Bayou Judgment (19 page)

April

C
ould someone explode from pure happiness? Felicia didn't know for sure, but if it were possible, she'd be a prime candidate.

The spring breeze danced across the backyard of the Trahan home, carrying the sweet scent of azalea and honeysuckle on its wings. The sun had already begun its descent and soon would melt behind the tree line of the bayou. Crickets and cicadas chirped in harmony.

Beautiful bouquets of magnolia blossoms draped from the end chair on each row, fastened with white satin ribbons. A white runner down the middle of the rows boasted a trim of gold on the edges. At the end of the runner stood a gazebo, especially constructed for this happy event. White latticework covered the back, and English ivy had been threaded throughout the intricate design. Large boughs of magnolia blooms and leaves decorated the top of the arch.

Felicia stared out the window as people took their seats in the white chairs. She gripped the handle of the flower bouquet and turned to face the women in the room.

Tara, looking absolutely breathtaking in the yellow dress that perfectly contrasted with her tanned skin, lifted a veil. Alyssa, who had recently eloped with Jackson Devereaux, looked positively radiant in her matching yellow dress. She helped her younger sister settle the veil with pouffy netting on CoCo's crown.

Mrs. LeBlanc mopped at her eyes. “You look so much like Mother LeBlanc, your
grand-père's
mother.”

Sitting at a brass vanity, CoCo smiled at her grandmother through the mirror.

The older woman planted a whisper of a kiss against CoCo's cheek. “You're darling,
ma chérie.
I wish your parents could be here.”

CoCo grabbed her grandmother's hand. “In my heart, they
are
here.”

Mrs. LeBlanc patted CoCo's shoulder before heading to the door. “Time for me to take my place. I'll see you outside.”

Felicia lifted the hem of her own sunshine dress and stood behind the LeBlanc sisters. Her eyes met CoCo's in the reflection. “I just wanted to tell you now, before it all gets hectic, how incredibly happy I am to have you as a sister.” She blinked back tears and included Alyssa and Tara in her warm gaze. “And I thank you both for sharing this wonderful woman with me and my family.”

CoCo joined her grandmother in blotting her eyes while fanning herself with her hands. “Oh, shush now. You're gonna make me cry and make a big mess of my makeup. What'll your brother think if I walk down the aisle looking like I have two black eyes?”

Tara and Alyssa laughed, but not Felicia. She dabbed at her own tears. “He'll think he's the luckiest man in Lagniappe. And he'll be right.”

CoCo stood and moved from the vanity. She gave Felicia a side hug, then pulled her sisters into the embrace. “I'm so blessed to have each of you in my life.”

Each woman hugged tighter. No words were said. None were needed.

A knock rapped against the door. “Everybody decent?”

Tara replied with an “as decent as we can be” before Jackson stuck his head inside. “Hey, ladies. It's about time to get this show on the road.”

Alyssa scooted her new husband out the door. “Give us a second. We'll be out in just a minute.”

He waggled his eyebrows at his bride. “Sixty seconds, and if you aren't out in the hall lining up, I'm coming in after y'all.”

She laughed and planted a kiss on his mouth before shutting the door. “Okay, let's do this.” She grabbed the large bouquet of white roses and handed them to CoCo. “We'll be right in front of you. This is it, the moment you've waited for all your life.”

“Haven't we all?” Tara groaned. “Finally,
Grand-mère
and I will have the house to ourselves.”

Her dry humor broke the serious moment, and all of them laughed. CoCo drew a deep breath and smiled, joy radiating from her face. “I'm so ready.”

They moved into the hall where Jackson leaned against the wall, looking nonchalant and very debonair in his black tuxedo with tails. Tara headed through the French doors first, her spine straight as she walked. Felicia gave CoCo a quick air kiss, careful not to muss the veil, then followed Tara down the white runner. She could make out Alyssa's footfalls behind her.

Felicia smiled at the townsfolk of Lagniappe as she walked. Tara had taken white ribbon and tied a bow with a magnolia bloom to the cane. Felicia felt like a princess. She nodded at her mother in the front row. Hattie's perfect face was already stained with tears.

Then, Felicia looked up to the gazebo.

Her brother stood in a white tuxedo, the love on his face matching what she'd seen moments ago. Beside him stood Bubba Theriot, his best man, in a black tuxedo. He looked quite dashing without his glasses and had gotten his red hair cut into a buzz.

