All I'll Ever Ask (The Greatest Love Book 1) (14 page)

But now she was heartbroken that her three tiered level cake had fallen apart. The caterer could not say why it was falling apart, maybe the cakes were not cool enough to hold the icing. It looked like a sugary melting sweet volcano, as it had chocolate, and white and red velvet cakes on each level. The cake maker came highly recommended and did thousands of cakes a year. She was sure it was not incompetence that caused the cake avalanche. Besides, as she inspected the cake, it looked like the cake was pushed over. Who would want to destroy someone’s wedding cake?

She was snapped out of her thoughts and silenced from screaming, which she did realizing she was audibly sobbing. She turned and fell into Frankie’s arm whimpering. He stroked her back lightly and whispered comforting words into her ear.

“Karen, the cake is still edible. No reason to allow that to ruin our night, okay.” Karen knew he was right but that did not stop the tears. Dawn and Autumn came up comforting her too, asking if she needed some fresh air. She told them she was okay and she and Frankie could proceed to the bride and groom’s table.

Karen tried her best to shake off the feeling that her cake disaster was not a coincidence but something just felt off. Including Camille, who had been acting so clingy the last couple of weeks, beyond the point of being a great maid of honor. She tried talking to her after the phone call with Ben. She definitely understood why Camille would be concerned about Ben being involved in Ms. Carol’s life. That lady was a nut case attacking Ben then attempting to attack Camille. Ben had informed her that Camille mentioned family issues. She could only think of maybe Camille just missed Mr. Jacobs. He had stayed several weeks while she healed. Which was the longest span of time he had ever visited since she had known Camille. When she asked her what Ben was referring to, Camille said it was nothing and they would talk after her honeymoon. Surely something that could wait two weeks was not that dire, so Karen remained quiet. But something was definitely going on with Camille. Karen again was taken out of her thoughts as Camille and Paige came to sit with her. Paige was beaming as she reached over and gave Karen a hug.

“So Ms. Lady, you married now. I am so happy for you.”  Paige stepped aside so Camille could give Karen a hug.

“You know I am happy for you too Karen.” Camille said while hugging Karen.

“Thank you both, I am so grateful. You both have been there for me over the years, when I was a struggling single mom. I can’t believe we pulled this wedding off in just two weeks. I appreciate you girls more then you know. I would not be here, if it were not for you.”

Paige chimed in with, “Girl you know we got you. Besides, who knew we would find your baby’s daddy delivering mail at Kev’s office. What were the chances of that? Something good came out of Camille being hit by that SUV.”

Camille just rolled her eyes, only Paige could say something caring, then follow it up with something so off. Karen frowned at Paige, “I thought you were working on yourself, you know trying to show Kevin you were sophisticated.”

Paige gave a smirk, “I am a work in progress, besides Mille knows what I mean.” Paige looked at Camille for confirmation.

“Paige you are fine. I am happy the driver is locked away for some time. I am healing fine and Karen has found love. All is perfect.”

It was Paige’s turn to frown. “If all is perfect, then why do you have poor Benjamin looking like he has lost his best friend?”

Sometimes Camille really wanted to deck Paige. “Ben and I are fine, Paige. You just work on your attitude, so Kevin will finally give you that ring he has had over a year.” Camille gave Paige a wink and a look that Paige knew meant she was about to cross the line with her mouth. “Oh look at who needs some lessons in etiquette.”

Before Camille or Karen could utter a word, Frankie came over and took Karen’s hand and said, “excuse me ladies, I would like to have a dance with my wife.” The ladies stood and let Karen go dance with her husband while the D.J. played “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross.

Kevin and Paige joined them on the dance floor. Ben had to pull Camille to the dance floor but she finally relaxed and enjoyed the feel of his warm embrace and they swayed to the melody and lyrics. Lyrics that rang true for all three couples. It spoke of looking into the eyes of one’s mate and seeing what they mean to each other. It spoke of knowing and believing in your heart that the one you are with, is the only person’s love you will need. The dance floor was full of partners enjoying a night of love and celebration for the happy newlyweds. It was a night for new beginnings.

