Love To Behold

Chapter One






What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder: St Mark 10:9






The AME Baptist Church in College Park, Maryland brought family and friends of Suzanne Bell and Bradford Stokes together for the event of the year. One family traveled from as far away as Okinawa, Japan to see the couple that after five years decided to spend the rest of their lives together. It didn’t matter to the wedding guests the circumstance that finally made this day possible. They were ecstatic. All that mattered was that Bradford and Suzanne would become one flesh.


Bradford, an anchorman with CNN news was transferring overseas, and Suzanne would be accompanying her new husband. Although their decision to marry was sudden, the couple knew exactly what type of romantic surroundings in which they wanted to exchange their vows.


The sanctuary had been transformed into a spring wedding theme. Nasturtium flowers replaced the traditional rose petals in the flower girl’s basket. Yellow tulips were placed inside the pew bows. Arrangements of spring flowers were included on the altar, candle displays, bouquets, and a single boutonniere.


Valencia Hill, the Bridal Consultant stood in the open double doors. She smiled and clapped when the groom kissed his bride, signifying the end of the ceremony and the beginning of a union.


"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Stokes," Reverend Otis Martindale announced amid loud applause and soft sobs of happiness.


The couple made their way down the aisle and Valencia hurried toward the dining area to make sure everything was running smoothly. As owner of New Beginnings in Washington, D.C, she'd been at the church since nine o’clock in the morning to oversee the delivery of the contracted services.


She spent long hours away from home. It didn’t matter, though. It wasn’t as if there was anyone there waiting for her. One day she hopes to have her own wedding. She almost did once, but as it turned out, it wasn’t meant to be. She wasn’t going to lose sleep over it. Not anymore. But why couldn’t she meet a caring, loving, eligible man who could appreciate an educated, independent woman? Several men asked her out, but she declined. Ever since her disastrous wedding day with Malcolm Wright, she’d been leery about entering into a relationship. True, she longed to find someone to love, marry, and have children with. However, in order to do that, she’d have to let go of the past.


This coming July would have been her two-year anniversary. She still remembered that day vividly, in her mind as if it were yesterday. The church was filled with family and friends. Everyone was in attendance except the groom. He chose the biggest day of their lives to decide he wasn’t ready to get married. She survived the ordeal, but not without embarrassment and emotional scars. Scars that have yet to heal.


To ease the pain and fill the empty void, she threw herself into her work. For her efforts, she could boast of a two-hundred-thousand-dollar home and a lucrative income. At thirty-two, she had accomplished all her goals except for one. True love. With all her accomplishments, that one seemed to elude her.


Valencia was disgusted with herself. It didn’t matter, though, she was content. What was she really missing? She didn’t have to go home to cook, clean, or raise children. She owns a successful business. Has a job she loves. It had been a while since she'd been out, but she was free to go whenever and wherever she chose. Freedom, what woman would want to give that up? Not her. For instance, tomorrow she was invited to Autumn Mills' gala, a client of hers. The two met when a former client recommended Valencia to help her plan her wedding.


Later that evening, Valencia stepped in the entryway to hear the antique grandfather clock chime the hour. Six o’clock. She placed the bags on the sofa. Even though she spent long hours away from home, when she returned, she enjoyed the intimate ambience she created for herself. After stepping out of her high-heel, navy blue pumps, the feel of her feet sinking into the plush cream-colored carpet brought immediate relief. Shoes in hand, she walked into the bedroom.


The grandiose room was furnished in Italian dark walnut. Fresh-cut lilies and scented candles placed on a silk trade table emanated a fresh, clean fragance in the air. Two chairs flanked the chamber. Located in the center was a four-post bed adorned in Paris Blue, complete with matching throw pillows and drapes. Artwork from the Impressionist era hanging on the soft white walls completed the sensual surrounding. Even though romance had not been in her life recently, she wanted to keep the atmosphere as if it had.


Valencia headed to the walk-in closet, placing the shoes in the hanging rack, unbuttoned and removed the navy blue double-breasted jacket and matching pants, then hung the outfit on a pink padded hanger. She felt good inside. Suzanne was glowing when she and Bradford left for their two-week honeymoon in Aruba. The expression on Suzanne’s face is what made her job all the more fulfilling.


