Chapter 38

              Lamais's pov

  I took the bunch of lilac flowers from Cushane's outstretched hand, he smile and clasp me in a gentle hug. Before I could think my lips were taken in a passionate kiss and then I was released without warning. "I hope you already have a wedding date set because I'll be posting this," he said and I look from his face to the phone in his hand.

  In a fit of anger I tried to hit him with the flowers, he side stepped it and held my hand. "Behave, or I'll turn you around right here and give you a bit of what you're longing for," he says as I stared at him in shock.

A shout of excitement was coming from the front and he said. "Come on."

  I was pulled behind him to the front of the yard and out the gate where Christopher, Shanty and Karly was standing around a large boat upon a crane. It was wrapped with a large blue bow and Christopher's eyes was red.

"You bought for him?" I ask him in surprise.

"Yes, a small token for saving my life," he said.

"This will mean so much for him," I say feeling my heart leap with joy.

  I smile at Christopher and he came and hug me, it was unbelievable. They leave with Minister Smith to take the boat to safer fishing beach, where the fishing boat could be parked and kept safe. Karly beamed with joy and we just sat together silently on the verandah waiting on them to return. All the food we had prepared earlier was covered up on the kitchen counter, it was like our bellies had gotten full.

When they return we dived down into the food heartily, as we sit and talked on the verandah. It was an happy occasion, I went for a bottle of champagne and give Christopher to open. It was after eleven when we break up the celebration, Cushane held me tightly as he kissed me hungrily over and over before leaving with a hard on.

  As I lie in bed that night I could only marvel at how things was turning out, my reluctance in pushing away Cushane when he hugs and kiss me. How my body felt alive and how right it feels to be with him, I was thankful that Shanty and Sis. Grant answered the comments and did the posting. I look them over before falling into a deep sleep only to awake in tears before daybreak the next morning.

I badly wanted to tell Shanty about the dream but knowing she was going to state that funerals were wedding I kept my dream to myself. The Saturday was over quicker than expected and I drink the chicken soup Karly had prepared for dinner, then made my way tiredly up the stairs. The choir and bands was doing good, but I wanted them to do exceptional.

Christopher raise his hand and stand to give a testimony in church that Sunday, it moved me as well as most of us. "Sometime ago I was questioning God, I kept asking him why he was putting me into so much dangerous and difficult situations. At my lowest I use my last and came to see Bishop Lamais, her words were the only thing that has kept me from then until now. I want to tell somebody today to trust the process, pray without ceasing then leave it up to God. Also choose good friends and do good, I'm talking friends who will pray for you even when they don't know all that you're going through. I want to get baptized and I want to be saved, thank you God for saving me."

  He was in tears when he sat back down and so was I, Karly was drying her tears and offered him her face rag. Tishawna's voice sang low and sweet "Not my will but yours be done," while the band played low. I thanked God for all his blessings and prayed silently for everyone in the church. Minister Kirkland baptized Christopher and another young man that Sunday evening and I sealed him together with Karly before the church, so that no one will look upon them badly for being Christians yet unmarried.

Everyone clapped as Sis. Grant repeats the date for their wedding, God is not judging and neither would we. I would not be who I am if I did not try to save their souls and deep in my heart I knew that God was pleased. I will pay for their wedding but no one will know who did.

October 2nd...

I planned a small dinner for my birthday celebration, but Cushane brought out all the stops and was entertaining as well as interesting.

  I was pampered from my toes to my hair roots, food galore after I came back from the salon with my hair and nails exquisitely done and paid for by him.

  I hugged him back shyly in front of everyone after accepting my birthday gift from him, my mother and my big sister came and surprised me with gift packages also. We talked for a while and I learned that Othelia was making preparations to travel to Ontario, Canada where she heard that I was going to be for the convention and Ramario had gotten divorce from his wife. I sighed and ask them about themselves, Dewette says she was doing okay and wishes to visit me more so that we can be more of a sister.

"I'm maybe getting back with your father," my mother says and held her head down.

Dewette looked at me meaningfully and I said. "We only have one life, so make sure whatever you do you won't regret it. I wish you both the best and all happiness."

I got up and went to cut the beautiful cake Cushane got me, I smile brightly for all the cameras. I'm a year older, I was successful and I wasn't in need of anything materially, I am blessed and highly favored. I thank God silently but then the Holy Spirit cause me to thank him loudly.

"Ohhhhhh, hallelujah! Hallelujah! Thank you Godddd!"

"Amen," I hear a few people chorus.

And that's the first time I hear Cushane speak in tongues, he shook and appeared surprise at himself. I ate to my hearts content and dance along with my church brethrens to the rockers, we drank non alcoholic beverages played board games, have happy conversations and six when the party ends I got hugs and well wishes as everyone leaves.

I read my mother as she stood in front of me and thanked her for coming, they leave with a member who was going their way and my heart smile seeing that they were trying to change. "Thank you God," I whispered and then felt Cushane's hand circling my waist from behind.

"I'm going to leave now," he says lowly.

"Ok, thank you for everything I enjoyed it," I tell him.

"You're welcome, I love you," he tells me.

I nodded and he peck my cheeks before releasing me and getting into his car, I went to bed happy and wake up fully charge the following morning. We leave for the airport and I was excited and a little sad at the same time, Christopher and Kareem wasn't coming but I did everything to get Karly and Christilla to come along. He was so thankful and promise to keep my home and vehicles safe as I have, I trust him to do so and keep himself safe.

When we land in Canada the band members went straight to the church to set up the band, it was a good move so they would have more free time the next day before service. My schedule for preaching was Monday and Friday, I've been expecting the Friday and another day other than the Monday but it seems I'm the one expected to kick off the convention into high gear.

I head straight to my room with Shanty, Tishawna, Karly and Christilla. Shanty and Karly was sharing a room while I got a room for myself, everyone else was paired up and I liked the arrangement. I can get to relax in peace and that was my aim. Minister Kirkland who was assigned to driving the juta bus loan to us, repeated to everyone to be on their best behavior. It seems we were the only ones occupying the third floor of the building and I hope they will all be responsible and respectful.

The next morning I stayed in while all of them went sightseeing, I had been on my knees at 3 am doing my prayers to start my fasting, that's something I don't really tell anyone about when I'm doing so. I need God's direction, I need to be focus, my mental health need to be on point and I need to bring the word so souls can be saved and christians can be refreshed.

I was not looking forward to meeting Jonathan who was scheduled to preach on Tuesday and Thursday night, the host bishop seem to put a lot of faith in him since he has schedule him for two nights also. He preached okay just not what I'm used to, his sermons were sometimes too drawn out and his repetitive saying of sowing the seed was very annoying. A money loving preacher and I'm not judging him, but learning how he came by his wealth is a big turn off for me.

My church was different, I allowed my members to give whatever amount they can afford in offerings and tithes. I don't read them into sewing seeds with the promise that I would pray for them to reap big financial blessings. The mere thought was gross I think to myself.

To be continued...