“Glad you made it safe and sound,” Maydine said joyfully. “Wonderful to see you both.”
“Thanks Sister Maydine. Great to be here,” Simon said smiling.
“Yes!” Melissa murmured, chewing her food.
“Annalisa you look totally smitten,” Simon teased. His dark brown eyes were wickedly amused.
I glared at him piercingly to shut him up. “What do you mean?” I asked innocently to everyone’s amusement.
Simon chuckled. “You are beside yourself.”
“Shush!” I pretended to hit him, sending much laugher around the table.
Maydine and Melissa cleared some of the empty plates from the table and Melissa emerged from the kitchen with a strawberry cheesecake.
“Oooh nice!” I said, licking my lips. “Who baked it?”
Melissa smiled as she sliced the cake. “Simon and I purchased it for dessert.”
“Wonderful. Let’s have the cake plates!” I said, handing Melissa my cake plate.
“Give me your wine glasses,” Mr. Mohan called out as he opened a bottle of Chateau de Fleur non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
“Here’s mine!” I handed him my wine glass then Orane’s.
“This is yours.” I gave Orane a slice of cake.
“Thank you wife,” he whispered.
I giggled softly then groaned with pleasure as I tasted the cake.
Oops! A crumb fell on my blouse.
“Will this stain…?”
I glanced up to find everyone looking at Orane. He was absorbed, looking at a small box in his hand. My heart hammered; the pulsating sound filled my ears.
Isn’t that a box?
Yes, it is a box!
That’s a ring box!
My teeth rattled and adrenaline surged throughout my body as I tried to get my bearings. I giggled self-consciously and everyone giggled right back.
“Glory!” Harriett cried out, followed by laughter and applause from everyone.
Orane was on his feet, smiling confidently amidst the joyful atmosphere. Simon’s camera started rolling as Orane turned to face me. His dark brown eyes pierced mine as he took hold of my hand and encouraged me to stand. My heart fluttered and my stomach must have performed a thousand cartwheels as I stood on wobbly legs by his side.
“Before I propose,” Orane drawled smiling, “I know this is not the official wedding ceremony but I would like God to be a part of this occasion and for Him to be in the center of our marriage. I am going to ask the lovely Dr. Selby to pray over this ring.”
Murmurs of agreement echoed throughout the dining room. “To God be the Glory!” Orane concluded. He hugged me and I buried my head in his shoulder as Harriett stood up beaming.
“Let us pray!” Harriett stated boldly.
“Oh God, we give you praise, honor and glory because you are so awesome. Eternal God, we come to you because we know that unless you build the house, we labor in vain.
Lord, we present to you this couple. Father, we know that it is by divine intervention that they were brought together, not by our hands but your hands. Therefore, we thank you Lord for the blessings that you have brought to their lives.
Even as we are gathered here, to witness this special occasion, we know that what you have done in heaven, you have now done here on earth and therefore we call on you right now to bless this ring that will be presented to Annalisa. Lord, let it be a circle of love that keeps Orane and Annalisa together. Let it be a symbol of their love.
Thank you Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!”
Loud amens erupted after Harriett’s prayer.
“Oh my God!” Melissa shouted, followed by laughter from everyone.
Then, a hush fell in the room.
I blushed as Orane gazed at me as if I was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. “Annalisa, will you marry me,” he asked tenderly.
Celestial songs played in my head and butterflies danced in my heart…the greatest thrill of my life as I choked out a jubilant, “Yes, I will.”
Screams of delights, applause and cheers mixed with high praises to God filled the atmosphere as he slipped the beautiful diamond engagement ring on my finger then wrapped me in his arms and kissed me.
Exuberantly, I extended my left hand to the group and their shouts of joy rang out in the dining room. Ohhhs, ahhhs and loud outburst of laughter echoed as they gathered around to inspect my engagement ring.
A few minutes later, we gathered in the living room and Orane and I sat on the sofa and listened to congratulatory speeches and toasts, amidst joyful laughter.
That same night, news of our engagement spread like wild fire among our family members and friends. My ears were hot from taking phone calls about our engagement and upcoming nuptials. Exuberance and laughter filled the air waves as many experienced God’s love and faithfulness in our lives.
My heart was still palpitating with excitement as I lay in bed that night. I could hardly sleep. I kept staring at my engagement ring and reliving the moment, that wonderful moment when Orane slipped it on my finger. Unforgettable…in so many ways.
CHAPTER 20: MAKE IT HAPPEN
It’s a new season!
Life certainly brings many seasons, some more enjoyable than others. This was my season of unlimited celebrations and all the delightful feelings that accompany them.
Immediately following our engagement, Orane and I began an intense period of wedding planning. But, planning a wedding is not for the faint hearted. I was horrified at the amount of work involved in achieving a seamless wedding ceremony and reception. So, like any well thinking bride, I appointed my perfect team of worker bees—Maydine, Bella, Harriett and Melissa, to be our wedding coordinators.
Orane and I felt deeply convicted that our nuptials should be a celebration for God’s faithfulness in our lives. Our theme “Two hearts celebrating God’s faithfulness” was a symbolic representation of God joining our hearts.