She’d like to think she was providing a positive experience in couples' lives. Her family full of bankers and doctors thought she would follow in their footsteps. She did, just in a way that they never imagined. After graduating from Morgan State with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and working for a year at a prestigious firm, she decided accounting was not what she wanted to do with her life. To say the least, her family was not happy when she informed them of her decision to leave her job to start a business.


No one expected the obedient, youngest sibling to behave in such a way. Her brother, Ahmad, is a neurologist, and sister, Selena is a corporate banker; careers her parents were proud of. The family tried to persuade her to change her mind, told her she was making a mistake. Valencia was determined to prove them wrong.


She worked day and night to get New Beginnings off the ground. For the past year it has grossed high profits. Her family didn’t have to worry. The business was a success. Her clients were among the affluent in the community. She’d planned weddings for politicians, celebrities, doctors, bankers, and athletes just to name a few.


She finished undressing, slipped on a white silk robe, and was heading for the bathroom when she noticed the red message light flashing on the answering machine. Wondering who had phoned, she opened the top drawer of the end table to retreive a notepad and pen and then listened to the messages. There were two. One from her mother, wanting to know what time to expect her on Sunday for dinner. The other from Autumn who was getting married in one month. All arrangements were complete except for their choice of a wedding song. She couldn’t make up her mind. Her selection kept changing every five minutes.


Valencia listened as Autumn’s excited southern voice instructed her that she had found the ideal song. "I found the perfect song. I heard it on the radio this morning."


Autumn’s family moved to Arlington, Virginia from Atlanta, Georgia when she was ten years old. Her father, Phillip accepted a job with the State Department in Washington, D.C, Ellen, her mother, is a professor at Georgetown University. Her senior year in college, Autumn met and fell in love with Andre Bowman, an up and coming baseball player who now plays professionally with the Baltimore Orioles. They dated eight years before finally deciding to get married.


"The song is "On the Wings of Love" by Jeffrey Osborne. I think it’s perfect. Call me when you get in."


Valencia grinned. This was the fourth perfect song in one month. Autumn’s first choice was Luther Vandross’s "Here and Now." A week later, it changed to "When I’m with You" by Tony Terry. Three days later, it was "Happily Ever After" by Case. All four selections were beautiful love ballads and had been used at numerous weddings.


She opened the top drawer of the night-stand, removing her day planner. She found Autumn’s number, picked up the cordless phone, and punched in the number. It was answered on the third ring.


"Hello, Autumn. This is Valencia. How are you?"


"I’m fine. Thanks for calling me back so quickly."


"No problem." Valencia sat on the edge of the bed, folding one leg underneath her. "On the Wings of Love" is the wedding song now?" For the moment, she said to herself. She had a feeling the song was going to change again between now and the wedding day.


Autumn laughed. "I know. I know. I keep changing our song, but I believe this is the perfect one."


Valencia joined in the laughter.


"You must think I’m an airhead. One of the most important days of my life and I can’t decide on a wedding song."


Valencia knew it was common for brides to fret over every detail. But it was her job to ensure Autumn’s vision and personal taste was carried out. Everything had to be perfect. Listening to couples’ requests was part of her job. As a wedding consultant, it was her job to listen to problems, complaints, and compliments.


"Of course not. All of the songs you mentioned are great wedding songs."


Autumn sighed. "I just have to choose one. I already gave Damien a list of songs I want him to play at the reception."


Damien Love is one of DC’s popular radio personalities and Andre’s cousin. He agreed to DJ at the wedding without pay as a wedding gift. "Damien is really a great DJ. I listen to his show every morning."


"Well, you will get a chance to hear him live. " Autumn said. "He will be providing the music at the gala tomorrow."


"I’m looking forward to hearing him."


They spoke a few minutes more before Valencia hung up and then placed a call to her mother to discuss her upcoming visit on Sunday. Afterward, she headed for the bathroom, thoughts of tomorrow running through her head as water flowed from the mouth of the tub. She hoped she had made the right decision accepting Autumn’s invitation.




*From the novella, Love To Behold *
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