Silver Lining (26 page)

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Authors: Wanda B. Campbell

BOOK: Silver Lining
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She turned back to the man who'd given her the greatest pleasure and had also caused her the most agonizing pain. “Thanks for helping Leon. I didn't realize the two of you were that close. He didn't mention the business loan to me, and I thought I was his friend.”
Kevin smiled. “I know you didn't think all of our conversations and meetings were about you.”
Marlissa shrugged. “What do you know, I was wrong again. I've been wrong about a lot of things lately.” Marlissa paused before asking, “Kevin, why did you come here today?” This was Kevin's chance to finally level with her.
“Tyson told me what happened and I knew you would need me.”
Marlissa rapidly blinked back tears. Once again, Kevin refused to give the one answer she needed to hear. “Kevin, we need to talk,” she announced while discreetly rubbing her belly.
“I know.” He nodded. “But not tonight. It's after midnight and we're both tired. We'll talk tomorrow.” Kevin motioned for her to get inside the car. “Buckle up. I'll follow you home.”
Too drained to argue, she obeyed. Before closing her door, Kevin attempted to kiss her and didn't appear disappointed at all when she offered him her cheek and not her lips.
Chapter 34
M
arlissa studied the room and debated how she was going to tell Starla she was pulling out of the wedding. Marlissa just couldn't do it. Throughout the night and all morning, Marlissa tried to convince herself she could do this, but standing at any altar without Kevin wasn't something she looked forward to doing.
The small, intimate setting resembled the wedding she'd always wanted, but wasn't allowed to have. Starla had chosen the Yacht Club for its 360-degree exquisite views of the bay. The hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings gave the illusion of a much bigger space. The guest list was only fifty people long, but Starla decorated like she was expecting to have a spread featured in
Ebony
magazine.
Starla's color scheme was sage, cream, and silver. Cream-colored netting was draped through hooks on the ceiling, forming an impression of clouds. Across the center of each “cloud” was a silver ribbon. Starla selected this particular design to signify that there is a silver lining behind every cloud; good could come out of every situation. Marlissa thought the fragrance extracted from the cream-colored vanilla candles and the sage-colored cucumber melon candles, which centered the tables and lined the walls, was heavenly. The archway where Leon and Starla would stand was conservatively lined with cream netting and sprinkled with artificially dyed sage-colored roses and cream-colored tulips. Cream and sage tablecloths draped round tables of six with matching chair covers. The catered celebratory sit-down meal included prime rib and salmon, Starla's favorites. They were also Marlissa's favorites.
“I'm sorry, Starla,” Marlissa whispered, heading toward the dressing room while squeezing the garment bag that contained her gown.
The hairstylist was putting the finishing touches on Starla's hair. Marlissa had never seen Starla without her braids. Marlissa had assumed the single braids were mostly added hair. It turned out that Starla's hair was just as long as the braids she wore. “Your hair is beautiful.” Marlissa's voice communicated her surprise.
“Didn't know I had hair, did you?” Starla started to muse, but stopped abruptly when she noticed Marlissa wasn't dressed at all. She didn't even have on makeup. “Do you know what time it is?” Starla barked. “You better hurry up and get dressed. This is not a CP Time wedding.”
Marlissa bit her lip before saying, “Starla, I'm sorry, but I can't do this.”
“Why not?” Mother Scott appeared suddenly from behind a curtain.
“It's too hard,” Marlissa whimpered.
“What's so hard about putting on a dress and walking down the aisle for your friends?”
Before Marlissa could answer, Mother Scott grabbed her by the arm, pulled her behind the curtain, and continued with her tangent. Starla never got a chance to say one word and she didn't mind at all, because when the curtain opened again, Marlissa was fully dressed.
Mother Scott was getting on her nerves so bad, Marlissa practically ran to the vanity and applied her makeup in record speed.
“Marlissa,” Starla said, placing her freshly manicured hand on her shoulder. “I know this is hard for you. I saw how difficult it was for you to handle Kevin's presence yesterday at the police station. I just want you to know that I love you for pushing your pain aside and being here for me.”
Marlissa had a list of sarcastic and bitter remarks she could say, but didn't. She simply smiled and said, “I love you guys too,” then asked, “Where's my bouquet?” before leaving to prepare for her entrance down the aisle.
