Greater Than Rubies, a Novella inspired by the Jewel Trilogy (31 page)

They all piled in … Robin, Maxine, Sarah, Caroline, and Angel Dove. Gerald sat in front with the driver.

“Well, that was sure a circus,” Caroline said. She put a hand to her temple. Somehow, the hairstylist had managed to contain her wild red hair and keep it contained. Robin had never seen her look so beautiful before.

“Tony called and said it was worse at the church.”

“Is everyone there?” Caroline asked.

“He said the guys all got there about two.”

Sarah brushed at the skirt of her dress. “Oh to be a man at times like this.”

“But then you wouldn’t look as pretty,” Angel Dove said, pushing away from Caroline and climbing into Sarah’s lap. She wore a dress with a white sleeveless top made out of shiny satin and a pattern of red heart-shaped crystals sewn into the neckline. The skirt was long and shiny red satin trimmed in white. On her feet, she wore white socks with red hearts and white patent leather shoes. A crown of baby red roses and white baby’s breath would go on her head before she walked down the aisle.

“And I wouldn’t have had the chance to spend the day with you,” Sarah said, putting her cheek on the top of Angel Dove’s head.

Robin felt the burn of tears watching Sarah warm to her friends. She looked at Caroline and smiled. “I can’t wait to see if Isaac actually put the tux on.”

“He better, and he knows it.”

“He also knows you’re all bluster.”

Caroline laughed as the limo slowed and came to a stop. “True.”

“Wow,” Maxine said, looking out the window. “This is outrageous.”

A security team kept the crowds behind a barricade. As soon as the driver had the door open, Robin could hear the noise of the crowd. It drowned out every sound around them. Her stomach dropped at the sight of everyone yelling and taking pictures and she felt nerves dance up into her chest. She wanted to duck her head and run inside, but instead she waved at the crowd then stepped back and waited for everyone to get out of the car.

They walked calmly together through the double doors of the church, which shut behind them, cutting off the noise.

“What in the world?” Caroline said.

“Tony’s guest list brought the crowds,” Barry said approaching them. “Celebrities, politicians, religious leaders … I’m glad he thought ahead to security.”

“There you are,” Stephanie said, rushing toward them. She wore a stunning rose colored suit that went well with her silver hair. Her heels clicked rapidly on the tile floor. “Oh Robin, girls, you all look amazing.”

Robin put a hand over her necklace. She could feel the furious pounding of her heart. “I’m suddenly very nervous.”

“I’m sure. Me too!” She gestured toward the sanctuary. “Let’s get some pictures made before your guests arrive. We have an hour tops.”

For the next forty-five minutes, Robin sat, stood, and posed for more pictures than she could possibly count. Alone, with bridesmaids, with sisters, with Abram, with groomsmen, she smiled and smiled and smiled until her face hurt. Then she drank some water and smiled some more.

Her makeup artist came at one point and refreshed lipstick and powdered her nose, and then she sat for a dozen more poses.

“Enough,” she said, holding up her hand. “We have enough pictures.”

Stephanie looked at her watch. “That’s good, because we need to go ahead and sequester you, anyway.”

She followed Stephanie through the church and into a small room off of the narthex. Through the door, she could hear the noise of the crowds every time the main doors opened and closed, and could hear the conversations of the ushers and guests in the lobby.

She sat on a small stool and waited. “This is where it’s hard,” she said. “Staying hidden instead of just getting it over with.

“There are a lot of people to seat,” Sarah said. “I’m surprised you went with youth boys for ushers. I’m sure you could have hired trained staff.”

“If you expect big things out of youth, they’ll do big things,” Robin said. “So says Tony, anyway.”

Maxine came closer and spoke softly. “You okay. I mean, about, uh, last night?”

Robin felt the heat on her cheeks but took Maxine’s hand. “Oh yes. Unimaginably okay.”

Maxine squeezed her hand. “Good. What a relief. When you didn’t say anything all day, I worried.”

Robin cleared her throat. “It’s not exactly a conversation starter.”

Sarah laughed. “No doubt.”

Robin felt her whole face flush and fanned herself with her hands. “Girls!”

Stephanie came in by a back door. “Your dad is outside. Can he come in?”

