“Really? I know Eden will be a great mother, and Crystal can be at ease because she knows Eden will take good care of the baby.”
I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom, putting on a pearl necklace and earrings while my mother spoke to me from the bathroom doorway.
“Did Eden come with you?”
“No, she couldn’t get off of work and she didn’t want to leave Crystal, but she was sad that she is missing your special day. She sends her love and she wants you to call her as soon as you can. But I did bring someone with me,” Mom said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
Mom went out of the room and I racked my brain to figure out who she might have brought. She came back in with a man about her age. He had short gray hair, a dark brown complexion, and was dressed in slacks and a long-sleeved dress shirt.
“Hello,” I said politely, because I thought that she had brought her new boyfriend.
“Hey, baby girl,” the man said in a raspy voice.
“Honey,” Mom said, her voice strained, “this is Mr. Flowers.”
I smiled and said, “Hello.”
He hugged me like he’d known me all of my life.
She gave me an apologetic look, silently begging me to understand and accept this man.
“I’ve been watching you on the news,” he said, looking back and forth between my mom and me. “I told your mom that I wanted to meet you, but she didn’t think it was the right time. When she told me you were getting married, I begged her to let me come.”
“That was sweet of you, Mr. Flowers,” I said.
He touched my shoulder and said, “You’re not upset that I came?”
“How could I be upset with the man who makes my mother happy? I haven’t seen her this way since she and my dad split up. Just make sure that you treat her right, okay?”
He smiled and said, “Baby, your mother is the best thing to happen to me in a long time, and I plan on treating her like a queen.”
My mother looked from me to Mr. Flowers with a big smile and said, “I don’t even know why I was worried about you two meeting. I can see that you are going to get along just fine.”
Shortly after Mr. Flowers left the room, Savannah came in to see if I was ready. I told her what had happened with my mom and Mr. Flowers and she told me how thrilled she was for them.
Then the doctor came in and said, “I heard that you guys have planned a wedding in the chapel tonight.”
“Yes, we have.”
“Well, Mr. Stokes isn’t well enough to go down to the chapel for the ceremony.”
“Oh my God, what are we going to do now?” I said as I sat on the hospital bed.
Savannah said, “Don’t worry about anything—it’s going to work out. I’m going to go and speak to Sebastian. I’ll be right back.”
The doctor left the room and I sat there praying that the Lord would provide a way for us to be married tonight. I was also glad that Savannah had volunteered to speak with Sebastian, because I didn’t have the heart to tell him.
She returned and said that Sebastian didn’t want to postpone the wedding.
“Let’s just have it in his room.” I suggested.
Savannah bit her lip. “But that’s so small and—”
“I know it’s not a chapel, but God will bless it. That’s the room where the Lord restored him. It’s a perfect place for me to give myself to him in marriage. Will you go ask him if that’s okay?”
“Sure,” she said, then left the room again.
While she was gone I paced the room, wondering what he would say.
Moments later she returned with a big smile. “Sebastian said he’d marry you in jail if need be, but he is definitely marrying you tonight!”
I thanked God for sending me such a wonderful guy. Then I asked Savannah to go to the chapel and tell everyone about the change of plans and bring them up to his room.
While she was gone I put on my dress, veil, stockings and shoes, and made a final inspection of my hair and makeup. Under normal circumstances I would have had someone to assist me, but these weren’t normal circumstances! Savannah came back in the room and told me that everyone was in Sebastian’s room, all ready for me. Mr. Flowers stepped from behind her with my bridal bouquet in his hands. He told me that he had purchased it from the hospital florist. The bouquet was lovely, composed of roses and baby’s breath. He said that he wanted to get me something for my special day.
“You look gorgeous,” Savannah said as she kissed me on the cheek, pulled my veil over my face, and headed out the door.
Mr. Flowers gave me a fatherly kiss on the cheek. “Your soul mate is waiting for you.” He held out his arm for me. I took it and we walked down the hall to Sebastian’s room.
When we entered the room, I saw that it was crowded. Chaplain Burke stood at the foot of the bed. The people in attendance started humming the bridal march, and Steven was taking pictures. I also noticed that everyone in the room carried a single red rose.
Sebastian was still hooked up to monitors and IVs, but in addition to his hospital gown he wore a top hat and a black bow tie. It looked pretty silly, but that didn’t matter to me. He was so handsome, and he was soon to be my husband.
Mr. Flowers kissed my cheek and put my hand in Sebastian’s; then he stepped aside.
I stood beside Sebastian’s bed, holding his hand. Never could I have imagined that my mom and his parents would be happily present at our wedding. Also in attendance were Savannah, Steven and his wife, nurses, doctors, and the clergyman. It was a tight fit but we managed to get everyone into the room.
Sebastian and I said the traditional wedding vows, and his mother sang “Endless Love.” When the chaplain said it was time to exchange rings, I suddenly realized I hadn’t bought him one. But Reverend Stokes opened his suit jacket and brought out two platinum bands. He gave the thinner one to his son and the wider one to me.
“Consider this a token of my approval,” he said.
