“Just be patient,” he whispered teasingly.
Within moments, wide doors opened and a grand piano was rolled in on a mobile stage and out onto the open patio.
Jenna’s eyes widened. “What’s this?”
“You said we couldn’t dance without music and you were right,” Mitch replied nonchalantly. He stood and pulled out her chair before offering his hand. She took it and he pulled her close.
The pianist began playing a sweet love song, and as he slipped his arm around her waist, she rested her forehead in the crook of his neck. He wished the evening could last forever.
He began to sing the words of the song softly to her. He didn’t have the best voice and he knew it, but he also knew that she wouldn’t mind so much. It was far more about the words than the tune.
I never thought this day would come,
With you in my arms and my bad deeds undone.
But God gave me a gift in you.
A gift that’s amazing and ever so true.
I don’t deserve His grace and mercy,
But He gave me more, I’m so unworthy,
Jenna had been with him through so much. She’d cared for him when he was at his worst. God had used her gifts and her forthrightness to open his eyes to the truth, and he couldn’t imagine another day without her in his life. He had to commit to her now, he had to beg her to be his wife.
“Jenna,” he whispered as the song ended.
“Yes?” She pulled away ever so slightly and looked up at him.
He still held her in an embrace and didn’t want to let her go, but he knew he would have to.
“You like your earrings?” He watched her smile falter a little.
“Yes, of course. They’re beautiful.”
“That’s good. Because they’re a part of a set.”
He pulled away from her, and bending down on his knee, pulled a small box from the pocket of his jacket, opening it to reveal the diamond within.
Jenna’s eyes filled with tears as she brought her hands to her cheeks. “Oh, Mitch…”
“Jenna, my darling. You’ve been the most precious gift that the Father has ever given me. I’m totally undeserving of you. Your beauty and your grace, and everything that you are, overwhelms me. The woman I fell in love with is a woman I never deserved or imagined.
“You were kind to me at my lowest, and I remain, as ever, amazed by you. I love and adore you, Jenna, and I can’t imagine my life without you.
“I know there are things about my past that could complicate our future, but I can’t imagine my life with anyone else. So, Jenna Wainwright, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”
“Yes! Of course, I will!” She bent down and threw her arms around his neck. He held her tight as tears of joy welled in his eyes. He was overwhelmed that she’d accepted his proposal. He had long hoped for it, but now it had come to pass, he could hardly believe it. Jenna was going to be his wife. They were going to be married.
“Can I please put this on your finger now?” He pried her off his neck and laughed.
She held out her hand and let him slide the ring on.
“What do you think?” He’d tried to find the right balance between a ring that was extravagant and beautiful, that would stand out from her other jewelry but would still be delicate enough for her since she didn’t like things to be flashy.
“It’s perfect,” she replied, gazing at the diamond that glittered in the soft lighting.
He sighed in relief. He’d gotten it right. He’d managed to find something that she liked and appreciated. It meant the world to him to know she was happy with it.
“I wish I could give you a million diamonds every single day,” he told her, pulling her into an embrace and kissing her neck.
“I don’t. These wouldn’t be half so special if you did. How about instead of giving me millions of diamonds each day, you give me your love every moment for the rest of our lives?”
“You know, I think I can manage that.”
The pianist began playing another song, and this time, he was joined by a violinist.
“Would you like to dance again or would you rather take a dip in the jacuzzi?”
She smiled and her eyes lit up. “Both. Let’s have one more dance since I’ve not danced with my fiancé before.”
“I like the sound of that.” He held her close and as they danced, he thanked God for the beautiful woman in his arms who was soon to become his wife.
Chapter 28
Jenna could hardly believe it. No matter how much she’d hoped that Mitch might propose one day soon, it seemed a dream that he’d actually done so on this beautiful evening.
Certainly, there might be those who would call them crazy for becoming engaged so soon after they’d begun dating, but having known each other as friends for so long, it seemed right. And she knew the man he truly was. The man God had changed from being a selfish billionaire playboy to a man who had a heart seeking to live his life the way the Lord wanted him to.
Resting in his arms as their dance came to a close, she could barely believe that she could now call herself Mitch’s fiancée. He’d changed in so many ways since giving his life to the Lord. He was a wonderful man.
“Is it okay that I’ve spoiled you tonight? Has it been too much?” Mitch asked her, concern on his face.
“Not at all. I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. And a little spoiling now and then never hurt anyone.” She laughed as she placed a kiss on his lips.
“True. It’s not like I’ve bought you a house,” he said in dismay.
“Why do you say it like that?” She frowned.
“Because I wish I could. I wish I could provide for you the way you deserve. Not out of wealth and greed, but out of responsibility.”
“You will. We’ll do it together, like most couples do. We’ll both work and we’ll make ends meet. But I’ve no doubt that you’re just getting started, Mitch. God is our provider and I trust that as you continue to seek Him, He’ll open doors for you.”
“I believe that too. Thanks for the reminder. I want to be the perfect husband, but I know it all begins with having my foundations right. By placing Christ first in our lives.”
