Silver Lining
Page 25
“Drake, did you hear that?” Mother Scott asked out loud.
“I think he needs to say it again, this time like he means it,” First Lady Drake answered.
Marlissa giggled uncontrollably when Kevin lifted her into the air and yelled, “I love you, Marlissa Jennings. Please marry me again.”
“Okay,” Marlissa shrieked.
Kevin abruptly ended the celebratory kiss that followed her acceptance and set Marlissa on her feet. “What do you mean you’ve been waiting five days for me to tell you about the divorce? How did you find out five days ago?” Kevin followed Marlissa’s eyes to where Tyson was seated. “Man, you told? You weren’t supposed to do that.”
Tyson nonchalantly shrugged. “I know, sue me.”
“You should be happy Tyson told me, I was going to give up on you,” Marlissa admitted.
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
Little Montel excitedly watched Kevin and Marlissa kiss again and everything made perfect sense to him now. He tapped her on the arm. “Auntie Marlissa, now you and your baby don’t have to live in the car.”
The room drew quiet.
“Montel!” Starla grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “You are just like your daddy.” She grumbled. “Girl, I am sorry. This boy must have been listening on the other side of the bathroom door.”
Kevin’s eye fell to Marlissa’s stomach, then traveled back up to her face, and then he smiled. “Is my baby growing in there?”
“Yes.” Marlissa smiled back.
“Good, that’s one down.” Kevin handed Marlissa her bouquet then nodded for Pastor Drake to continue with the ceremony.
Both Starla and Marlissa shed many tears during the double ceremony and both screamed when it was time to exchange rings. Starla received a new, bigger ring and Marlissa got her old ring back.
Watching the couples kiss, Mother Scott and First Lady Drake exchanged high-fives. “Time for the next project,” Mother Scott announced, and the first lady agreed.
The late Luther Vandross filled the air as the couples shared the traditional first dance. “Mrs. Scott, you’re the greatest woman in the world,” Leon said while nibbling on Starla’s ear.
“That’s because I’m married to the greatest man in the world,” Starla answered between giggles.
“I’m trying to be serious here.”
“So am I.” Starla whispered something in his ear and Leon lost his train of thought. He gave up trying to talk and enjoyed the moment.
“I love you, Mrs. Jennings.” Kevin couldn’t stop saying the words and Marlissa didn’t want to stop hearing them. “I can’t believe you doubted that.”
“I thought you did until the gala. That whole date/ sister thing blew me away.”
“What a difference a week makes.” He sighed.
“Tell me about it.” They shared a soft peck. “Kevin, promise me you won’t hide your fears from me again. I know what it’s like to be afraid. I still have fears, but they’re easier to face when you have someone in your corner. Kevin, baby, I love you, and I’ll always be in your corner, cheering the loudest, no matter what.”
“Thank you.” Following a kiss, Kevin adorned a mischievous smile. “Feel like cheering tonight?”
Marlissa pressed even closer to him. “I have to stop by the apartment for clothes first.”
“We’ll move you back home tomorrow, but you won’t be needing clothes tonight. We’re staying at the Ritz. You owe me a wedding night.”
“I’m ready to pay up,” Marlissa squealed.
A tap on Kevin’s shoulder interrupted the moment. Kevin turned around. “Mother, you made it.”
“Yeah, well, this is important to you.” Pastor Jennings strained her neck to face her daughter-in-law. “Marlissa,” she said dryly. “Welcome to the family—again.”
“Thank you, Pastor Jennings,” Marlissa answered cheerfully.
“Since you’re determined to be family, I guess you can call me Rosalie.”
The stress on his mother’s face was undeniable; Rosalie was having a hard time. Kevin decided to put her out of her misery. “Mother, maybe we should start calling you Grandma.” Kevin beamed, placing his hands on Marlissa’s abdomen. “We’re having a baby.”
“This day just keeps getting better.” Pastor Jennings smirked. “Excuse me.”
“Your mother still doesn’t like me,” Marlissa said once Pastor Jennings left.
“I love you; everything else is irrelevant.”
“I love you too.” Another tap.
“May we please cut in?” It was Leon and Starla.
“Yes, you may, but I’m still going to get you guys for tricking me,” Marlissa pouted.
“Whatever, brat,” Leon said, extending his hand. “I tried to tell you it wasn’t over, but you wouldn’t listen to me.”
With unspoken gratitude, Kevin relinquished his wife to her friend. While dancing with Starla, he took the opportunity to thank her for helping him pull off the double ceremony.
“Can you believe it? We did it, well, God did it. He gave us more than what we had.” Marlissa beamed, falling into step with Leon.
