Corvus sat across from Bishop Chapman in his study. He watched as the Bishop steepled his fingers with his elbows resting on his desk.
“Mr. Shaw…”
“You can call me Corvus,”
The Bishop nodded. “Okay…” He paused to gather his thoughts.
“Miracle is special to me,” the Bishop began. “After Faith got married, I vowed that the man who got Miracle would be someone I handpicked. He’d be a man of faith because she wouldn’t be unequally yoked.”
Corvus listened quietly as Miracle’s father continued. “He’d be instrumental in the church and he’d love it just like I did. Miracle would be the perfect wife and eventual First Lady.”
The Bishop took a deep breath. “But then you came into the picture,” he gave a short laugh. “I find it ironic that I am the one who was instrumental in your meeting her.”
Corvus rubbed his chin and watched the man behind the desk.
“You’re not in any way, shape or form the man I’d choose for my daughter, based on mere appearances,” Bishop Chapman continued quietly.
“Yet, I can’t look into her face and deny that she is completely in love with you.”
Corvus watched as the Bishop stood to his feet and walked to the window. “Betty looked at me like that when we got married and she’s hardly looked at me like that again, until today.”
Corvus lifted a brow and remained seated.
“I saw my daughter today as the spitting image of her mother. A strong, beautiful loving woman who deserves to be loved.”
Standing to his feet, Corvus spoke. “I’ve waited my whole life for Miracle. You named her correctly because that is exactly what she is to me. When I found her, I found my everything.”
Bishop Chapman turned to him. “I thought that Emanuel would change once he became a husband. He’d settle down and become the man I thought he could be, but I see now that he wasn’t worthy of my Miracle.”
Corvus agreed. “I thought you were going to punch him in the face.”
“If he’d said another word, it might’ve progressed to that level. However, I’ll leave that to you young men.” The Bishop said pointedly.
“He won’t continue to disrespect my wife without consequences,” Corvus vowed.
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay…says the Lord.” Bishop Chapman quoted.
Corvus smiled. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth…”
“You are familiar with the Word?” The Bishop asked.
“I am well versed in many beliefs,” Corvus explained. “My parents taught us who we are and they also taught us about everyone around us, because we all must exist here together in this Universe.”
The Bishop studied him. “You will support her in what she believes?”
Corvus nodded. “Of course,” he agreed. “I may not adopt them for myself, but she is entitled to be who she wants to be.”
“You will be faithful to her?”
Corvus rubbed his bearded face. “In the past, I indulged…more than a little, but over the past year, I’ve made a lot of changes in preparation for my Little Goddess. I have a home for her and finances to provide very well for our family.”
Joel nodded. “I understand that you are very successful in your own right even with your brother being Orion Shaw.”
Corvus nodded. “Yeah, my big brother is a legend and he’s always been there for me.”
“And you’ve forged your own path outside of his,” Joel commented.
“I’m still competitive though,” Corvus confessed.
The Bishop smiled. “Nothing wrong with that.”
Corvus walked to where the Bishop stood. “You have nothing to worry about when it comes to Miracle. You have my word that nothing will touch her.” He held out his hand.
Joel looked at the outstretched hand then at the man it belonged to. “I’ll always be her father.”
Corvus nodded. “And she’ll always love you for that.”
The two men shook hands solidly then stood staring at one another in the eye.
“I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to give her away,” the Bishop said pointedly.
“I understand, and your wife along with my family are planning a reception this week for us to formally announce our nuptials,” Corvus explained. “I hope you will be there.”
“My wife?” the Bishop asked perplexed. “She knew about this?”
“Yes, and she gave the blessing for the both of you.”
The Bishop smiled. “My Betty, she never ceases to amaze me even after thirty years.”
“I hope to say the same about my Miracle after thirty years,” Corvus told him.
“Let’s not keep them waiting,” Joel announced and Corvus agreed.
The two men began walking towards the door when the Bishop paused. “We’ll have to do something about Emanuel.”
“I’ll see him soon.”
Joel turned to him. “I assume he’ll be needing more ice.”
“We’re past ice.”
******
When the men entered the kitchen both women looked up in anticipation.
“Well?” Betty asked.
Corvus shook his head sadly. “He won’t let me keep you.”
Miracle’s eyes widened. “What?”
Both she and Betty looked between the two men.
“There’s no way I’m letting my daughter go,” the Bishop added, giving Corvus a look.
The stunned women rushed over to the men.
“Corvus?”
“Joel?”
Corvus looked down at Miracle and touched her anxious face. “So we’re going to share you.”