But it was the man in the middle, wearing a white collar and holding a Bible, that set Felicia's pulse afire.

Pastor Spencer Bertrand stood solemnly in the center of the gazebo. His shaggy hair had also been trimmed into a shorter cut. The result made his eyes stand out more and made his strong jaw more prominent. His bright smile caught the setting sun's last rays. His gaze latched onto Felicia's as she took her place alongside Tara. He winked—her heart flipped in response.

Alyssa joined her and Tara on the edge of the gazebo. Luc's zydeco band started on cue. The guests stood and faced the French doors just as Jackson escorted CoCo down the aisle.

Felicia thought her heart would break from the sight of sheer elation beaming from CoCo. The bride's stare never left her groom's. When Jackson and CoCo stopped at the gazebo, the guests sat.

“Who gives this woman in holy matrimony?” Spence asked, his voice calm.

“Her family does,” replied Jackson. He slowly lifted the veil from her face, draping it over her head, and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. “You go, sis,” he whispered just loud enough for the wedding party to hear before moving to stand on the other side of Bubba.

Felicia turned in unison with Alyssa and Tara to face Spence as Luc took CoCo's hand.

Spence flashed Felicia a quick smile. “Today, we celebrate not only the joining of this man and woman before God, but also the joining of these two families in love and in honor of CoCo and Luc.”

Warm tears spread over Felicia's cheeks, but she didn't care. The desires of her heart were satisfied on this glorious dusk. She was acquiring not only the sister she'd always wanted, but two others as well. Her brother's state could only be described as ecstatic. Her mother was set on the road to a full recovery from her drinking crutch. And the man she loved, well, he loved her too.

But the most amazing aspect of Felicia's happiness was the knowledge that God loved her. No more guilt and condemnation, only grace and love.

She closed her eyes as Luc recited his vows.

Thank you, God, for this day. For these people. For the love You've shown us through these connections
.

Spence pronounced CoCo and Luc man and wife just as the last purple streaks of the sun disappeared over the bayou. Felicia cried tears of joy from her heart as Spence introduced Mr. and Mrs. Luc Trahan to the guests. The crowd of well-wishers exploded in applause.

Felicia caught Spence's attention. He winked and mouthed
I love you.

Her heart fluttered and she mouthed the words back.

God was very good, indeed.

1. Felicia was born with a handicap that kept her from certain physical activities, yet she never blamed God. Have you ever dealt with an injury or handicap? Did you blame God? How did you endure your trials?
   
2. Spencer had a past that he regretted. Have you ever hidden something from your past to avoid embarrassment? What did you do when the truth came out?
   
3. Felicia's brother was overprotective of her, out of love, and it annoyed her. Has someone who cared for you ever been overbearing? How did you respond?
   
4. Spencer had to learn that everything, including his congregation's reaction to his past, was in God's hands. How do you deal with the difficulty of placing something that could affect your future totally in God's hands?
   
5. Winnie acted on her jealous emotions. Have you ever reacted out of envy? How did you feel later?
   
6. Wesley was falsely imprisoned. Have you ever believed the worst about someone, only to find out later you were wrong? What did you do?
   
7. Felicia wanted to be independent, but she needed to learn that we aren't made to be independent of God. How do you deal with your independent streak while leaning on God?
   
8. Spencer didn't believe he was worthy of doing good things, yet God had a different plan for him. Have you ever thought you were destined for something, only to have God steer you in a different direction? How did you handle the situation?
   
9. Felicia and Spencer had to learn to release guilt and pain over the past to move forward in their relationship. Has something from your past ever caused your current relationships to suffer? How did you react?
   
10. Even though she acted in self-defense, Felicia felt guilty over harming Winnie. Have you ever been put in a situation where you had to defend yourself? How did you feel?
    
11. Felicia's past was riddled with pain and disappointment. Have you ever felt like that? How did you manage?
    
12. Before Spencer turned to God, he acted in ways that he wasn't proud of. Before you became born again, how did you act? How did you change?
    
13. Felicia felt as if she owed it to her friend, Jolie, to bring the murderer to justice. Have you ever felt you had a “debt” to someone? What did you do?
    
14. Felicia was surrounded with family and friends who loved her. Many would consider her blessed, despite her handicap. How can we be loving and supportive of those we cherish?