THE DAWNING (The Dawning Trilogy)

by LaVenia Boswell

  “Don’t let go of my hand,” she pleaded as they walked to the side door beside his families’ four car garage.

  Hugging her tight up against him and giving her the tenderest smile he opened the door and they walked in.

  “SURPRISE!” rang out from about fifty people the moment they entered the house. Lights began flashing and many seemed to be holding a video camera. Everyone was smiling, greeting her and him like they were long lost children.

  Jennifer murmured to Jason as he bent his head to hear her, “I had no idea you had so many aunts, uncles and friends.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, this isn’t even a fraction of them all. You’re seeing mostly my brothers and sisters and their spouses along with just a few uncles, aunts and cousins. Like I told your father, we have a really large family,” he announced smiling.

  Jennifer noted that even he seemed as surprised as her to find so many people there for their surprise engagement party.

  Jason’s parents came forward and gave Jenny hugs and kisses of welcome. In a short while many of the women descended upon them with shouts of, “Let’s see the ring! Show us the ring!”

  Jenny held up her hand and flashed the beautiful, sparkling stone at them, while grinning so big it made her cheeks hurt from the action. The women were stunned at how big and lovely her diamonds were. Several of the men in Jason’s family teased him terribly, loudly alleging that he must have spent his entire inheritance on the thing.

  Jason simply smiled and stated, “I saved back enough for us to live on for a few years.”

  Everyone seemed so happy and jubilant it lifted Jennifer’s heart, especially after the scene her dad had made. Although, she and Jason had discussed before hand what her dad’s reaction would probably be and neither were disappointed, they never the less understood his hesitance. Jenny was still thrilled that Thomas had managed to calm their dad and made him see reason somehow. He’d promised Jason he would try.

  Jason’s family was completely different. Not one word was mentioned about their ages or that they needed to rethink the proposal. Their love for one another was accepted with obvious joyful jubilation.

  They both quickly discovered the whole house was festooned with decorations and candles. A Congratulations on Your Engagement sign hung high in the foyer. The large and long dining table along with several sideboards were filled with so much food Jennifer found it amazing.

  Jason was one of eight siblings. He was the baby, like her. He had three sisters and four brothers. All of them were here, along with their spouses and children who were running around making all kinds of racket while the adults didn’t seem to notice or care. At least the kids were laughing and seemed to be nice, just loud.

  Jenny discovered that one of his brothers - the second eldest - was still single. She’d thought he’d probably gotten married by now so was surprised when Jason told her no, he was still a bachelor. A confirmed bachelor it seemed.

  Jennifer quickly discovered that Jason was certainly a beloved uncle. That became very clear with all the children coming to him and the little ones dragging books or toys along wanting him to play or read to them. He adored them in return.

  After about thirty minutes of greetings, hugs and introductions he guided his bride-to-be to a loveseat. He was diligently making sure none of the males in the family flirted too boldly with Jenny. It was their way and they meant nothing serious by it but she wouldn’t know that. Whether it was their Italian or Greek heritage or both or none of it, he didn’t know, just that it was.

  “Are you ready to be part of such a large family?” he asked Jennifer. “They’re a little loud but it’s always a happy occasion for births and weddings. Dad told me he made mom keep this evening down to a few close relatives,” Jason explained between speaking to all the well wishers who came to repeatedly congratulate them.

  Seeing how surprised she was with that statement he laughed, “Wait till the wedding! I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s not over three hundred by that time.” Seeing the look of fear on her face he squeezed her next to him and quickly added, “Or not. Whatever makes you comfortable?”

  “Wow,” is all she managed to say feeling overwhelmed with so many kissing and hugging strangers.

  When the news their Pre-Marriage classes would begin in a few days the jokes and innuendoes began. Women descended in what felt to them like droves, offering them one type of advice or another about the classes. Men kept handing Jason glasses of wine for them both and winking.

  With a serious face Jason stated to her, “Today we celebrate and since I’ll be driving you home I will limit my drinks to one per hour, but you can have all you want.”

  “Gee thanks,” she retorted. Jeeze, he was serious, she realized; always so careful and always so proper. “Jason,” she asked in all seriousness, “can’t you just relax, today?”

  “Sweetheart,” he stated as he leaned toward her ear so she could hear over the loud talking in the room, “I am as relaxed as I’ve ever been. I’m thrilled and full of thankfulness and praise to God for you. You are looking at a very happy, very blessed man.”

  “Awww, you’re so sweet,” she cooed back giving him a little peck on his lips.

  There was a commotion when the door bell chimed and almost everyone left them to greet the newcomer. Jenny wondered who it was, but didn’t have to wonder long as everyone began parting to reveal her parents, and on their heels were Thomas and Celeste and right behind them was Father Jose.

  “Hail, hail, the gang’s all here,” Jenny muttered nervously.

  Mister and Mrs. Zonelli came forward to generously welcome them all.

  Jason stood and lifted her hand to join him as they received their new guests.

  Jennifer’s dad seemed to know a number of people there and her mom too, which surprised Jenny. They quickly came and hugged them. Her dad admitted he was indeed giving them his blessing for the marriage. That was a big concession for him. Jenny kissed him and he smiled genuinely.

