling myself a "bride". Never had I imagined myself standing in a long white dress and heels, getting ready to marry the man I was in loved with. In less than an hour I was about to go from being Aaliyah Dana Haughton to Aaliyah Dana Haughton-Jackson. It all seemed so unreal. Apart of me felt as though I was dreaming, that I was gonna wake up and find myself back in Harlem. In my small bedroom, and all that had happen over the past few years was just a part of my imagination.
It's funny how life takes a turn for the better when you least expect it. When he showed me that ring, almost four weeks ago, I was almost going to tell him to wait a little longer. After that whole frenzy of throwing things and trashing our apartment I was afraid I was going to hurt him, physically. I didn't know what came over me. What drove me to do that. All I know was that he was telling the truth, every word that came out of his mouth was the truth and it hurt. It set off all that anger I had build up inside and locked away. It was the look in his eyes that got me. Something deep in those brown iris' told he really did love me. I could feel it deep in my soul, more than I've ever had before. Then it was what he told me.I couldn't understand how he knew all those things I never had the strength to tell him. Not because of him, it was because I was too weak to talk about it, and he knew it. All because he saw directly through me. More than anyone I have ever known.
I'm not sure how I should feel about it, but there was something about him that made feel like I couldn't live with him. I knew that from the time we had broken up. There was a Michael-shaped hole missing in my heart, apart of me that left me breathless and lonely, with no point of living. We both were broken and lonely when we met, and when we found each other we found that light that was so hard to see in our lives. We both were torn to the core. We both needed saving, and we saved each other.
We needed each other to get through this world, because without one another, we bother were couple of lost souls.
There was another knock at the door. I turned to see Nikki, Jojo, and Alana all walking into the room. They were my bridesmaids, along with Leena, and Janet. I looked at my older sister who was sitting on the bed trying to fasten her shoe. They were all dress in dark pink, almost red dresses. Their hair was up just like mine and they all were the same jewelry. I was beginning to become very impressed by the way Leena and Nikki handled the planning.
"Oh God, Danny I told you that dress would look perfect on her!" Nikki squealed excitedly. " You look gorgeous, girl." She told me as she hugged.
"Uh-uh, girl!" Danny pulled her away from me. " She's not allowed to be touched until she gets to the alter!"
Nikki pursed her lips. " You're touching her."
"Did you spend three hours trying to straighten this hair, and the styling it?" he moved his hands around my head as if he was presenting a project. " Did you spend an hour trying to make her make up look perfect?"
"No, but-" She started to protest.
"Then you can't touch her, now move girl, shoo shoo." He began shooing her away with his hands. "C'mon honey, its time to get your shoes. Leena, honey get her shoes!"
Danny lead me to a chair and soon Leena brought over the shoes. They were white open-toed pumps with lacing to match the back of my dress going cross the bridge of it. "I tried to get you something small considering the fact that you and Michael are about the same height." He told me as he gave them to me. "It'll look too weird if you were taller than him.
"Wait, do you have your garter on?" Nikki asked. I nodded and patted my leg where it was.
"I wanted to tell you that Michael and the boys are here." The door opened again and Janet poked her head in the room. " Michael and boys are here, they are getting ready to take their places."
"What time is it?" Leena asked.
"6:20, is she ready?" The wedding was scheduled to start in ten minutes. At that moment I began to feel nervous again. Just ten minutes? I thought. God, I'm going to die. I began taking deep breaths.
"Yes."
"No," Sasha and Liana said all the same time.
We all looked at her as though they were crazy. "What do you mean she's not ready?" Danny asked.
"I have the finishing touch." Sasha smiled as she reached in a bag and pulled out an old hair brooch. "It was your grandmothers. I wore it at my wedding, and now it's your turn." She handed it to me. I gasped as I held it in my hand. it had little beads in the shape of flowers with little diamonds in the middle. It looked fragile and valuable. It was hard to explain how it felt to have that. I felt almost honored. "Maybe Leena can wear it if she ever gets married."
Leena snickered. " Please, I do not make commitments. "
"Says the person who brought a boy today." Jojo said.
"Ooooooh! Girl who brought up in here, is he cute?!" Danny asked, His eyes lighting up.
She pursed her lips."What's it to you, he's not gay."
"And? He could have brother." He took the brooch from my hand and began tucking it on top of my pony tail.
"You do realize the chances of him having a gay brother are...." She held her finger, " like one percent."
"Whatever...."
