THE DAWNING (The Dawning Trilogy)

by LaVenia Boswell

  “But, will they do a good job?” he inquired, raising that right brow of his.

  “They better or they won’t get paid!”

  Seeing his doubtful expression she hurried over to Salina and gave her the funds to pay the clean-up people. Salina agreed to stay with Marcus and make sure they did it right.

  Looking back at Jason watching her Jenny turned so he couldn’t see her hand as she gave Salina a nice sum for her to share with Marcus for their trouble.

  “That just burns it!” she muttered to herself as she returned to Jason. She tried not to be upset over her inability to save as much of the money he’d given her for the party as she’d hoped. There was a handsome set of tie clip and cuff links in a store she wanted to give him as a wedding gift. They were platinum and over three hundred dollars. So far she‘d only saved about one twenty besides the rest of the money she’d saved him, but that would be his.

  He proceeded to dance her around the room to a lively song. Even his dancing was a bit stuffy she realized with a giggle. He was waltzing, actually waltzing! In half a minute others began to waltz too.

  Since her parents had refused for her to work this year and now she would be married, hopefully real soon, she was a woman without funds other than to ask her parents. She couldn’t do that, they had over stretched their budget for her graduation items and now helping a little with this party and her wedding dress is kind of still expensive even with the discount and her mom’s dress simply made it impossible to ask her parent’s for more.

  Jennifer couldn’t see any way at all to get the funds she needed. She even thought about baby sitting, but she’d have to have started last year to have the money she needed now. Heaving a sigh she walked out arm in arm with her Jason. This had been a good day, she decided with happiness returning, even being broke didn’t touch her joy too much tonight.

  Celebrations were all over the place and Jennifer was bubbling over with happiness while Jason seemed to take it all in stride with a simple smile, but that quite frequently.

  She’d be married on Friday, and her whole world was aglow. That Wednesday was their wedding rehearsal and small dinner following. Thomas’ fiancée Celeste helped her little daughter learn to be a flower girl and Jason’s youngest nephew, who was four, would be his ring bearer. Salina would be Jennifer’s Maid of Honor and her brother Thomas had the job of being Jason’s best man. That was the limit of their bridal party, besides their parents, since Jenny had requested it remain small.

  The guest list was rather extensive however, due to all the Zonelli family and friends and Jason’s club and organization members, plus their church.

  Everything went fine and excitement was building for the real ceremony in only two more days.

  Jennifer had been praying almost non-stop for God’s blessings on their marriage. Jason had been doing the same, but neither knew what the other was privately doing since they had been kept so busy with last minute arrangements about their house plus things popping up with the wedding.

  Tonight while the rehearsal was over and they were enjoying the dinner Jason’s parents smiled big as they handed a large white envelope over to Jenny’s parents.

  What’s this?” Martin asked taking the envelope, as Jenny’s mom leaned over his arm to see what it was.

  Opening it up he slid the contents onto the table.

  “Two cruise tickets?” Julian exclaimed with wide-eyed wonder. “But why?” she asked looking excited but puzzled.

  Martha and Edward smiled lovingly at one another before Edward stated, “We wish someone had thought to do that for us, when our last daughter got married.” He frowned, “It takes some adjusting, not having them at home any longer. We both felt if we’d been kept busy for the first two weeks we could have managed a bit better.”

  Martha added, “A cruise to the Caribbean to help you not grieve so badly once your house is empty of Jennifer is a good idea, take our word for it. You’ll leave the day after the wedding for two weeks unless you want to change the dates.”

  When Julian and Martin tried to reject the gift, the Zonelli’s reassured them once again. They repeated firmly they wished someone had done that for them when their last daughter married. They were greatly encouraged to go and enjoy it as their second honeymoon, because the kids had picked that cruise and destination out for them.

  Jenny and Jason greatly encouraged her parents to accept the gift and to go enjoy themselves. They’d been running too the past month, both sets of parent’s had, and they all needed a time to relax.

  Jason’s parents stated they planned on going this weekend following the wedding to the Florida Keys for a few days. They want to go lobster hunting if the license is still available.

  The Desire For Your Beloved . . .

  19 – WEDDING DAY EMBARRASSMENT

  The day that Jason and Jenny had thought would never arrive – did. Their wedding day was upon them.

  That morning as they left to head for the church Jenny gave Jason a small box and said, “Jas, sweetheart, this is for you to use when you dress for our wedding.”

  Jason in turn handed her a smaller box and said, “Wear this for the wedding too, my heart.”

  Each one held the other’s face as they gazed into eyes glistening with barely concealed jubilance and joint thankfulness. Jason kissed her lightly and chastely on the lips before they went their separate ways to prepare for the ceremony.

  Jennifer was being dressed again in St. Patrick’s Social Hall women’s restroom. Her mother and Jason’s mom were attending her along with all three of Jason’s sisters along with Celeste and Salina. There was barely room for Jennifer to breathe, and that she had to remind herself to do several times.

  As soon as Jennifer was ready they scooped a large sheet over and around her hems to keep the dress from getting soiled in the gravel, asphalt and concrete they had to maneuver getting over to the church. She remembered the box Jason gave her and found the most perfect luminous pearl earrings she’d ever seen. Her hands trembled so badly her mom had to assist her in putting them in her ears.

