24. Pretty
TWO MONTHS LATER (FEB.)
In another five weeks, spring would be here. I couldn’t wait for it, but I was enjoying the winter. My fiancé had finished the NFL season, now that the Super Bowl was over. Although Drew was still working, his schedule wouldn’t be as hectic, and he would be home more.
We had discussed renting our houses as rental property and starting our new lives in a brand-new house. We were scheduled to meet with an architect and some realtors for land next week. In the interim, we were living in his home.
I hadn’t wanted us to start married life in a home that I shared with my late husband; that house was filled with painful memories after my discovery. This was a fresh start for both of us. I had just entered my second trimester, and we were loving our lives.
Large vases of purple tulips and white orchids were all around the large space, and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Sheer white panel curtains hung around the walls creating an intimate setting.
Six rows of chairs on either side of an aisle were decorated with purple chair covers. An arch stood at the end of the aisle with Annabel white fuchsia flowers covering it.
I looked up at my father who beamed at me. “I love you, sweetheart. You did good,” he whispered as we walked down the aisle.
“Thank you, Papa,” I whispered back.
A violinist and a cellist stood behind Drew playing “Turning Page” by Sleeping At Last. I gracefully moved closer to Drew, who was surrounded by his friends Matt and Jason. They stood opposite Chloe and Lauren.
We wanted an intimate ceremony with just our family and closest friends, no spotlight for the media, no celebrity circus. My mother sat on the front row, bawling her eyes out as she watched my father and me draw closer.
When I finally reached Drew, I breathed a sigh of relief. My father placed my hands in Drew’s, and he declared, “They say the second time is the sweetest.”
I looked up at my father and smiled as he and Drew exchanged a look of respect and friendship. They had grown close over the last few months, and they found they had a lot in common. My father felt that he’d truly gained another son.
“How are you feeling, gorgeous?” Drew asked.
“Amazing.” I’d been struggling with morning sickness all morning, and we had been worried that I wouldn’t feel well when the wedding started.
We chose an evening wedding for two reasons: We met in the evening, and we wanted the morning sickness to not be an issue when it was time for the ceremony.
“You feel like getting married?”
“Nothing could stop me from becoming Mrs. Andrew Nicholas Jennings.”
“That’s all I need to hear. Let’s do this, baby.”
With a wide beam on his face, Drew turned us toward the minister.
“You two look lovely standing here today. With all the love in your hearts surrounding you and shining on your faces, I know that God’s favor is on this day.
You have chosen to join your lives together under the blessing of His grace and mercy.
You are surrounded by family and friends, and you have altered traditional vows only slightly. ”
Pastor Mickelson continued speaking just as my mouth watered a little. Nerves trembled in my belly, and fear had my heart in a grip. Not now. God, please don’t let me get sick now.
Pastor Mickelson advised us to say our vows, and I was struggling to hold it together. It didn’t stop me from listening to everything Drew had to say, though.
“Jolie Anouk, I’ve lived life on my own terms for a while.
When I tried to make a change from the man I was to the man I should be, it didn’t work.
It didn’t work because it was a forced situation.
I know that this relationship, this bond you and I share, is God ordained because everything is flowing as it should, Pretty.
With you, I have no fear of being used, taken advantage of, or not truly appreciated.
You know me, and you see me for who I am beyond the lights, the fans, the awards, and the accolades. You see the man.
“Today, I stand here before God, our family, friends, and Pastor Mickelson, and I vow to always cherish, respect, honor, and love you. You encourage me in my faith, you strengthen me when I’m weak, and you bring out the best in me.
I look forward to a lifetime of love, laughter, joy, and adventure with you, Pretty.
I will be your protector, your provider, and your—”
Warmth flushed my face, and Drew rushed from my side. I pressed my hands to my mouth, but before anything came out, Drew was there, like he always was. He held an empty gold receptacle up to me while he rubbed my back.
“I’m okay,” I finally mumbled after several seconds when nothing happened.
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
After the nausea passed, I felt a warmth of embarrassment coat my face.
He gripped my chin, and he stared into my eyes.
“I love you, every part of you, Pretty. I don’t want you feeling bad, because I can see that you do.
What you’re going through is just a beautiful manifestation of the life we created in your body—the beginning of our forever. Breathe it out.”
My sister shoved a couple of peppermints into my hand, and I popped one quickly.
“Thanks, Chlo-Glo,” I stated, calling her by her nickname.
“You’re welcome, sis.” She smiled compassionately at me.
Drew lifted my head. “Hey, beautiful. I love you.”
Those simple words brought a smile to my lips in spite of the horror I had just experienced. “I love you too,” I replied weakly.
I looked up and saw my parents, siblings, and Drew’s parents and sister hovering around, and no longer sitting in the chairs with the rest of the guests.
“Baby, are you okay? Can we get you some saltine crackers?” Mama Jennings asked.
“No. I’ll be fine. Thank you, though.”
“Do we need to reschedule today?” Maman asked.
I looked at Drew. “Baby, we can get married any time. I just need and want you to be okay,” he reassured me.
I glanced down at my dress, looked back up at everyone else, and then to Pastor Mickelson.
He wore a smile on his chubby, cherubic face. “How are you feeling now, sweetheart?”
“Much better. I sometimes get sick in the evening, but not often.”
“I think that little one in your belly is just anxious about all the excitement going on,” Pastor Mickelson proclaimed.
I giggled weakly. “Yeah, I guess so. Can we finish our vows?”
