A Lova' Like No Otha' (25 page)

“Sure,” I said, secretly hoping it wouldn't take more than ten minutes, because that was about how much longer I thought I could stay awake.

“Would you drive us to the cruise ship?”

“What?” I cried. “Now?” I was excited as anyone that the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were going to be taking a cruise to Alaska for their honeymoon, but I couldn't believe that she wanted me to take her to the ship in the middle of the night.

“It would really mean a lot to me.”

“First of all, who's going to let you on the boat at this time of night? It's not sailing until tomorrow.”

Shay grinned. “You forget that I'm married to an NFL player. Special provisions were made.”

“Okay, but don't you guys have mothers or aunts or uncles or anyone who can do that for you?” I hoped I didn't sound cranky, but I was completely worn out. Why hadn't she taken care of this before the wedding? Every other detail was planned.

“Please,” she begged when she saw my hesitation. “It would mean a lot to both of us.”

I looked into her exuberant face. How could I turn down the simple request of a girl who meant so much to me? She needed my help, and I'd promised myself and God to focus on being there for my friends. What was one night without sleep? I could stay in bed as late as I wanted to in the morning. It was Christmas and I would be spending the day by myself anyway.

I gave Shay a weary smile.

She clapped her hands like a giddy little girl. “You're awesome, Zoe!”

“You're right about that,” I pretended to brag. “And don't you forget it!”

“Don't worry,” she said sincerely. “I won't.”

When we reached the cruise ship, I was kinda surprised. It wasn't even half the size of the ones I'd seen in Miami.

“This is a private charter,” Byron explained. “We're going to be the only passengers.”

Wow!
I thought.
It really does pay to marry an NFL player.

“Come on board for a minute,” Shay invited me. I groaned. “Please, you've got to see this! It's absolutely breathtaking.”

I didn't feel comfortable. I felt a bit like I was invading their honeymoon. But I wanted to do this last thing for my friend before she sailed off into the moonlight.

Byron swept Shay into his arms and carried her up the metal ramp. I looked at the two large suitcases and two smaller bags sitting in the open trunk of my Probe. Not wanting to ruin their romantic moment, I piled the two smaller bags on my shoulders and got help from a crew member to roll the larger suitcases.

Shay was right. It was beautiful. White roses adorned every railing and doorway.

“Girl, your hubby sure went all out for you,” I said, relieving my arms of the heavy suitcases.

“I know.” She beamed as Byron set her down.

“Now, where do you want all this stuff, girl? It's heavy!”

A tall woman in a crisp white uniform approached. “Welcome aboard,” she said. “Come this way.” She started toward the back of the ship. Byron grabbed the two large suitcases, and I picked up the smaller ones.

The woman ushered us to a tiny room decorated with more white roses, then disappeared. As I dropped the bags onto the bed, I felt the ship moving. “Wait a minute! What's going on? I've got to get off.”

“Relax,” Shay said, grinning at me.

“Relax? I have to get out of here. I can't go with you on your honeymoon!” I headed for the door.

“Okay wait right here, Zoe,” Byron said. “I'll go let the captain know.” Byron left the room, but not before kissing his bride.

I exhaled. That would have been a disaster—being the third wheel on a honeymoon!

Shay said, “While Byron's doing that, maybe you can help me unpack a few things.”

I nodded.

Shay turned to me, her face still flushed. “Thanks so much, Zoe, for everything you've done for me.”

“Yeah, whatever,” I said, really feeling tired. I couldn't wait to get home and soak in a tub of hot, bubbly water.

“Listen, I have
got
to go to the bathroom. It's been hours! Wait here. I'll be right back.”

When Shay left the room, I walked to the porthole and looked outside. The ship didn't seem to be stopping. It actually looked like it was picking up speed. I hoped Byron could get the captain to turn around soon.

I glanced up at the clear, star-filled sky, thinking about the past few months. It seemed like every minute I'd either been smack in the middle of a horrible problem, about to go through one or just coming out of one.