Miracle immediately punched him in the chest. “What is wrong with you?”
He laughed and pulled her into his arms. “I’m in love.”
Betty looked at her husband with a smile. “And when did your sense of humor reappear?”
Joel stared at his wife. “The same time that beautiful smile did.”
Betty looked away. “Joel, there are kids here.”
Those ‘kids’ were now locked in a passionate embrace and kiss.
“I don’t think we embarrassed them,” the Bishop told her.
Corvus lifted his head and Miracle caresses his jaw. “Don’t do that.”
“I didn’t think your father would play along,” Corvus told her.
Miracle turned to her parents. “Thank you Daddy.”
“This young man doesn’t give a person much choice,”
“I know,” Miracle looked back up at Corvus. “He’s so persuasive.”
Corvus kissed her forehead and held her close to his heart.
“So can we eat now?” Betty asked turning to lead everyone into the dining room.
“Your Momma can cook right?” Corvus whispered to Miracle on the way.
She laughed. “Yes, my love…my Momma can cook and I’d never let you starve.”
******
After lunch and seeing Miracle off, Corvus headed to his next appointment with Malachi. At the Private Investigator’s office, Corvus sat across from him.
“What do we have?” Corvus asked.
Malachi pulled out a file and sighed. “This is going deep Corvus. You’ve attracted some big wigs on this one.”
“Large scale hotel developer. From my understanding, they’re going to try to make some type of deal with the city once they get the land. It seems like the strategy is to get you into some trouble to force you to sell or get the land seized. Their reach is long and wide and I’m pretty sure they tipped off HUD.”
Corvus frowned. “Damn.”
“I know, with that area growing in popularity…that land is a gold mine for whoever gets their hands on it,” Malachi explained then paused.
He patted the desk for a moment then delivered the rest.
“Congratulations on your wedding,” he told Corvus.
“Thanks,” Corvus said with a look, waiting for what he knew was about to come.
“The people who want your land also want your wife’s church. Apparently they’ve overextended themselves trying to expand and are vulnerable right now,” Malachi explained.
Corvus sighed and wiped his face. “Shit…”
“There are going to be a lot of backdoor deals and bribes to get to you,” Malachi relayed. “You can’t trust anybody right now.”
“I never do,” Corvus affirmed.
Malachi nodded. “How will this affect your wife?”
“I’ll find out tonight,” Corvus said sitting back in his chair.
“Well the pressure will be hitting soon. Expect to see your name in the papers,” Malachi told him. “Get your lawyer on standby.”
Malachi closed the file. “And with your wife’s connections to the church, she won’t be off limits.”
“She’s strong and she’ll do what’s necessary.”
“Well, I’ll keep you updated,” Malachi told him. “Be prepared.”
“I am…”
Corvus departed the meeting and went out to his car where he called his best friend and confidante.
“What up doe?” Lance answered.
“Man, I just met with Malachi about this land,”
“What’s going on?”
Corvus started his car. “A big ass hotel chain is after the land and they want Miracle’s church. Malachi says that people will be getting paid off left and right to make this happen.”
“What do we need to do?” Lance questioned.
“I gotta make sure all my shit is in order,” Corvus told him.
“Let’s meet up and talk about it,” Lance offered. “I’m at the barbershop right now.”
“Cool, meet me at the house because I want to be home when Miracle gets there.”
Lance laughed. “Look at you, sounding all like a husband.”
“Meet me at the house.” Corvus frowned and ended the call. He drove to the florist to pick up some orchids for Miracle before braving the traffic on the drive home. He sat stuck on the freeway and called Lance back.
“Hey, I’m stuck in traffic, but I’ll be there shortly.” Corvus explained. “Miracle is showing a house, so she’ll be in a little later.”
“How long you been in traffic?” Lance questioned.
“I stopped to get some flowers first,” Corvus told him.
“Damn, don’t tell Katydids that.”
Corvus shook his head. “I’ll see you in a minute.”
Corvus arrived at his home and saw Miracle’s car as Lance pulled up right behind him, and the two met on the sidewalk.
“Miracle must’ve finished early,” Corvus commented.
Lance looked at the flowers in his hand. “You want to hook up later?”
“Nah, this won’t take long and I need to tell her about this too.”
Lance agreed and they headed inside. Corvus walked in with Lance following and called out for his wife.
“Miracle?” Corvus called her name.
When she appeared, three things happened simultaneously.
“Oh my God!” Miracle screamed and covered herself.
