18. Temple
“Solomon, Temple. It’s good to see you both.” Pastor Daniels greeted as we walked inside his office.
“Good to be seen. Thank you for taking us on such short notice,” Solomon said, shaking his hand.
“It’s not a problem at all. The Lord made it possible for me to have time in my schedule today. Have a seat.”
Solomon and I sat on the firm couch in front of his chair.
“Temple, how have you been?”
“I’ve . . . I’ve been good, Pastor D. I was a little nervous to come see you, though.” I tittered lightly.
“Why is that?”
“Because I haven’t been here in a while. I’m nervous that you’re going to get on me about it.”
“One thing I’ve learned is that God’s children sometimes leave the nest, but they will always find their way back home.”
“Don’t feel bad, baby. I don’t come to church either, but I pray daily, move different, and sow a seed every Sunday.”
“That’s right. Just because you haven’t been here to fellowship with us doesn’t mean you don’t still belong.”
“Understood.”
“Now, before we begin, I’d like to say a word of prayer. Bow your heads.” Pastor Daniels led with a prayer of guidance and wisdom before we all concluded with Amen.
Pastor Daniels smiled as he looked between us both before shaking his head with a chuckle.
“I have to be honest; I’ve been waiting for this appointment.”
I laughed nervously. “You were?”
“Oh, I most certainly was.” He leaned back in his chair. “So . . . is there anything either of you would like to confess before we begin?”
I slowly raised my hand to speak first. “Um, we got married.”
Pastor Daniels folded his hands together. “I know.”
I blinked. “You know?”
He gave a curt nod. “My phone rang at six thirty on a Friday morning.” He smiled. “Solomon called me.”
I covered my smile to hide my blush.
“Oh, goodness.”
“His words were: ‘Pastor,’” he imitated in an affectionate voice, “I’m about to get married to who I believe is my soulmate. Could you lift us up in prayer?”
Solomon burst into laughter.
I groaned.
“I knew he’d tell you.”
“I’ve known Solomon since he was a little boy. He’s always been someone who goes out and gets what he wants. I’d seen a significant change in him over the past year, and never once had he ever been nervous to speak to me.” He grinned. “That says a lot about him.”
The room relaxed immediately. Pastor Daniels opened his Bible but left it lying in his lap.
“So, tell me. Why are you two here?”
Solomon answered first. “We’re happy and want to keep it that way. Hopefully get a little guidance on how to maintain said happiness.”
I nodded. “I agree.”
“And we’re not fighting.”
“I don’t think we even broached that part of our relationship, and I hope we never will.” I chuckled lightly.
“We won’t,” Solomon assured.
Pastor Daniels tilted his head. “Then why marriage counseling?”
I reached over and intertwined my fingers with Solomon’s.
It was instinctive.
Natural.
I smiled at him before looking back at the pastor.
“Because we love each other.”
“And we want to keep it that way,” Solomon added.
Silence settled over the room. A warm smile spread across Pastor Daniels’s face.
“I wish more couples came before they were bleeding instead of after.” He nodded approvingly. “That’s wisdom.”
Solomon looked at me. “I’ve never loved anyone like this.”
I squeezed his hand. “Same. It’s a bit scary for me because I've never been in love before.”
Solomon kissed the back of my hand. “I don’t want to mess this up. I want to keep you happy. Always.”
My expression softened. “Neither do I.”
Pastor Daniels studied us for a long moment.
“The two of you are still in the discovery stage.”
I frowned lightly. “What does that mean?”
“It means you’re in love with everything you’ve learned so far.” He chuckled. “And trust me. There’s much more to learn.”
Solomon chuckled. “It’s always more to learn.”
Pastor Daniels leaned forward. “Tell me something about your spouse that surprised you.”
I answered immediately.
“He’s a great cook.”
Solomon laughed. “That’s surprising?”
“You made homemade pasta from scratch. I only know one person who does that and doesn’t mess it up.”
“I enjoy cooking when I have time.”
I smiled. “I know. Because the way you got your chef on in Italy, I would have thought Marcille wasn’t even in the room. And I love watching you.”
Pastor Daniels’s smile never wavered as he pointed toward Solomon.
“Your turn.”
Solomon looked at me with unmistakable admiration as he shook his head affectionately.
