Miracle took a deep breath as she waited for her mother to enter the room at her parent’s home. She’d awakened early after her evening with Corvus. A slow smile spread across her lips and she licked them softly.
Another breath and the First Lady entered, looking at her oldest daughter. Both women took seats on the sofa.
“Good morning Momma,” Miracle greeted.
“Miracle, we were worried about you last night,” Betty Chapman told her.
Miracle smiled. “I was fine. I don’t know why Emanuel worried you and Daddy over this.”
“Your father wants me to talk to you,” her mother began. “About Emanuel.”
Miracle looked away. “There is nothing to say about Emanuel. It’s over and done.”
Her mother sighed and took her hands. “Tell me what’s going on with you.”
Squeezing her hands in return, Miracle began. “I’ve met a man unlike any I’ve ever known.” She looked at her mother. “And I want to be with him.”
“Who is this man?” her mother questioned.
“He owns the land adjacent to the church,” Miracle told her. “And he calls me a Goddess.”
Her mother looked confused as she continued. “And he treats me like a princess.”
Betty looked at her daughter’s expression as she went on. “His name is Corvus Shaw.”
“Your father says he’s a non-believer,” Betty challenged.
Miracle smiled. “Corvus has his own beliefs.”
“That’s dangerous ground Miracle,” she warned.
“I find his differences enlightening,” she told her mother.
Her mother frowned. “I thought you were ready to become Emanuel’s wife.”
“Emanuel wasn’t ready to become my husband,” Miracle responded. “I won’t marry a man who can’t be faithful.”
“How can you be sure of this Corvus Shaw? Your father says he is a known womanizer,” Betty pointed out.
Miracle nodded. “I am aware of Corvus’ history and he hasn’t been deceptive about it in the least. He’s now at a different place in his life.”
“You believe you will be able to trust him?” Betty questioned.
“I’d rather consider marrying a man that I believe I can trust, versus a man that I know I can’t…”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “You’re actually considering marrying this man that you just met who doesn’t even believe?”
Miracle gave a soft laugh. “You didn’t even ask me what he believes. You assume that because he doesn’t profess the way we do, that he’s somehow unfit.”
“We don’t want you to be hurt, Miracle.”
“I’ve already been there with a man that you still want me to allow back into my life.” She stood and looked down at her mother. “I’m twenty-seven and it’s time for me to make my own decisions, based on what’s best for me.”
Her mother stood and looked at her before she smiled slowly. “That’s my daughter.”
Miracle looked surprised. “You agree with me?”
“I married a man based on beliefs and while your father has been a wonderful provider and faithful husband, I’ve always wondered what would have happened if I’d taken a different road in life…” Betty explained.
“Do you love Daddy?” Miracle asked.
Betty smiled. “I grew to love Joel.”
“Were you in love with him?”
“I was the wife he needed to fulfill his vision,” Betty commented. “But I want more for you.”
She touched Miracle’s face. “I want to see you do everything that your heart imagines.”
Miracle smiled. “You will support me?”
“Miracle, you have done everything anyone has asked of you, of course I will support you now because If this man has made you even consider becoming his wife, then I know that he is special.”
“He is very special…” Miracle whispered with a huge smile.
“I’ve never seen you look happier than when you speak about him.” Betty said studying Miracle.
“I’ve never been happier than when I’m with him,” Miracle confessed.
Betty smiled and hugged her precious daughter. “You are my Miracle and I will fight for your happiness.” She pulled back and looked at Miracle. “I’m so proud of how you stood up to Emanuel. I promised your father that I would speak with you, but I didn’t promise to support his agenda, if it’s not what you really wanted.”
“Thank you Momma,” Miracle told her. “That means a lot to me.”
“Corvus Shaw is a blessed man and I hope he realizes it,” Betty said firmly.
Miracle’s phone rang and she grabbed her purse to answer. Not recognizing the number, she answered professionally.
“This is Miracle Chapman.”
“Hello Miracle Chapman, this is Pam Shaw.”
******
Corvus met with his brother Rion, and Lance at his office. The two men were his Day Ones and he trusted them with his life.
“So someone is trying to start some shit, huh?” Lance asked.
“It seems that way,” Corvus agreed. “I have a meeting next week with this Inspector.”
Rion sat back. “All of your deals are clean, so you have nothing to worry about.”
