Driven to be Loved

by Pat Simmons

  This wedding was expected to be a grand celebration. Marcellus had reserved a block of rooms at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing for the families, conveniently located near where they would board the cruise ship for the ceremony and reception. As a wedding gift to his mother-in-law and new father-in-law, Rahn was picking up the tab.

  They arrived in Philly without any delays and were soon riding in the limo Rahn had arranged to take them downtown. Before they had even checked in, it was like a big family reunion in the hotel lobby, with a hundred-plus guests for the wedding: the Beloses, her mother’s Portuguese relatives; and Marcellus' family, the Porters.

  As they mingled with friends and family over hors d’oeuvres in one of the hotel banquet rooms, which Brecee and her sisters had reserved for a welcome party, she introduced Adrian to one relative after another. “Are you intimidated yet?” she teased.

  Adrian grunted. “Nope. My mother may come from a small family, but the Cole side is overwhelming: Uncles Sylvester, John, Vallard, Dolan—my cousin’s named after him, Stephen, Tallmadge, Marshall, Herbert....”

  “Okay.” Brecee nudged him. “I get the point.”

  The bride and groom had decided to follow tradition and not see each other again until their wedding day, but that didn’t stop the cousins from reacquainting themselves, nor did it foil the famed musical duel between the Carmens and Porters. It was a jam session to remember.

  After the get-together, as Adrian escorted Brecee to her room, she mused that someday, this celebration would be for her. Outside her door, Adrian kissed her good night.

  As she watched him swagger down the hall to the elevators, Brecee thought about her bridesmaid dress and her mother’s motive for choosing it. “Maybe Momma does know best.”

  The next morning, Adrian awoke completely disoriented. He wouldn’t have said he’d had a nightmare until he woke up and found himself alone in bed. It had been pure bliss when he’d closed his eyes last night and dreamed of going to bed with his wife.

  After climbing out of bed, Adrian prayed, did his daily push-ups, and then showered. Love had to be in the atmosphere, because he couldn’t get Brecee out of his mind. While he had the nerve, he dialed the front desk and asked to be connected with the bride-to-be. “Mrs. Carmen—”

  “Not for long,” she said in a singsong voice. “Adrian?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Sorry if I woke you.”

  “Nonsense. When a woman is in love, she can't sleep.”

  “Neither can a man,” he mumbled. “I’m calling to ask your permission to marry your daughter.”

  She gasped. “Please tell me you’re not trying to make that happen today.”

  Adrian chuckled. He wished. “Oh no, ma’am. But soon. I was hoping you and your daughters would be busy this morning, so I could do a little ring shopping.”

  “Excellent! Consider it done. I would love to have you as my son-in-law, but only if you can commit to making my daughter first in your life after the Lord. I mean it. She’s my baby, and she’s always gotten plenty of attention. If you're not prepared to give that to her, then I suggest you reconsider your request.”

  “I’m afraid that isn’t an option. Brecee and I fit together, spiritually, and I love her with all my heart.”

  “Well then, what are you waiting for? The jewelry district on Sansom Street opens soon.” Laughing, the future Mrs. Porter ended the call before he could say good-bye.

  What had he been waiting for? They had been dating for almost five months. That felt like an eternity for a saved man to be celibate around a woman he loved, and he did love Brecee more than he could ever explain. Was she ready to say yes?

  He pulled his Bible out of his suitcase and was reading from Mark 6 when his smartphone rang. He smiled when he saw it was Brecee. “Morning, babe. Have you eaten yet?”

  “I’m sorry, but Mom just called and said she thought it would be nice for all the ladies to order room service in her suite. Do you mind hanging out with the boys?”

  His future mother-in-law sure worked fast. “I’ll be okay, sweetheart.”

  The line was silent.

  “Babe, what’s wrong?”

  She sniffed. “You’ve never called me ‘sweetheart’ before.”

  Adrian frowned. He hadn’t realized that the endearment was something new. He was touched that she’d noticed, but he was always touched by the little things she did for him. “Babe, you’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever met. I love you, and there are many more names I would like to call you as we grow closer every day.” Like “Mrs. Cole.” “You ladies enjoy your day, and I’ll meet you when it’s time for us to board the ship.”

