Family Reunion (65 page)

So this is the man, who gave you life.

Who nurtured and cared, who raised up my wife.

No doubt at one time, he rocked her to sleep,

taught her to pray, my soul – lord please keep.

Daddy's little girl, one time she had been,

now as a woman, the desire of most men.

Yet, within his eyes, there exists no man

who is worthy enough, to take his daughter's hand.

Although one day he'll give it, quite reluctantly,

he'll warn that you love her, or return her to me!

His protection of her is serious and strong,

and now married, to her husband that protection belongs.

Before him I stood, self righteous and sure,

as I took of his daughter, once innocent and pure.

Today before me she stands, round with my child,

my pride is high, feeling good all the while.

Years, later, here I am, my sweet daughter by my side,

all efforts have failed, in her beauty to hide.

Oh my wife's father, I do so understand,

because no man is worthy,

…
to take my daughter’s hand.

Written by, Mercedes Keyes

Copyright©2007,amberswann.com

All Rights Reserved

Chapter Fourteen

When Lena awoke the next morning, she was in her bed, the covers pulled up to her chin. She lay there a moment looking up at the ceiling trying to remember how it was that she got there. She wondered, had the night before been just a dream or had Rory really come to her. She turned her head to look towards her door, and saw a folded sheet of paper on her bunk side table. Scooting up to sit back against her pillows she picked up the note and read,

Lena threw her head back and laughed. She read the letter
over three more times and laughed each time she did. Leaping from her bed she went to her trunk, opened it and removed her large musical jewellery box. There she placed the note inside a tiny velvet pouch that held all the notes from Manny. Kissing the pouch, she placed them securely away. And was up and ready for the day. It was Saturday, the last day to prepare for the wedding, the next day. Manny and Mike spent the day contacting all who would like to attend.

Sandra spent it making sure Carmine and his family prepared a feast fit for Lena's wedding. Leon and Francis finally showed their faces from their two day honeymoon.

Hope, Lena, and Maria spent the day on board the ship finishing the sashes and flags for their arrival on Makia Island. Lena went into detail explaining…"This color which represents my father, is worn above this color, which he chose as mine. I have selected this green to represent Manny."

"Why green mama?" Hope asked.

"Because it reminds me of all the green I saw, when I first lay eyes on Webster Fields…green. Because he is my husband, I will sew it covering mine and my father's colors which will rest over my heart; all those that see it…will know I belong to him. Because his sash contains my father's color, meaning he is belonging to the house of LuMaden and his own at the top, meaning that he is a lord of many. My color binds them together…meaning, due to our union, the two houses are one; the house of my husband and the house of LuMaden. Each color displayed in a particular color order tells a story long before we speak. Mike's sash will have LuMaden's on the bottom, his father on the top, mine sewn down it's center. Hope… you will wear this color we've chosen for your husband…" She continued on, giving them all a bit of history and the reasons behind the sashes and flags.

Mailon and her father returned to the ship again, with some last minute business that Gydale and Manny needed to set up before the Webster's left for Makia. Manny decided to hire Gydale to go and view the Boston shipyard now that Joe had pulled the business deal through.

It was now an enterprise of the Webster Family. He would send him there to learn the setup, which he wanted him to duplicate near Lake Charles where Mike would be living with his family. Because Manny and Mike had not yet returned, he was able to meet Lena for the first time. Gydale stood stunned by Rory's mother and found himself wishing he'd only known her earlier in their lives. By the time Manny returned to the ship the two had been in a lengthy conversation about his travels. Manny walked in to see Lena laughing at some witticism from Gydale. Very receptive when it came to Lena, Manny felt a little discomfort.

It was
the first time in his life he actually had to look up at a man. The stature of Gydale Kent was impressive, Manny didn't miss that his eyes followed Lena's every move until she left them alone.

Neither did Gydale miss the fleeting glance between the two, Manny and Lena, before she left. "You are a surprising man Maynard Webster, most white men can't see past the color of a black woman to note her intelligence. Here you are, ‘bout to marry one…that says a lot to me about you."

"She's the mother of my children."

"Lot’ah black women the mother of white men's children but they don't marry'em. Far from it…why are you?"

"Oooh, I guess you could say, I'm a white man who can't live without her."

"That don't mean you have to marry her."

"To keep that one…I do. Besides, I wouldn't have her any other way. Now… how about we get down to business?"