Robin stood. “Of course.”

Stephanie stuck her head out the door and then opened it wide enough to allow Craig to come in. He crossed the room and stood in front of her, tugging on his collar. He looked great in his black tuxedo, white shirt, and black bow tie. “Some lady in a pink dress said to come in here and get a flower.”

Maxine went to the boxes of flowers on a far table and found the white rose boutonniere that had a tag on it with Craig’s name. She walked back toward them and handed it to Robin to pin on him. “You look so nice, dad,” Robin said. “You clean up good.”

He stepped back and raised his hand in her direction. “Look who’s talking. You look like a princess. Hard to believe that you are mine.”

“I think it just goes to show you that any of us can clean up good if we want.” In a spontaneous motion, she kissed his cheek. “I’m so proud of you and so happy you’ve come to know the Lord. Thank you for agreeing to give me away.”

With a large hand, he clumsily patted her shoulder and swallowed tears. “You do an old man proud,” he whispered, then pivoted and exited the room. Robin smiled at his retreating back, and said a silent prayer of thanks to God for this time she’s had with Craig. She worried a little that he would be put back in prison by the time she got home from her honeymoon.

“That was incredibly sweet,” Sarah said. “There’s nothing like a dad. I’m so thankful that mine has always been such a good friend to me.”

“You’re very lucky,” Maxine said, her mouth in a thin line. Someone rapped sharply on the door. After a few heartbeats, Barry stuck his head inside.

“We’re getting ready to get into our positions,” he said. He looked around the room and gave a low whistle. “You ladies all look absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you, Barry,” Robin said, walking up to him. He came further into the room and she brushed at the jacket on his shoulder. “Can you find Stephanie? I still seem to have boutonnieres for the guys.”

As she spoke, Stephanie rushed in. “Boutonnieres,” she said. “How could I have forgotten?”

“They’re right there,” Maxine said with a laugh. Stephanie grabbed the long flat box and rushed out of the room with it. Maxine looked at Barry. “Guess you should follow her.”

He smiled. “Guess I should. See you guys at the end of the aisle!”

He shut the door behind him. Robin felt her whole body start quaking. She put a hand on her chest and sat back on the stool. “I – don’t – know – I – can – do – this.” She felt like she couldn’t take a deep enough breath.

Caroline rushed over and put her hands on Robin’s bare shoulders. “Just breathe, lass. Nice and easy. Slowly in and slowly out.”

Robin’s vision started to gray. “Can I have some water?” she whispered.

Sarah rushed to hand her a bottle of water.

“Thank you.” Robin took a sip of the water, then tilted it back and drained the whole bottle. She gently patted her mouth, worried about messing up lipstick if she wiped against it. “That’s better.”

Maxine knelt next to her chair. “You got this,” she said. “The part in front of the crowd will be over in no time.”

“Then the best part starts,” Sarah said.

Robin closed her eyes and concentrated on Tony’s face, thought about worshipping with him in the sanctuary at this very church and felt calmer. They were just people -- a thousand people -- but just people.

She stood, feeling better. As she stood, she heard the sound of Nat King Cole’s “When I Fall in Love” and the sweet melodious voice of a friend from church start singing the song.

“I think that’s our cue, friends.” She brushed at her skirt. “Caroline, can you distribute our bouquets?”

“First,” Caroline said, “we are going to pray.” She held out her hands, and Maxine, Sarah, Angel Dove, and Robin all joined hands, forming a circle. “Dear God, I pray you give Robin a calming strength to get through the next few hours. Give her physical strength, ease her pain in those shoes, and let her just enjoy herself and all of the hard work she put into it.”

Robin hugged her when she finished praying. “Thank you, my friend. You are a blessing to me.”

“Likewise, love.”

Stephanie came rushing in. “This is it,” she said, all grins. “I can’t wait to see their faces when they see how beautiful you are, Robin.” She went to the table with the bouquets. She handed each of the bridesmaids their bouquets of white roses, and then handed Robin the long flowing bouquet of red and white roses.

“Wow,” Robin said, lifting it up and down. “You weren’t kidding about the weight.”