Chapter 7

Baggage Sunday

The altar at Liberty Fellowship Church was decorated with luggage of all sizes and colors. Camille looked up as she walked down the aisle and saw suitcases displayed on stage. There was more in front of the choir and orchestra. She wondered what on earth Pastor Caine had planned today? Entering the row where Mother Ellen sat, she was greeted with a warm smile. To the right of Mother Ellen was Mrs. Carol. Camille went to greet her while repeating in her head, it’s nice to be nice…it’s nice to be nice. However, she did not have to worry about speaking to the less than the nice lady. Ms. Carol sat down and started rummaging in her purse to avoid speaking to her.

Mother Ellen compensated for Mrs. Carols less than Christian attitude. She took Camille’s purse and bible case and began a conversation. “Daughter that was some wedding you girls pulled off yesterday. It was beautiful. I can hardly wait to see what yours and Ben’s will look like in a few months.” That brought out a genuine smile from Camille. She loved how Mother Ellen always referred to her as daughter. Before Camille could respond, Ms. Carol decided to look up from her purse.

“Ellen what are you talking about? I heard the cake fell apart. What is beautiful about that?” Mother Ellen’s eyes bucked and nostrils flared. Camille would not have her going there with Ms. Carol.

She chimed in, “Mother Ellen you are so kind. I am happy Karen has what she deserves with Frankie and Nikki. They have both gone through so much, I pray they are satisfied with their day. I am certainly looking forward to planning our wedding, with your help of course. I am honored Ben believes I am the one for him.”

“Well believe it daughter, because it is true and I believe it too. By the way, where is that son of mine?” Mother Ellen was turning around looking toward all the entrances for her son. Camille’s eyes drifted up to the overhead monitor where the media team had the countdown clock. It was twelve minutes until the service began. She had not spoken to Ben since he dropped her off last night.

“I am not sure where he is, let me text him. I am sure he is in the building somewhere.” As she typed, her attention was drawn to Mrs. Carol who decided to join the “where is Ben” conversation.

“Maybe Ben would like to sit with just his two mothers today, me and Ellen. You have really inserted yourself everywhere in his life. There was a time before you joined this church and stole him away, Ben would sit between us. Maybe he has come to his senses and this is a sign you need to back off!”

Mother Ellen turned around and said, “Carol that is enough! Ben can sit wherever he chooses and he wants to sit near his fiancée! If you can’t keep your responses to yourself, I suggest – you move!” Camille had no idea how Mrs. Carol responded to that scolding. She was frozen in her seat. Her ears were now burning from being caught off guard by Mrs. Carol’s jab. How could this lady be so evil in the house of the Lord? Camille looked around the sanctuary and it was nearly full to capacity but she spotted Paige near the back. She grabbed her purse and as Mother Ellen tried to stop her, she paused to address her.

“Mother Ellen please let me go. I will sit with Paige and Kevin, when Ben comes just tell him where I am.” She kissed Mother Ellen on the cheek and made a mad dash to the row to sit with her best friend. As she greeted Paige, she tried to check her embarrassment and frustration in the aisle.

It was five minutes until the service began when Camille noticed Ben entering to sit by his mother. She could not believe when she saw Mrs. Carol moving over and motioning with her hands for Ben to sit down in between them. Her eye stalking was interrupted by Paige calling her name. “Camille, why are you back here and Ben up there?”

“Um, Err… I just wanted to sit with my BFF.”

“Why?”

“Because Paige, let’s just enjoy the service. The praise and worship team is about to get started.”