But each had taught me something. First there was Devyn, and I learned that I really had to trust that the Lord knew what was best for me. Then I thought about my mother. I really missed her, but I learned that I couldn't judge people and that life was just too short and precious to carry around old baggage. Finally, my mind drifted to Chase. It seemed that his was the biggest lesson of all. I learned that I could be my own enemy, that I could block my own blessings. “I miss you, my love,” I uttered aloud.

“Who do you miss?” a soft male voice whispered. Before I could turn around, two strong arms encircled my waist.

My mouth opened wide. I reached up and touched the face behind me. It was the familiar one I'd grown to love so much.

Chase turned me around to face him. The love in his eyes told me he was feeling all the same emotions I was.

“Zoe, over the past week, since I last saw you, I've spent a lot of time with God. And everything is starting to look up for me finally. The charges were dropped. I got that great contract with the team. I know God has done all this.” He lifted my chin with his index finger. “But I keep hearing Him tell me I need more. I need you.” He drew me close and kissed me passionately.

Against every instinct and desire in my body, I pulled back. “What are you doing, Chase? We've been here before. We don't need to go here again.”

“Zoe”—he started his speech—”I've wanted you for such a long time. You're so beautiful physically, but also spiritually. I know that in my weakest moments, you were praying for me, lifting me up before God.”

I stared at him, wondering what was going on. I didn't understand anything. I didn't understand where his words were leading. I didn't understand what had happened to Shay and Byron. And I didn't understand what Chase was doing on this boat that was still moving, making its way to the sea.

“Devyn told me he tried to get back with you,” Chase said through my thoughts. “But that you stopped him. When he finally told me that, I can't tell you how I felt. I waited four years for you to want me. And now that you do, I don't want to lose you.” He slowly lowered himself to one knee and pulled out a sparkling pear-shaped diamond nestled in a platinum band. “Zoe Clarke, will you be my wife?”

I gasped. Tears flowed down my cheeks like rain. Unable to speak, I nodded vigorously.

Chase stood, a huge smile on his face. He kissed me like he'd never done before. When he pulled back, I was breathless. “Now, close your eyes.”

Although filled with confusion, I obeyed without question. I heard Chase open a squeaky door. Then he took my hand and said, “Okay, now open them.”

When I lifted my eyelids, I found myself gazing at the most beautiful white lace gown I had ever seen. Without taking my eyes off the dress, I asked, “What's this?”

“Everything's arranged with the ship's captain. Shay and Byron are going to be our witnesses. I already got the marriage certificate. We can get married right now, if you're willing.”

I stared at Chase. “Are you serious?”

“Very,” he said, his face and voice sincere. “I want to love you the way you've always wanted to be loved. The way I've always wanted to love you.”

“But, Chase,” I said, realizing that one small but important cloud was interfering with the joy of the moment, “I can't wear that.”

“Why not?” he asked, his creased forehead revealing his confusion.

“It's…white.” I turned my head, trying not to cry. Although I remembered Fawn's earlier words, I still didn't believe that I was worthy. “I can't wear a white wedding dress.”

Chase turned me around, took my chin in his fingers and gently tilted my head to face him. “Zoe, you're so wrong about that. Don't you know, you've been washed pure and clean by the blood of Jesus Christ? He forgives us for every transgression and separates us from our sins as far as the east is from the west. He knows we've both repented for our past mistakes. I made mistakes toward you too, Zoe. I should have proposed to you long ago. I shouldn't have made it my job to test you. That's only God's job. And the Bible says God remembers our past mistakes no more. If He doesn't, we shouldn't either.”

I couldn't believe God had blessed me with such a perfect, wonderful man.

“So, will you marry me tonight?”

I nodded as Chase used his thumbs to wipe the tears from my cheeks.

There was a knock on the door and Shay peeked in.

“May we come in now?” she asked, a wide smile filling her face.

I hugged my friend with my tears still falling. Then Shay rushed Chase from the room.

“Get out of here,” she said. “I've got to get this bride ready.”

Thirty minutes later, Chase and I were standing under the covered portion of the ship's deck.

A soft mist blanketed us as the captain performed the ceremony that would make me one with Chase, the man I truly loved and who loved me. After we said, “I do,” and the captain pronounced us husband and wife, Chase carried me back to the room where he had proposed.