After we placed the rings on each other’s fingers, the clergyman pronounced us husband and wife. We kissed passionately, in spite of all the medical machinery that got in the way.
Everyone applauded and congratulated us.
A nurse announced that one of the waiting rooms had been set up as a reception hall. Everyone applauded again, then left to go celebrate.
When our family and friends were all gone, Sebastian pulled me close. “Hello, wife,” he said.
“Hello, husband,” I replied.
We laughed. But when our eyes locked we began to kiss the way we had when we first started to make love. Sebastian tried to maneuver me onto his lap and ended up wincing. I hurried out of the room to get the nurse, and when we returned I saw a pained look come over his face.
The nurse gave him some morphine and said it would make him sleepy in just a few minutes.
“I’m sorry,” he said to me.
I stroked his hand. “Hey, we’ve got a lifetime to be intimate. I’m just glad to be married now.”
“Me, too,” he said, already starting to sound groggy. “After this, I know we can make it through anything.”
Three weeks later, Sebastian and I were back at his place in Atlanta. It was Inauguration Day, and my mother-in-law had helped me pick out the perfect outfit. It was a red suit, tapered at the waist to show off my figure. The skirt came to my knees and had a slight split up the back. I wore matching red shoes and a diamond brooch Sebastian had given me for a wedding present.
Sebastian was still not one hundred percent. He complained of pain occasionally, especially when we tried to be intimate. Though I’d slept in the same bed with him for the last three weeks, our marriage still hadn’t been consummated.
The inauguration was held in the coliseum on Georgia Tech’s campus. Banners, flags, and balloons waved in the breeze, and thousands of people sat in the stands. Sebastian’s parents, who were still working through their reconciliation, were seated in the front row.
My mom was there, sitting next t
o Sebastian’s parents with Mr. Flowers. He was wearing a well-cut gray suit, pink shirt, pink-and-gray striped tie, and gray shoes.
Before the ceremony started I went to my mom, Mr. Flowers, and Sebastian’s parents and thanked them for coming, then hugged them all.
As I hugged Mr. Flowers, I whispered in his ear, “I’ve been hearing how good you are to my mother.”
He kissed me on the cheek and said, “Baby girl, I gave you my word.”
Steven and his wife were also in attendance. The brothers had a nice chat before we arrived at the building.
Steven said, “Sebastian, I just wanted you to know that I’m working on the problems in my life—in fact, my wife and I are going to counseling. When you were shot it made me realize that I haven’t been a good brother or husband. I also wanted you to know that I’m proud of you and the man that you’ve become.”
When Steven turned toward me, all I could say was, “I love you and I’m proud of you for realizing that it was time to make some changes.” I hugged him tightly.
Sebastian would tell me later that this was the first time his brother had ever expressed pride in him.
Savannah and Bruce were also in attendance. I spoke with them and she pulled me over for a brief chat.
“Girl, I sat my parents down and told them about my relationship with Bruce and instead of getting mad, they invited him over for dinner.”
“Well, after Sebastian got shot it seemed as if they reevaluated their beliefs in terms of love and relationships.”
“I want to thank you for that, because your love for Sebastian showed them how it could be.”
“You don’t have to thank me—just be happy that you don’t have to sneak around to be with the man you love.”
They finally had her parents’ support. I looked forward to having Bruce as my brother-in-law.
Eden and Dion were seated in the front row in front of the stage with the rest of our families. They couldn’t make the wedding, but I was elated that they came to the inauguration. Crystal stayed in D.C. with church members since she was due any day.
I hugged Eden and she said, “Look at us—you’ve just become a wife and I’m going to be a mother as soon as Crystal gives birth.”
“You’re going to make a great mom to your son,” I told her. “Mom told me Crystal’s having a boy. Congrats.”
“Dion is thrilled. He can’t wait to get a basketball in his hand.” We laughed.
“Is everything okay with Stone?” I asked.
Eden smiled. “Dion went to see him in jail. You know he got fifteen years for selling drugs.”
“Wow,” I said.
“He signed the papers that said that he willingly forfeited all parental rights, and he thanked Dion for adopting his child. Stone told Dion that his father wasn’t in his life when he grew up, and Stone wanted his son to have a good father.”
“Are you coming to D.C. when the baby is born?”
“I promise Sebastian and I will be there,” I said as we hugged.
I went backstage with Sebastian, and when he was introduced, we came out on the stage and sat down.
Since the governor could not be there because he was still under investigation, a presiding officer swore Sebastian in.
Presiding Officer Mathis said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to the inauguration of Sebastian Stokes as lieutenant governor of Georgia. Normally, the lieutenant governor is sworn in by the governor, but since the governor is indisposed at this moment, I will be swearing in Sebastian Stokes.”
When my husband took the platform, I felt so proud. He gave a speech, telling the people how much he appreciated their support. He thanked them for all the concern they’d shown during his recovery, and he vowed to serve them with dignity and honesty, and to make Georgia a better place to live. My heart was overjoyed when he also thanked God for the good times and bad that helped prepare him for this great endeavor.
There were more flags and balloons at the reception. In addition, there was a huge banner that proclaimed Sebastian as lieutenant governor. As we mingled with the guests, the presiding officer came over and asked to speak privately with us.