Ben closed his eyes as he stood singing Amazing Grace with the Praise and Worship Team. He was considering partnering with the music ministry. He needed to use the gift of voice the Lord had blessed him with. He was late entering the service because his Sunday School class went over the time allotted for class. They were discussing the life of Apostle Paul and the time had escaped them. Had he known Camille would not sit in her normal seat, by him, he would have left class early. He thought when he texted her his location, she would have sat tight. Her absence was making it hard for him to focus on the worship in the auditorium. There was something strange going on with his mom. She seemed to be in a bad mood. Not to mention Mother Carol trying to make him sit in between them. He hated sitting in between them. He was a thirty-something year old man, for goodness sake. He suffered through months of that, after Lauren’s death. Only because Mother Carol was grieving. However, enough was enough. The Lord had healed him and given him another chance on love. His mom and scripture taught him that Christians should bear one another burdens but he would not be holding Mrs. Carol’s hand any longer.

When Elder John completed the welcome and said to go greet someone, he ran to Camille with his I-Pad in hand. Experiencing the worship service and God’s word with his lady next to his side was how Ben had started each week for last several months, today would be no different. He approached and grabbed Camille’s hand and shook it as if she was queen of England and sang the greeting song of Liberty to her. “Good Morning Sister. The Jesus in me loves the Jesus in you. The Jesus in me loves the Jesus in you, you’re easy, so easy, you’re easy, easy to love.” Camille blushed, what could a girl do after that? Smile and enjoy the remainder of the service.

Paige watched the two lovebirds as the choir sang. She could not wait to get to the bottom of this musical chair act between Benjamin and Camille. But for now she had to key into the service. Kevin had given her notice that she had to change. More than his notice, Paige knew she needed to change. The choir was singing, This is Holy Ground, and it was the best place for her to start. Paige had to admit this choir could really sing. No, it’s the anointing she thought to herself. Paige smirked, “Listen at me already feeling a shift within my spirit.” She stood to her feet, pulled her hands together to her breast, and closed her eyes as she let the lyrics break up the fallow ground in her heart and mind.

This is Holy ground,

we’re standing on Holy ground

For the Lord is here

and where he is, is Holy

This is holy ground,

We’re standing on Holy Ground

For the Lord is here

and where he is, is Holy

We are standing on Holy ground.

And I know that these are angels all around

Let us praise Jesus now

We are standing in Your presence, on Holy ground.

With each visit to Liberty, Kevin was drawn into this Non Protestant way of worship and lifestyle. It was vastly different from his Catholic upbringing but he could feel the presence of the angels that the choir just finished singing about. He was heavily anticipating what Pastor Caine would lecture about using luggage. He was blown away by luggage on display. In his bulletin, there was a note card with a question, what is your baggage? It was like a college course and he supposed this was the best way to deliver instructions that could be applied by anyone who heard. According to Elder John, all the services were televised and streamed online, so there could actually be millions of people hearing the word of God. Kevin sat up in his seat as Pastor Caine came onto the stage with luggage chained to him. The lead pastor was about to fall face forward but he braced himself and began to deliver what Kevin and most in attendance, considered a timely word. Pastor Caine delivered a message about “Traveling Light.”

“To do that in today’s society is difficult because we are weighted down with baggage. There are 4 types of baggage: 1) Personal, 2) Work, 3) Church, 4) Other People’s.”

Kevin was intrigued by this analogy. Pastor Caine was on the mark with him when it came to Personal and Work. Pastor Caine proclaiming that,

“As individuals we try to be light and happy. We try to leave our unhappiness at the door. As the ushers escorted us to our seats, we put on a smile trying to forget our failures, fears, and regrets but the personal baggage is stuck to us like glue. It is chained to us.”

Kevin could only agree to that in his mind, heart, and soul, because his personal baggage was flowing over to his work baggage. It all was becoming too heavy, causing him both doubt and anxiety. As a public figure, he had to be transparent in all aspects of his life. Could he hold on to Paige and continue up the corporate ladder? Could he release the regret when perpetrators went free from the negligence of his office, leaving victims hurting? He wanted to release these burdens but another issue was plaguing his heart. He always understood Peter was the rock that we should lean on for strength to be the Christian example. This is what he learned from the nuns. Jesus told Peter, “Upon this Rock I will build my church.” Kevin shook that off. He assumed that was church baggage he needed to cast away because the more he attended the services and classes at Liberty the more he believed that Jesus Christ himself was that rock.