“Sure. We can do whatever it is you want to do. Would you like to stay here at the arch or sit down?” he asked, pointing to the chairs behind us.
“I can stay at the arch.”
“Baby, you’d better sit down. I don’t want you getting queasy again. If you want to, we could postpone the wedding. We could—”
Mr. Jennings held his hand up to cut Drew off.
“Son, game day is never stopped because of a little rain. We play through it all. We dig our cleats in the mud, tuck our heads down, and we get dirty and sweaty for that victory. This woman is your victory after a season of losses. I’m ready to claim her as my daughter-in-law, and in order for that to happen, you need to claim her as your wife.
You understand me, Son?” Mr. Jennings asked.
“Yeah, Coach. I’ve been ready to claim her as mine. I just need to make sure that my soon-to-be wife is good,” Drew answered before he turned to me. “Baby, you ready?”
I nodded, and we took our positions under the arch again. Drew resumed his vows.
“What just happened was a glimpse into the future. Our journey won’t always be sunny skies and smiles, but I vow to be by your side through it all.
I vow to always be ready with a plan of attack or find a way to reroute.
A few minutes ago, I vowed to be your protector and your provider, and I also vow to be your comforter, to hold you up when you’re sick, and ease your pain and discomfort.
” Drew slid the ring on my finger, and tears flowed from my eyes. He was so sweet.
“Pretty, you may now say your vows,” Pastor declared.
“Andrew Nicholas Jennings, after suffering loss, betrayal, and repeated pain, I vowed to never love again. I couldn’t withstand the pain of losing someone else, but my heart would not be denied, and my heart wants you.
I didn’t anticipate you. When I do something to embarrass myself, you have taught me how to laugh at myself and not take things so seriously.
I thank Almighty God that He saw fit to bring you into my life.
“It’s because of your love that I was able to walk out of the darkness and into the light.
You have helped me to heal, to grow, and to be strong.
You have loved away my heartache and shame.
You have helped me to breathe again and filled that empty void within me.
I look forward to waking up with you every day and loving you for a lifetime.
You make falling and being in love so desirable, so sweet, and so worth the risk.
“With this ring, I pledge to care for your heart, be honest with you, inspire you to greater depths, and have your back through your most challenging times. With this ring, I pledge to be the wife who will always stand beside you and never give up on you. I pledge to love you from now until the end of time, and I pledge to always be your reason for hoping, dreaming, and loving.”
I slid the ring on his finger, and he smiled brightly at me. Surprisingly, Drew cupped my face and kissed me sweetly and slowly.
“Eeew!” Maxime declared.
When I finally broke the kiss, I looked around at him and pointed. “Shut it, or I’ll shut it for you.” I turned back and resumed kissing my husband.
Everyone laughed, and my father stated, “No matter how old you get, you two will always be bickering like little kids.”
“I know that it’s our wedding day, but today is also a special celebration,” Drew declared when we ended the kiss.
I lifted an eyebrow and looked to our family and friends who smiled brightly. “What have you done now?”
Everyone laughed, and Drew smiled warmly at me.
Kissing my hands, he stared into my eyes and explained.
“You chose this venue for its location to the art community, its beauty, and the space that it had. Although we wanted a quiet and intimate venue for our wedding, it was large enough to host an art showing. Well, I wanted you to know that this is the new home of the Jolie Mercier-Jennings Art Gallery.”
My mouth dropped open, and my heart thrummed in my chest like a finely tuned guitar. Had he just said what I thought he said?
“What do you mean?” I asked as everyone clapped.
“Baby, this is your new art gallery—named after you.”
“It’s mine?”
“It’s all yours, sweetheart. This is my wedding gift to you.”
I couldn’t stop the flow of tears that fell from my eyes. The happiness and joy I felt couldn’t be compared or described.
Drew always showed me that he would be gentle with my heart and that he would always support my dreams. I threw my arms around my husband’s neck and kissed him sweetly. When we pulled back, I grinned sheepishly at him.
“And that is my wedding gift to you.” I pointed to a corner of the room where Lauren had walked to. She smiled brightly as she unveiled the painting. It was a painting that I had done of Andrew and me when we were at the masquerade ball. Someone had snapped a photo of us and shared it with me.
“Baby! Babe, that’s . . .” He crossed his arm over his chest and propped the elbow of his other arm on top of the first one. Covering his mouth and chuckling, a tear streamed from his eye.
“Do you like it?” I asked.
“I think he’s speechless, sweetie,” his mother called out.
His parents and mine laughed as Drew turned around and swept me into his arms. He buried his face in my neck and whispered repeatedly, “I love you, girl. I love you so much. Thank you, baby.”
“You’re welcome, babe.”
We danced slowly as the strains from the cellist and violinist played Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love.”
Our wedding day had been perfect for us. It was intimate with those who we loved and cared for the most, including our little baby growing in my belly. The venue was perfect, food was excellent, and the music was just what we needed.
Although we were both wealthy, we didn’t feel the need to have a big extravagant wedding.
It hadn’t taken me much time to plan my wedding with the assistance of my mom, Mama Queenie, Chloe, and Dani.
We had also hired Alex St. Charles with Wedded Bliss.
She hadn’t been cheap, but we could afford it.
We had to pay a little something extra to get her on short notice.
She also hadn’t been able to be in attendance on our wedding day, but she had sent one of her attendants, and that was okay with me.
Everything about the day was perfect, even with what could have been a catastrophe. No matter what arose, Drew made sure that I felt his love.