Presiding Officer Mathis said, “I have some really great news. I was just told that the governor resigned. Sebastian, you are now the governor of Georgia. Congratulations—you’ve became the lieutenant governor and governor on the same day.”
Sebastian’s mouth fell open and he squeezed my hand. Suddenly he turned to me and hugged me.
“Presiding Officer Mathis, you have made me one of the happiest men in Georgia. Besides marrying this lovely woman, this is the proudest day of my life. Thank you so much for telling me.”
I said, “This is the greatest news. I know that you will be a superb governor.”
The presiding officer then told us that my friend Troy and several other FBI agents had found a connection between the Mob’s attempt to frame me and the shooting of my husband. He added, “He discovered that Governor James partnered with Governor Holmes of New York to get the Mob to help him build a gambling dynasty. Both of these men were behind all that happened to you with the money scam. Whenever someone got in their way, they did whatever it took.”
The presiding officer congratulated us and left.
“You’re going to be the first lady of the state.” Sebastian picked me up and twirled me around in the air.
“And she’s going to make a fine first lady,” his mom said as she came up and gave me a big hug.
“I wish I had your class,” I ventured.
“Oh, you’ve got more than class,” she said. “You have integrity—and heart.”
“Having your support means so much to me.”
“Don’t you worry, my dear,” she said, straightening the lapels on my suit jacket. “I’ll get you ready for the big house in Georgia.”
“Thanks.”
Everyone in the room crowded around my husband to interview and congratulate him.
The next thing I knew we were back in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in our own rented cabin. We sat on the floor in front of a crackling fire, sipping sparkling cider.
“Eden gave me a wedding present,” I said, tracing Sebastian’s lips with my fingers. “Would you like me to try it on?”
His eyes lit up, giving me my answer.
“I’ll be right back.” I went into the bedroom and dug into my suitcase for the one-piece white lace teddy my best friend had given me after the inauguration ceremony. When I posed in the doorway between the bedroom and the living room, my husband smiled appreciatively. He joined me in the bedroom, where he gently but passionately removed my lingerie.
After we made love, we lay in bed holding each other. I couldn’t believe such a wonderful man was all mine.
“So,” he said, stroking my arm, “what have you decided to do about your work?”
“I don’t want to quit,” I said.
“Oh.” His voice sounded sad and disappointed.
“But I could request an assignment protecting the new governor of Georgia. He’s quite young, you know, and incredibly handsome. So he’s going to need some very close and personal attention.”
He sat up and looked me in the eyes. “You really love me, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.” I kissed him briefly. “If you want me to be your first lady full-time, I’ll gladly turn in my gun for you.”
“I’ll only be governor for two years.”
“If you run for office after that, I’m sure you’ll win,” I assured him.
He pulled me closer.
I didn’t know where life would take Governor Stokes and me, but I’d always lived in the valley and wondered what it would be like to be on the hilltop, enjoying the good life. Now I had fame, fortune, and a wonderful husband, but none of that came close to the joy I felt in my relationship with Christ. My husband and I prayed together and thanked God for all of our blessings. Then I thanked my husband for loving me so much.
He put his arm around m
y waist. “I hope you’re happy.”
“How could I not be? My mom’s got a good man, my sister is a believer and has a great family for her baby, my husband is the governor, your parents like me, and though my earthly dad walked out on me, my Heavenly Father has healed my wounded heart. I’m ecstatic!”
He played with the platinum band on my finger. “I know we can’t stay on this mountaintop forever. Every life has its ups and downs.”
For so long, I’d been chasing something, unable to put my finger on just what I was searching for. As I listened to my husband proclaiming of life’s uncertainties, it was clearer than a shining goblet that I had been searching for true peace, hope, and love all that time. Now that search was over. On my journey, I found the Lord is the only One that can fill me. Since I’ve let Him into my heart, I have total faith that everything else will work out fine.
So with my index finger I covered his lips, then kissed them, “Wherever we go, though, God will be with us. We’ve got everything we need. And I want you to know, my love for you won’t ever change. ’Cause no matter what happens, being with you is like a piece of heaven.”
Don’t miss Stephanie Perry Moore’s
WEARING MY HALO TILTED
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Chapter 1
Wish
As I balled up on the cold, hardwood floor in our master bedroom, I prayed that my irate husband wouldn’t come back upstairs and haul another lamp across the room, actually hitting me the next time. I was too afraid to budge from the corner, scared that my watery eyes would cloud my vision and I’d accidentally step on the shattered glass. Never in our contented four years of marriage had Dillon become so over-the-top angry that I felt threatened. But one time was one time too many for me to live with a man that handled conflict by screaming at me and punching the wall. I wasn’t going to go through mental drama with him. I had to gather my courage, compose myself, and figure out what was next for me and my girls.
I was so sick of the downward spiral our marriage had been on. For the last six months, Dillon had managed to sleep in numerous places in our three-story contemporary house. Everywhere that was other than beside me. The truth was, he was tired of me asking him to perform his husbandly duties. Was it so wrong that I wanted him?