  “Okay.” Her voice was so soft and seductive, just like in his dreams. “See you later, babycakes,” she said, speaking louder, then giggled as she ended the call.

  He laughed at her silliness. “And that’s why you’re going to be my wife,” he stated to himself.

  Adrian was about to leave when he thought of one more person he should speak to. He picked up the hotel phone. In less than a minute, the operator had connected him to Marcellus’ room. After they’d greeted each other, Adrian got to the point. “I know you’re not officially Brecee’s stepfather yet, but I wanted to ask you for her hand in marriage.”

  He was prepared to hear a response along the lines of “Sure, thanks for asking.”

  “She’s still mine,” Marcellus said. His deep voice held no jest. “Brecee became a part of me when our families were joined by the marriage of Shari and Garrett.”

  “Yes, sir.” Adrian took a seat. He had the strangest feeling he wasn't going anywhere for the next ten or fifteen minutes.

  “Sabrece is a lady, Adrian. Always remember that. She’s to be protected and loved. She needs to know her heart is in safekeeping with you. I was glad to hear that you surrendered to Christ. That means God will show you how to love her. Disagreements are part of life and marriage, but if you lay one finger on her, we will find out, and I will come after you. I won’t need backup. Do I make myself clear?”

  Marcellus’ warning was over the top. Adrian was exactly the type of man his parents had reared him to be—a protector, not an abuser. But Adrian had to respect a man who cared so deeply about his woman. “I will love her and protect her and make her smile,” he reassured him.

  “Then you have my blessing. I thank you for respecting me as the man I hope she will feel comfortable calling ‘Dad’ one day.”

  After hanging up, Adrian took the elevator to the lobby, where he ran into a small gathering of Brecee’s male family members and their children.

  Rahn walked up to him, carrying Sabrina who wanted down. Adrian had seen her take a few tentative steps and flop, but with all the children running around, Sabrina definitely wanted to be set free. “We’re on Daddy duty while our wives prep for the wedding,” Rahn told him, “so we’re taking the children to the zoo. Want to tag along?”

  Adrian glanced at Garrett’s sons, who were horsing around, until Saul smacked Garrison in the face. A dual was about to go down. “Ah, nah.” He chuckled. “I think I’ll do some sightseeing on my own.”

  “Good choice.”

  They parted ways, and Adrian waved for a cab. “There’s a jewelry district nearby?”

  The driver nodded. “Jewelers’ Row,” he said in a thick accent. “I take you there.”

  Chapter Twenty- Seven

  B

  recee could have purred from the pampering. She, her mother sisters, as well as Aunt Camille, had just returned from the hotel spa after getting their nails manicured, their hair styled, and their makeup applied.

  “Don’t my girls look stunning?” Brecee's mother took a deep breath and fanned her face with her hand.

  “Now, Mom, don’t cry,” Shae warned her. “You’ll mess up your makeup.”

  Their mother nodded, blinking away her tears. “As I look around at the beautiful women my daughters have become, I’m not ashamed to boast that Saul and I made some pretty ba
bies.”

  Once the laughter died down, their mother continued, “I want you to know I respect and love each one of you. I appreciate all that you girls have done to make this occasion so special—”

  “And on such short notice,” Brecee reminded her.

  “Yes.” She blushed. “After your father, I never dreamed I could love another man, especially at my age.”

  “Ha! Miss former beauty pageant contestant?” Stacy said. “When we’re together, people still mistake us for five sisters.”

  I’m glad you all are okay with my marrying an in-law of Shari’s.”

  “We are,” the sisters said in unison.

  “Besides his good looks, what attracted you to Marcellus, Mom?” Brecee crossed her ankles, careful not to test the durability of her toenail polish.

  “What first caught my attention was his carefree stroll, with one hand tucked in his pocket at just the right angle,” Stacy spoke up. “His swagger should be patented.”

