Across town, LT was standing in a mirror as his tailor made adjustments to his tuxedo. Unlike the women, all the men were dressed at the same time.
His best man Cameo Rawlings, Grant, Al Day, Tucker Donovan, Timothy, Nate, Adam and Joshua, were dressed in their tuxedos as well. Each of them looked like a collection of possible men to play the role of James Bond.
“Damn I look good,” Joshua boasted.
“I look better.” Tucker adjusted his jacket.
Al adjusted his bow tie while looking in the mirror. “My mere presence speaks for itself.”
“I’m rocking this tux, but then again, wearing one is like second nature to me,” Nate teased. “I was born to wear a tux.”
“Can you get him a size larger?” Grant teased.
“Yes, he’s going to need more room to fit that big head he has growing over there.” Timothy chuckled.
“The two people talking better be expanding their houses,” Nate countered. “I understand congratulations are in order for both of you.”
Timothy and Grant gave each other a pound.
“Yes, my baby is having my baby,” Grant laughed.
“That is so lame.” Cameo stepped in front of the mirror blocking Grant.
“Lame or not, I got your back, Grant,” Timothy said. “My baby is doing the same thing for me.”
“You two are laughing now. Wait until you get to where I am.” Adam shook his head. “My wife is about to give birth any day now. And with all my wisdom I cannot calm my own nerves. Hell, I’m going to be a father.”
“No worries, Adam,” LT stated. “You have one of the best role models for fatherhood.”
“Damn right.” Joshua smiled at his father.
“Way to suck up, three weeks before taking the man’s baby daughter,” Tucker laughed.
Joe walked up behind LT. The man towered over him by a good foot. LT looked over his shoulder. “You look good, Joe.”
“I have to look good for my baby girl.” Joe beamed.
LT felt the emotion building up in the man. “I knew she was going to be my wife the first time I saw her in a pair of cut up jeans, a midriff top and those big hoop earrings. Of course, she was mouthing off at me, but it was clear that was all bluster.” He walked over and adjusted the lapel on Joe’s jacket. “She never gave me a break. As young as she was, from the day I met her, she would call me on my crap. There were grown men who worked for me who would not dare contradict or correct me in public. Not Sapphire.” LT exhaled as he stood back to examine Joe. “She never gave me an inch. I needed…need her in my life. She is my world, Joe. I will protect her with my life.”
Joe nodded. “The first time my Sapphire shed tears was the night she came to our house when you two fought. I knew she had met the man who had touched her heart. She is a spitfire for sure, but she is what you need and you are what she needs. You remind me a lot of myself. I was a loner, ready to take on the world alone. Then Sally danced into my life and my world was turned upside down in an instant. That’s what Phire did to you. She turned your world upside down. If she is anything like her mother, this is only the beginning. You are going to have years of asking yourself, what is this woman doing to me. Here is my advice to you, son. Enjoy the journey.”
“Sapphire has revitalized my life. She taught me how to love. I’ve come to the conclusion that I cannot live without her. When she chose this new career, I was fearful that it was too much responsibility. But then I saw her working a case. She blew me away with her methodical thinking. Her mind is amazing. Working on this new position I like that she is in the driver’s seat, and is able to work free of restrictions. I’m also concerned that she could now probably kick my ass without getting winded.”
“Sorry to tell you this, but she could do that before the training she received,” Joe laughed. “Know this. Every day with Sally has been an adventure and we live a simple life. With the career paths you and Phire have selected your life will not be boring. You are going to have a new normal. So I will say this, protect her heart and she will protect yours.” He looked in the mirror. “I do look good.”
LT laughed. “And you wonder where Joshua gets it from.”
“Not really,” Joe chuckled. “I raised my family to take pride in their appearance.”
“My grandmother’s friend, Mr. Green, always says, if you want a woman who takes care of herself, you have to do the same. That’s about as close as I got to family advice.”
“Phire mentioned you have estranged brothers and sisters. So do I. Missing that special connection they can bring wasn’t apparent to me until last year when we all reconnected. I plan to establish a better relationship with them. You should consider the same.”
“I tried that once. It ended with me almost getting arrested.”
“You don’t appear to be the kind of man to give up.” Joe turned then patted him on his shoulder. “Get to know them, son.”
“Takes a big man to suggest that knowing what one of them tried to do to your daughter,” LT stated.
Joe held his hands out. “I’m six feet eleven inches tall, weigh a solid two-fifty. I am a big man. Knowing your enemy is the first step in understanding their motivation.”
“Knowing what motivates them gives you an insight on their weaknesses,” LT added.
“Exactly.” Joe smiled then walked away.
LT watched his soon to be father-in-law as he walked away. He liked the man. He did not always have a lot to say, but when he did speak it was packed with wisdom. He glanced at Cameo. “You feel like taking a quick drop in with me?”
“Where are we going?”
“To ESTY.”
Cameo chuckled. “The last time we went there you almost ended up in jail.”
“True, however, this is going to be a fact-finding mission.” LT began removing his tux. “This time I go in peace.”