Liana covered her mouth with her hands as a tear slowly rolled down her cheek. "She looks just like Momma did!"
" When did she get married?" I asked.
" 1933."
My mouth dropped. " It's fifty years old?!"
" Yep, and still in good condition." Sasha added proudly.
"I love the way it looks with that hair style. That hump thing must be something new." Liana said.
" Something I thought I wanted to try." He said as he began to spray more hair spray on my hair. "It works with that small baby face of hers."
I rolled my eyes at his comment.
"Alright!" Nikki said. "There a lot of people out there and it's starting in three minutes, everyone take positions, the boys are already down stairs."
Before I could even think everyone began to clear the hotel room. Sasha and Liana helped me up from my chair. "Pray that I don't fall on my face." I told them.
"Just look at him, and you'll do fine." Liana told me. " Picture it being just the two of you. "
I nodded my head up and down. " Liyah, here's your bouquet." Leena said, handing it to me." They're Camilla's."
I smiled at her. "Was this a request?"
She shrugged her shoulders. " When I saw them I instantly remembered how you used to rearrange them back in Alabama. They are your favorite. "
"C'mere," I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tightly. "I love you, Lee."
She chuckled. "I love you too, Li." She was emphasizing that we had the same nickname.
Nikki's POV
We all lined up in front of the back door that lead to the garden of the hotel, our arms locked in with our partners in an orderly fashion: Leena and Jermaine, Jojo and Marlon, Me and Jackie, Janet and Randy, and Alana and Tito. They all were dressed in black suits and bow ties to match the colors. It was quiet, with little whispers coming from the crowd. There were many people there. Mostly people Michael knew: Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Lizi Minelli, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, Jane Fonda, Paul McCartney...all were there to witness what was probably gonna be the most talked about wedding this year, or even the decade. It amazed me how Leena and put together this whole wedding in a manner of four weeks with only two requests from Liyah: Make it simple, and don't go over the top. We had no idea what colors to use, what kind of dress to get, where to have the ceremony. So we decided to leave The dresses and the make up to Danny. While we scheduled the wedding at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Now the day was here and it all came together perfectly.
Perfection was the only way I knew how to describe it. They would be getting married in an outside setting in the midst of twilight, Liyah's favorite time of the day. The sky was beginning to turn a mixture of pink, blue, orange. Giving the setting a magical look. Camellia's were every where and the chairs were decorated to match our dress. Leena had little crystal diamonds hanging from the trees. There was a smooth walk way for where we were to walk down was cover with little pedals.
The music playing from the speakers told me it was starting. Leena and Jermaine stepped in front of the door that lead to the back of the hotel where I could vaguely see all the heads of the people who were sitting there. As the line moved on, and Me Jackie's turn came up I could see Michael and the minister standing in the distance. He was wearing a suit with a jacket that was the same color as one of the main in colors we used. His hair was all nice in his usual hair style. He stood with his hands behind his back and a slight smile on his face. I told him to hide the fact that he was nervous and that's exactly what he was doing.
After everyone was at their places at the alter, the music faded and Diana and Lionel stepped to the microphone. As the piano began to play the minister signalled for the audience to stand. All attention was placed on the door where she would be stepping out. Lionel began singing their song Endless Love, and at the moment we could see her.
I caught a glimpse of the end of her dress, and her shoes. She was holding on to her dress as stepped down the steps. I could hear whispers of ooh's and ah's as she stepped in from of everyone. From a distance she almost looked like and angel. Just the way dress showed off her body. The way the sleeves hugged her long skinny arms. The way it moved with the way she walked. It was all magical, mesmerizing. I looked over at Michael and his mouth slightly opened. He quickly snapped it shut, biting his lip.
He likes it...I couldn't help the thought. It was obvious.
Oooooooh
And love
I'll be that fool for you
I'm sure
You know I don't mind
Whooooa, you know I don't mind
And yes
You'll be the only one
'Cos no one can't deny
This love I have inside
And I'll give it all to you
My love
My endless love
Michael took Liyah's hand in his and lead her in front of the Minister. The music faded into the air and everyone sat down with all attention on them. " Ladies and gentleman," he began, " we are gathered here today to witness the union between Michael Jackson and Aaliyah Haughton." I glanced out at all the people. They were all smiling, camera's was flashing, and I caught glimpse of a few people crying already. " The couple have words they would like to share together. Aaliyah, you may start."