“I’ve never met anyone who makes a room feel like home in five minutes.”
A blush crept across my cheeks.
Pastor Daniels smiled. “I can tell you two admire each other. Protect that.” He paused before asking, “Now tell me, what scares you?”
This time, my smile faded.
Solomon looked down.
“I’m afraid I’ll fail her.”
I immediately shook my head. “I don’t feel like you will.”
He looked at me. “I don’t mean intentionally.” I watched him swallow. “I’ve heard of marriages falling apart. I’ve heard of people waking up one day and realizing they’re lying beside a stranger. I never want us to become that.”
I squeezed his hand tighter.
Pastor Daniels turned to me.
“And you?”
I was quiet for several moments. “I’m afraid . . .” I searched for the words. “That we’ll get busy. We’ll chase careers, we’ll build a house, we’ll have responsibilities, and one day . . .” I looked at Solomon with watery eyes. “We’ll stop dating each other.”
Solomon stared at me. “I hadn’t even thought about that—”
“I have. I want us to always feel like we did since Italy. Heck, since we first met.”
Pastor Daniels smiled knowingly. “Ah. There it is. The honeymoon isn’t a place.
It’s a posture.” We both listened intently.
“People spend thousands trying to recreate the romance of their honeymoon, but the romance wasn’t in Italy.
It was in your attention. You looked at one another, you listened, you laughed.
You put the phones away, and you chose each other over every distraction.
” He smiled warmly. “You can do that in your living room just as easily as you did overlooking the Amalfi Coast.”
I smiled. “I like that.”
Pastor Daniels continued. “I’m going to give you three habits.
” He held up one finger. “Never stop being curious about one another. The person you married at thirty-eight won’t be the same person at forty-eight.
Keep asking questions.” A second finger lifted.
“Protect your friendship, flirt, laugh, go on dates. Dance in the kitchen and celebrate ordinary Tuesdays.” Then he raised a third finger.
“And pray together. Not because it’s what Christians are supposed to do, but because intimacy with God creates intimacy with one another. ”
He closed his Bible and continued. “Marriage isn’t sustained by grand gestures. It’s built in ordinary moments repeated faithfully.”
Solomon looked at me. “I’m willing and ready to do all that.”
My cheeks heated. “I’m on that with you too.”
Pastor Daniels watched us with quiet satisfaction. “One more piece of advice.” We looked at him. “I’m sure everyone keeps asking how long you’ve known each other.”
“Not really, but they will,” I said.
“I want you both to ask a different question.”
I tilted my head. “Which is?”
“How well can we know each other for the rest of our lives.” He smiled. “The length of your courtship doesn’t determine the success of your marriage. What you choose every day after your vows will.”
Solomon turned toward me. “I definitely choose you.”
My eyes glistened. This was new for me, and the fact that I wanted to bend and contort for him had me ready to ride him as soon as we got back to his truck.
Temp, chill. In the house the Lord, acting like a Jezebel!
“I know.” I smiled through happy tears. “And I choose you.”
Pastor Daniels laughed softly as he stood. “I think the two of you are going to be just fine.”
He extended his hands toward us both.
“Now let’s pray this out. Let’s pray that your love stays exciting, because excitement comes and goes.
” He looked at us with the tenderness of a shepherd.
“Let’s pray that your love grows deeper than your feelings, steadier than your circumstances, and stronger with every season God allows you to walk through together. ”
When the prayer ended, we headed toward the door, and Solomon opened the office door for me. I reached for his hand without thinking.
He took it just as naturally.
Two months ago, we were strangers.
Today, we were husband and wife.
We still had a lifetime of learning ahead of us, but perhaps the greatest sign that we were ready for it wasn’t that we had all the answers.
It was that we had been humble enough to ask for guidance before we needed rescuing.
We pulled up to Ma Lula’s house thirty minutes later and went inside. After our session, we had a session of our own. I just loved the way his dick filled me up and how he could talk me through a nut without using one curse word.
My Holy Gangsta Husband.
I couldn't believe how strong my feelings developed for him seemingly overnight. As I said before, Solomon just had an aura about him that made you want to submit to his every request.
“I’ve been waiting on you two to show up,” Ma Lula said once we made it in her favorite place: the den.
