In the Light of Love

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  “Mommy? May I come in?”

  Mary stared up at her from the edge of the bedside. She smiled as Talisa entered the room, coming to take the seat beside her. Neither said a word as Talisa reached for her mother’s hand and held it, entwining her fingers between her mother’s like she use to do when she’d been a little girl.

  “Are you okay?” Talisa finally asked.

  Mary cast a quick glance toward her daughter, then hung her head against her chest. A single tear eased past her thick lashes, falling against the brown of her complexion.

  “Mommy?”

  Taking a deep breath, Mary smiled ever so slightly, then turned back to look her child in the eyes. She nodded her head. “I was just thinking that my little girl isn’t a little girl anymore.”

  “But I’ll always be your little girl. Nothing will change that.”

  “I know. I just…”

  Talisa squeezed her mother’s hand as the woman choked back a low sob. She waited patiently as the woman struggled to compose herself.

  “I’m just feeling a little sentimental is all. I’m sorry, baby. I don’t know why I’m acting this way.”

  “Mom, you have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing.” Talisa paused before she continued. “Jericho is downstairs. I would really like for you to come down to meet him.”

  The woman hesitated. “Are you sure, Talisa?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be? You’re my mother. I love you and Jericho is very important to me. Of course I would want the two of you to meet.”

  “I’m scared, Talisa. I don’t want to do or say anything to embarrass you. Or your daddy,” Mary added. “I know I haven’t always acted right. Like last night. I wasn’t myself.”

  Talisa nodded her understanding. “Mom, I told Jericho about your illness. He’s a doctor. He understands that there are going to be times that you aren’t going to be yourself. Especially if you don’t take your medication. But that’s not important right now. What’s important is that you meet him, and he meets you, and you two get to know one another.” Talisa grabbed both of her mother’s hands between her own, turning so that she was facing the woman. “Mommy, I love this man. I love him very much. I also love you and Daddy with all my heart. You three are the most important people in my life and I want you to know each other and hopefully love each other like I love you all.”

  Mary heaved a deep sigh. “Is he good to you, Talisa?”

  The young woman nodded. “He’s very good to me. He loves me very much.”

  Mary smiled. “My baby’s got herself a doctor!” she chuckled softly. “I bet Hazel will just wet her pants when she finds out!”

  Talisa rolled her eyes, lifting herself from the edge of the bed. She pulled her mother up along with her. “Well, you can’t tell Mrs. Taft until you meet him for yourself.”

  Adjusting the cotton housedress she wore, Mary passed her hands down the length of her torso, then followed Talisa out of the room and back down the stairs. Jericho came to his feet as the two women entered the room. He smiled sweetly as Mary greeted him, her hands wringing nervously in front of her.

  “Mrs. London, it’s very nice to meet you.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too, Jericho. Can I get you something to drink? We’ve got some dinner left if you’re hungry?”

  “No, thank you, ma’am. Talisa and I ate a late lunch and I’m still pretty full.”

  Mary lifted her head in a slow nod. Her husband motioned for her to take a seat on the oversized ottoman beside him.

  “So, what were you two talking about while I was gone?” Talisa asked, dropping down onto the sofa beside Jericho. She looked from her father to Jericho and back, giving her mother a wink as well.

  “Jericho was telling me about them rebels in Africa.” Herman shook his gray head. “That must have been something!” the man exclaimed.

  “You young people have more nerve than we ever did,” Mary interjected. “I was scared to death for Talisa going off to be in the jungles like that.”

  Talisa and Jericho laughed.

  “Mom, there’s just as much city in Africa as over here. I wasn’t in the jungles. It wasn’t like the Tarzan movies on television.”

  Mary sucked her teeth. “It was still dangerous. I don’t care what you say.”

  “It was dangerous at times, Mrs. London. You had every right to be worried for Talisa. I was worried about her a few times myself,” Jericho said.

  Talisa rolled her eyes.

  “So, when will you be going back to work, Jericho? Talisa told me you work at the hospital?” Mary asked.

