Sex in the Sanctuary (26 page)

“We can, and I hope we do, decide today to love women who are hateful, pray for women who are spiteful, forgive women who are guilty and bless women who are trying. The terms of endearment of the day for women are ‘b’ and ‘ho’. We can become that set apart sect within our species that makes a man want to call us ‘queen’ or more important for a great deal of you, ‘wife.’

“We in the church often talk about our relationship with God. We talk about our relationship with family. This conference, this summit, has been specifically designed to talk about and reestablish the relationship between and among women, among sisters.

“Ladies, on behalf of the Ladies First committee and all the other women who worked so diligently to make these meetings happen, I want to thank you for being active participants in changing your lives and the lives around you. Give yourselves a hand. You deserve it.” The crowd once again came to its feet in applause.

“Finally, I’d like you all to stand and repeat the Sanctity of Sisterhood pledge with me for the last time in this summit, but certainly not the last time in our lives. Keep this pledge close to your heart and repeat it whenever you feel the need. Call a friend and ask her to say it with you, reach out and let her know, ‘I need some help, sistah.’ Let’s support and encourage and inspire one another. We can do this—we can change the world as we change ourselves! Now, grab the hand of the one next to you, and let’s say it together for the world to hear!

Vivian moaned contentedly as Derrick massaged the warm, scented oil all over her body. There was a perfect combination of cool breeze from the open bedroom window, mixing with the warmth from the master bedroom fireplace. Derrick’s attention was singular, to remove every kink and form of tightness he felt in Vivian’s muscles. The Jacuzzi bath had been the first step. This massage was the second. Derrick smiled, his eyes glancing briefly at the bed covered in rose petals, as he thought about the third.

The month of September had flown by in a whirlwind. There was the S.O.S. Summit, the start of a new school year for the children, and a relentlessly hectic travel schedule for Derrick that had included two evangelical trips overseas. Derrick and Vivian rarely saw each other, and when they did, it was hardly possible to spend quality time together. No, their brief interludes of togetherness had been filled with matching schedules, exchanging itineraries and providing brief updates as to each other’s progress. The house had been crowded. Aside from the usual in-and-out traffic flow of Kingdom Citizens’
members, Vivian’s parents had spent the entire month of September with the Montgomerys, and while their help with the children was invaluable, Derrick was looking forward to a slower pace.

He lovingly turned Vivian over on her back as he reached for the oil. “Close your eyes,” he spoke gently as Vivian stared at him with such longing and love he could barely finish his present task. He started at her feet, massaging and rubbing each toe, the heels and balls of her feet, rotating the ankles, squeezing and massaging the calves and thighs, all the while planting soft, whispery kisses along the way. He bypassed the place of his personal paradise and stroked her hips and stomach, swirling the oil over and around her navel, up and around her breasts where he dared not linger. He held each arm and as with her legs paid the utmost attention to detail with each finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder. He gently massaged her neck, which was now supple and pliant. Step two was now complete.

Derrick stood and unloosed the belt that held his black, silk robe together, letting it fall in soft, tantalizing swirls of material at his feet. Vivian opened her eyes to see his hand outstretched toward her. She smiled and reached up to grab his hand. Once he’d pulled her to her feet, Derrick swept her off of them once again, picking her up and showering her face with kisses as he stepped up on the master bed platform and laid Vivian gently down in the bed of rose petals. The scent of the petals combined with the scent of the candles Derrick had lit earlier. These combined with the scent of the oils on her body gave Vivian a scented orgasm, with promises of more to follow.

