Chapter Forty

Everything was paid for: the tulips, the lilies, the roses, the ribbons, the tulle, and the rest of the decorations. Even the honeymoon had been paid for, but they weren’t bothered with that. They had their own honeymoon idea in mind.

Michelle thought it was only something that could happen in one of those juicy fiction books. She didn’t care. She’d be the character any day if it meant being paired with Deek.

“I can hardly stand it,” Michelle shared with Stoney who had helped her get ready. “I never had a wedding.” She became misty eyed. “I guess I never felt worthy.” She could no longer hold in her emotions.

“Mom, you are more than deserving.” Stoney comforted her mother by rubbing her shoulder. “You can’t keep holding on to that. Look at me.” Stoney bent down and placed her face in her mother’s view. “If God has allowed me to start with a clean slate with you, there is no devil in hell that can change otherwise. It’s over. It’s been over.” She nuzzled her nose on her mother’s, not wanting to mess up her mother’s lipstick with a peck.

“You’re right, Stoney. My baby.” Michelle couldn’t help but think about the second chance to live through Him. “You are my angel.”

“I am, aren’t I?” Stoney asked with a giggle.

Yesterday the same church had been in an uproar due to a relationship coming to an abrupt end. Even after all was said and done and Deek had proposed, getting married was the furthest from Michelle’s mind. At least so soon.

It was Kendra who came to Michelle with the ideal of nuptials being exchanged. With all monies invested there was no doubt a wedding needed to take place. Whether it happened or not, Mercy gave her blessing. Michelle couldn’t say no.

That was another miracle Michelle had to give God props on. Women who she had once hated and hated her had turned around and treated her with a cordial, godly friendship. At almost sixty, Michelle finally concluded with herself she only had hated them because she’d secretly envied them and their ability to be blessed with good men in their lives. It wasn’t until Michelle consummated her relationship with God that she realized that the spirit Kendra and Gracie possessed was because they didn’t strive for fulfillment with men, but rather with God. Michelle finally got the memo.

There was no time like the present to live a fulfilled life and Michelle was looking forward to marrying and spending the rest of her life with Deek. With her family present and now, finally friends and extended family, Michelle realized she really didn’t know a better way to start. Love was present and that’s what mattered most.

“Ma? You ready?” Stoney ran in place for a second, excited about her mother finding love. Rather, love finally finding her. And from a man who actually pursued her; Deek was that someone who wanted and needed her in his life.

“You know I am, Stoney.” Michelle puckered her lips regardless of her lipstick and kissed her daughter.

“Okay. Let me go make sure Pops is ready.” Stoney had been ready to stand by her sister Mercy’s side at the altar. Things were now different. Due to life’s curveballs, Stoney was now ready to take on the responsibility of being her mother’s maid of honor.

Walking to the entrance door of the sanctuary, Stoney high-fived Keithe and said, “She’s ready.”

Throwing up her thumbs to the organist, Stoney cued the music. Pointing a finger-gun to her daddy, she let Bishop know he could get ready to officiate the wedding.

Standing on the opposite side of Keithe, under the threshold, when Michelle had come out of hiding, the two became misty eyed.

With a dazzling, off-the-rack wedding dress Stoney and Michelle had found at Terra Costa in North Dallas, the last-minute shopping proved wonders for Michelle’s glow. Michelle looked breathtaking. A simple flower in her hair set off the straight but tucked material-filled dress.

“You look amazing.” Keithe offered his right arm, leaning in for a kiss on the cheek.

“Mom, you are gorgeous.” Stoney offered her left hand.

With a sincere smile and nod, Michelle looked to Keithe as her borrowed because she knew sooner or later her ex-husband would do right by Kenya if she allowed him the honor. Stoney was no doubt her something blue with the blue corsage her daughter had around her wrist. Having Stoney in her life now brought out a whole other meaning in living.

And down the aisle toward her future husband, Michelle was about to walk to her something new. With a wink toward Deek, Michelle was ready.

The church could actually seat hundreds of people. Now, no more than ten people gathered in the large, beautifully lit sanctuary. And that was perfect enough.

Michelle saw that Kendra had raced to her seat after doing Michelle’s makeup. Gracie and Marcus were there for support to their extended family and to witness the union. And of course, Bishop, Stoney’s dad, was officiating.

“You sure about this?” Keithe whispered out of the side of his mouth as they made their way down the aisle.

“Are you sure?” Michelle whispered back as she turned her eyes toward Kenya who stood in a row alone.

With a smile at Kenya and a nod of agreement, Keithe said, “Oh yes. I’m sure.”

It was amazing how Michelle knew in her heart that everything was just right. There was no guilt behind it. She hadn’t stolen anyone’s man or husband. She hadn’t connived in order to get Deek to love her. She was just at the right place at the right time. Michelle knew all things happened for a reason and in order to get where they both were, they had to go through what they’d experienced.

“I’m sure too,” she said as she released her family and held out her hand to Deek.

As Bishop asked who would give her away, Michelle looked back to see Keithe and Stoney hugging one another and offering her to her future.

“We do,” they harmonized.

After his duties, Keithe turned and walked to sit next to Kenya. Without thought, Keithe grabbed for Kenya’s right hand and intertwined his fingers through hers.

Bringing her small and delicate hand to his mouth, Keithe gave her the softest and most gentle and respectful kiss. He hoped she liked it because it was definitely a church kiss. He’d do their official first kiss afterward.