Starla frowned. “Marlissa, I should have told you earlier. When I went to pick up the bouquets, yours wasn't there,” Starla explained regretfully.
“Great.” Marlissa smirked. “What will I use now?”
“Here.” Marlissa didn't complain. She took the single rose from her friend and quietly exited the room.
On cue, Marlissa inhaled and started down the aisle. With a pasted smile she strolled and almost tripped upon seeing Reyna seated next to Tyson.
What is that about?
she wondered. She quickly regained her composure by focusing on Leon and the boys. Montel and Jaylen were too adorable in those cream tuxedos and sage cummerbunds. What could she say about Leon, whose attire mirrored the boys'? She loved him. He was a God-given friend and her big brother. Marlissa took her place, then after Pastor Drake instructed everyone to stand, directed her attention to the door.
Starla was beautiful in her sage dress, and the love that radiated between her and Leon was so evident, even Tyson appeared moved. His bright skin had turned a shade of red. Before interlocking his arm with Starla's, Leon stole a quick kiss, causing the audience to chuckle. Marlissa was too busy laughing to notice that Leon and Starla had moved three steps to the left. Marlissa continued laughing until a song very familiar began playing through the sound system. It was the song she'd originally desired for her wedding march. She looked over at Starla and Leon for an explanation, but all Starla and Leon would do was smile. Montel and Jaylen were smiling too. Pastor Drake touched her shoulder and nodded toward the door. Marlissa still didn't understand what was going on.
“Turn around, baby,” Mother Scott called from the audience.
Marlissa did as she was instructed and thought she was dreaming. The image of Kevin in a cream tuxedo and carrying her tulip bouquet, walking down the aisle to her, was better than any fantasy.
“Y'all set me up.” Marlissa sniffled, accepting Leon's handkerchief. But to Kevin she didn't say anything; she couldn't, not yet. She bit her lip and her hands fidgeted with the single rose as she waited for him to approach her.
Kevin removed the rose from her shaky hands and placed it on an end seat. “I love you,” he began after taking her hand and tenderly kissing it. “I never stopped loving you. I should have told you that a long time ago, but I didn't, and for that I am sorry.”
Marlissa sucked in her breath.
“You asked me for forgiveness but I refused to grant it because I was afraid of being hurt again. You were right. I took advantage of you by making you prove your commitment to me repeatedly without once fully committing to you.”
Marlissa inhaled deeply in an effort to control her breathing and to delay the tears, but it was too late. Tears pooled and streamed down her cheeks.
“'Lissa, I am so sorry for every hurt I selfishly inflicted on you, and I forgive you for everything that happened in the past.” Kevin held out the bouquet to her. “Let's start over.”
Marlissa released her hand and shook her head from side to side. “How can we do that? Too much time has lapsed; aren't we divorced?”
“We are not divorced,” he answered plainly. “I rescinded the petition the day you walked into Tyson's office. I realized that day I loved you too much to live without you. I just didn't know how to tell you that. I was afraid.”
Marlissa moved her mouth to say something, but then changed her mind. She calmly removed the bouquet from Kevin and placed it on a chair, then in one quick motion sucker punched him.
The entire audience gasped almost in unison.
“Hit him again,” First Lady Drake called out.
“Yeah, you deserve that one, son,” Mother Scott added.
“
Kevin Hezekiah Jennings, I could kill you!
Do you know how much heartache you've caused me? Do you have any idea how many tears I have cried over you?” Marlissa tried to soothe the throbbing in her hand by shaking it. Kevin's rock-solid stomach caused her more pain than the punch did him.
“Can you forgive me?” Kevin managed once he was upright again and the initial shock of being punched by his wife while wearing a tuxedo wore off.
Marlissa went off on a tangent, rolling her neck. “I have been going out of my mind for five days, waiting for you to come clean about the divorce. Not to mention the days and weeks I tried to regain your trust. I can't hardly hold any food down and can't sleep at night because I'm too busy praying for you to come to your senses.” Marlissa snarled at him. “Kevin Hezekiah Jennings, you had better be glad I love you so much!”
Marlissa was scowling and Kevin was smiling.
“I love you. Will you marry me, again?” Kevin asked once more.
Marlissa wasn't ready to give in just yet. “Tell me again and say it loud enough to be heard in Mexico!” Marlissa softened, listening to Kevin repeat the statement and question again.
“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.”

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