  “I call that a confident stride that comes from serving twenty years in the Air Force,” her mother said with a smile. “But, for me, it was his directness, his sincerity, and his generosity. He told me that the first time the Porters visited our church, he was struck by my beauty, even though I was hidden behind a big purple hat, and by my graceful walk. But when he saw your daddy’s cherry-size diamond on my finger, he shut down all his intentions.”

  “You should have seen his face when he learned that you were a widow,” Shari said, laughing about her husband’s uncle. “It glowed like he’d just seen Jesus.” The ladies all chuckled, but Shari insisted, “I’m not kidding.”

  Their mother stretched out carefully on her bed, reclining gingerly on the stack on pillows, so as not to ruin her curls. “I respected Marc so much more for not crossing the line. When you all were small, men still flirted with me despite my little girls and my ring.” She scrunched her nose the way her daughters often did, only she did so to show disgust, whereas their duplication of the look always came off as cute.

  “But Uncle Marcellus was wearing his band, too, probably to ward off hussies,” Shari said, and they all giggled. “I call that a kindred spirit.”

  “We both had the same mind-set,” their mother said, nodding. “When he removed his ring, it was a sign that he was ready to move on.” In a whisper, she added, “I’m glad I finally found the courage to remove mine.” Staring at her left hand, she wiggled her ring finger, admiring the new diamond gracing it.

  “There is one more thing that made Marc special,” she went on. “He asked me to describe my life with Saul. I appreciated that so much, and it was at that moment I knew I could fall in love with him. He wasn’t trying to compete with my love for your father but to complement my life with his love.”

  Brecee patted her chest as her sisters and aunt sighed. “That was so beautiful, Mom. I wish I had been around to witness your courtship.”

  “You just be an active player in what God has given you and Adrian,” her mother mildly scolded her, then capped if off with a glorious smile.

  “That man sure loves me, and he shows it all the time.” Brecee thought about the night he’d showed up at her door with a bag of oatmeal cookies. She twisted a lock of curls around her finger. “He’s so different from me in terms of personality, so I guess opposites really do attract. I'm drawn to the unexpected with him.”

  “One look into Rahn’s soulful eyes, and I was done,” Shae gushed. “Whew!” She fanned herself as if a hot flash had crept up her skin.

  “Ted’s determination wore me down. It didn’t hurt that the weird neighborhood kid of our childhood turned out to be a hunk.” Stacy grinned.

  Everyone was waiting for soft-spoken Shari to chime in. Brecee, Shae, and Stacy considered her to be the most beautiful Carmen sister, with her flawless dark skin that contrasted starkly against their fair complexions. Dimples, lashes, legs—she had it all. Garrett called her his African goddess.

  “Garrett’s perfect for me,” Shari murmured, almost as if she were talking to herself. “He makes me feel special, beautiful, honored....” She smiled.

  The ladies continued to share love lessons until lunch was delivered to the suite—a delicious spread of finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, and cheese— compliments of Marcellus. Brecee smiled as she wondered if she would ever be able to view him as a father figure.

  When it was time to get dressed, the ladies touched up their makeup and fluffed their curls. Brecee was grateful that the family’s longtime hairstylist had been cleared by the hotel salon manager to make an on-site visit to do their hair for the special occasion.

  As Brecee studied her reflection in the mirror, she thought about Adrian and wondered what he had done all day. The last time he had seen her dressed up was at the charity banquet where they had had their first dance.

  Now that she thought about it, the night had sparked the beginning of their courtship. As she scrutinized her attire, Brecee wondered what her appearance this evening might spark. In the back of her mind, she hoped to make Adrian say to himself, I can’t let her get away.

  An hour later, the bridal party stepped off the elevator. In the lobby, Brecee cataloged Marcellus’ expression as he glanced over his shoulder and stopped mid-sentence when he saw her mother. The son he’d been speaking to, who was also one of his groomsmen, stood straighten Garrett’s eyes sparkled when he saw Shari.

  Brecee scanned the crowd for her special person. Adrian and Marcellus’ unmarried son seemed to notice her at the same time, and both were heading her way. Adrian’s strides were long and purposeful. She loved to watch his walk. He cut the other man off, intentionally or not. When he reached her, he lowered his head and kissed her as he whispered, “Good evening, sweetheart.”