Derrick climbed up on the bed, covering the body he had just massaged. He kissed her fully now, his tongue moving and searching and finding and teasing. Vivian gave back what she had received, her hands tracing every part of her beloved’s back and arms and buttocks. She gasped as he bent his head
and lovingly worshipped at her breasts. Continuing, he let his tongue follow the trail his hands had forged earlier, slowly, lovingly, completely. As he kissed and caressed her nether lips and suckled her tender nub, Vivian grabbed the sheets and moaned louder, her voice purring like the most satisfied of felines. Derrick took her body to the moon, and the stars surrounded her as she floated back down to earth on a cloud of fulfillment. She had barely caught her breath when he entered her, enticing her to join him in the passion dance created at the beginning of time. He moved slowly, rhythmically, pulling out to the very tip before plunging in fully, deeper and deeper still, again and again and again. Tears formed in Vivian’s eyes and ran down the sides of her face; such was the intensity of her love for him. This was her divine mate, her husband. They moved in perfect harmony. It was ecstasy. Derrick cried out in agonized bliss before spilling his seed in the depths of Vivian’s soul and collapsing on top of her, the two of them still joined together. And just like that, they fell asleep, resting deeply and dreaming sweetly of more life and love to come.

“Was last night a dream?” Vivian asked as she stepped into the bathroom and kissed Derrick’s freshly shaved cheek.

“If it was,” he replied, turning to kiss her lightly on the mouth, “I don’t ever want to wake up. Baby, I think that was the best love I ever had.”

Vivian smiled as she stepped into the shower. She felt like a new woman, revitalized. She made quick work of her shower, knowing the hour was already late and Derrick would want them to leave for the church soon. She grabbed her robe and headed down the hallway to the children’s rooms. Once she was sure their getting ready was under way, she went down to the kitchen, put on water for tea and laid out a quickie breakfast spread of bagels, cereal and fruit. Tea in hand, she
made her way back to her dressing room where she quickly donned a simple yet stylish ivory-colored suit with matching pumps and jewelry. Her entire ensemble was ivory and gold, right down to her panties.

Once dressed, she again checked in on D-2 and Elisia and found they were also ready. Together they went down to the breakfast nook, each having stopped in the kitchen and grabbed their breakfast of choice. As usual, Derrick did not join them. He rarely ate until after he’d finished the Sunday morning messages. By the time Derrick arrived downstairs, Vivian and the children had eaten, and she had taken care of the breakfast dishes.

“Are you ready, darling?” she asked, even as she reached for her purse and Bible. “D-2, where is your Bible?”

“In the car,” he answered simply and patiently, as if he could hardly believe his mother would think he’d leave home without his Word! Vivian watched as father and son headed for the garage, and she smiled at how much D-2 was like his dad. Someday, he was going to make some woman a fine husband, and if the dad’s behavior last night was any indication, his wife would indeed be blessed beyond measure!

It was a beautiful morning, and traffic was light as they headed toward Kingdom Citizens’ in the heart of the city. They’d been riding only a few minutes when Derrick’s cell phone rang. He hit the speaker button, and the sensuously raspy voice of Cy Taylor filled the Jag.

“Minister Montgomery!” he began respectfully.

“Brother Cy, what’s up, man?” Derrick responded.

“God is good, man. Is Sister Vivian there with you?”

“Yes, you have the full attention of the entire Montgomery family. Do I need to make this a private conversation?”

“Oh, no, no, that’s not necessary. I just needed to speak to both of you today, between services if possible. I was wondering if you could carve out ten minutes for me then.”

“It can’t wait until this afternoon?”

“It could, but I’d rather not. You’ll understand when I talk to you. But don’t worry, it’s good news.”

“Well, that makes me more willing to see you between services!” Derrick joked. “The last thing I need is bad news in the middle of trying to bring the good news!”

“Then you’ll give me a couple minutes?”

“Sure man, no problem.”

“Hum,” Vivian began as Derrick clicked the off button on the cell phone. “Wonder what’s on Mr. Taylor’s mind.”

Derrick looked at his watch as he turned off the highway and began winding through the streets toward the church, representing the last ten minutes of their transport. “I don’t know, darling. But we will soon find out.”

There was a palpable tension emanating from Millicent as Shannon and Maurice stepped back and appraised her. Both stared. Neither spoke.

“Well?” Millicent almost shrieked, except her voice was barely above a whisper.

Shannon found her voice first. “You—look—absolutely—breathtaking.”