Liyah smiled softly and took a deep breath. " Michael," she began. "There aren't enough words...to describe just how much I love you. You came into my life and showed me what love was when I thought it was just something that people took for granted. And you showed me that I was capable of being more that I thought I was. You helped me see the world in a different perspective and helped me to be thankful for all that I have. I know at times I can be a brat. I can be uncooperative. I can act as though I don't care at all. I know I am not the easiest person to love, and with all that we have been through. You loved me even more. For most of my life I didn't know what love was, or even what it felt like. But you came on and showed me in the most purest form. "Her voice broke as a tear began falling down her eyes." You know me more than I know myself, and honestly....it scares me." She laughed, softly. " It scares me how you can...take one good look at me and know something's wrong. No matter how hard I try to hide it. You just see right through me. Like I'm a window or something.
" You're my best friend. We have cried together. We have shared so many laughs together. Like the time you smoked up our kitchen trying to fix me breakfast that morning." Laughter began to surface the room. " Or the time when you scared the crap out of me on the set of your video. I've never been more happier than I am when I'm with you, and it's because of you that I've changed...I love you, baby."
"Liyah, you are the love of my life. I know that sounds really cliché to you, but it's the truth." He giggled. " I fall in love with more and more everyday. Every time I see you smile so hard that your gums show, or you laugh so hard that you snort. Or when you drop your head and blush anytime you're embarrassed. You brighten my day, and you let me know that I am not alone in this world. Just the thought of being with puts a smile one my face." Liyah dropped her and started shaking it back and forth. "You bring joy to my life and when I am with you, it's magic." I began to get teary eyed watching them. "I can't tell ya how much I need you here with me everyday. You took the time to get to know me for me when no one else would. You took the time understand my life, and you're always there for me. No matter what the situation, no matter how hard it is, you are the first to come. I love you so much that it hurts. I'm excited to share the rest of my life with you, dimples. And I'm excited to see what else God has in store for us together...you are....my everything." A tear began to fall slowly down his face as he gave a nervous smile as he stared at Liyah intensely.
The minister turned his head to Michael. " Please repeat after me: I Michael Jackson..."
Michael stood in front of Liyah, smiling down at her. "I, Michael Jackson."
"Take you Aaliyah Haughton."
Good, he said her name right...
"Take you, Aaliyah Haughton."
"To be your lawfully wedded wife."
"To be my lawfully wedded wife."
"From this day foward." Michael repeated after him. " For better or for worse....for richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. For as long as we both shall live."
He turned to Liyah. " Please repeat after me: I, Aaliyah Haughton, take you, Michael Jackson to be lawfully wedded husband. " She repeated after him fluently as she stared into Michael's eyes. I felt more tears coming in my eyes, it was all so sweet.
"In sickness and in health."
"In sickness and in health." She repeated.
"And to obey, for as long as we both shall live." He said.
"And to ob-" She stopped and shot a looked at the minister. "Wait, what?"
The room soon filled laughter as Liyah looked at Michael smiling confusingly. " Uh, and to obey." she giggled. " For as long as we both shall live."
"May we have the rings please."
I stepped up and handed the rings to him, and Liyah handed me hers bouquet. He turned towards the audience and began explaining what the rings symbolized. He handed the ring to Michael and he took Liyah's hand. "Aaliyah, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness unto you." He said shyly. Michael slowly slid her grandmother's ring unto her finger until it met her engagement ring.
Liyah took Michael's band and looked at him. " Michael, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness unto you. " she slid his sliver band on his finger.
The minister then began to say a prayer, blessing their marriage. After all heads your up he smiled at the two of them. " I now pronounce man....and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Michael grabbed Liyah's face with his hands and pressed his lips against hers, locking them in a tight passionate kiss as he wrapped his arms around her body. Everyone began clapping for them. Liana and Sasha both had tears in their eyes as they began snapping more pictures of them. A few people were crying. I could see that Quincy had a few tears in his eyes, and did his wife. I looked at Jojo who was smiling like crazy. We looked back at them and Michael was giving her little pecks on her face before Liyah just started giggling and they began to hugging each other tightly. I could actually see right then how much they loved each other. It was all in the air. Floating above our heads. They began to walk down the aisle with people cheering and hooping and hollaring. Pictures was being taken from the photographers Leena hired.
She was in love. Never had I thought that Liyah out all people would fall in love and get married, and yet here she was married about to start a new life with him. About to start on a new road to Happy.