Corvus agreed. “I’m not worried about that, but I do want to find out who’s behind this.”
“Let’s get Malachi on it,” Rion told him. “He did a great job for Khalil.”
“Yeah, he did.” Corvus added. “I’ll contact him.”
Lance looked at his friend. “Do you have any ideas who this might be?”
Corvus sighed and looked out of the window. “Possibly someone in Miracle’s circle.”
“Your Goddess?” Rion questioned and Corvus nodded.
“Maybe her ex, her father or someone affiliated with her church,” Corvus explained.
Lance shook his head. “Damn, you don’t suspect your woman though?”
“No, that’s not Miracle.” Corvus said firmly.
Rion lifted a brow. “You sure? You haven’t known her that long.”
Corvus turned to his brother with a frown. “That’s not Miracle,” he reiterated hotly. “And we’re not going to talk about how long somebody knew their woman before he married her.”
Rion put his hands up. “Hey, I’m just looking out for my little brother.”
Corvus sighed and calmed down. “I know, but she’s off limits.”
“I know how women can turn on you,” Rion added. “I don’t want that to happen to you.”
Lance agreed. “I know, me too.”
“Y’all don’t have to worry about my Little Goddess. If I can trust anybody, it’s her.” Corvus vowed.
“So we need to check out the church folks?” Rion asked.
“This land deal is turning out to be far more than I ever expected,” Corvus told them.
******
Miracle’s eyes widened. “Hello Mrs. Shaw. How are you?”
“I’m very well, Miracle, and how are you this morning?”
“I’m good.” Miracle said slowly.
“Well, I hope I’m not bothering you but I wanted to see if you were available for lunch today?” Pam asked.
“Today?” Miracle questioned surprised.
“Yes, I can make reservations.”
Miracle shook herself. “Uh, yes…of course. I’d love to have lunch with you today.”
“Great, I’ll text you with the details,” Pam offered.
“Thank you,” Miracle said quietly, still surprised. “I’ll be there.”
The call ended and Miracle looked at her mother. “That was Corvus’ mother. She wants to have lunch today.”
Betty lifted a brow. “Have you met her before?”
Miracle nodded. “Yes, at Corvus’ birthday party.”
“Is she nice?”
“She’s…formidable.” Miracle relayed. “That’s the best word I can come up with. Her sons are Orion and Corvus Shaw.”
“I doubt that she has lunch with every woman her sons bring home,” Betty pointed out. “Her son must’ve indicated that you’re special to him.”
Miracle smiled. “Corvus made it quite clear that I was his special guest at his party.”
Betty nodded. “Good, he’s sounding better and better to me.”
“I’d like for you to meet him as well,” Miracle told her. “The introduction to the Bishop didn’t go very well.”
“I can’t wait to meet this man who told the Bishop he was going to marry his daughter with or without his permission,” Betty smiled.
Miracle grimaced. “I thought Daddy was going to have a heart attack.”
“He’ll live…he did the same thing with Faith,” Betty commented.
“Yes, he did.” Miracle laughed.
“And he’s survived,” Betty said taking her hand. “And he’ll survive again.”
Miracle squeezed her mother’s hand. “Thank you Momma. I love you.”
“I love my Miracle.”
******
Corvus sat in his office after Rion and Lance had departed. He’d made the call to Malachi and set an appointment to meet with him later. Now, he contemplated his discussion with his brothers.
Corvus had no doubts about his Miracle. She was as sweet and pure as they came and didn’t have a deceptive bone in her body. If someone from the church was involved, it certainly wasn’t his Little Goddess.
Now that Emanuel, yeah…he had it coming. Corvus thought about dropping in to see him, but he wouldn’t disrespect Miracle’s church. If he saw him on the street though, that was a different story.
He felt his stomach rumble, then picked up his phone and smiled when it was answered.
“Good morning Corvus.”
“Hey Momma, I’m hungry,” he told her.
Pam frowned. “Then eat something.”
He laughed. “You know I only eat my Momma’s food…and at Katydids.”
“I thought you had a Goddess now,” Pam pointed out.
“I do, but I don’t see her in the mornings…not yet.”
Pam raised an eyebrow. “You don’t see Miracle in the mornings?”
“No, Miracle is a good girl. She’s keeping me in line.”
