All of Me

“This beautiful couple wrote their own vows. Diana,” he invited her to speak her vows.

Diana had memorized her vows because she didn’t want to hide a piece of paper in her cleavage. She cleared her throat and grasped both of Marty’s hands in hers. “Marty, the day I met you I knew there was something special about you. I didn’t know that day that you were my soulmate, my best friend, and the love of my life. I promise to stand by your side through thick and thin, no matter what. I love you, forever and always.”

She was so proud of herself for not crying that she laughed a little loudly when she finished. Marty laughed too, though a tear sparkled in his eye. “Lovely, babe.”

Marcus smiled at them and indicated with a gesture for Marty to begin. When Marty only stared at her, he whispered, “Marty, you’re up.”

He jerked a little, eliciting a laugh from the audience. Diana winked at him, and he began. “Sorry. I just can’t stop staring at you.”

“Oh great, here come the tears,” she teased in a whisper.

In a stronger voice than he thought he’d be capable of, Marty said, “Diana, I have had this love inside me my whole life, but I didn’t know who it belonged to. When I met you, that love exploded out of my heart and filled my whole body. It hibernated until you entered my world. I love you with everything I am, and I am thrilled that you agreed to marry me.”

Her tears shimmered but only one fell. He wiped it away with his thumb and kissed it off, smiling at her. He wagged his finger at her and whispered, “No more tears.”

“No more tears,” she agreed.

They returned their attention to Marcus, who sniffled loudly. “Wow. I’ve never seen such love in two people, and they not only share with each other, but with all of us. Rings?”

Diana had put Marty’s on her middle finger, and Marty had Diana’s in the pocket of his tuxedo in a small box. He took it out, and they waited for Marcus to read the lines. As Marcus opened his mouth to recite the usual ring speeches, the roar of a car engine interrupted the ceremony. He glanced towards the house, as did Marty, Diana, and the rest of the guests and watched as a car raced down the drive, past the house, and directly towards the gazebo. A few of the guests screamed when the car screeched to a stop before crashing into the vines nearby.

Ronaldo threw himself out of the car and marched towards the gazebo with determined steps. When he reached the steps, he pointed at Diana and yelled, “Diana! You can’t marry him! I’m in love with you!”

Silence filled the vineyard after the collective gasps from the guests. Marty looked ready to kill Ronaldo, and Diana had paled as if she’d seen a ghost. Neither of them knew what to say so didn’t speak. Ronaldo accepted their silence as allowance to continue.

“Diana, please, I’ve been in love with you since high school. Please, don’t marry this guy,” he continued as he walked up the steps.

Diana’s shock broke, and she hissed, “What the hell are you doing here? I believe I was clear the last time I saw you.”

“You mean when we made love in my apartment?” Ronaldo asked as several people gasped again.

Diana pointed at him. “You lying son of a bi*ch! I haven’t touched you in years!” She looked at Marty. “Marty, he is lying.”

“I know he is, babe, and I can prove it.” Marty stepped in front of Diana as if protecting her from harm. “Tell us, Ronaldo, when exactly did this love making occur?”

Ronaldo’s smarmy smile faltered, but he threw out a date. “Six weeks ago. The day I ran into her at Starbucks.”

Marty laughed mirthlessly. “That’s a fu*king lie. She was home with her friend, Rena. She sent me pictures of the bruises you put on her arm.”

Ronaldo shook his head. “That was after.”

“Quit reaching, asshole. She wouldn’t touch you.” Marty growled deep in his throat when Ronaldo puffed up his chest. “Don’t make me kick your ass on my wedding day.”

“You couldn’t kick my ass,” Ronaldo said, smirking. He looked past Marty at Diana. “Baby, please. Why are you continuing this lie? We’re in love. You don’t love this white dude.”

“I do love him, Ronaldo, and I hate you. Get out of my life!” Diana screeched.

Ronaldo’s expression changed to one of fury. He pointed at Diana. “Diana, you get your ass over here. This little charade is over.”

“Are you out of your fu*king mind?” Diana yelled, shocking several of the guests. She moved in front of Marty in her anger. “No one speaks to me that way. And that’s why we aren’t together anymore. You’re an abusive, narcissistic bas*ard. Not get the hell off my land and out of my life.”

“You stupid cu—” he began, but Diana raced at him and punched him square in the nose, breaking it.

“Don’t you dare use that word!” she yelled as Marty grabbed her and yanked her back.

“Diana! Calm down!” Marty called, trying to soothe her. She stopped fighting him and looked at him. “He’s leaving.”

“I’m not leaving,” Ronaldo announced. “I’m in love with her.”

“You don’t treat people you love like that,” Marty reminded him. “She thinks you’re scum.”

“You’re nothing, Marty, but a white di*k who knows how to trick our sisters into loving you.” Ronaldo stuck his finger in Marty’s face after wiping the blood from under his nose. “This isn’t over. I’ll be back.”

“Come back and I’ll have your dumb ass thrown in jail,” Marty said.

Cameron stepped up behind Ronaldo just as he stomped towards Marty, who braced himself. Cameron wrapped his arms around Ronaldo and lifted the man off his feet. He carted him off the gazebo as if he weighed nothing, yelling at him to calm down. Ronaldo fought briefly but realized his struggle was futile. With a last ditch effort, he yelled at Diana.