Greater Than Rubies, a Novella inspired by the Jewel Trilogy (28 page)

“What makes a marriage is what you do tomorrow, and the next day, and the following weeks and months and years and decades to come … growing older and weaker in the flesh and wiser and stronger in love. There is a verse of scripture that claims, ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ Chances are that you will never be asked to give up your life for your spouse. But, you will have to give up yourself for your spouse every day from now on. Marriage is not a piece of paper.”

Since Abram was speaking directly to them, Robin looked back at their friend. She thought forward to the coming night and realized that anticipation had replaced the trepidation. Excitement had replaced the fear. Once she acknowledged what had eaten at her for weeks, once she knew where all of her hesitation in marrying Tony lay, it gave her a target, a focus, and she started fighting it back.

“Marriage is a gift. Marriage is a choice. Marriage is sacrifice. And marriage is when two become one. Robin, today you will give yourself entirely to Tony. And Tony, today you will give yourself entirely to Robin. In a moment, those are exactly the words that we will use to begin this ceremony: Tony, will you give yourself to Robin? Robin, will you give yourself to Tony?

“Marriage is a gift, the gift of yourself, your heart, your thoughts, and your hopes and dreams … Marriage is the gift of your life. And it is not just today.”

It amazed Robin that what she had discovered through Tony’s willingness to sacrifice his entire life in order to be with her, that he needed her as much as she needed him. How had she missed that in this courtship? He seemed so strong, confident, and so self assured that she didn’t think he needed anyone. She never truly understood the depths of his feelings for her.

“Every day from here forward, you must continue to give yourselves to one another. Today you will state a public vow and commit yourselves to each other. Every morning after this one, you will have to wake up and choose to recommit yourselves to each other. Marriage is a choice. Marriage means letting go of petty fights about who’s right and wrong. It means putting your spouse’s interests, wants and desires, and happiness ahead of your own. It means, Tony, that after today Robin’s happiness is more important than yours. And it means, Robin, that after today Tony’s happiness is more important than yours.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tony’s head turn, so she looked at him. At Abram’s words about his happiness, Tony raised an eyebrow and with a teasing glint in his eye, he winked at her. Robin had to swallow a laugh.

“Marriage is sacrificing for each other and acting as one. That is what it means to become one flesh, forever joined together … Cleaved unto each other. You are each your wedding gift to one another. Your wedding day is the symbol of your marriage to each other. And your marriage is the gift of continuing to give the gift of yourselves to each other. And with that gift to each other, with that shared love, I know that you will have a marriage that will last through the ages, and stand as a witness to all of the love of God. God bless you.”

They both looked back at Abram, who looked each one of them in the eye and smiled at them. “But that is enough of me because today is about the two of you. Tony and Robin, I invite you to come and begin the adventure of your marriage by declaring your vows to one another here in this place.”

He gestured with his hands, telling Tony and Robin to turn and face each other. Stephanie said, “Robin, at this point, hand your bouquet to Maxine. Maxine, be prepared, because her bouquet is heavy, so you might want to prep and hand yours to Sarah.”

The bouquet that Robin held tonight was very small and very simple. She handed it to Maxine and turned back to Tony, letting him take both of her hands. She looked into the eyes of the man with whom she was about to vow to become one, and felt excitement, peace, love. Gone was apprehension, gone was fear. She whispered a “thank you” to God for answering her prayers.

Abram smiled and nodded. “I am going to pray. Please bow your heads.” As everyone complied, he spoke into the silent, reverent room. “Jehovah God, we thank You for the way that You work in our lives. We know You brought Tony and Robin together with a purpose, and I am praying that You bless this union, strengthen their bond, and let them work for You in a powerful way in your ministry. Guide their future, convict their hearts, and touch the lives of their future children. We are so honored to be in front of You today, and we thank You for giving us this opportunity. Amen.”

Abram looked at Stephanie. “It is my understanding that they have their own vows?”

“We worked on them together. Here they are,” Tony said pulling a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket.

“Okay,” Abram said, waving a hand toward them. “This is where you say your vows. Let me see.” He cleared his throat and started reading.

OBIN
and Tony held hands as they walked up the walk to Barry’s home. Just as they reached the door, Barry threw it open. “I thought you might have gotten lost,” he joked.

“The photographer wanted a few more shots of us before we left,” Robin said. She gestured behind her. “I hope you don’t mind that he’s here, too.”

“Of course not,” Barry said, stepping aside so they could come in. “The more the merrier.”