“Hmmm…and you’re okay with that?” Pam questioned.
Corvus pursed his lips. “For now…”
Pam laughed. “I’m sure.”
“Can I come get some food, please?” he asked.
“I can’t accommodate you today son,” Pam told him. “I’m having lunch soon.”
Corvus shrugged. “I can have lunch with you and Daddy.”
“Your Daddy is not my lunch date.”
He frowned. “Wait a minute…what?”
“Corvus Shaw, are you questioning me?”
“Who are you having lunch with?”
Pam sighed. “My husband is George Shaw and if he’s not worried, then you shouldn’t be either.”
“Where’s Daddy?” Corvus asked.
“He’s at the bookstore.”
Corvus stood. “I’m on my way to your house.”
Pam laughed at her son. “If you must know, I’m having lunch with Miracle.”
He sat back down. “My Miracle?”
“Is she yours?” Pam asked.
“Yes, she is, and how did you come to have a lunch date with her?”
“I called and invited her,” Pam said simply.
Corvus frowned. “How did you get her number?”
Pam shook her head. “Baby, my husband trained the Negus. You think I just watched?”
He sighed. “Be nice Momma, Rion told us how you did Tauri.”
She frowned. “I didn’t do anything and I’m always nice.”
“Hmmm…I can’t say all that.”
“Boy,” she warned.
Corvus laughed. “Don’t sleep on my Miracle, though. She’s got fire.”
“She’s going to need it to deal with you.”
“You know you love me,” Corvus told his mother. “And I’m really your favorite.”
“Goodbye Corvus.” She told him. “You can come and eat tomorrow.”
He smiled. “Cool, and you don’t have to worry about feeding me next week. I have to go out of town for a few days.”
“Your Daddy will be happy to hear that. We can keep some food in our refrigerator.”
“Okay, Momma.”
Pam smiled. “I will see you later.”
“I love you Momma!” Corvus shouted and Pam laughed.
“I love you too boy, good bye.”
Corvus was smiling as he disconnected the call. He quickly dialed another number and waited to hear her sweet voice.
“Hello Corvus,”
“Hello Little Goddess.” He responded. “I understand you’re having lunch with the Supreme Goddess today?”
Miracle picked up her pen and began to tap it on her desk. “Yes, she called and invited me.”
“And you agreed.”
“I can’t say no to your mother.”
He chuckled. “Don’t let her scare you.”
Still tapping her pen, she asked, “Has she had lunch with other women you’ve dated?”
Corvus paused. “We aren’t dating baby, we’re getting married. But to answer your question, hell no! Pam Shaw doesn’t do lunch with just anybody.”
Miracle smiled and stopped her pen. “You still want to marry me, huh?” she teased.
“I might as well,” he responded.
“Nothing else to do?”
“Not really…”
Miracle laughed. “You’re going to put me out of my misery?”
“I’m a good dude like that.”
She leaned back in her chair. “You very much are and I like it.”
He heard the flirtation in her voice and lifted a brow. “You like it?”
“Ummm…hmmm.”
Corvus rubbed his beard. “What else do you like?
She blushed and began tapping her pen again. “I can’t say it…” she whispered.
“Oh, I have got to hear it now,”
“I’ll tell you in person,” she promised.
He closed his eyes. “Tell me or show me?”
“Maybe both…” she said in a sexy voice.
Corvus sat up abruptly. “Oh really? You want to talk dirty?”
“Am I being too forward?” she asked cautiously.
“Girl, I will phone sex the hell out of you,” Corvus told her.
Miracle looked around her empty office then at her watch. “Uh, okay.”
******
Miracle jumped out of her car and ran towards the restaurant that Mrs. Shaw had indicated. She was late…all because of Corvus Shaw and his ‘phone sex talking’. She wiped her brow. Who knew that just talking about sex could do that to one’s body.
Corvus had taken her to a place that she didn’t know existed until today. His voice and words had set her ablaze and now she couldn’t wait to see him again, but first she had to sit across from the woman who’d raised him and make a good impression.
Stopping in the restroom, she checked her reflection to make sure she looked presentable. Miracle found Pam at the table, waiting for her. Pam stood and smiled.
“Miracle, I’m so glad you could make it.” She hugged her gently.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Miracle apologized.
Pam smiled and took her seat. “No worries. I did call at the last minute.”
