by Pat Simmons
Adrian walked closer. “It was.”
She fought back her tears to ask him, “What are some of the things you love about me?” She needed reassurance.
As he stood before her, the wind stirred up a teasing breath of his cologne. Brecee sucked it in and held it as long as she could before releasing his scent into the wild. As they watched each other, she began to wonder if he didn't have an answer.
When he lowered himself to one knee, Brecee felt faint. “What are you doing?” she choked out as her heart tried to recalibrate. The Lord knew she couldn’t take any teasing at the moment.
Whatever is lovely...think on these things, God whispered in the wind.
“I love your inner beauty and your passion for life. And I meant what I said. I love how you love me. Of course, you have the best pair of legs of all the bridesmaids.”
She blushed as her eyes misted. “Watching this ceremony confirmed to me that when two people truly love each other, they should be together.”
It took a wedding to make you realize that you wanted a forever with me? The devil was attempting to taint her tender moment with vanity.
Whatever is pure! the Lord’s voice rumbled in the waves below the ship.
“Sabrece Lynn Carmen, would you do me the honor of marrying me?” Adrian’s eyes had a slightly pleading look just before he bowed his head and dug into his pocket.
When he pulled out a small box lined with red velvet, she began to sob. All the questions, doubts, and longings had been a self-imposed torture. Adrian had wanted a forever with her, after all. It wasn’t a spur-of-the- moment decision. The ring proved it.
She nodded as he slid the beautiful diamond ring on her finger.
Then he looked up at her. “Sweetheart.” He paused and smiled as they both remembered his endearment. “I need to hear you say the words that you will be my wife.”
“Yes, Adrian. I want to love you for the rest of my life as your wife.”
Brecee blinked as he jumped up and lifted her off her feet in a hug. They sealed their engagement with urgent kisses, until the sound of applause made Adrian slowly lower her to the deck.
When she turned to face the banquet room, she saw all the wedding guests watching them through the windows, their glasses raised in a toast. “Cheers!” they shouted.
Chapter Twenty- Eight
W
ith Brecee by his side, Adrian approached the newlyweds during a break in the photography session to apologize for stealing the spotlight. “I just couldn’t wait any longer,” he explained. It was the truth. Five months was too long when he had found the one woman he couldn’t let get away.
“Honey,” Brecee’s mother touched his hand, “you made my daughter’s day. And that’s reason for any mother to celebrate.” She beamed with happiness, either because she was now married or because her baby daughter was now engaged. Maybe both.
“Nothing can compare to being in love,” Marcellus said as he gazed at his new wife. “We were blessed to find love twice. Enjoy it.”
Adrian exhaled, relieved that he hadn’t offended the newlyweds. “I’ve never seen Brecee so happy—and I’ve definitely seen her smile. Of course, that was after she stopped bawling.”
Laughing, Brecee elbowed him before taking off to show her ring to another group of friends. The price tag had equaled that of a preowned luxury car, but she was worth every commission check Adrian had earned over the years.
Less than a minute later, a pair of soft, fragrant hands snaked around the back of his head to his face and covered his eyes.
“That better not be anybody but my fiancée,” he feigned a threat as he reached around and guided her in front of him with one arm.
Brecee’s face glowed as she giggled. “How did you know?” She teased, then puckered up for a kiss, and he brushed one against her lips. Then she turned and faced her mother and stepfather, who stood watching with silent amusement.
“We better get out of the way so that others can congratulate you/’ Adrian said when he realized the photographer had been snapping pictures of them.
She was about to head off again when Adrian pulled her back and kissed her once more before letting her go.
Left alone, Adrian was waved over by her brothers-in-law. They took turns shaking his hand.
“Welcome to the family, Mr. Carmen,” Rahn said with a mischievous grin.
Adrian grunted. “I’m sure my baby will want to take my name.”
“Oh, I’m sure she will, too,” Rahn agreed. “Our wives all took our names, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Those Carmen sisters will have their way with you. Tie your heart into knots....”
“Drug you with their love,” Garrett added.
“They are downright hypnotic,” Ted put in.
Adrian’s laugh escaped before he could trap it. “Tell me something I don’t know. Brecee had me wrapped around her finger the day I met her, though I didn’t realize it till later. Since I love her, it’s only fair I let her have her way with me.” He exchanged fist bumps with each one of them, then stuffed both hands in his pockets and went in search of the love of his life, whistling as he walked.
“Who gets engaged at somebody else’s wedding-—and her own mother’s, no less?” Regina exclaimed when Brecee called her with the news.
“Evidently, I do.” She giggled. “It was so beautiful. I wish you had been there.” She was filled with so much happiness, she felt as if she might explode.
“I’m sure it was romantic. I’ve never been on a dinner cruise, much less a wedding on the water.”
“I’m talking about Adrian's proposal. The wedding celebration was a blur after that.” She giggled like a preteen every time her mind replayed the moment Adrian had gone down on bended knee. She never saw it coming. If she had, she wouldn’t have stressed herself out over it. “I’ll show you my rock when I get to work, but I wanted to tell you before everyone else.”
“I can’t wait!” Regina told her. “See you in a few hours.”
