Two months and not a day later...
Malcolm stood at the same altar for a second time.
The first time, he dedicated his life to Christ. Now, he would profess his love to Hallison until death they would part. Malcolm was praying for a long life as he glanced at his watch. Hallison should've walked down the aisle three minutes ago.
Parke, Malcolm's best man, taunted him with a snicker. His younger brother and lone groomsman, Cameron, cleared his throat in amusement. Minutes earlier, Cameron had escorted Hallison's best friend, Octavia, down the aisle. She looked healthy and happy. Hallison still continued to pray for her body and spirit.
Malcolm took a deep breath to regulate his nerves. Cheney winked as she walked down the aisle as Hallison's matron of honor. Despite the loss of another baby and the family drama, Cheney appeared happy. Malcolm prayed she would hold up during the trial that was set to begin soon.
Malcolm's drifting mind came back to the moment. Hallison Dinkins was now five minutes late. She had better not leave me standing at the altar, he thought, reflecting on his second proposal. It was different. It was bold, and it could've backfired.
The Sunday after Malcolm had received the Holy Ghost, the pastor invited all converts, if they chose to do so, to testify to the congregation about their Holy Ghost experience. Malcolm was the third person to accept the microphone handed to him while he and ten others were lined up behind the pulpit.
"To the saints of God, I can truly say God is merciful and very real. He's not in some far-away land or place. I'm still in awe about His presence, His closeness, and His power to show me He's in control." He gathered his thoughts.
"I praise God today that He chose me by giving me His spirit with the evidence I had once read about in the Bible, and honestly, didn't believe." He had taken a deep breath as his eyes skipped over faces and pews until he found her. "Hallison, you were right about salvation, and I was wrong about God. I have come humbly before God, repented, and received His invitation into the kingdom. The one thing I need before Jesus comes back is you. Hali, will you marry me?"
The congregation had gasped at his unexpected declaration. From the pulpit, Malcolm got on one knee and pulled out a black velvet ring box. When he flipped it open, God gave Malcolm a little help—the Lord blinked, allowing the diamond to sparkle like a star for the audience, including Hallison, to see.
She stood, with her hands clasped. The air ceased as the congregation waited along with him for her response. "Yes, Malcolm, I would be honored to be your wife."
The cheers were louder than the fans at a football game. That was the only encouragement he needed.
"I've got a wedding to plan," Malcolm mumbled into the microphone before shoving it into the hands of the next convert.
Later, she teased him. "What if I had said no or let me think about it?"
His nostrils flared with passion as he winked. "Baby, have you ever heard of a late dismissal? I wasn't going anywhere."
The wedding guests stood as the sanctuary doors opened, alerting Malcolm of Hallison's entrance. Angels must have dressed her, Malcolm thought. She was already gorgeous, but wings were the only things missing. Her face glowed along with her ballroom gown. He hoped Hallison's hairdresser, Alexis, hadn't weighed down Hallison's fancy hairdo with hair pins, because the curls were coming down.
Hallison's uncle escorted her down the white runner, crushing the random piles of rose petals Kami had dropped in her haste to get to her father. If their hired photographer didn't capture that vision, Malcolm would re-stage the moment.
Malcolm huffed. Hallison was torturing him by walking much too slow. He didn't recall Hallison's stand-in during the rehearsal walking so slow. If she didn't pick up the pace, he would go and get his bride himself. She didn't need an escort, anyway. They could've walked in together as far as he was concerned.
Once she read his expression, Hallison appeared to miss a step. When she was within three pews of the altar, Malcolm made good on his threat, leaving his post to meet her.
Wrapping his arm securely around his bride's waist, Malcolm glanced over her shoulder and caught Trey's eye with an unreadable expression. Malcolm nodded and Trey returned the gesture.