Maurice, in his flirtatious and feminine fashion, added his opinion. “Honey, I just got three words for you: unh, unh, unh. Girl, if you wasn’t marrying somebody else, I’d reverse my faggot ass and marry you myself!” Maurice danced around the room then, punctuating the silence with peals of laughter.

“Maurice! Watch your mouth!” Millicent admonished. But she was smiling.

“Girl, you are looking fierce! That hair and make-up is a wonder to behold, and I am beholding! I don’t know who did it, but whoever it is, can’t nobody,
nobody
, compete with them.”

Shannon cut her eyes at Maurice. “I thought you did her hair and make-up, Maurice?”

Maurice looked like the spider when the moth flew into the web. “Touché,” was all he said before walking over to Millicent and patting her head of perfect curls. “Now, once you put the veil on, this flat area will be covered, and you will look like Cinderella herself going to the ball.”

Millicent turned and looked in the full-length mirror one last time. She could hardly believe it was her staring back at her. It was as if this was happening to someone else. The day she’d dreamed of her entire life was here. And like any bride, her stomach was a bundle of nerves. She jumped when the phone rang.

“Can you get that, Maurice? I don’t want to talk to anyone right now,” Millicent said, while reaching for her veil and the ivory silk purse that lay beside it.

“The limo’s here,” Maurice stated as he hung up the phone. “It’s show time, sistah, and you’re the star!”

“You’re sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Shannon asked. “I was planning to go to the beach, but I can go later if you need me.”

“No, I’ll be fine,” Millicent replied, going over to hug her new friend. “I’ll have some help once I get there.” Ever since Millicent had gone by the bridal shop and asked Shannon’s assistance in helping her get ready, they had become fast friends. She’d become a confidante of sorts, and while not sharing everything, Millicent had spoken feelings aloud to Shannon that she’d never shared with anyone else. Not even her intended husband. Shannon had thought some of Millicent’s story odd, but she was so taken with this obviously beautiful and successful woman befriending her that she’d just been a quiet, avid listener, keeping her opinions to herself.

Shannon grabbed the bag holding the dress’s detached train, and Maurice took Millicent’s small suitcase. Millicent looked around the room one more time, took a deep breath and headed toward the front door. A smile spread across her
face as she turned to lock the door behind her.
When I step through this door again, I’ll be married.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Hope,” Vivian said, smiling warmly. “And I love that suit!”

Hope smiled. “I love yours, too.” She’d noticed as soon as she and Cy had entered Minister Montgomery’s office that she and Sister Vivian were wearing similar but not identical, ivory-colored suits. Like Vivian, Hope had chosen gold jewelry to accessorize her outfit but had added a splash of color to her ensemble with a gold, slate and salmon-colored scarf. Hope took their being similarly dressed as a good sign. Maybe she and this first lady would get along.

Hope had been hesitant to accept Cy’s invitation to visit him in California. Aside from the fact that she didn’t have a lot of extra money for travel right now, she didn’t think she could control herself if they ever got alone. The man made rational thinking impossible! Eventually, though, Cy’s reasoning wore her down, and she decided to accept his most generous offer of an all-expense-paid, extended weekend in Los Angeles.

She’d arrived at LAX on Friday afternoon. The weather was perfect, summer in October. She was whisked by limo to Cy’s penthouse where he, having been called to a meeting at the last minute, had informed her to wait. There was a vase of exotic flowers on the table in the entryway, along with a heart-carrying teddy bear and a card welcoming Hope to his not-so-humble abode. That evening they’d gone to a romantic restaurant nestled in the recesses of Topanga Canyon. The food, company and conversation had been delicious. A movie had followed dinner, and they’d enjoyed coffee and dessert in the lobby restaurant of the Ritz Carlton, where Hope was staying.

Saturday had been a visitor’s dream and had included an early morning tour of Hollywood, a trip to Disneyland, and an evening of dining and dancing as they sailed on a yacht around the marina.

And now, here she was, in the private domain of one of America’s most prolific preachers, calmly chatting with him and the first lady. She wouldn’t have been surprised had she looked down and seen glass slippers instead of leather pumps.