  Jennifer was hoping Jason would like the platinum tie clip and cuff link set she’d gotten him with a lot of help from his parents. It was a triple rope ring design to symbolize their marriage would be strong with the Holy Trinity with them.

  Off they went. Again they lined up outside the sanctuary in the vestibule for the Rite of Matrimony within the Mass Ceremony.

  Jenny’s dad hugged and kissed his daughter with his eyes filled with pride, love and a few slow tears before they entered.

  Jason’s dad had his own hands full trying to keep an over anxious Jason from seeing his bride before his mom gave her permission by way of a look from her eyes that she finally gave as she stepped in line. He’d never seen his son as visually agitated as he was now while looking through the rear church exterior doors each time someone came through, and Jason was constantly adjusting his tie.

  The mother’s of the couple would join in the lighting of the two candles on either side of the Unity Candle before being seated last. The groom’s mother would be seated first and lastly the bride’s mom.

  The Music Ministry was given notice to begin and Martin walked through as the ushers suddenly held both Church exterior doors open and on his arm was the most beautiful angel Jason ever hoped to see in this life.

  Jennifer immediately sought him out with her eyes. Seeing him, the radiant smile she had was brighter than the hot sun shining down from the sky this day.

  Jennifer’s flowing white dress had a softly fitted bodice with a high Mandarin neck and pointed long sleeves with pearls at the points. The top was simple, to enhance the beauty of the wearer. The skirt of the dress was a smooth gentle flare to her ankles with embroidered white roses and pearls lightly done down the center front and back. The waist was a satin band with a flat bow that dipped in back. Her hair was half up in soft curls with a sheer white silk caplet and a circle of roses and pearls entwined on silver stems that held
the full veil in place that went half way to the floor in the rear and to her shoulders in front. The veil was narrow lace edged with tiny pearls on the top layer.

  Beneath the veil Jason suddenly realized she was looking a little pale. “Breathe,” he urgently mouthed to her. He noted she took a deep breath and then nodded. If he could only keep her conscious long enough for the ceremony, he thought in panic, he could then always be by her side to remind her to breathe.

  The Processional Hymn began and they entered the church.

  The lighting of the candles on either side of the Unity candle were lit by the mothers who were then escorted to their seats last.

  After the wedding couple was seated followed by their fathers, and their moms, Father Jose gave the Greeting and the opening prayer.

  Liturgy of the Word began: an Old Testament reading, a Psalm sung by a soloist, the Epistle reading, the Alleluia, then the Gospel reading given by the Deacon.

  Next, Father Jose delivered another inspiring Homily.

  The Marriage ceremony began with the exchanging of vows. Jennifer kept telling herself to stop crying or people would think she wasn’t happy when the truth was she was so filled with joy, she had a hard time getting her words out loud enough for them to be heard past the first two rows.

  Jason’s chin trembled a few times she noted with a tender smile. So, she tried very hard to pull herself together to help him. Men are so well, man like when it came to tears, she realized and tried to clear her head as Father Jose was asking her something.

  “I do,” she responded when she remembered what it was he’d asked. Jason looked so peaceful now, suddenly. Got’ta ask him later why he got so calm, she decided.

  Jason felt long awaited relief when she finally said, “I do.” He’d been waiting to hear that from her sweet lips for years now. It finally happened and God was in the center of the doing.

  Next came Father Jose’s Blessing of the Rings.

  Jennifer and Jason did the exchanging of rings with Jason trying to hold her engagement ring out of the way while he slid the wedding band on her finger. As soon as that was finished he placed her engagement ring back on and held out his hand for her to place his wedding band on him.

  The instant Jenny slid his ring on him and he heard her say, “With this ring, I thee wed,” he knew absolutely he was a completely different person. He was no longer a single individual. He was forever united with his beloved wife. Today he became a husband, provider, protector, leader, helper, encourager, and forever in love with this beautiful lady God had prepared for him so many years ago. God had also been preparing him for her in the same way, he was fully aware. He knew Destiny was here, this moment, and he was deeply thankful to God for trusting him with such a special and precious gift, their Jenny. Heaven’s Angels were surely present all about the room, rejoicing with them.

  Their Marriage Prayer came next, it was so touching and sobs of joy could be heard by the mother’s in the group and several others.

  With their hands joining together, Jason and Jennifer brought light to the Unity Candle.

  The Prayer of the Faithful was exclaimed with unity and deep emotion.

  Next, the Holy, Holy, Holy was done.

  The Eucharistic prayer that followed was accomplished. Everyone sung the Our Father, while holding hands, throughout the church.

  Father Jose gave the wedding couple his Nuptial Blessing with a big smile and joyfulness evident to all.

  The Eucharist Communion began as the music ministry group played softly, their wondrous talents coming to the forefront as they played and sang for the wedding couple as they received the Eucharist together, for the first time as man and wife.

  The Communion hymn played.

  Father Jose gave his final blessing to the congregation of worshipers and well wishers.