Elegance, beauty and grace would epitomize our wedding.
The selection of our wedding colors was my baby. I selected colors that were timeless and representative of the love that Orane and I shared. Red represented the presence of God, the blood of Jesus Christ, covenant of grace, sin atonement, redemption and love. Gold symbolized the majestic and celebratory tone of our delightful season.
Two days after our engagement, Orane and I sat on Maydine’s verandah, deep in wedding planning.
“You did what?” Orane asked, with raised eyebrows.
I gazed at him apologetically. Our vibrant discussion about which of our current pastors would fill the role of marriage officer was not going well. I had just informed him that back in the day, I had assigned this important task to Reverend Richard Fuller, my former pastor at Laybrook Presbyterian Church.
“I’m sorry Honey,” I pleaded, gently touching his hand.
He released a harsh sigh. “I see you took care of that all on your own.”
My shoulder drooped and I smiled sheepishly. “I forgot that marriage includes two people.”
He ignored my explanation. “I take it Reverend Fuller had a significant impact on your life.”
“Yes, great impact. He is a faithful and gifted man of God. Remember that I served as the artistic director of the dance ministry at Laybrook.”
Orane exhaled slowly.
I flashed him a disarming smile and held his hand. “I love you.”
He shook his head and eyed me. “I love you too but I am not falling for your feminine wiles.”
I gazed at him for a moment in silence before quietly saying, “Do you remember, the topic of your Pastor’s message this morning? He spoke about…love. Love ‘bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things’.”
Orane chuckled at my attempt to sway him. Nevertheless, after a few more of my “feminine wiles”, he conceded. Immediately, I contacted Reverend Fuller who was delighted to serve as our marriage officer. He informed me that he had already received the news of
our engagement.
“Thanks Honey.” I smiled at Orane after hanging up from my call with Reverend Fuller.
His mouth curled into a smile. “As if, I would say no.”
I grinned at him. “You put up a good fight though. We are to see Reverend Fuller as soon as possible.”
“Okay!”
“Can you think of anything that we left out of the plan?” I asked, stifling a yawn.
Orane drummed his finger on the arm of his chair. “You need to get in bed.”
“We still have a lot of planning to do,” I protested, resting the laptop on the small table before us.
“Your eyes are looking tired,” he insisted, scowling as I yawned again.
“Oh stop.” I lightly slapped his hand then quickly moved away from him. He chased me around the verandah and caught up with me. “Help!” I screamed with delight as he wrapped his arms around my stomach and pulled my feet off the ground. I screamed even more as he twirled me around. “Put me down!” I yelled.
“Do you promise to get in bed?” he asked, still twirling me.
“I promise,” I said breathlessly. “Put me down.”
“Good girl,” he chuckled as he set me back on the ground.
I sighed heavily, putting a hand on my heart as I rested my head against his strong shoulder. He gently kissed my forehead.
“I love you Annalisa.” His voice was filled with raw emotion.
I swallowed hard, reining in strong feelings as I caressed his face. “I know you do. I love you too.”
“Off to bed now,” he said tenderly.
“Okay Honey.”
He smiled triumphantly. “I will find my way out.”
With that, he left and shortly thereafter, I hopped into bed.
Early the next morning, the search was on for a suitable venue for our wedding reception. While Orane attended to business in Kingston, Maydine, Harriett and I checked out possible venues. We all agreed that Genova All Suite Hotel, a popular wedding site, was the perfect setting for an unforgettable celebration. Located in the heart of Kingston, Genova All Suite Hotel had colonial architect surrounded by beautiful lush gardens, absolutely suitable for a momentous occasion.
Orane joined us at the selected venue for a meeting with the Banqueting and Catering Manager who gave us relevant information to make plans for our reception. The option to have our reception at the poolside was tempting but the possibility of rain made us opt for an indoor location, the Grand Persian Hall.
After lunch, Orane left for another business engagement and we joined Melissa at Pedora Bridal Shop where I tried on a lovely white sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice Organza gown. Amidst squeals of delight from my entourage, I gazed at my reflection in the huge wall mirror and announced, “Not the vision I have in mind.”
“I have just the gown for your special day,” declared Peggy, the jovial store manager.
“Where is it?” we asked in unison.
“There, it’s the latest rage.” Peggy pointed to a display case with a white V neck Taffeta gown with a layered tulle skirt. We dashed over to it for a closer inspection.
“No thanks! It’s not what I envisioned,” I politely declined her suggestion.
“It’s gor…ge…ous!” Peggy exclaimed. “You should try it.”
“Okay. I guess so. Mel, please help me with the dress.”
“We’ll sit out here,” Harriett said as Melissa and I entered that changing room.
Suddenly, I felt agitated. “Mel, I changed my mind. It’s a waste of time to fit it.”
“Okay!” Melissa gently removed the gown from my hand.
“I cannot see myself going down the aisle in it,” I murmured.
“Let me take it out,” she said calmly.
We thanked the not too happy Peggy for her assistance and quickly left the bridal shop for our appointment with Kris Martin, a renowned wedding photographer.