“I have to say that He’s given me a pretty wonderful man to depend on.” Jenna grinned.
“Well, that man wants to know what you would like to do next. Are you ready for dessert?”
She nodded with enthusiasm. “Absolutely.”
They returned to the table and enjoyed a decadent chocolate cheesecake with strawberries and cream.
“You’ve made me feel like a princess tonight,” she said to him.
“That was my goal. I’m glad it worked.” He grinned at her and she laughed.
She didn’t want the evening to end, but knowing that it would, and that she’d return to her small apartment on her own, she couldn’t help but wonder if this was what it was like to be wealthy.
And in the midst of that thought, she looked at Mitch.
No, that was what it was like to be wealthy. Wealth was having a man who loved her enough to spoil her like this, but whom she could adore even when their dates included a free walk down the road and peanut butter and jam sandwiches at her apartment.
Wealth was the security of knowing that they were in Christ and that it had been the very thing that had brought them together. Yes, those were the things that made them wealthy, and they were things they would have for the rest of their lives.
She gazed at Mitch with all the love she held for him as she took her last mouthful of cheesecake.
“Good?” he asked, oblivious to her thoughts.
“Very rich,” she replied, chuckling at the double meaning of her words.
Mitch nodded, but she knew he was only thinking of the rich flavour of the dessert. She’d let him remain in that thought. “Are you ready for the jacuzzi?” he asked, rubbing his belly.
She couldn’t have been more ready. She was thrilled that the evening had
n’t yet ended and that they could enjoy another special treat. “I thought you’d never ask. Where do I change?”
One of the wait staff directed her to a change room and handed her the package Mitch had left beside the jacuzzi. She opened it to find a blue and white striped one-piece swimsuit. It was the perfect fit.
After climbing into the tub, for a long while they remained quiet and stared at the stars, reminded of the greatness of God’s creation.
“Can you imagine what our future is going to look like?” she finally asked, resting against Mitch’s shoulder.
“I’ve been imagining it since I got out of the hospital, when I realised that I didn’t just want to flirt with you. When I could tell that my feelings for you were different from how I’d ever felt about a woman before. So yeah, I can imagine it.”
She loved hearing those words from him. He was so romantic; it made her swoon to think of him as her husband. He’d become so sweet and gentle with her and every time they were together, she felt like she was being taken care of in the most respectful of ways.
“So what sort of wedding do you want?” he asked, toying with a lock of her hair.
Jenna leaned back farther, adjusting until she was looking directly at the stars. “I think we should rent out the biggest hotel in all of Sydney. Or maybe even the opera house. We can find six, pure white horses and a huge white, ornate carriage to drop me there for the wedding. And we can hire a few bands to perform at the reception, of course. What do you think?”
Straightening, she looked into his eyes and tried not to laugh when she was met with silence. The horrified expression on his face was the best thing she’d seen all day and eventually she could no longer hold it back. “Relax.” She chuckled and gave him a hug.
“You’re joking.” He exhaled in relief. For a moment she’d truly fooled him. It had been cruel in the best of ways. Mitch was beyond displays like that now and she knew that for him, to believe that she really wanted a tacky, over-the-top wedding would certainly have frightened even the old version of him.
“Of course I’m joking. Do you really think I’d want all of that?”
“No, but weddings bring out surprises in people. There could have easily been a side of you that you’ve kept hidden all this time.”
“Well, I’ve pretty much shown you what there is to see about me. I’m not into facades. So if you’re surprised by my wedding wants, they’re probably a joke.”
“I’ll bear that in mind.”
“But in reality, I think something outdoors would be nice. What do you think?” she asked.
“Outdoors sounds perfect to me. I didn’t know if you’d want it in the church or not. But I like the idea of an outdoors wedding.”
“Perfect. We’ll find a nice place together.”
“Are you thinking the beach?” he asked.
“Hmmm....I was thinking more of a garden or a park.”
Mitch nodded, appearing content with that idea. “I like that plan. And I have the perfect place in mind. Do you think we could go sometime this week and I can show you?”
“Sounds great,” Jenna replied, settling back to dream of her perfect wedding to her perfect fiancé.
By the end of the evening, she was content to say goodnight to Mitch after all. As difficult as it was, she knew, with confidence, that they would soon be together for the rest of their lives.
Chapter 29
Mitch could hardly believe the day had finally come. Nearly six months from that night on the rooftop when he’d proposed to Jenna, it was now the day of their wedding. The day he would be married to Jenna and finally could call her his wife.
Waking that morning, he’d gotten down on his knees in prayer, asking God to bless their marriage and to help them to be firm in the commitment they were making that day. He asked that he would be the sort of husband he knew Christ had called him to be.
And when he’d finished praying, he prepared breakfast for all the guys coming to help him get ready. Three months earlier, when Kyle and Marissa got married, he’d moved into an apartment on his own. Not a penthouse. Just an ordinary apartment with basic furnishings and locally made floor tiles. But he was satisfied with it, and he was looking forward to living there with Jenna. She’d already discussed what changes she wanted to make, like sewing new cushion covers and repainting the seventies lime-green kitchen.