We spent minutes kissing passionately, but it wasn't long before he gently removed the beautiful white dress from my trembling body. I really did feel like a pure, untouched bride about to be loved for the very first time.

I stopped kissing him just long enough to whisper, “I love you, my husband.”

He smiled, cupping my cheeks in his hands. “I love you too, my sweet wife.”

I was living in the middle of a fairy-tale moment. And to think, I thought God was blessing me months before to be with a man who had a steady job. Well, when I got right with God, He opened up the windows of heaven and poured a real blessing on me. With Chase, it looked as though we would never need to worry about providing for our future. God is awesome.

“What are you thinking?” he asked as he gently rubbed my cheek.

Standing on my toes, I kissed his forehead and said, “The team will probably fire me when they find out I'm your wife. But I guess we'll be okay, though, huh?”

Sarcastically, he joked, “Yeah, looks like we're gonna make it. Seriously, though, honey, your party was great. If you want to look at starting your own party-planning business, I'll support you.”

I just hugged him. That was a great idea. Boy, did I love him. Everything was perfect—well, except Tasha wasn't in my life anymore. Being honest with myself, I missed her.

“Baby, where'd you go? What's wrong?” he asked with such concern that I had to share my thoughts.

“You know my girlfriend, Tasha; well, I just…” I was unable to continue; I choked up so bad.

“You love her; she was your best friend. You can and will work it out with her. It's almost the off-season. Maybe we can invite her up next year.”

My husband was all that. Okay I was done with the girlfriend issues. I was ready to be his wife.

As though sensing I was totally ready, he picked me up and placed my naked body on the bed. I caressed the muscles of his back as he climbed on top of me. My husband made love to me slowly and easily. I had thought I'd have to teach him certain things because I was the one with the experience, but that wasn't the case at all. He held me, caressed me, made me feel good everywhere. He met my every need. Just like the pro he was on the field, he was an all-star in the bedroom. His bummed leg didn't give him a problem. God blessed our union.

I felt our holy union become one in every sense of the word. Afterward, as I lay naked in his arms, tears flowed once more from my eyes.

“Are you okay?” Chase asked, concern etched on his face.

“Very okay,” I assured him. “It's amazing. I really felt like a virgin for you, and I'm so thankful. I know it's a sign from God, letting me know that I'm truly yours. You were right, my darling. The past has nothing to do with our future. I've been forgiven for that, and I feel so free.”

Outside, the light rain had turned into a raging storm, lightning and thunder providing God's own music and illumination for our moment. We wanted no other sound.

We slept in each other's arms, swaying to the ocean's motion. By the time I opened my eyes, the sun had risen on a beautiful, clean morning—a symbol of the dawn of newness for Mr. and Mrs. Chase Farr. This was a blessed day that the Lord had made just for us.

“I can't believe we're married,” I said to Chase the moment he opened his eyes.

“I don't deserve this,” Chase echoed. “But I sure do thank the Lord for you.”

As I held my new husband in my arms and looked at the beautiful view outside our window, I realized that God uses storms in our lives to refine us with His glory. So, I wasn't afraid of the raging winds or uncertainties. I knew we are never alone when the wind blows. I wasn't wishing trouble for my new life, but I believed that if drama came, Chase and I could handle it with God showing us how. It was kinda like I had a “So bring on the storm” attitude—I could handle it.

I learned that only when God was the lova' of my life did I find the happiness I longed for since my dad's death nineteen years ago. Only when I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart did I know how it felt to be completely in love. And only when I let the Holy Spirit come dwell within me was I ready to be joined in marriage to a godly man.

And if we hold on to His unchanging hand and stay rooted and grounded in Him, there will always be after the storm—like the spectacular view that filled the horizon before me—a brilliant rainbow.

About the Author

Stephanie Perry Moore is truly a woman from the South. She was born in South Carolina, raised in Virginia, educated in Alabama and resides in Georgia. She is the author of the successful Payton Skky series for teenagers. She is also the general editor of several Bible products for World Bible Publishers and Nia Publishing. She lives in the greater Atlanta area with her husband, Derrick, and their two young daughters, Sydni and Sheldyn.