  Lastly the Recessional occurred with a smile on every face. The whole church seemed to have a golden glow to it this day.

  Jason and Jennifer were congratulated by all and were showered with rice, bird seed and rose petals as they made their way to the waiting short white limo at the curb. It was to drive them to the Crowne Plaza Hotel for their reception and overnight stay before they left for the airport the next day.

  After Jennifer’s mom and dad helped clear her dress from the limo door, blowing kisses at them and not letting the chauffer do his job, her dad shut the door and told the driver he was to drive safely, they’d be there themselves soon.

  Jennifer turned, wanting to watch their parents in hopes they were not crying too badly but her vision stopped when she looked into Jason’s eyes.

  “Kiss me Jas, and tell me again that you are really, really now my husband,” she whispered leaning close enough to breathe his breath.

  His smile made her heart beat even faster as he crooned, “That I am, Mrs. Jennifer Zonelli. I’m your adoring husband. You are stuck with me now for life.”

  He gathered her into his arms, while trying not to crush her dress over much, and allowed himself to give her the kiss he’d been withholding all his life, until that moment.

  “Ohh, my . . . word, Jason Zonelli,” Jennifer gasped breathlessly and dizzily as his strong arms cradled her in his lap. How she’d gotten there she hadn’t a clue.

  “Bet ya can’t do that again,” she dared with a whisper and a slow smile of her own that made Jason’s heart thunder in his already swollen chest. Her twinkling eyes closed as he pulled her closer still.

  By the time the limo stopped in front of the hotel, both Jason and Jennifer were staring through glazed over eyes and they felt the most interesting of emotions and sensations two people could have, they were certain. Jenny realized she was actually still dizzy and felt truly weak kneed. Her legs had turned to limp noodles of all the silly things.

  Jason was unable to leave the limo just yet but Jenny didn’t understand. When the chauffeur began to open the car door, Jason exclaimed, “No! Give us a few minutes!” and slammed the door shut.

  With a worried look on her face Jenny asked, “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

  Jason responded, “Nothing most men don’t have to contend with, especially when they have a wife even a fraction as beautiful and loving as you.”

  She smiled at that.

  When he began to take deep breaths and oddly looked everywhere except at her she began straightening his jacket and his tie that had somehow gotten all twisted and crooked. Upon perusing him for anything he might need correcting she soon understood his predicament.

  “Oh, my.” Jason heard her mutter. He looked up at the limo ceiling for a while. Finally he glanced swiftly at her stricken face and suddenly burst out laughing.

  “What?” she asked beginning to giggle at his laughter.

  “Here we are – finally married, legal, before man and our precious Lord and I can’t even get out of the car to greet our guests!”

  “I’m sorry, Jas,” she said looking upset that she was the reason for his calamity.

  He held her face in his hands, kissed the tip of her nose and said firmly, “Don’t ever apologize to me for being such a wonderful creature. Now,” he began to feel a little more normal, “can you think of anything to get my mind off you?”

  He smiled at her and added, though knowing it was impossible, “Any little irritant that might help me clear my head right now?”

  Jenny bit her lip and slowly said with great hesitance, “Well . . . there’s one.”

  “What?” he asked expectantly. It was working, his mind and body were now responding to normal things.

  “Jas, my wonderful beloved husband . . . have you looked at our fertility cycle on your phone lately?”

  He didn’t dare tell her he had been checking it every day since it was installed, several times a day some days, and he was very proud of her daily recordings too. He knew what she knew but he didn’t know how she was feeling about it. He’d been emotionally preparing himself in the last week to wait to consummate their marriage until she was in the safe part
of her cycle, if that’s what she desired, he had no problem with that.

  Jenny watched his face carefully, looking for any little twitch, or brow movement, or the edges of his lip to turn up or down, his eyes bat, anything. He didn’t as much as quiver his nostril. She couldn’t tell a thing about what he was thinking.

  Jenny had already decided that if he was fearful of them starting a family right away, she would wait. They were going to have their whole lives together after all, what were a few days in the scheme of things? They’d still be with one another and enjoying that. But, she had also decided that if their joining caused Father God to want to produce a tiny soul for them to bring into the world, then that was fine with her too.

  He knew she was waiting on his answer.

  “Father,” praying aloud he began, “Jenny and I are about to begin our life together. It has been Your will that her cycle had a four day change that we both noted over a week ago. This change is Your doing, I feel, and so Jenny and I want You to show us what Your perfect will is in regards to our marriage consummation time. We love You Lord and desire to please You in all things. Our bodies are Yours and we ask you to reveal to us tonight what we are to do. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, Jenny and I both pray, Amen.”

  Jason was amazed and deeply proud of her confidence in him. Already, she trusted him as their spiritual leader and he prayed he never failed at that task.

  Jenny doubled the Amen, and said, “See, sweetheart, I knew I was worrying and fretting over what you would say and feel about it without reason. I knew if I handed you the situation you would come up with the correct solution and have our prayers answered somehow. God always answers those who ask, like you’ve told me many times.”

  Jason opened the car door and helped Jenny exit while straightening her gown and the turned back veil. It was now about two thirty in the afternoon.