As they entered the large front room, Jacqueline came toward them wearing a tight black dress and three-inch red heels. “Antonio, Robin, darlings, you’re here.” She air kissed both of their cheeks and stepped back, leaving a cloying smell of perfume behind her. “The caterers had to hold dinner from being served waiting on you.”

The tone of disapproval did little to damper Robin’s spirits. “We missed you at the rehearsal,” Robin said. She slipped off her coat and Jacqueline’s eyebrow rose.

“I had to handle the caterers,” she said distracted as she looked Robin’s dress up and down. Her face became frozen solid as she pointedly looked at their left hands and noted the band of diamonds on Robin’s and the large gold bad on Tony’s. “Apparently, I missed something.”

Tony comfortably slipped his arm over Robin’s shoulders. “We surprised everyone and had the official wedding ceremony tonight,” he said. “It’s too bad you couldn’t delegate the dinner and join us.”

“Someone should have mentioned it,” Jacqueline said through gritted teeth. She turned her head and looked at her husband.

“He was just as surprised as everyone else, Jacqui. Sheathe your claws,” Tony said in a warning. “You will not make a scene or you will not be welcome tomorrow, and we both know you will be looking just stunning for as many publicity shots as possible tomorrow.”

Jacqueline stepped backward and took a deep breath, then lifted one of her red curls before she patted her hair to make sure everything stayed smooth. “No worries, Antonio. No scenes. Don’t be ridiculous.” She looked at Robin from head to toe. “Cute dress. Very retro. Nice choice.”

Robin smoothed the skirt. “Thank you.” Needing to not be at odds with her husband’s best friend, she stepped forward and linked her arm with Jacqueline’s, steering her away from Tony. “I had a great time shopping with you last week. This is all very new to me, and I learned so much from you. Can we make plans again soon?”

“Of course, darling,” Jacqueline said, shooting Tony a parting glance. “When you get back from your honeymoon, we’ll need to get your summer wardrobe built. We’ll make plans to go.”

“I’d like that very much, thank you.” Having successfully steered her away from Tony, Robin disengaged her arm. “And thank you again for hosting the dinner tonight. I know the groom’s family is supposed to be the host for the rehearsal dinner.”

“Well, Antonio has always considered my husband as a brother, for whatever reason.” She gestured toward one of the O’Farrell kids. “I need to go rescue my Italian leather furniture from those … children,” she said the last word like it stuck in her mouth.

Robin looked as one of the older O’Farrell’s sat down on the white leather sofa and brought his knees up, resting his boots on the seat of the couch. Caroline and Jacqueline both made a beeline for him at the same time.

“Nice place,” Maxine said, coming up to Robin and handing her a glass of water. She gestured at the sweeping stairway that led to the rooms upstairs. An open balcony showed several closed doors. “I like the open second floor.”

“It makes the room feel huge,” Robin said. “Jacqui told me about some photo shoot that some home magazine is coming to do at Tony’s apartment. This world is so different from anything we’ve known.”

“You’ll fit in. You served most of these people at Benedict’s over the years. You know how they think, act, interact. And, you can remember names. That’s a huge deal.”

Robin nodded and took a long pull of her water. She didn’t realize how thirsty she was until she started drinking. “It’s less and less intimidating as the days go by.”

She felt Tony’s hand on her waist and turned her head to smile at him. “You handled that with expertise,” he said, referring to Jacqueline.

“Well, all those years as a waitress and bartender have taught me the fine art of soothing angry souls,” Robin said with a smile.

“Color me impressed. She is often difficult to get along with.”

“Nah,” Robin said, shaking her head. “She is afraid of not being accepted, so she goes overboard to make sure she is. I feel kind of bad for her.”

Tony brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. “I love your heart,” he said.

“And I love you.”

“I wasn’t finished.” Tony said, “I love your heart but please don’t fall for Jacqui’s tricks. Trust me when I tell you she is not someone anyone needs to feel sorry for. In fact, she is a hungry lion roaming the earth seeking whom she may devour. She has teeth and claws and very often malevolent intent. Know that going into any conversation and guard your heart my beloved bride.”

“Tony, you aren’t really describing the woman I spent an entire day shopping with.”

Tony nodded. “I understand that.”

“I guess I’m just surprised to hear you say these things. I mean, look at this party she’s hosting.”

Tony grinned. “You are so generous with your love, my darling. Listen, Barry is hosting this party. And believe me when I tell you that Jacqui has given him no end of grief over it among many other things. Do me a favor and just watch her when she is around Barry tonight. I trust your instincts and so should you.”

Something about Maxine’s stance and demeanor changed as Tony spoke. When he concluded his last request, Maxine interrupted. “Hey, I’m starving. Let’s make sure they know everyone is here so they can start serving.”