Miracle sat across from the ethereal looking woman. “You look very beautiful.” Pam Shaw could easily pass for her son’s sister instead of their mother.
Pam smiled again. “Thank you, and so do you. You have a very beautiful energy.”
This time Miracle smiled. “Corvus tells me that.”
“He’s right. It emanates all around you,” Pam studied her. “You’re very special Miracle.”
Miracle flushed. “Thank you for saying so.”
Pam nodded and picked up her menu. “Lunch is on me, so please order whatever you like.”
“Thank you, that’s very nice of you.” Miracle picked up her own menu and began to look it over.
After they ordered food and beverages, Pam looked across the table. “So I’m not here to grill you,” she began and Miracle nodded.
“My sons do not mess around when they find their Goddesses and after Orion, I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter what I think.” Miracle held her breath and waited for her to continue.
She smiled at Miracle. “And I’ve also learned that they make excellent choices.”
Miracle exhaled. “I want you to know that Corvus is amazing.”
“He certainly thinks so,” Pam agreed and they both laughed.
“Yes, he is very self-assured,” Miracle added. “But I think that’s why I’m so enamored by him.”
Pam watched her for a moment. “What does your family think of your relationship?”
Miracle sighed and looked at the table. “My father is not in agreement and my mother says she just wants me to be happy.”
Pam nodded. “Your father is the Bishop, correct?”
“Yes, and my grandfather started the church.” Miracle explained. “My father wanted both me and my sister to marry a pastor.”
Pam smiled. “Well Corvus is as far from a pastor as one can get.”
“I know, that’s why I’m trying to be sure,” Miracle told her.
“Sure of what, honey?”
Miracle bit her lip. “That he’s the one and that I’m the one for him. We’re so different.”
Pam laughed. “Let me tell you a story...”
Miracle looked surprised as Pam continued.
“I was raised in the church as well. Orion and Corvus’ father was also in the church and that’s how we met, at a church picnic. I thought he was everything I’d prayed for. We married and everything was fine until I started learning about my history and culture. By the time Orion was born, everyone was telling him that we weren’t equally yoked because I was no longer tied to one ideal. We tried, but after Corvus was born, it didn’t work out. I learned then, that a man was simply a man.”
Pam looked out of the window. “After that, I was a broken woman. I swore I’d never fall for another man completely devoted to any belief system and unwilling to acknowledge anything else. If I couldn’t be who I was created to be and free to learn the meaning of this life, then I’d be alone.” She turned back to Miracle.
“Then one day I walked into an African Bookstore with my two little ones in tow and met my very own god. One Mr. George Shaw, made me his Goddess and raised my sons as his own. He didn’t care what I believed, he just loved me…” She took Miracle’s hand.
“Despite all of that, I have no ill will against anything or anyone associated with the church. In fact, I’ve learned there are more similarities than differences when one’s mind is opened. Energy, faith…prayers, meditation…God and Goddesses, God’s children. All opposite sides of the same coin.”
Miracle listened intently.
“It isn’t what a man professes to be to the world, it’s what he is when he’s alone with you, because that’s the truth that can’t be hidden…” Pam told her.
“So if you can love the man my son is…then you have nothing to be concerned about,” Pam finished releasing her hand. “Because he will never hurt you.”
She smiled at Miracle. “And now I’m done preaching.”
Miracle allowed her words to sink in. “Thank you Mrs. Shaw for sharing that with me.”
Pam shook her head. “I had not planned to do so, but I felt that you needed to hear it.”
“I really did,” Miracle agreed. “I’ve been so confused and afraid.”
“I’ve waited a long time for this one to fall in love,” Pam told her. “And I’m tired of making him breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
Miracle laughed. “He told me that you feed him.”
“I’m looking forward to handing that duty over,” Pam said picking up her water with lemon. “You can cook, right?”
“Yes, I love to cook and he likes my food. I’m also into a healthy lifestyle.”
Pam put a hand on her chest. “Thank the Universe!”
“You want babies?” Pam inquired.
Miracle flushed. “Yes, I want babies.”
Pam lifted her glass in the air. “Welcome to the family, Little Goddess.”
Miracle lifted her glass and they touched. “Thank you.”
“Ase’,” Pam said before taking a sip.
“Amen,” Miracle agreed, bringing her glass to her lips with a huge smile.