The vehicle was noticeably quiet as we made our way home. Mental and physical fatigue had set in from our hectic schedule. Notwithstanding, I declared it—Mission accomplished! Our wedding plans were well on the way.
CHAPTER 21: HEART TO HEART
“Babes,” Orane called out gently.
I was absorbed in recording the names of the persons on our bridal party. It was midday and we were on our way to Kingston for pre-marital counseling.
“Yes Honey.”
His face was taut. “I’m curious. Has anyone asked you why we are getting married, so quickly?”
I leaned my head to the side, searching his expression as I recalled the incident at my mother’s home. “Look at you! You have a question.” I touched his arm playfully.
He took his eyes off the road and glanced at me earnestly. “Babes…I’m serious, your sisters?”
“No, no one asked. But, why would they?”
He exhaled. “Just wanted to know.”
I grinned. “You do know, I’m a grown woman, right!”
He chuckled softly. “That I know. Just making sure you’re ready for the ride of your lifetime.”
“I’m ready husband-to-be!” I smiled, gently touching his shoulder.
In Reverend Fuller’s study, we settled the dates and times for our counseling sessions then explored our spiritual beliefs, family backgrounds and expectations of marriage. Before he wrapped up the session, Reverend Fuller expressed his concerns about our living arrangements after our wedding day. It was a pleasant experience to hear us articulate our feelings publicly and obtain feedback and Godly counsel.
“It was great to see Reverend Fuller again,” I remarked as Orane pulled away.
“I could see that,” he responded smiling. “You have a great relationship with him.”
“Yes. I have known him forever,” I said thoughtfully. “You were very honest in the session.”
“I was,” he stated candidly. “There is no point in holding back if you want an honest feedback.”
“So true!” I exhaled looking ahead. “Where are we going?”
Orane took his eyes off the road for a second to smile at me. “We are going on a date.”
“Oooh, that’s nice.” I was tempted to ask where but I decided that a surprise would be more to my liking.
Nearly an hour later, I was happily surprised when Orane parked on a street in Port Royal, a historic town located in southeastern Jamaica.
“Honey, thank you.” I grinned at him. “I have not been here in ages.”
He smiled at me. “I knew you would like it, Miss Archeologist.”
“You remembered that I wanted to be an archeologist.” I smiled at him proudly. “Ohhh, I get to visit the Giddy House again. I remember going there as a child.”
“Look at you! You’ve come alive.” He chuckled softly as we strolled, hand in hand down the main street. “What’s the Giddy House?”
I peered at him through the rays of the warm afternoon sun, my right hand shading my eyes. “All I know is that it is a lopsided, half sunken, red brick building. I remember feeling as if I would topple over when I stood in it.”
“That’s the idea of the Giddy House,” he said. “It was an artillery store house that was tilted by an earthquake in the 1900’s.”
I gently squeezed his hand. “So history buff, what else do you know about Port Royal?”
“A lot,” he replied confidently, slipping one arm around my shoulder.
“It was partly buried in the sea by an earthquake in 1692 and hit by other natural disasters including another earthquake in…”
“You forgot?” With my hands on my hip, I stopped on the side walk to eyeball him quizzically.
He crossed his arms in front of his chest and I could see his brain working. “It was in the 1900s,” he remarked.
“Yes. 1907.”
“I was going to say that,” he chuckled.
With its prominent landmarks, monuments and structures, Port Royal was being restored to operate as a major tourist attraction. We toured the city and had fun taking picture
s at the Giddy House and Fort Charles, one of six forts that guarded the town, centuries ago.
Later that day, we ate dinner in a private booth at the unique Kenstowana Hotel in a relaxing ambience overlooking the Kingston Harbour.
“Annalisa,” Orane looked at me poignantly during our meal, “sometimes, I wonder if I gave you enough time to consider my proposal.”
With a spoon of my pistachio ice cream in hand, I looked directly in his eyes. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“No! I want to marry you. Right now, if I had my way. You know that.”
I swallowed the ice cream then held his hand. “We placed everything on the table from the beginning of our friendship when our hearts were not yet committed…unless there is something else.”
He looked thoughtful. “Just making sure, that you are sure.”
“I’m good. I have prayed and fasted about marrying you. I know the Lord is leading me in this direction.”
“Me too,” he said quietly.
I eyeballed him, knitting my eyebrows. “I am still sensing hesitation.”
“Our session with Reverend Fuller made me wonder if I am doing you an injustice by marrying you when we both live in different countries.”
I exhaled. “It will be hard on both of us…very hard but not impossible. I think we can make it work.”
He smiled tenderly, thankful for my response. “Our love, devotion and commitment to each other will be tested but we will make it work under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
I nodded. “We will make it work. Let’s continue to keep in touch daily. We should not give each other any reason to…we must absolutely trust each other.”
Orane wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Yes. Definitely! Do you promise to be brutally honest with me?” He laughed softly. “Not that you need any encouragement.”
“Oh yes, brutally honest.” I grinned at him. “Our prayer times will be even more important.”
Unforgettable, My Love Has Come Along Page 14