* * *
Hallison sucked in her breath. Thank you, Lord, for my blessing. Although Paula remained skeptical about whether Malcolm's conversion was genuine, Hallison knew in her heart that no man could make a stubborn Jamieson man do anything, but God knew how to bring a man down to his knees. She made eye contact with her mother, who blew her a kiss. Hallison smiled brighter.
Lord, teach me how to be a good, saved wife, she prayed as Malcolm came to her and possessively took her away from her uncle, who relinquished his duty, once he recognized Malcolm's determination. She loved that about Malcolm—his public and private shows of affection. "You couldn't wait? I was almost there," she teased, whispering.
He rubbed his mouth against the veil near her ear. "I could've married you the first day I saw you." Falling in step with the music, Malcolm laid her lace-covered arm on top of his. With a flare of dramatics and precision, he escorted her the remaining distance to the altar.
Once they stopped and faced each other, Hallison leaned in and whispered, "Thank you for saying yes to Jesus."
"I'm going to say thank you to Pastor Scott once he says I can kiss my bride." They shared soft chuckles until Mrs. Beacon made her presence known.
"I had trouble finding a parking space. Scoot over, Charlotte," Mrs. Beacon ordered Malcolm's mother. "I'm the fairy grandma. I bought this new digital camera just for this. I want to get Malcolm fumbling over his vows for YouTube. Have you seen those 'Oh Glory' wedding videos? Mine will trump theirs."
Charlotte hushed Mrs. Beacon as the minister began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today... you may now recite your personal vows."
Malcolm gathered Hallison's hands and brought them to his lips. "I love you."
Hallison gazed into his eyes. "I love you."
He whispered again, "I love you," with more power to his declaration.
"I love you," she repeated with the same determination.
The minister cleared his throat. "Recite your vows, Mr. Jamieson." The guests chuckled.
Frowning, he turned to Pastor Scott. "I'm trying, but I love her."
"Yes, you've established that, and we're your witnesses," he advised.
"This is good stuff. I told you that man would forget his vows," Mrs. Beacon stated, adjusting the camera to zoom in.
Reluctantly, Malcolm broke eye contact with Hallison. First, he turned to Mrs. Beacon and winked for her camera. He faced his bride again. "Hallison, Hali... God knows what's best for me, and He gave me you and the Holy Ghost. I promise to fulfill your desires, dreams, and needs. I promise to pray for direction and understanding in our marriage. I promise to be true to you and place your happiness above mine. Again, I profess my love to you."
When the pastor instructed Hallison to go ahead, she didn't blink. "Malcolm, I'm so blessed that God chose me to be your helpmate. I love you so much. I will trust you, honor you, and obey you." Hallison wasn't among the women who were afraid to obey their husbands because they didn't trust them to do right. Malcolm wouldn't dictate to her. She knew he would consult with her, and together they would make decisions.
"By the power God has given me, I now pronounce you husband and wi—"
Malcolm threw back Hallison's veil. His touch was so tender Hallison didn't care about ruining her makeup—well, maybe a little for pictures' sake. She waited for Malcolm's lips. He was torturing her as he stared as if deciding how to tackle the task. The kiss came and lasted until Parke attempted to pull them apart. Malcolm let go of her lips, but not Hallison. He kept her in his embrace.
Parke smirked as Malcolm fed his wife cake. Some of the children's antics at the reception briefly distracted him. When he looked back, the newlyweds were escaping. He was glad his brother and Hallison were finally married. They had more drama than he and Cheney. He prayed, when the time came, Cameron would elope.
"Beatrice, I tell you this has been a year for everyone. I think you need a man to keep you out of trouble," Charlotte joked as she introduced Mrs. Beacon to other family members.
Mrs. Beacon waved in the air. "I've already got one."
Several heads turned in sync. "Huh?"
"Yep, I've got to have some fun before my trial starts, which is weeks away, but I ain't worried. I got this. If you ever need to spice up your love life, then you've got to enter second life—the high-tech video world. Girl, let me tell you, I'm dating a thirty-something Italian tycoon, and—"