  Jericho nodded. “I’m actually in private practice with my father. He’s a surgeon as well. But I won’t be going back for a while, at least not here. I’m planning to spend a week or two recuperating from my accident, then I have to return to Uganda to finish out the obligations I started there.”

  Mary nodded as her gaze met Talisa’s. The girl gave her half a smile and the matriarch could feel the muscles in her stomach starting to tighten. As if sensing her discomfort, Herman pressed a heavy hand against her shoulder, squeezing it gently beneath his palm. A nervous silence suddenly fell over the room. Both Herman and Mary watched as Jericho reached out for Talisa’s hand. His eyes were shining brightly as his gaze met hers. He shifted forward in his seat, edging himself straighter, then cleared his throat before he spoke.

  “Mr. London, Mrs. London, I know that Talisa has let you both know how close she and I have become over the last few weeks.” Jericho glanced from her parents to her and back again before he continued. “But, I don’t know if you’re aware of just how much I love your daughter. I’m very much in love with Talisa. She’s become the light of my life and I can’t imagine spending another minute without her. I know how much Talisa loves you both and it’s so important to me that you two feel I’m worthy of her.”

  Jericho paused, clasping his hands together in front of him. “I want to take care of your daughter. I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy. I know you’ve just met me and you don’t know me very well yet, but I promise you both you won’t be disappointed.”

  Jericho stood up, making his way to stand beside the couple. “Mr. London, Mrs. London, I’ve asked Talisa to marry me and with your permission, I’d like to marry her this week. Tomorrow, if we can.”

  Her eyes bulging, Mary turned toward Herman. She clutched the front of her husband’s shirt, her body shaking noticeably. He pressed one palm over the back of her hand and the other palm to her cheek. He smiled, his gaze locked on his wife’s face, an unspoken conversation flowing between them. When the woman turned back around, her tears had fallen past her lashes, dropping down against her round cheeks.

  “My, my, my,” she muttered under her breath.

  Behind them Talisa sat with her mouth open in surprise, one hand clutched to her heart. Herman came to his feet. He extended his right hand, gripping Jericho’s tightly in a firm handshake. His left hand tapped Jericho’s shoulder. As he stepped back, Mary lifted herself up and wrapped Jericho in a warm embrace.

  “Welcome to our family, Jericho.” Herman grinned. “I’m going to hold you to your word, son. You best take good care of my baby girl. She’s the only one I have.”

  Jericho nodded. He moved back toward Talisa and dropped down onto one knee. As he did, Herman wrapped his wife in a tight hug, holding tight to her as they both stood smiling.

  Reaching deep into the pocket of his khaki slacks, Jericho pulled a black velvet box from his pocket. Talisa’s eyes widened with shock, speechless as her voice caught in her throat. The tears she’d been fighting suddenly burst forth, flooding her face as they poured from her eyes. Jericho reached for her hand and pulled it to his lips, kissing it gently.

  “Talisa, I asked you once in Uganda with a paper ring and you said yes. This time I want to ask you properly.” Jericho flipped the lid of the gift box open, exposing an exquisite, three-carat, diamond ring. Talisa’s free hand flew from her heart to her mouth. Jericho grinne
d widely.

  “Talisa London, I love you. I love you with every fiber in my body. Will you marry me? Will you be my wife?”

  Falling to the floor beside him, Talisa wrapped her arms around his neck, her mouth drawn to his as she kissed him.

  When they finally broke the embrace, Jericho chuckled. “I’m going to take that as a yes,” he said as he leaned to kiss her tears away.

  “Yes, yes, yes,” Talisa chimed, staring in awe as Jericho eased the ring onto her ring finger.

  When her parents both reached out to embrace them both, Talisa’s tears fell for a second time, both her and her mother crying into each other’s shoulders.

  Herman shook his head. “You two need to stop now,” he exclaimed. “You’re supposed to be happy.”

  Talisa waved her head from side to side. “We are happy, Daddy. Very happy,” she sobbed softly.

  Both men laughed.