Derrick and Cy had been speaking privately and now came over to join the ladies. Cy cleared his throat and placed a possessive hand on Hope’s shoulder.

“I know you two are wondering why I asked to meet with you, and I know we don’t have a lot of time so I’ll get right to the point. Derrick,” he began, turning to face his friend fully, “you are more than my pastor. You are my spiritual mentor and friend. Your example in ministry and Christianity is one I work to follow, as you follow Christ.

“I admire the example you set in your personal life with your wife and with your children. I’ve long said that if I ever got married, I would want a marriage like you and Vivian seem to have—one full of love, ordained by God.”

Vivian thought of the love she and Derrick had shared the night before, and if this Black woman could have blushed, she would have been as red as a beet. As it was, the room suddenly felt too warm.

“Well,” Cy continued, now turning back to Hope. “I believe I’ve found that woman.” Hope stopped breathing as her head shot up, eyes rounded and filling with tears.

“And as your marriage has been such an inspiration to me and as your friendship has meant so much to me…” Cy pulled a box out of his pocket and got on his knee.

“I wanted you and Vivian to witness the moment that will forever change my life, the moment when I ask Hope to be my wife.”

As Cy opened the box, streaks of gold and pink and blue
danced off of the five-carat diamond nestled in the soft, black velvet. Hope was as still as a statue, her hand over her heart, her mouth a perfect “O,” her breath still held. Like Hope, Vivian and Derrick were also shocked into stillness. But they were still breathing.

“Hope,” he said simply, “will you marry me?”

Hope exhaled slowly—her answer equally modest, in fact just one word: “Yes.”

Like the Red Sea, the Kingdom Citizens’ crowd parted as the long, sleek limo glided into the parking lot beside the church. All eyes were on it as the driver stepped out, straightening his jacket and donning his hat before going to the other side to open the passenger door.

Millicent sat frozen in the backseat as the door opened. Suddenly her calm and resolve and confidence left her.
What am I doing? Have I lost my mind?
She glimpsed a crowd of people on the sidewalk, their bodies turned in the direction of the limo. A little girl ran up to the opened limo door and peeked inside.

“Ooh, you’re pretty! Are you getting married?” she asked, her eyes and voice full of awe and admiration.

It was enough to jolt Millicent out of immobility. She lifted the hem of her wedding dress and, taking the driver’s hand, stepped a satin-covered toe onto the pavement.

You could hear a pin drop as the gawking crowd held its breath awaiting the answer to the question, “Who’s that in the limo?” As Millicent stepped out of the limo and stood with back straight and head high, a collective gasp went through the Sunday worshippers, followed by a din of chattering whispers as opinions started flying like pigeons to birdseed.

Millicent dared not look around her. Instead, she walked straight to the side door, the one leading into Kingdom Citizens’ suite of offices. The driver followed, loaded down with
her suitcase and garment bag carrying the long train. She breathed deeply as she stepped inside the office building. Inside, everyone stared. No one spoke. Millicent continued looking straight ahead as she walked toward the executive offices. She was almost to the door leading to Derrick’s office area when his personal assistant, Lionel, stopped her.

“Millicent!” he shouted, quite flustered at what he saw, not to mention that Millicent had come close to interrupting a meeting that Minister Montgomery had insisted not be interrupted. “You look, well, you look, uh, spectacular! I didn’t even know you were getting married.”

Millicent turned and smiled. “Thank you, Lionel. You look nice today as well.” She turned to continue her journey into Derrick’s office. “Is Pastor Derrick in his office? I left a message to meet with him between services.”

Lionel’s smile faded and was replaced with a frown. “Uh, Millicent, Minister Montgomery is, uh, already meeting with someone. He can’t be disturbed.”