Staring at her reflection in her bathroom mirror, Brecee lightly applied her makeup before getting dressed for her shift. Although she was right- handed, she enjoyed attempting various tasks with her left hand just to see her diamond reflect the light at different angles.
Since the moment she’d said yes to Adrian, she hadn’t stopped thanking and praising God for His blessings. Of course, she’d also done a lot of repenting for her lack of faith and for her impatience. Thank God He’d forgiven her.
Before she had left Philly, she and her sisters had made a list of “must- haves” she wanted for her wedding. First, it had to be in June—good-bye to winter nuptials—because she wanted a rooftop ceremony. “I want the wind to blow through my hair like Beyoncé,” she’d said. Her sisters had laughed, but Brecee wasn’t joking. She wanted to look like a mythical goddess on her big day. That meant she would have to wait ten months to become Mrs. Cole.
Thanking God for giving her sunshine to start her Monday morning, she bounced out the door to her Lexus for the short drive to the hospital. Once there, she parked and then strutted into the emergency department.
Not usually one to speak with animated gesticulations, Brecee couldn’t resist waving her left hand in the air whenever she conversed with a colleague. If the individual didn’t get the subtle hint, Brecee politely informed him that her status had indeed changed, though many of them had probably learned about her status change on Facebook the night before.
After signing in on the board, she chatted with Ashley and several others at the nurses' station, happy to show them her ring. Then she proceeded to the doctors’ charting room, where Regina was just finishing a conversation with another doctor.
After he left, Regina turned to Brecee. “Wow. You’re glowing. Let me get my shades so I can examine this ring.” She grinned and clapped her hands. “I’m so excited for you!”
Brecee held up her left hand for Regina to inspect. “Fourteen-karat rose and white gold with a halo diamond cent
er.” She didn’t float back to reality until Ashley interrupted them.
“We have two toddlers with severe lacerations from broken glass. Stitches will definitely be necessary,” Ashley advised them.
As Brecee supervised the resident handling one of the patients, she wanted to scold the caregiver for leaving the naturally curious children unsupervised around glass figurines. After that, her shift was relatively quiet, with only a few sprains and fractures.
She was about to take a dinner break when Adrian strolled through the door with flowers and a Styrofoam takeout container, the aroma of which made her stomach growl more loudly than usual.
“What are you doing here?” her mouth asked, but her eyes and nose didn’t care.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” he told her with a grin. “Business was slow, so I left work a few hours early and decided to surprise my fiancée with dinner.”
“You can surprise me anytime. Come on. Let's get you a badge, and we can eat in my office.”
Once they were alone behind closed doors, Adrian gave her a tight hug. He seemed reluctant to end the embrace. They sat down, and Brecee offered a prayer before digging in. After she sampled Lady Ada Mac & Cheese, she closed her eyes and groaned. “OL ‘Henry has some good soul food.”
Leaning back in his chair, Adrian smirked. “I thought you would like something different. Also, Mrs. Almost-My-Wife, I’ll have you know I started on my guest list.”
Brecee stared at him. “Without my having to remind you? I’m impressed.”
“Actually, Mom is getting me a list of the addresses of family and friends. My client list is in my file, and I was thinking of inviting Mrs. Daniels. Her presence would be symbolic of my grandmother, in a way.”
“I think that’s a great idea.” Brecee paused from her eating and placed her hand on top of his. “Even though it’s unlikely our grandparents ever had a conversation, they both benefited from Mrs. Daniels’ faith in God. From witnessing on her job to inviting your grandmother to tag along as she traveled to Chicago for those healing services, the woman was doing God’s work.”
He smiled. “You’re right. It’s funny how people are drawn together.”
She nodded, then scooped up a serving of her collard greens. Once she swallowed, she dabbed at the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “God really does have a master plan. My sister moved to St. Louis to distance herself after a painful breakup. I followed her here so she wouldn’t be alone. Otherwise, I could have remained in Texas or applied at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.”
“Praise God, my beautiful wife-to-be came to me. Sabrece Lynn Carmen was meant to be loved by me.” He patted his chest.
He made this profession with so much awe in his voice, Brecee’s eyes filled with tears.
Several minutes later, her pager went off. Frowning, she collected her trash and tossed it in the garbage can, then stood. “I've got to go.” When he got to his feet, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Thank you for my flowers and the food, but the best gift was your visit.”
Adrian escorted her back to the emergency department. Near the exit, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and handed her a credit card.
“What’s this for?”
“Shopping. Thanks for being so understanding about how busy I’ll be with my classes this fall. I want you to be able to get whatever you want or need. I ordered another card for you with your maiden name on it, to use until we’re married.”
Brecee lifted an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want to give me a blank check, per se?”
“Oh, it has a limit on it. And I would be crazy to tell you what it is.” He winked, then turned and swaggered out the door.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
P
erfect. Adrian finished fussing with his bow tie and scrutinized his reflection in the full-length mirror. He and his seven groomsmen were holed up in a makeshift dressing room at the Philadelphia Free Library, waiting to be summoned. It was the venue Brecee had chosen for their rooftop wedding and paid for with Adrian’s American Express card.