  Closing her eyes, she accepted the soft brush against her lips. When she fluttered her eyelashes, and he came back into view, Brecee sighed. Although she hadn’t asked him to wear a tux, she was glad he had. If he ever gave up his day job as a car salesman—rather, transportation problem solver—he could hit the runway.

  “You are the most beautiful woman I see.” Adrian took her hand and twirled her under his arm like a ballerina.

  Brecee giggled. “I guess you don’t see the bride.”

  “I’m afraid not. My eyes won’t let me look at any woman but you.”

  When she looked into his brown eyes, she saw the magnitude of her love reflected in them. Or was it his love that she saw? “Thank you.” She stroked his smooth jaw. He winked, then held her hand as they got in line behind the bride and groom in an informal procession to the limos that would transport the bridal party to the ship.

  Her mother turned around. “Adrian, you’re welcome to ride with us,” she told him.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Carmen. I need to keep an eye on my pretty little lady.”

  “That you do,” her mother replied.

  As the wedding party limos pulled out, the rest of the guests took shuttles to the boat. In no time, they were boarding the Spirit of Philadelphia. The hostess greeted them and directed to them to the second-floor banquet room, giving them a superb view of the Delaware River.

  It wasn’t long before everyone was in place for the ceremony. This was Brecee’s fourth appearance as a bridesmaid. She tried not to tear up as Uncle Marcellus’ voice grew louder and bolder as he professed his love to her mother. She recognized the amorous look on his face.

  “Annette, I’m so glad that God says it’s not good for a man to be alone. Thank you for filling my empty space.”

  Brecee couldn’t see her mother's expression, but she was sure that it reflected a mirror image. “Marcellus Porter, I don’t take love lightly; and when you spoke those words to me, I felt them. Today, I give myself to you to be your wife for as long as God gives us breath....”

  Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry, Brecee coached herself. But when she heard her sisters sniffling, the tears began to fall as Brecee’s former pastor pronounced the couple husband and wife.

&nb
sp; Brecee chanced a peek at Adrian. She was startled to find him watching her instead of the bride and groom. He looked smug and seemed oblivious to the emotions that were stirring within her with every whisper of love.

  Applause erupted in the room, along with the catcalls and cheers. The sound must have echoed throughout the cruise liner, even though the room was enclosed. Suddenly, Brecee needed air. As everyone rushed the newlyweds to congratulate them, Brecee made her escape to the deck for some fresh air. She needed to get a grip.

  Every wedding that wasn’t her own took away some of her strength, and if she kept attending these ceremonies as a single woman, there would soon be nothing left except an empty shell.

  Lord, help me. She just had to make it through the photo session and the dinner, and then she could regroup. Brecee thought she could do this— be satisfied going at Adrian’s pace—but her emotions couldn’t be frozen in time. She felt helpless.

  Closing her eyes, Brecee allowed the warm breeze to play with her curls. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes to admire the Benjamin Franklin Bridge as the sun began to set.

  Soon, good memories began to replace her moments of misery. She smiled, remembering the happy time spent with her mother and sisters in the hotel suite. Those moments had been priceless. She reflected on the accolades her sisters had offered about their husbands and was thankful for how cherished her brothers-in-law made them feel. If their mother could find happiness again at fifty-eight years of age, there was hope for her, right?

  Have I not told you that whatsoever things are true, honest, pure, lovely... if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, that you should think on these things? God whispered bits and pieces of Philippians 4:8.

  Brecee swallowed. She had been reading through that particular book, and God was using it to give her comfort when she needed it most.

  “There’s something beautiful about a woman who loves me.” Adrian’s deep voice spliced through the serenity she had just embraced.

  Sucking in her breath, she shivered as she slowly turned and faced him. To her, Adrian would always be one of God s finest specimens of a man, and she desperately wanted to be his. But it seemed he wasn't ready. Steadying her voice, Brecee tried to sound cheery. “It was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?”