  It seemed the Zonelli’s had called her parents right after they’d left and asked them to join them here for a celebration of their children choosing to share the rest of their lives together. Jason told Thomas about it days ago.

  Thomas and Celeste flew to Jason and Jenny. “Well, Bro, seems we’re gonna be true brothers after all, doesn’t it?” Thom asked while slapping Jason’s back and giving each of them a swift hug.

  Suddenly a glass began ringing from being tapped with a spoon. Jason’s dad was calling everyone to attention. “I want to make a toast to my wonderful son and his lovely bride-to-be Jennifer.”

  “Here, here,” was called out with a slight drunken slur from someone, and several people began snickering.

  Jason’s dad made the most beautiful toast, filled with love and welcome Jenny could have ever hoped for. It made her eyes overflow. Jason kept kissing her hair as she tried several times to hide her tears in his neck. She was embarrassed by her lack of emotional control in front of all these people.

  “That was so beautiful and sweet,” she declared sniffling as everyone in the room came to hug and kiss them again.

  The food was fabulous, everyone bragged on each item. Seems all of Jason’s sisters, sister-in-laws, aunts and cousins had brought a dish to share with the gathering.

  Father Jose had spoken to them several times during the celebration and had assured Jennifer that he was very happy for them and he prayed they would have a life filled with love and joy.

  That eased Jenny’s fears of his rejection a lot, for a while. It also puzzled her a wee bit. Jason was such a religiously pious man, and here she was very much a non-believer and yet everyone acted as though she was already one of them and they didn’t seem to mind that she had no faith or religious beliefs. She was received with open arms. It angered her a might, feeling that Jason deserved better than her. He should have someone who shared his beliefs. She was pretty positive it would never be her. But there was no way she was going to give him up, because she k
new she was just too selfish for that. He was hers. Period. No matter her beliefs, she would not offend his. She could offer him that, and at the moment she felt that was quite a lot.

  Various women in his family took her aside and warned her, though lovingly, to ‘not let him have his way with her’ before the wedding. She tried to assure them he was always a gentleman. They kept insisting that men would be men and she would have to be extra vigilant in her refusals to him, as men once engaged felt it gives them license to start the honeymoon early.

  If they only knew! She thought this more than once with a smirk. It wasn’t her they needed to protect - it was their dear moral prone Jason. Her handsome, masculine, virile saint of a fiancée was having a heck of a time keeping her at arms length. He’d been resisting her pretty good so far, but she knew in her heated blood that simmered more and more when around him that the going was going to get tough for him, she just felt it in her bones.

  Jason was driving them both to school insisting he enjoyed picking her up each morning.

  There was only a few months of school left to go, but these were full of tests and aggravations.

  They shared two classes together and Salina was in one of them. “Hey, soon to be married lady,” Salina said by way of greeting Jennifer the first day back at school once the engagement was announced.

  Salina was a little miffed at Jenny for messing up all their university plans for apartment sharing.

  Marcus came bounding into the classroom right on Salina’s heels. When he saw her talking to Jenny he gave her one of his biggest grins.

  “Yeah, boy, you just keep on grinning. Huh, like some monkey! It ain’t gonna get you anywhere,” Salina warned. Rolling her eyes at Jennifer she said in a lower voice, “The crazy guy’s got it in his head that since you and me won’t be sharing an apartment together that he would like to take your place in the offer. Fool ain’t got a lick of sense.”

  “Now, Salina,” Marcus said with an amused laugh, “tell the truth. You need me baby - for protection. I heard you talking and saying you were scared to live alone. Well, I’m not a tadpole or a coward. Besides, I thought we had a thing going, you and I. I am now absolutely willing to let you have your way with me, completely, like you’ve been wanting so badly.”

  Salina looked like a she might begin tearing her hair out, so Jennifer said, “Marcus, Salina might enjoy your friendship, but that doesn’t give you permission to be so crude.”

  “Crude?!” Marcus exclaimed acting baffled and stretching his eyes. “I’m offer up my whole body to her. I’m willing to become her jubilant and ever lovin’ boy toy. Her personal love slave. What’s crude about that?” His grin revealed he knew he was making the girls fume. Even Jason snickered a little.

  “Really, though,” Marcus began in more seriousness, “I really would like to share the apartment. I can’t afford going it alone and me thinks my folks have a renter for my room at home already. Sis is moving back in after breaking up with her second hubby and is dragging her three screaming kids with her. I can’t take the noise, honestly! You got’ta help me.”

  Salina, stated, “Welllll, if you are actually serious . . . . We’ll need to find another roommate too. It’s a three bedroom apartment and dividing the utilities three ways will make it more affordable for each of us.” She stared at Marcus for a moment before adding, “And . . . you have to promise to be on your best behavior. No crudeness, grossness, rudeness, loud music, burping or other nasty body noises. And . . . hands off my gorgeous bod.”

  Jason leaned across the isle to Jennifer and said, “Sweetheart, I have to leave a little early today after fifth period. Do you mind taking the bus or catching a ride with Salina?” He had an appointment with a jeweler to pick out her wedding present from him.