“What did I tell you, brat? Love is always worth it.”
“I’ll never doubt you again, big brother.”
“Congratulations, Dr. Jennings.” Tyson slapped Kevin on the shoulder.
“Thank you, Attorney Stokes, for everything,” Kevin said after the two shared a hug. “Especially for running your big mouth.”
“After she told me about the baby, I had to tell her before she did something crazy. You know how your wife is.”
“You knew about my baby before I did and you didn’t tell me? I thought we were best friends.”
“We are best friends and you can show me some appreciation for saving your marriage by naming your firstborn after me.”
“Hey, guys.” It was Reyna. “Congratulations, the ceremony was beautiful. I have never seen a wedding as romantic as this. Neither have I seen a man beg as hard as you, Kevin.”
Across the room Marlissa chatted with Mother Scott and First Lady Drake.
“Come on, Drake,” Mother Scott said, suddenly grabbing Marlissa’s hand.
“Reyna, I hope you decide to visit Restorations Ministries soon, with Tyson, of course,” Kevin teased.
Reyna rolled her eyes at Kevin and Tyson pretended not to hear the wisecrack.
“Young lady, let’s get one thing straight. This is his wife,” Mother Scott said, holding out Marlissa’s hand to Reyna. “This ring means she belongs to him, not you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am, I do,” Reyna answered. “Hello, Marlissa.”
“Hello, Reyna.” The former foes exchanged pleasantries.
“I don’t want any problems out of you,” Mother Scott warned Reyna again.
“Trust me, Mother, Reyna won’t cause any problems,” Tyson assured her.
Mother Scott glared at Reyna then at Tyson. “Now what’s going on between the two of you?”
“Nothing,” Reyna answered, while breaking eye contact.
“Not a thing,” Tyson validated.
“Um huh,” Mother Scott grunted.
“One Eye, leave them kids alone, and for once, mind your own business,” First Lady Drake scolded Mother Scott.
“Drake, I’m about tired of you calling me One Eye. I have two very good eyes, you can ask my doctor,” Mother Scott replied.
“You are just in time,” Kevin said to Leon as he and Starla approached. “Will you get your mama?”
“The only person who can handle her is Jesus,” Leon retorted.
“I don’t have to ask your doctor nothing. I can look at your outfit and tell you can’t see too well. Out here looking like the rainbow coalition.” First Lady Drake rolled her eyes and Mother was ready to let her have it.
“Don’t worry about my color coordination. I can see well enough to knock your old butt around this room and back.”
“Oh goodness, they’re going to fight?” Reyna exc
laimed and pulled on Tyson’s arm.
Mother Scott suddenly smiled. “Oh no, baby, that’s my best friend in the whole world. I would never hit her.”
“That’s right,” First Lady concurred. “We love each other to death.”
“We’re prayer partners,” Mother Scott added. “We can pray the devil out of anyone.” She then leaned in close to Reyna, “Do you have any devils you need us to help you get rid of?”
Discussion Questions
1. Kevin married Marlissa knowing she was an unbeliever, thinking he could change her. In your opinion, has this way of thinking added to the high divorce rate among Christians?
2. Leon complained of going to church too much as a child. Do you think this is a valid point among adults who no longer attend traditional church service? How can parents find a balance?
3. Marlissa was “sheltered” as a child and suffered sexual abuse as a teenager. At what age should parents begin educating their children about sex and dating?
4. Pastor Rosalie Jennings attempted to control everything and everyone around her. Why do you think this was? Was she a typical representation of female pastors? Do you support female pastors? Why or why not?
5. Leon and Marlissa were best friends and Christians. Do you think it’s possible for male/female platonic friends to live under the same roof without crossing the line?
6. Reyna compromised herself and lost her identify in order to pacify Pastor Jennings. Is her behavior common among church leader/church member relationships?
7. Due to her past, was Kevin justified in stringing Marlissa along?
8. Should Starla have let Leon back into her and the boys’ lives?
9. Who was your favorite character(s)? Why?
10. What was your favorite scene?
11. Which characters would you like to know more about?
About the Author
A romantic at heart, Wanda uses relationships to demonstrate how the power of forgiveness and reconciliation can restore us back to God and one another. Wanda is a graduate of Western Career College. In addition to building a career in healthcare, she is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband of twenty-two years and two sons.
She is an award-winning author of four Christian fiction novels. Visit the author’s Web site:
www.wandabcampbell.net or contact her at:
wbcampbell@prodigy.net.
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Silver Lining Copyright © 2011 Wanda B. Campbell
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
ISBN: 978-1-5998-3218-0
This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living, or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.