“Okay, Angel Dove. Let’s go find your brother.” At Caroline’s nod, Angel Dove took Stephanie’s hand.

They walked out. Caroline followed in her turn, then Sarah, and Maxine. In the lobby of the church, ten of the twenty ushers milled around, looking smart in their black tuxes. Robin hugged the closest one. “Was it hard organizing everyone?”

“You have a packed house, Robin. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the church this full. We had to have people shift and move to get everyone seats.” He tugged at his jacket. “I met Senator Carson. He was really nice. My dad always likes him.”

Robin grinned. “That’s so exciting.”

She heard the last notes of the song play. Everyone lined up at the door, and Craig came to stand by her. Stephanie unhooked her train from the hook on her waist and spread it out behind her while she whispered directions to the two teens tasked with rolling out the runner. The crowd murmured in anticipation during the silence of this act. As the organist began to play, Angel Dove and Isaac, in his tuxedo, entered through the double doors. Robin watched Caroline’s head as she kept time with their steps and the organist’s rhythm. When it was time, she put her shoulders back, smiled, and stepped into the church.

Sarah looked over her shoulder at Robin. “Yay,” she silently cheered. When it was time for her to go, she walked forward.

Maxine grinned and winked at Robin. “You’re gorgeous,” she said, “Tony’s going to fall over.” She looked forward, smiled, and started walking.

Robin wanted to go to the doors and peek in, but Stephanie had told her not to because everyone would be craning trying to look at her. Instead, she pulled her veil down and she and Craig waited for Stephanie’s signal. When she gestured with her hands, they walked and stood at the entrance.

Robin could see Tony down at the front of the church. The aisle seemed so much longer than it had the night before. When the organist began the wedding march, all of the audience stood to their feet and Robin and Craig started walking down the white runner.

She smiled and made eye contact with friends, church friends, and business friends. When she got closer to the front, she looked right at Tony, and the look of awe and wonder on his face made her realize that every single step in this four-month process had been worth it.

After what seemed like a mile, they reached the end of the aisle. Abram stood in full vestments, looking very handsome and regal. He gestured with his hands and the audience sat down. It took several seconds for everyone to sit and get settled and get quiet.

“Who gives this bride to be married?” he asked.

Craig said in a loud and confident voice, “I do.”

Abram nodded, and Craig turned and lifted Robin’s veil, smoothly guiding it over her head. Robin held her bouquet with one hand and hugged Craig’s neck tight with the other. He cleared his throat and blinked overly wet eyes as he placed Robin’s hand in Tony’s. As they turned to face Abram, and listened to him talk in beautiful ways about what it meant to be married, Robin whispered to Tony, “I can’t believe how much longer that aisle is today than yesterday.”

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I didn’t think you’d ever make it to me.”

She smiled and looked at him. “You look very nice in your Zoot suit.”

“Yeah? If you knew how amazing you looked, you’d just be sitting in front of a mirror all day.” He lifted her hand and kissed it. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.”

Robin’s heart fluttered at his words. “It was hard to see through this veil.”

“I bet.”

Abram said, “But that’s 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.”

She turned and handed Maxine her bouquet. Then she fully faced her husband, placing both of her hands in his. The look in his eyes took her breath away.

“Let everyone hear these words. Tony has proposed matrimony and Robin has graciously accepted. Should there be anyone here who has an objection to the marriage of these two, let that person speak now or forevermore be silent.”

Abram waited just a small heartbeat in the silence before continuing. “In the absence of an objection, we will now proceed. Please bow your heads and pray with me.”

She bowed her head and listened to the prayer Abram prayed over their future, their lives, and their ministries. While he spoke, Robin prayed that God would bless them and use them in mighty ways, that He would give them wisdom and strength to face adversaries and attacks. And, at the end, she prayed, for the thousandth time, a prayer of thanksgiving for giving her Tony.

As the congregation said, “Amen,” in chorus with Abram, they raised their heads and he looked at Robin. “Will you, Robin, take this man, Tony, to be your beloved bridegroom? Will you respect and honor him, comfort and keep him, in good times and in bad, in times of failure and in times of triumph, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, and – forsaking all others – remain true and faithful to him for as long as you both shall live?”