Father, Please Forgive Me

By Tikita Kenyon Hines

The Watson Family Saga continues. Inside this sequel to You ARE the Father, Tikita Kenyon Hines shares the story of the Watson family and the tragic events that take place following the Pandemic of 2020. Will Kordell and Peaches get married? Will Kordell find out the truth about Peaches? Will Donna Jean come back looking for her child?  What is the status of the relationship between Charles and Tori? How will Darius mend his relationship with his brother? Does the marriage between Felicia and Pastor Jay stand the test of time? Father, Please Forgive Me, a novel by Tikita Kenyon Hines, has all the answers to these questions, plus a few new characters to add to the complex drama surrounding the Watson's family church.  This is a "Grown Folks" novel. This work of fiction is recommended for ages 18+.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tikita Kenyon Hines
• Release date: Nov 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215410325

Tikita Kenyon Hines

Tikita Kenyon Hines was born in Columbus, OH and is a graduate of Columbus South High School, and The Ohio State University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and two Associate of Applied Science degrees in Electronic Engineering Technology from Columbus State Community College in Columbus, OH. She enjoys music and singing and has published four original songs. The Corona Virus Pandemic of 2020 has inspired her to begin writing, and she plans to continue writing more stories.

Book preview

Pulse

Carrying sweet aromas from the nearby lavender fields, a fragrant and gentle breeze caresses the landscape. Bordering the winding cobblestone roads and looking splendid with its vibrant color, ornamental lavendula bend and lean with the wind as six majestic Clydesdale horses, trotting in a fashion more grandiose than those featured in the Budweiser commercials on Super Bowl Sunday, pull three pumpkin shaped carriages up the road in succession. Like a wagon train, the wedding party is transported from an enchanted château nestled amongst the rolling hills of Provence, south of France.

The destination; a wedding extravaganza to be coveted by all. With Nubian International Magazine, Inc, BBC News, and Ebony magazine all covering the event, and with world renowned photographers moving in and about the venue, there is no question as to which high profile celebrity couples’ celebration of matrimony warrants this extraordinary amount of attention from the media. That famous couple; rather infamous, in some folks opinion; is none other than Mr. Kordell J. Watson, and the fabulous Miss Persia Peaches Brown. 

The first carriage in line holds the bridesmaids, the groomsmen, and the wedding officiant. Wearing matching peach colored Vera Wang gowns, Tori and KiKi laugh, giggle, and whisper in each others ears back and forth while Charles and Darius, who is the best man, straighten each others peach colored bowties; mere accents that pale in comparison with the mens’ Brunello Cucinelli Tuxes. However, the bowties do look good enough, and with Stacy Adams covering their feet, the men are dressed to kill.

Pastor Jay will be officiating. Wearing Armani, and looking quite handsome and debonair; the Pastor’s image is a definite qualifier for the cover of GQ Magazine.

Everyone is dressed to the tee. Despite the older Pastor Jay wondering why young people spend so much money on weddings, and thinking that most couples don’t understand the true sacrifice in saying the words, I do, the overall mood is a cheerful one. They are all very happy for Kordell and Peaches, excited to be part of such a monumental event, and are extremely grateful for the opportunity to visit Europe for the first time.

The second carriage in line, and the most lively carriage of them all, holds the flower girls; though not your ordinary flower girls. These little dancing dolls are highly trained professional ballerinas straight from the Paris Opera Ballet School in Paris, France. However, on this day they are a rowdy bunch, happy to be away from the overly strict environment that they are accustomed to, which consists of very disciplined daily routines, plus rigorous practice and rehearsals from sunrise to sunset. Performing in this wedding will be like a vacation for the girls, and they are very much looking forward to eating ice cream and cookies at the reception.

The last carriage in line holds the lovely bride-to-be. Slowly, and deeply she inhales a breath of fresh air. The smell of lavender is one of her favorite scents. Its calming effect, touted by perfumiers, is proving to be true.

As she exhales and releases some of the anxiety that has encroached upon her, she catches a glimpse of the distant wedding venue ahead. One side of the aisle for family, and the other side for friends. Kordell decided that it should be this way since Persia doesn’t really have any family to speak of, and since they have the same circle of friends. So, it makes sense because no one wants a bunch of empty chairs on one side of the aisle at their dream wedding.

As the carriages make their way closer and closer to the venue, Persia can begin to make out that the groom has already arrived, and that all of the guests appear to be seated and waiting patiently. Uncle Chuck, Aunt Chrissy, Felicia, baby Charlene, and little Jason, who is the ring bearer, are all seated comfortably in the front row, with baby Charlene on Aunt Chrissy’s lap.

The orchestra assembles, and the sun reflecting off of the shiny brass instruments casts a sparkle effect upon the venue, sending a twinkle to Persia’s eyes. Standing near the golden gated entrance where the carriage ride will end, and where the aisle leading to the altar begins, the father of the bride could be seen from afar as he awaits the arrival of his most precious jewel; his princess; his one and only beloved daughter.

Although thrilled by the sight of her father, there was a huge part of Persia that yearned for the embrace of her mother, whom she lost at an early age. Her prayer is that her late mother is sitting right next to her in spirit, looking at her with adoration, abounding in love for her only child.

Regarding the impending nuptials, Persia asks for her mother’s blessing. In response, it appeared that the heavens opened up, allowing the sun to shine more radiant and pure. Bountifully, and in all its glorious splendor, the sun beams down onto the earth, warming Persia’s soul. 

