Alice takes care of Peri, making sure she eats. Q Jr. and I sit down with our cake near the bar, while Q Sr. orders a drink.
Alida: I can’t believe your mom was actually able to pull this whole thing off.
Quincy Jr.: She’s your mom too now.
I never really thought about it that way. Alice and I had such a rough start, that I never thought I’d think of her as a mom…but this wedding has definitely been the ultimate truce.
Michelle and Tamati sit down with the wedding photographer…who tries to prove that he’s her ultimate fan by rattling off every commercial and show that she’s ever been on.
Photographer: You know…I have a TV screenshot of you from every one of your roles. They’re all hanging up in my studio.
Michelle: I can give you a real autographed photo if you’d like…
Photographer: No need…I can just hang up the ones I took today. They’ll be a nice way to round out my growing collection.
Michelle is used to somewhat obsessive fans, but this one makes her and Tamati both slightly uncomfortable.
While Michelle is busy cringing from the photographer’s photo obsession…Q Jr. checks in on Peri and rescues her from her highchair.
Alida: Alice…I can’t thank you enough! You have outdone yourself today….and this dress – how did you find something so perfect at the last minute?
Alice: Resourcefulness and a little luck I guess…
Quincy Sr.: My wife has always been a miracle worker.
Alice: *to Quincy Sr.* Thanks hon… *to Alida* I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but hope you’ll find it in yourself to call me mom…and you’re very welcome, by the way.
Mom is not a word that I’ve ever found easy to use. I didn’t even use it with Mama Nadine for a very long time, but I decide to try it on for size…
Alida: Okay…mom.
My mouth didn’t explode or anything, so maybe this could work.
Alice: You can’t have a wedding without a first dance… Q, leave Peri here and take your wife out on the dance floor.
Quincy Jr.: Yes ma’am.
I get up and follow Q Jr. to the dance floor.
The D.J. interrupts his current song with an announcement…
D.J.: This one is dedicated to the bride and groom…congratulations Quincy and Alida!
A slow song starts up. Q and I get close and begin to sway to the music…
♫ No one makes me feel the way you do inside,
And I don’t know what I would do without you and that’s no lie.
If I die, I’d hope to find you in another life.
So we could fall again.
Be the way we were when we first began.
Like the first time that I ever saw you smile.
I want that feeling again.
Let’s be the way we were when we first began.♪
(source)
After the slow song, the D.J. puts on party music and steps away to take a break. Michelle and a few others join us on the dance floor. It’s time to party, but I need a little help. Michelle has always been a very good dancer, so I look to her…
Alida: You’re gonna have to teach me how to dance one day.
Michelle: There’s nothing to it…just close your eyes and feel the music.
After a few drinks, Alice also steps out on the floor. She doesn’t seem to be much of a dancer either, but it doesn’t matter. We’re not out there to impress…we just wanna have fun, so that’s what we do!
Meanwhile, Quincy Sr. notices that Peri is very tired, so he gathers her up and searches for a quiet spot for her to relax. He sits her down in a chair. On cue…the violinist begins to play something soft and calm for her. Before long, Peri is asleep.
Q Jr., being the amazing dad that he is…sits down with Peri as she sleeps. But us ladies have yet to leave the dance floor.
The D.J. continues to hype up the crowd…and Michelle, Alice, and I are all for it. But eventually, it’s time to leave. The party begins to wind down and we all head home.
This whole trip has been like a honeymoon, so Q and I don’t have to go anywhere special to celebrate our wedding night the best way we know how.
(Generation 1a Chapter Summaries)