“Oh, damn!” Lance said and quickly turned his back, covering his face.
“What the hell?” Corvus shouted and ran to cover his nearly naked wife, quickly sitting the flowers aside.
Lance walked straight to the front exit. “We’ll holla later,” he said opening the door. “Sorry Miracle.”
The door closed quickly and Corvus looked down at his trembling wife.
“I’m sorry, I thought you were alone,” she cried.
Corvus rubbed her bare back. “No baby, I should’ve told you I was bringing Lance with me.”
“I’m so embarrassed,” Miracle said covering her face. “I can never face Lance again.”
“It’s okay,” Corvus soothed and gently removed her hands then held them out to her sides to see her ensemble.
His gaze turned appreciative as he looked her over. “Nothing but an apron, huh?”
Miracle sniffed. “I’m going to kill Faith.”
Corvus continued to admire the tiny apron that showed all of her thighs and the sides of her breasts. He walked around her and saw her naked ass and groaned.
“Faith is a freak,” he commented.
Miracle turned to him wiping her face. “You think?”
“Don’t cry,” he said softly wiping her damp cheeks. “You look so sexy…without the tears.”
“This went so wrong,” Miracle said placing her forehead against his chest.
Corvus cradled her naked cheeks. “Don’t speak too soon.”
Miracle looked up at him. “You told me to walk around naked,” she accused.
“Not in front of my friends though,”
“Not funny, Corvus.”
He smiled. “Now I know that my little freaky wife might pop out butt-ass naked, I won’t bring anyone home without telling you first.”
“I wanted to surprise you,”
Corvus pulled her close. “Oh baby, you did and I like it.”
“You like it?” she asked hesitantly.
He lifted her and wrapped her legs around his waist. “Oh yes, you’re so soft and warm.”
Miracle looped her arms around his neck as he kissed her.
“Welcome home,” she breathed against his mouth.
Corvus’ mouth moved to her neck and Miracle arched back in his arms. She glanced over and saw the forgotten bouquet.
“Oh, you brought me flowers…thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He looked back at her face. “Thank you for my surprise.”
She smiled. “You deserved it for winning my Daddy over.”
“I told you it would be fine,” he reminded her.
Miracle kissed his jaw. “You’re so confident.”
Corvus began walking and she held on. “I made your dinner too,” she whispered as they moved down the hall.
“I thought you had a showing tonight,” Corvus said glancing down at her.
“They cancelled so I came home to get things ready for my husband,” she explained.
Corvus lifted a brow as he reached their bedroom. “Is it ready?”
He laid her on the bed and stood staring down at her.
“I think you should check,” Miracle said quietly. “You know how you do that.”
Corvus kicked off his shoes. “You enjoy how I check?”
Miracle laid back and let her legs fall apart. “I did in Vegas.”
Removing his shirt, he stared at what she’d revealed. “Let’s see how it feels in Detroit.”
“There’s no place like the ‘D’,” she boasted.
“Yeah, tell me about it.” Corvus sighed and Miracle lifted her arms to him. Silently, he laid with his head on her chest as she enfolded him.
“What’s the matter?” Miracle asked concerned.
“This damn land,” he said as she began to rub his head.
“What did Malachi say?”
Corvus closed his eyes. “That some hotel developer wants the land and is willing to do some dirty dealing to get it.”
Miracle looked surprised. “Has someone made you an offer on it?”
“No, I think it was already known that I don’t sell to developers unless it’s something community based,” he explained.
“So they’re going to try to get you to relinquish it in another way…”
“Looks like it,”
Miracle rubbed his face. “What can you do?”
“Malachi says I should get my attorney together because some slanderous things may start appearing.”
“What?”
Corvus lifted his head and looked at her. “They’re also coming after your father’s church.”
Miracle sat up immediately. “The church?”
He nodded and sat up. “Your church’s land sits right next to mine and apparently they want all of it.”
“But they can’t take my Daddy’s church,” she looked at him. “Can they?”
Corvus sighed. “Malachi says the church has overextended themselves trying to expand and may be vulnerable to selling.”
She jumped from the bed. “No, that can’t happen. That’s my parent’s whole life.”
Corvus went to her and pulled her into his arms. “I’m going to talk to your father and see what we can do.”
“I told them not to try to expand right now,” Miracle said shaking her head. “But Emanuel was so adamant.”
Corvus lifted her face to his. “Listen, this is probably going to get real dirty and they may come after you too, since it’s your father’s church.”
“Come after me how?” Miracle questioned.
“Any way they can,” Corvus told her. “This is big money, Miracle.”