The carriages come to a halt as they reach the golden gates. The maestro signals to the orchestra that the time has come, and the musicians begin to play a classical score carefully selected by the bride-to-be herself. The officiator takes his place at the altar, while Darius and Charles escort KiKi, who is the maid of honor, and Tori, respectively. As the couples complete their march down the aisle, the rambunctiousness and chatter inside of the second pumpkin carriage begins to cease as the ballerinas get into character.

Popping out like the porcelain ballerina that rises up when opening the lid on grandma’s antique musical jewelry box, and with their hair fixed in buns on the tops of their heads, the prepubescent girls leap from the carriage and through the golden gates. They pose like cake toppers, perfect in form, until the gates close behind them. Then, once the gates close, one by one they tippy-toe into split leaps and grand jetés down the aisle towards the altar.

While the orchestra plays a whimsical tune, seven ballerinas outfitted in one of a kind tutu’s designed by Pnina Tornai herself, launch their tiny bodies into mid-air displaying dynamic cabrioles, landing gracefully on one tiny foot. Like white light broken up when passing through a prism, the tutu’s each dazzled a different color, representing all seven colors of the rainbow.  With their feet wrapped in silver pointe shoe slippers highlighted by multicolored ribbons and golden soles, the little dolls run about dancing and leaping.  The ballerinas move back and forth and up and down the aisle full of youthful energy and spunk. The routine; a spectacular display of symmetry and an explosion of colors mimicking a fireworks show.

After some time, the fine spectacle nears its end, and the music drifts into a decrescendo. The dancing dolls line up just before the altar to exhibit an arabesque croisée to rival those of the grandest Swan Lake ballet performance. The smallest one of the bunch, with puffy feathered wings on her back, pirouettes her way down the aisle last. Pausing for seconds between twirls, she sprinkles the peach colored rose petals hidden in an invisible pocket on her tutu in preparation for the bride-to-be to make a life changing journey towards matrimony. When the music fades out, the dancers piqué to the left and right of the aisle, eventually scattering on their tiptoes and disappearing behind the opaque drapes at the rear of the altar.

Tightly fitted in a brilliant white mermaid wedding dress designed by Michael Cinco, created from the finest Italian mulberry silk and embellished with 100,000 Swarovski crystals, Persia emerges from her chariot with an impressive bouquet of flowers in hand and a lengthy 50 foot train in tow. The icing;  a Chantilly lace-edged, 70 foot long veil attached to a golden princess tiara, bedazzled with peach colored Tiffany diamonds. Her appearance is striking.

Persia Peaches Brown readies herself to meet the bridegroom at the altar. When the golden gates open and Peaches appears, the crowd gasps in awe of her stunning beauty. Kordell lays eyes on her, and believes strongly that heaven must be missing an angel. The image of her glistening in the sunlight takes his breath away; a most beautiful bride indeed.

For a moment, the lovers lock eyes. During that moment it seemed as if they were the only two people who existed in the whole wide world. Peaches couldn’t be any more happy than she is right now at this very moment. Her heart is filled with a joy that she has never in her life felt before. Kordell, too, feels overjoyed.

When the orchestra commences to play, the soft and sweet tones of a uniquely crafted musical intro to Loving You by Minnie Ripperton, drift by way of smooth and silky sound waves into the listening ears of the guests, and everyone begins to stand. Wearing a vintage Dolce & Gabbana floral silk gown fit only for the princess of Antigua, Donna Jean approaches the microphone and begins to sing:

Loving you, is easy ‘cause you’re beautiful...

Loving you, is more than just a dream come true...

La la la la la - La la la la la...

Mr. Percival Brown extends his elbow towards his daughter, Persia. Delighted, she quickly returns the gesture by wrapping her arm around his.  Having her father walk her down the aisle is the best wedding gift that this girl could wish for.  Truly amazed by the fact that this is happening to her, of all people; because, for a long time her feelings were doubtful, and she believed that her father would accept neither she, nor this marriage, because of her transgender sexuality. However, daddy has made her dreams come true on this extra special day, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hoping to gaze into father’s eyes, and wanting to see his proud face, Persia tilts her head. Her eyes are like a child's eyes; innocent. She lifts her eyes to his.

Disheartened that his eyes were staring straight ahead, and disappointed in his poker face, it seems to Persia that father is oblivious of her presence. In fact, it seemed that he was oblivious of her very existence on this planet. Had she not felt the flesh of their arms touching, she might easily conclude that she was literally holding on to an actual statue.

Unquestionably, her emotions were shaken a bit. However, the show must go on. Persia quickly turns away from her father, faces forward, smiles for the cameras, and proceeds in taking that first step towards the altar.

Just before the bride-to-be puts one foot forward, a full moon appears in the sky opposite the sun.

CONTRARY TO THE SUCCESS of her first step towards the altar, the second step faces strong resistance, a resistance so powerful that it practically snatches Persia right back to the starting line. Startled, confused, and seeking guidance she turns to her father who has been transformed into a hardened block of cement. The cement block appears to have been expertly, and distinctly carved with all of the familiar features of the man she calls ‘Daddy’.

Both the moon and the sun begin an uncharted trek across the sky towards the center, in a slow motion, yet a steady one. The ooh’s and ahh’s of the wedding guests and the music from the orchestra can no longer be heard as the wind quickly increases in speed, creating a loud whistling noise. The venue is thrown into an uproar; the chairs, decorations, flowers, curtains, musical instruments and sheet music; most of everything