  Mary wiped the back of her hand across her damp face. “Does this mean you’re going back to that jungle with Jericho when he goes?”

  Talisa nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” She searched her mother’s face, searching for some sense of the woman’s mood.

  Her mother’s head bobbed in time with hers as her gaze shifted to Jericho. “I want my daughter married in a church. A Baptist church. And, I don’t want my grand-babies to be born in no jungle. So, if Talisa gets pregnant, she will have to come home,” the woman said, her tone stern.

  Jericho laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Mommy!”

  “Don’t mommy me. I mean it, Talisa.”

  Talisa rolled her eyes.

  “Were you serious about getting married tomorrow, son?” Herman asked.

  “Yes, sir. We can get a license first thing in the morning and we can get married immediately after that.”

  “Jericho—” Talisa started.

  The man moved to kiss her lips, stalling any objections she may have had.

  Her mother objected for her. “Tomorrow won’t work. You can get the license, but I think we need to make some plans. Talisa needs a nice dress. We have to make sure her friends can be there. I need to call the pastor at the church…”

  Talisa held up her hand.

  “I want to get married at the Wesley Foundation. It’s not your church, Mom, but it is a church and it’s a place that means a great deal to me. And, if he’s available, I know Reverend Warren will marry us.”

  Both Talisa and her father could see Mary’s jaw tighten ever so slightly and both stood ready for an outburst. Their eyes connected for just a brief moment before they turned their attention back to Mary, awaiting her response.

  The woman nodded ever so slowly, then suddenly laughed, a deep chuckle that seemed to rise from someplace deep in her midsection. “Lord, have mercy!” she said after taking a quick moment to catch her breath. “It’s a good thing I took my pills today!” She reached out to hug her daughter, wrapping her arms tightly around the woman. “Talisa, baby, I love you, and I want you to have whatever kind of wedding you want. Besides, I like the Reverend. He’s a good man.”

  Joining in the hug, Jericho nodded, kissing Talisa and then her mother. “Talisa London, I think it’s settled. You’re getting married tomorrow!”

  Herman London joined in the excitement. “Praise Jesus!” he said, slapping Jericho on the back. “I’m finally marrying off my daughter!”

  Chapter 28

  The telephone ringing pulled her from a sound sleep. It was still dark outside, the start of a new day barely beginning to peek over the horizon. Still dazed, Talisa struggled to find the telephone receiver. She and Jericho had fallen to sleep talking on the telephone and the receiver lay someplace lost beneath her covers. Finally locating the instrument, she palmed it in her hand and pulled it to her ear.

  “Hello?”

  “I get up early to exercise, take two minutes to check my e-mails, and find a message that you’re getting married today! Is that how you tell your best friend?” Leila shouted into the phone.

  Talisa laughed. “I tried to call you but you weren’t answering. And a voice mail seemed so…impersonal.”

  “I cannot believe you. You’re kidding me, right? This is a joke.”

  Talisa shook her head into the receiver. “No joke. Jericho and I are picking up the license this morning, and then we’re heading over to Wesley to see if Reverend Warren will marry us this evening. Will you be my maid of honor?”

  “I better be!”

  “Good. I need you to help me find a dress. Please say you don’t have to be in court today.”

  “I actually have a summary judgment hearing first thing this morning, then I’m canceling everything else. I can meet you at Wesley at lunchtime.”

  “That’s perfect.”

  “Did you call Benita and Mya?”

  “Not yet. I left them e-mail messages like I left you.”

  “Well, Benita will get hers as soon as she gets to her office. Mya will never get hers. I don’t think she’s turned her computer on in the last six months.”

  Talisa laughed. “Will you call them for me?”

  “Don’t you worry. I promise you we will all be there at noon.”

  “Thanks, Leila.”

  “Girl, that man must be some sort of good!”

  The two women laughed.

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  “Wait until I tell my mother,” Leila exclaimed as she hung up the telephone.