Kyle arrived first, followed by Yonas and a few others from church and work. They slapped him on the back and told him he’d be fine before digging into the plates of bacon, eggs and sausages he’d cooked for them while drinking copious amounts of coffee and juice. What would have seemed foreign to him less than a year ago, now seemed normal. These guys had become his friends and mentors, and he enjoyed spending time with them.
Finally, it was time to get dressed. Mitch had considered going casual, but as it was his and Jenna’s special day and he wanted to treat it as such, he’d chosen a dark grey tuxedo complete with bowtie and pocket kerchief. Kyle and Yonas, his best man and groomsman, were wearing suits of the same colour.
“Ready?” Kyle asked as he checked his tie in the mirror, catching Mitch’s reflected gaze.
Mitch breathed in slowly and gave a nod. His hands had begun to shake a little, but he assumed that was normal. He was unsure whether his father would attend the wedding or not. His father had been less than supportive of his and Jenna’s engagement and their decision to live in an apartment his father considered below Mitch’s standing. However, they’d still invited him.
Kyle turned around and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’ll be fine, mate. I survived, and so will you.”
Mitch smiled. Kyle was right. He hadn’t been able to stand still at his wedding while he waited for Marissa to arrive, but as soon as he saw her walking down the aisle in her beautiful wedding gown, his nerves had flown and he’d relaxed. It would be the same for him.
Dave, one of their friends, was driving them to the venue, a parkland garden in the Lane Cove National Park not far from the city. When he’d shown the spot he had in mind to Jenna, she’d loved it and they booked it that day.
They climbed into Dave’s car and headed to the park.
The pastor was there and shook his hand, and their guests were beginning to arrive. Mitch greeted them all politely as he made his way to the front.
He spotted his mother who was wearing a soft pink designer suit and matching heels. Her eyes were filled with joy and pride as she held her hands out to him. “Mitch...”
He ignored her hands and threw his arms around her. “You look fantastic, Mum.”
“So do you,” she said through tears. “I can hardly believe you’re getting married today. My sweet boy.”
“I wasn’t always sweet,” Mitch reminded her as he straightened.
“But times have certainly changed. I’m amazed by you, Mitchell. The Lord has done a great work in you just as He did in me. I couldn’t be prouder of you. And you’ve found the most incredible wife.”
“That I can’t deny.”
His mother hugged him once more before making her way to the front row of seats facing the slow flowing river.
Mitch stood anxiously in front of the simple white arbour covered with fragrant pink roses while he waited for Jenna to arrive.
Finally, the music began, and one by one, the bridesmaids, Jenna’s friends Gwen and Marissa, walked slowly down the path scattered with rose petals. When Jenna stepped out, Kyle offered her his arm and smiled.
A vision in her pure, white gown, simple except for the lace at the waist, Jenna stunned Mitch with her beauty. Her soft, honey-brown hair bounced lightly on her bare shoulders, and her face shone beneath the transparent veil.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she walked slowly towards him. When she and Kyle reached the front, the pastor asked who was giving her away.
“I am,” Kyle said, placing her hand into Mitch’s and winking before he took his place beside Yonas.
Mitch met Jenna’s gaze
and smiled. The tears of joy in his own eyes were mirrored in Jenna’s. She looked so beautiful in her gown and the earrings he’d given to her on the night he proposed.
The pastor began the ceremony. Finally, he invited Mitch to say his vows.
Clearing his throat, Mitch looked deep into Jenna’s eyes and began. “Jenna, from the day we met, you’ve seen me at my worst. You knew me when I was most broken and defeated. You knew me when I was worthless and unlovable. And yet, you chose to love me. You showed me a grace that I’d never known and exhibited the Gospel that none of us deserve.
“If you’d invited me to church in those early weeks, I never would have gone. Instead, you showed me Christ. Through your actions, you led me to desire, know and seek God. And because of that, I’m a completely different man today.
“My love for you began early on. I knew I wasn’t the sort you could ever be with and that my hopes were unrealistic. But still, you persisted in being merciful towards me. You chose not to judge me even when there was much to judge. You saw me as a man created by God.
“You led this relationship through your pursuit of Christ. But today, I promise you that I will take the role of leadership that Scripture calls husbands to. I will love you, sacrificially. I will lead you and guide you, respecting your independence and abilities, throughout our marriage. I promise to make every effort to live with the same level of grace that you have from the very beginning.
“I love you, Jenna. And today I vow to love you through the good and the bad, with the help of Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
The pastor handed Jenna a tissue before she could begin saying her own vows.
“Mitch, I remember the day that I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me that you were a man created by God. The changes I’ve seen in you since that day are nothing short of miraculous and God’s incredible work in you leaves me amazed each day.
“You are the kindest, sweetest, most lovable man I’ve ever known and I’m so thankful that this character that was buried for so long is finally out for all to see. I’m thrilled that everyone can know that this is who you really are.
Billionaires with Heart Boxset: Christian Romance Series Page 34