by Janice Sims
Nearly exploding with anticipation, Norman picked Valerie up a few inches from the ground, his mouth closing over hers. Their tongues dueled in a fiery melody that put the final seal on the vows they’d made to the Lord and to each other. Valerie returned his kiss with one full of passion, hunger, and need.
Reverend Avery laughed. “It’s a good thing y’all are married. Ladies and gentleman, I’d like to present Mr. and Mrs. Norman Lawrence Grant.”
The church clapped and cheered for the happy couple—especially Mother Maybelle, who let everyone know that Norman was her son, and that she now had a beautiful, God-fearing daughter-in-law that she loved as her own.
The reception was in full swing in the foyer at the Red Oaks Museum of Art. The usually plain, but large, space was transformed into something almost magical with the help of a well-dressed bridal table, fine linens, china, silverware, crystal, the best soul food in Red Oaks, a champagne fountain, old school R&B music, and a Viennese dessert table.
The tears that Valerie hadn’t shed at the wedding flowed freely at the reception. She looked in Norman’s eyes and saw only love in them. Even the air seemed to hold its breath. She couldn’t believe that everything she ever wanted was wrapped up in one man. Norman held her close to his firm, muscular body for support. Everything in his life was perfect.
As the reception progressed and the cake was cut, Valerie tossed her bouquet of hydrangeas, eucalyptus, dogwood blossoms, and berries to the single women. The room burst out in a cacophony of laughter when Mother Maybelle caught it.
“This here bouquet has nothing to do with me,” she quipped. “I’ve had enough husbands.”
Right then, she had more important things to do. She went up to the makeshift podium area and took the microphone. “Norman and Valerie, you need to say your good-byes and get ready to go to the airport. Your luggage is packed and in the limo. My wedding gift to you is a ten-day honeymoon on the French Rivera. It’s the best place I know to get a marriage started right. Now y’all go and handle your business and start working on making me a grandbaby.” She hugged and kissed them, the three of them sobbing with happiness. She walked away, smiling as bright as the Georgia summer sun, knowing her work was done.
“Are you ready to start your new life with me, Mrs. Grant?” Norman teased, raining gentle kisses on Valerie’s face and neck.
“Now and forever.” She looked up at heaven and thanked God for blessing her with her soul mate. She reassured Norman that she was his in every possible way, and that she was deliriously happy that he believed in second chances.
CAN I GET AN AMEN
An Arabesque novel published by Kimani Press in 2007
First published by BET Publications, LLC in 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5525-4971-1
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
A LOVE SUPREME
© 2005 by Janice Sims
LOVE AND HAPPINESS
© 2005 by Kim Louise
A LOVE LIKE THAT
© 2005 by Natalie Dunbar
LOVE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
© 2005 by Nathasha Brooks-Harris
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, incidents and places are the products of the author’s imagination, and are not to be construed as real. While the author was inspired in part by actual events, none of the characters in the book is based on an actual person. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and unintentional.
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