  Talisa depressed the hook, then waited for a dial tone. When the familiar hum danced in her ear, she dialed quickly, then leaned back against the pillows as she waited for it to be answered on the other end.

  Jericho answered on the second ring, seemingly wide-eyed and awake. “Good morning, baby girl,” he said, his tone low, a deep growl that caused a shiver to run up her spine.

  Talisa giggled. “Good morning to you, too. Did I wake you?”

  “I don’t think I slept. I told you it’s lonely in this bed without you.”

  “So, Dr. Becton, what do you have planned today?”

  “I’m marrying the most incredible woman in the world. She’s gorgeous, intelligent and sexy, with a heart of pure gold.”

  “And she’s marrying you?” Talisa said teasingly.

  “That’s what everyone keeps saying. It must be my devilishly handsome good looks. That and I know my way around a stethoscope. Girls like a nice stethoscope, especially when you warm it up first.”

  Talisa laughed. “You don’t say.”

  Jericho smiled into the telephone. “I’m excited. How about you?”

  “Nervous. A little.”

  “Why, baby?”

  “I don’t want to be a disappointment to you.”

  “That will never happen.”

  Talisa could feel his confidence spilling over the telephone lines. It warmed her, energized her, made her want the day to hurry by so that tomorrow when she woke up, she would be by Jericho’s side, in his arms, Becton her new last name. She knew he felt it as well, the beauty of it shining brightly between them.

  Jericho eased his body to the edge of his bed, swinging his legs off the side. “I will be there in an hour to get you,” he said. “We’ll go get some breakfast, then go get our license. The Fulton County courthouse opens at eight-thirty. I plan on being the first one in line.”

  Talisa smiled, nodding her head as if he could see her. “I’ll be ready.”

  “I love you, Talisa,” Jericho whispered softly.

  Her smile widened, a full grin filling her face. “You have my heart, too, Jericho.”

  As Talisa hung up the telephone, the first shimmer of morning light billowed through the window blinds, shining brightly across the joy painting her expression.

  Talisa had been banned from the Wesley Foundation building. Her morning visit with the minister and his staff had incited a rush of activity and excitement that she would not be privy to, having been forbidden to enter the premises until it was time for the ceremony. Reverend Warren had happily c
ancelled a meeting with the university’s campus ministers to officiate over her and Jericho’s impromptu wedding. Stevie and Johanna had enlisted the aid of the Wesley students to help prepare the building and the sanctuary, everyone thrilled to be a part of the festivities.

  Mary sat anxiously in the front foyer of the student ministry waiting for Jericho’s parents. Irene Becton had called her early that morning, overly excited about the impending union between their offspring. The two women had talked at length, making wedding plans and getting to know one another; motherhood and their love for their children, the initial bond between them.

  She looked up as her husband sidled up to the seat beside her. He dropped a heavy palm against her knee, his fingers lingering against the hem of her skirt.

  “How are you doing, Mama?” Herman asked

  Mary shook her head. “This is happening so fast,” she said, her voice a loud whisper.

  The man nodded his agreement. “He’s a good man, and he loves our little girl. Talisa is happy, Mary. That’s all that matters.”

  Mary smiled, changing the subject. “I think it’s time you retired, Herman. With Talisa leaving we should try to travel more, do things together. You should retire,” she said firmly.

  Herman sat in deep contemplation for a quick moment. A group of students had gathered outside the large double doors of the sanctuary, a young blond woman calling out directions. He watched as she checked off a list attached to a clipboard. “Maybe we can go to Africa. We could visit Talisa and Jericho,” he finally responded.

  Mary chuckled softly. “I don’t know about that jungle now!” she exclaimed.

  The man laughed with her as he leaned to wrap his arm around her shoulders. The front doors opening drew their attention as the Becton family glided inside, Jericho leading the way.

  “Mr. and Mrs. London. Good morning!”

  Herman extended his hand in greeting and Mary rose to give the young man a hug. A very attractive black woman and well-dressed white man stood grinning behind him. Mary smiled widely, extending her arms to wrap Jericho’s mother in a warm embrace.