  “No prob. What up?” she asked surprised that he was cutting out early.

  “Oh, secrets, my love,” he answered with a mischievous smile.

  Why was he being so mysterious she wondered? Then decided it must have something to do with their wedding.

  Marcus and Salina seemed to actually enjoy each other – most of the time, Jennifer realized, as she watched their eyes when they were talking or irritating one another. Yes, there were sparks, and like she had been, poor Salina wasn’t even aware of it. Before Salina actually lets Marcus be a housemate she needed to talk with her and give her a heads up.

  Many of her female classmates gathered around Jennifer to look at her engagement ring. Most were envious.

  Jason had seemed so oblivious to all their flirting over the years that some girls and maybe even a few guys thought he was just staying in the closet. The flirting had come from the bravest of them, for Jason had a persona of being a bit of a stuffed shirt, in their eyes. None of them had ever seen him smile so much or so easily as he was doing now. Hearing him laugh even stunned a few speechless. Their scuttlebutt included the fact that he came from money and was slumming at their school as a lark. Jennifer was just so lucky.

  12 – MARRIAGE LOOKS IMPOSSIBLE

  As their pre-marriage counseling continued it finally came time for their Engagement Encounter weekend counseling session. It was to be a whole Saturday and Sunday experience at one of the church’s special campuses for religious retreats.

  Jenny was a complete wreck, still feeling sure and certain they would kick her out for her lack of faith in their god. Although, she had prayed every night, because a promise was a promise and now she intended to continue doing so until they were married, out of respect for her Jason. It was a short prayer mostly but she did ask a lot of questions on other nights. Still, Jason’s god wasn’t doing any answering, not that she was actually expecting any.

  Jason called this engagement encounter their first weekend retreat as a couple and had nervously assured her there would be others throughout their years of marriage. He even sought her agreement to it before they arrived.

  Jenny said, “Sure.” Whatever made Jason happy made Jennifer happy. Her adoration of him was growing by the second. He was unlike anyone she’d ever met and he was all hers. She also knew if it ever began to bother her over much, attending retreats with him, then she would put the brakes on, and he would see her reasoning and not make her go. He was thoughtful and generous to a fault.

  The idea of them heading off to a religious retreat didn’t sit well with her dad, not at all. Jason tried to convince Jenny’s dad they were not sneaking out to be alone together over night as they all knew he thought. Father Jose finally called and spoke with Mister Franks when it was evident he didn’t believe a church would require a weekend retreat for engagement counseling. The women would be together and the men separated for the overnight stay. Mister Franks still didn’t like it but he finally gave his permission for Jenny to go.

  When they arrived at the Diocesan Center for Family Life Jennifer was almost shaking with nervousness. No matter what Jason said or how he tried to reassure her she felt sure and certain they were gonna forbid him to marry her. So, she began the retreat feeling tense and defensive.

  They were there with eleven other engaged couples, eight were young like them, an older couple, which surprised Jenny to no end and two couples were in their late thirties or early forties.

  The counselors were a couple in their forties and seemed to be filled with genuine excitement over everyone’s arrival.

  Over the weekend they would help facilitate the couples to reflect and share an awful lot of information about themselves to their prospective spouses. To help them share things that might have taken years to discover otherwise. Jenny was surprised and happy by this idea.

  Jason explained to her that free of distractions of daily life and their usual pressures this gave them the opportunity to reflect upon their real relationship to one another single-mindedly.

  Jennifer ended up being as honest as she knew how in discussing her feelings about family, money, sex and children. When they asked her what she saw her goal to be as a wife to Jason, she replied, “The most lovi
ng and supportive partner he could ever have. A wife who seeks his happiness and well being at all times.”

  They discovered some of their individual weaknesses as well as those areas where they were strongly united. Jenny’s greatest weakness, as far as a couple’s unity was concerned, was her lack of faith. Yet, no one saw that as a total hindrance. It was a serious stumbling stone for most marriages they admitted without hesitance, but it was certainly not insurmountable. Especially with two people honestly willing to compromise with one another. The other biggie for Jenny, as to her weaknesses, was her tendency to pinch a dollar, much more than most. The term misery was mentioned a time or two with laughs.

  Jason’s situations to deal with were his absolute immovability in matters of faith and morals, or so the report decided. He simply knew you didn’t waver on either, not in his world.

  Jenny actually defended him when it was mentioned, saying that he was a man of True faith and other than it making things a bit strained for them morally right now, well, that was just fine.

  Jason’s love look at her when she said that made her bones melt into a puddle at his side. Yeah, morality sure could be a real stain, she muttered to herself, but was proud of her defense of him all the same.

  When it came to how they both felt about their roles in society and the church and how their lives were to be lived, Jennifer feared her answers would make her fall by the wayside.

  Society she could manage, but she refused to claim she was a Christian. She told them openly, with Jason’s encouragement for her to be forthright, that although she was an atheist, her mind was not totally and forever closed to the slim possibility of a Creator God. For her to accept such a thing he or she would have to make them self known to her in a clear and irrevocable way.