Gydale nodded, it had been a long time since he'd seen a woman who could capture his attention and hold it, she had done just that. As he sat listening to Manny, he read the man without error. A white man willing to marry a black woman in their day and age was not one to be messed with, especially one bold enough to build a mighty vessel such as the Princess, putting her name on it. Exhaling, he let any thoughts concerning her go. As they concluded their business, Manny invited him to the wedding and made it official that he was now head carpenter of
'Ramsey Fleets & Shipping'
. He wanted Gydale and his daughter to relocate to Lake Charles after he'd spent enough time in Boston learning the setup. Seeing his work first hand around their newly built mansion was enough proof of his skill and craftsmanship. Before he departed, he promised to attend their wedding.

As Saturday drew to a close, Lena was a nervous wreck. She couldn't believe the rapid about face her life had taken. It was going to happen; she felt it in her heart. The next day, she was going to marry a man who had once been her owner, her master. She was going to marry the man who had fathered her children, the man whom she’d loved for almost thirty years of her life. A man who had taken possession of her, her heart, her soul and tomorrow, he would become her husband. With the next day heavy on her mind, Lena climbed out of her bunk, got down on her knees and began to pray, "Forgive me, for not thanking you. All this time, you heard me – loud and clear. Tomorrow's the big day…please…don't let anything – get in our way. I love him… but – you already know that. So, all I ask now – is that you bless us…please."

She knelt a bit longer, lost
in thought and prayer, reflecting over so much of her life and where each new adventure had led her.

Five minutes later, she rose and climbed into bed, "Tomorrow will come…what will be…will be." She muttered softly, turning, she laid down, closed her eyes and went to sleep.

Manny stood staring out of his window.
'Tomorrow... she ... the mother of my children, God willing, will become my wife.'
Manny blew out the deep breath.
'Jordan…I wish you were here now.You should be standing beside me tomorrow.'
He smiled.
'I did it Jordan…I did it my friend. We're getting married tomorrow.'
Turning from the window as he sat at his desk, he felt his insides tremble. A quiver with a thousand knots of uncertainty and fear washed over him.
'God up in heaven, please let it be. We've seen too many years of constant struggle. Yet we've passed the test of time and the test of separation. Surely we've proven ourselves worthy of your blessing ... surely we have.'

Manny stood from his desk, he couldn't sit any longer, he was too hyped, able to pace the night away…worry the night away. No matter what, their day would be. He paced back and forth as all the things that could possibly happen played out in his mind. His most fierce and loyal men would be present. He'd seen to it should anyone dare try interrupt their day, they would catch hell trying. Again, a deep sigh escaped him as he went to his window, looking out upon the waters.

'Morris old man ... do you hear me? God I can't believe I'm saying this, but - I really wish you were here now. Arguing with me I know, but here still the same. You accepted our children old man; accept that this woman ... yes indeed she is black, but the most important thing in my life. Tomorrow my father, I will make her my wife, all I ask of you now, is to fight just one last fight, play…will you, one more poker game and keep the devil at bay…keep him at bay.'

Sunday

Hope stood outside of her mother's door listening to see if she was awake, then slowly she opened her door and peeked inside. Lena was sitting on the edge of her bed staring straight ahead. Their eyes met across the room. Hope entered, closing the door and leaned against it as they continued to gaze at each other. Simultaneously, they took a deep breath and smiled.

"You're nervous, hmm?"

"Scared to death!"

"So was I, when Joseph and I were married."

"I wish I had been there for you."

Hope smiled
as she walked over to her mother’s bunk and sat beside her. "I wanted you to be, but I had Red Dawn. Of course it wasn't the same, but she spoke to me and told me all the things I needed to know."

"I'm glad that she was there for you." Lena stared at her daughter, so in awe of the woman she'd grown to be, her eyes reflecting the wonder of the children she and Manny had produced.

"What are you thinking mama?" Lena smiled and caressed her cheek. "What a beautiful person you are on the inside, a strong wonderful woman. You make me proud, Golden Hope…I just want you to know that."
They hugged a few moments
and then pulled apart. "Today is going to be the happiest day of our lives, not just yours and daddy's but all of ours - Mike, Rory and me." Lena gave no response, still lost in remembering when the young girl beside her was a tiny infant, one she had wanted to protect at all cost, even shielding her from her father and breaking his heart in the process.

"What's wrong mama?" Hope saw sadness in her eyes.

"I'm just being silly. I find myself, at my age, longing for just one more chance at having a child from birth to adulthood." Hope looked at her stunned and then burst with a giggle, Lena shook her head and had to join her.

"Oh I can just imagine the look on daddy's face from such news."

"I fear it might be too much for him. No, we are beyond that now."

"Nonsense, you are only forty-four, in Joseph's village, Kaidedra was the ripe age of fifty-one and giving birth to her fourteenth child."

"Sorry, but I'm not that kind of woman. I remember a few at Webster Fields doing the same."