“I know. Sorry I haven’t called. It’s been a lot going on,” I told her, pulling her in for a hug. “I missed you, though.”
“Chile, it ain’t nothing new for your behind to disappear.” She waved me off. “Hey, grandson-in-law.” She beamed while hugging Solomon.
“Ma Lula. How are you, beautiful?”
“I’ll be better when you stop keeping my grandbaby away.” She laughed. “Y’all glowing and looking refreshed. Italy must have been good to y’all, huh?”
“It was.” I took a seat next to her while Solomon sat on the other side. “I bought you all some things too. I’ll have Lo get them out of the car once I tell you and the girls something.”
“You pregnant? I usually see it before it happens.”
My lips turned up into a smile. “No, Ma Lu. Not yet.”
“She better not be pregnant this soon! We ain’t even got a ring yet,” Toni said, entering the den with Sapphire trailing behind her.
“Actually, that’s what we want to talk to you all about,” Solomon spoke up. “Have a seat, ladies.”
Toni and Sapphire took a seat across from us.
“You popped the question?” Sapphire asked.
Solomon smirked. “I did.”
“And you said yes?” Toni followed up.
“I did,” I replied.
“Oh, that is beautiful! I’m so happy for you two!” Ma Lula exclaimed, taking our hands. “My baby. I prayed for this for you girls. I knew since the moment he walked through that door that he was the one who would take your hand. You deserve this, Beanie.”
I saw the tears welling in her eyes and wrapped my arms around her.
“I love you, Ma Lu.”
“I love you more, my precious baby.”
I released her and wiped the tears from my own eyes. “Okay. Enough crying.” I chuckled. “I need you all to help me get the wedding together. Like yesterday.”
Sapphire frowned. “What you mean?”
“What I mean is, I need to be walking down the aisle in the next few weeks. So, I brought my laptop and some magazines so we can get started on venue searching, dresses, and honeymoon ideas.”
“Sis, ain’t no way we can do all of this in a few weeks. I need to find a date, and the way these niggas out here choosin’, I may have to order an escort!” Toni exclaimed as we all laughed.
“You’ll be fine. Money talks, so I’m sure we could get everything together by August fifth.”
“That’s literally two and a half weeks away. What’s the rush?” Sapphire queried.
“I know what it is.” Toni wiggled her eyebrows at us.
Lo smirked. “And that’s my cue to leave.” He stood, kissed Ma Lu’s cheek, then pulled me to my feet.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” I pecked his lips twice.
“Remember, no expense. I’ll be back to get you around seven. Get whatever anybody needs.”
“Okay, love. Be safe.” He kissed me again, then left. I stood, watching him leave before Ma Lula clapped her hands to get my attention.
Sapphire laughed aloud. “You are in the sunken place. What that man do to you across them seven seas?”
“Nothing.” I blushed. I couldn’t tell them how he had been putting me through the floor, wall, countertop, and mattress since we first had sex.
I’d only had six sex partners in my life. My husband was lucky number seven and the one to lock me down before I could even remember to blink.
“Uh-huh. Although I think you all are moving a little fast, I can understand why. One word of advice though. Don’t just marry him for what he can do for you. Be it financial, sexual, or just to say you’re married. Marry him because of how you feel.
“If you wake up beside him every day and he makes you want to see a smile on his face, then I say go for it. Marriage isn’t a game, Beanie. Be sure this is what you want, not what you feel you need.”
“I love him, Ma Lula. We went to see Pastor Daniels this morning for counseling, and it really opened my eyes to a lot of things. I’m not choosing to marry him because he has money.
I’m choosing him because he came into my life and made me see that I am capable of real love from someone who isn’t family. ”
“Then you have my blessing.”
“And it doesn’t hurt that he has a little coin either. My man is rich, rich.” I laughed and high-fived Phire and Toni. “But his parents are . . . ugh. It’s really his mama—”
“What she say to you?” Ma Lula asked, cutting me off.
“We’re going to need some snacks and drinks for this. We also need to get started with looking for my dress.”
“I’m on it!” Phire exclaimed, leaving the room for the snacks and drinks.
I probably shouldn’t have said anything to Ma Lula about this. One thing I knew was that she never played about us.
Mrs. Urine was about to get all the smoke from Ma Lula.
And she’d deserve every bit of it.