Dolan, his best man, patted him on the shoulder. “You ready for this?”
Adrian nodded. He wanted to get this marriage thing right, striving to make as few mistakes as possible and to make Brecee happy. Lord, help me to be the head that You expect me to be, he prayed silently, then remembered something Pastor Archie had said during one of their premarital counseling sessions:
“Brother Cole, many marriages fall apart because the husband lacks the understanding of the Scripture that tells husbands to live with their wives according to knowledge. Take time to understand her, and love her despite her shortcomings. Honor her as if she were a queen. First Peter three, verse seven, says that wives are the weaker vessel. Weaker than who? Their husbands. That means both of you are to submit to each other and to the Lord for guidance. Love her and take care of her, and she will honor you always....’’
“I’m looking forward to forever with Brecee,” he said with confidence, forcing back the slight fear at the thought of being responsible, not only physically, but emotionally, for someone other than himself.
“You won’t regret having her as your wife,” Rahn stated calmly, his arms folded across his chest. The outfielder was in the lineup with Adrian’s Cole cousins from Detroit.
He hadn’t planned to have so many groomsmen, but Brecee wanted a big wedding; and, since she was the last Carmen sister to get hitched, as well as the baby girl, his future in-laws had spared no expense to make it happen.
Adrian’s mother had been supportive. She loved Brecee almost as much as he did. Their families’ combined guest list topped two hundred, and most of the invitees had responded affirmatively.
“All you have to do is show up, Mr. Cole,” Brecee had teased him when he’d received the first credit card statement for a deposit on something or other related to the wedding.
Adrian didn’t care about the money. All he wanted was for Brecee to say yes, then board the plane for their honeymoon in the Bahamas.
The knock on the door made him and all the groomsmen stand at attention. The photographer strolled in with suggestions for their poses. The man was in and out in no time. The next knock came from Victor, who had been instrumental in assisting Judith to get Mrs. Daniels to the church.
“It’s almost showtime.” He grinned mischievously. “I have to say, my cousin looks gorgeous. Just make her happy, and nobody gets hurt.” He cracked his knuckles for emphasis before closing the door.
More knuckles cracked, so Adrian turned around. His cousins from Detroit were in a military stance. “We got your back, cuz. If the Carmens don’t start none, there won’t be none,” Tallmadge III said, as if he were the group's spokesman.
“At ease, men.” Adrian laughed.
“That’s a Carmen threat that every man who marries a Carmen sister gets,” Rahn explained, but Adrian’s cousins didn’t look amused.
When Adrian heard the opening strains of “The Lord’s Prayer,” he glanced at the time and took a deep breath. Then he waved over his ring bearer—Stacy’s son, T.J. He looked handsome in his miniature tux. His counterpart was Adrian’s little cousin, Laura, who made the cutest flower girl.
Pulling a small envelope out of his breast pocket, Adrian squatted and looked the boy in the eyes. “Will you go and slide this under the door for your aunt Brecee?”
Seemingly glad to have a mission, T.J. snatched the envelope and took off down the hall to Brecee’s dressing room. Adrian stood and wiped the beads of perspiration from his forehead.
“Why don’t we have a prayer to calm your nerves?” Garrett suggested.
Adrian nodded, and the men circled around him and bowed their heads. Even his Michigan cousins compiled. “Lord,” Garrett began, “in the mighty name of Jesus, we come boldly to Your throne of grace, where we obtain mercy. We thank You for this union that You are about to sanctify. Give the bride and groom peace to enjoy this special da
y....” Garrett prayed until they heard another knock.
“Amen,” they all murmured.
“It's time,” the wedding coordinator instructed them.
Thanking everyone, Adrian stepped out of the room with Dolan to join Brecee’s former pastor in the courtyard, leaving his groomsmen to escort the bridesmaids up the aisle.
Brecee had been primped to the satisfaction of her mother and sisters. Her long hair had been curled into spirals, and a headband of lace and pearls rested across her forehead.
The door of her dressing room opened a crack. “Aunt Brecee?” T.J. squeaked. “This is for you.” He handed something to his mother, then raced out of the room.
“Slow down, T.J.!” Stacy yelled after him. She shook her head. “That boy.”
She took the envelope from her sister and slid out the note inside.
You’re perfect for me. You bring out my best. I’m ready to make my princess my queen.
The stylist who had applied her makeup to perfection threatened Brecee not to shed one tear after she read Adrian’s note.
“Okay.” Brecee sniffed to choke back her emotions.
Her sisters and Regina were immediately at her side, hovering over her with fans. They didn’t stop until Brecee convinced them that she was okay.
Minutes later, the wedding coordinator summoned the mothers of the bride and groom. Both women gave Brecee a kiss and a warm hug. Her bridesmaids and matron of honor, Shae, followed suit.
When Brecee heard her musical cue, Shae opened the door. There stood Marcellus, waiting to escort Brecee up the aisle. The man was ridiculously handsome at his age. Her mother had good taste.
His eyes twinkled. “If I’d had a daughter, she would’ve been as pretty as you—a princess,” he complimented as he guided her arm through his and rested her hand on his forearm.