“He didn’t get my message?” she asked, as if that could be the only reason she was not being seen at once. She’d never had any problem accessing either her pastor or Sister Vivian, so had not been overly concerned when, during the past week, she’d been unable to reach them. She’d also tried to reach Cy all week, to no avail. But being sure that she’d see them all in church, she’d simply left messages for the Montgomerys and Cy to meet her in the pastor’s office between services. Once there, she planned to bare her heart and soul before her husband-to-be and her pastor, assured that once they heard “the Word of the Lord,” Cy would quickly agree to be her husband and Derrick would marry them symbolically right then and there. Millicent had taken care of obtaining a marriage license and arranging blood tests so that she and Cy could repeat their vows in a civil ceremony later in the week. This action taken today, with the gown and the limo and the flowers and the veil, was the final feet-to-her-
faith act the prophetess had so accurately suggested. After all, she and Cy were already married in spirit; this outward joining was just a technicality.

Lionel was obviously uncomfortable. What was wrong with him? Once again, Millicent tried to go around him and head for her pastor’s private domain.

“Like I said, Millicent. Pastor cannot be disturbed right now.” He cleared his throat. “For any reason. He was explicit. Maybe if you wait here, I can have a word with him before he starts the next service. Can you wait?”

Millicent didn’t want to, but she nodded her head in the affirmative. She’d waited a lifetime to become someone’s wife; a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt. She instructed the driver to place her bag near the couch and then told him to wait in the limo for further instructions. She thought that maybe she and Cy would go have a celebratory brunch after their ceremony, then maybe they could take a drive along the ocean-edged Pacific Coast Highway. She knew their honeymoon would have to wait, but tonight…. She smiled, and a bit of her nervousness vanished, just thinking about a night with Cy—as his wife.

“No, come this way,” Derrick directed as Cy started to lead Hope to the entrance that would take them through the executive offices and toward the front of the church. “We’re already late, so you guys might as well come through the pulpit entrance.”

Cy grabbed Hope’s hand and kissed it as they followed Derrick and Vivian through a second set of doors that led directly into the pulpit of the sanctuary. Rodney, the head usher, was standing just outside the door and led Hope to a seat on the front row. As he walked back toward the pulpit, he was almost run over by a harried-looking Lionel, whose eyes were searching the pulpit anxiously. Seeing Derrick, he made a
beeline for his side. Sister Vivian had already taken a seat on the bench she shared with Derrick and their assistants. Derrick was conferring with one of the other ministers as the choir was finishing their offering selection. Lionel waited, shifting his weight from foot to foot, while Derrick concluded his discussion.

“Pastor,” he whispered while Derrick was still standing. “I need to talk to you.”

Millicent paced impatiently, waiting for Lionel to return. Her nervousness was turning to anger. Where were they? Then she remembered. She’d mentioned only Minister Montgomery to Lionel; she hadn’t told him she needed to see Sister Vivian and Cy as well. Darn! What should she do now? She could hear the choir singing and knew the taking up of the offering was almost over. There would be only one more song before Minister Derrick began his sermon.
What do I do?
She continued to pace and ponder her options. She could wait until the service was over and speak to them then. That, however, was a risky proposition since after the last service Minister Derrick and Sister Vivian usually made a beeline for their office before heading home to rest. She also didn’t want to risk Cy’s leaving without her being able to see him. She thought about leaving and coming back in the evening but quickly nixed that idea. It was now or never. She knew if she left the church grounds, she’d never get up the nerve to do this again.
No
, Millicent thought as she headed for the doors and the front of the church. “This is my wedding day,” she vowed. “And I will not be denied.”

Vivian rose and walked from the pulpit with as much restraint as she could muster. Inside, her mind was reeling.
What in heaven’s name is Millicent doing in the church office in a
wedding dress? No, she can’t be thinking what I think she’s thinking.
“No!” she whispered aloud, and once the door was closed firmly behind her, she sprinted to the lobby of the executive offices where Lionel had left a would-be bride. Before she reached the door that would take her into the lobby, she stopped, took a deep breath and said a quick prayer. She would need some divine help to get through these next few minutes with Millicent. Lord knew she’d never encountered this situation before. “Help me, Lord Jesus,” she whispered. She took another breath to steady herself and nodded to Lionel. He opened the door, and they stepped out into the lobby of the executive offices.