She put her hands to her head. “This is crazy. I have to pray.”
Miracle moved to the bed and dropped to her knees while clutching her hands together. She closed her eyes and began to pray aloud.
Corvus looked down at her naked back and butt then raised his eyes to the ceiling.
“Corvus,”
Returning his attention to her, he saw that she was holding out a hand.
“Please, pray with me…” she whispered.
Hearing her anxiety, he nodded and took her outstretched hand then kissed it as he knelt beside her. Miracle squeezed his hand and closed her eyes as she began to pray again.
“Dear Lord, please protect my family, my husband and my parents, whom I love so much. Protect your church and all the people there. Help me to be strong to fend off our enemies and stop any weapon formed against us. Amen.”
She opened her eyes and turned to Corvus. “Ase’.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I needed you, even though I know that this isn’t your practice.”
Corvus touched her face. “Miracle, I’m always here for you. Your prayers are my meditations because we’re seeking the exact same thing.”
She smiled softly. “Everything will be alright.”
“I know,” Corvus leaned over to kiss her before untying her apron. “Now get in that bed…”
*******
Emanuel was furious as he walked down the hall to the Bishop’s office. How dare she! Miracle had now made her bed and she’d be forced to lie in it…with that heathen! She’d shamed herself and her family in addition to embarrassing him. There would be hell to pay for this.
He knocked on the door and heard the Bishop’s call to enter. Once inside he walked over to the large desk and took a seat in front of the man who was supposed to become his father-in-law.
“Bishop Chapman,”
“Emanuel, we need to talk.”
Emanuel lifted a hand. “There’s no need for you to apologize sir. Miracle has just gotten out of hand.”
The Bishop lifted a dark brow. “I wasn’t going to apologize. In fact, you should be the one apologizing to both me and my family.”
“No disrespect sir, but your family, specifically your daughter, has made me a laughingstock by running off to marry another man. A man she just met, mind you.” Emanuel replied.
“Miracle has made her own decision and although I may not have agreed, she is happy.” Bishop Chapman rested his hands on the table. “Which is more than I can say when she was with you.”
“My concern was Miracle’s salvation and that she remained pure and chaste until marriage,” Emanuel argued.
The Bishop nodded. “Which she did.”
“You can’t be sure of that,” Emanuel argued. “Corvus Shaw doesn’t care about women’s virtues.”
“Corvus Shaw loves my daughter and she loves him, and that, I can be sure of.”
Emanuel frowned. “Bishop, how can you accept this when you know that Miracle was promised to me?”
“Do you love my daughter, Emanuel?”
“What?”
The Bishop took a breath and repeated his question. “Do you love Miracle?”
“Miracle is the wife I wanted and needed,” Emanuel answered.
“So the answer is no…”
Emanuel looked concerned. “My first love is the church.”
“So my daughter was to receive nothing from you?” Bishop Chapman asked.
“I was going to be her Head and lead her.”
The Bishop shook his head. “Emanuel, a woman still needs your love and affection.”
“I know that Miracle was upset about the church Assistant and I apologized for that. She didn’t have to do this,” he insisted.
“This wasn’t in retaliation,” the Bishop assured him. “That’s not Miracle.”
Emanuel threw his hands up. “Then what was it?”
The Bishop sighed. “Apparently, she found someone who appreciates how special she is.”
“He’s going to cheat on her,” Emanuel said firmly.
“You sound as if you hope that he does,” Bishop Chapman pointed out.
Emanuel’s eyes narrowed. “It would be what she deserves.”
“Why, because she didn’t marry you?” the Bishop questioned.
“Because she didn’t do God’s will!”
Bishop Chapman stood. “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall…” he quoted sternly.
“A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones…” Emanuel returned grimly.
“Stay away from Miracle,” the Bishop warned plainly. “You have no more business with her.”
Emanuel stood to his feet. “My business is not concluded until we get that land and expand the church.”
“The land is off the table for the time being,” the Bishop announced.
“What? Since when?”
“Since today,” the Bishop answered. “Corvus has taken the land off the market.”
Emanuel frowned. “What did Miracle do?”
“Why are you accusing Miracle of anything?”
“She married him and now all of a sudden the land is off the market? She has to have something to do with it!”
Shaking his head, the Bishop responded. “Let this go, Emanuel before you force me to do something drastic.”
“Who has been by your side Bishop? Who has seen your vision and done everything possible to make it a reality? Me!” Emanuel told him. “And I’m not going to be tossed aside like an afterthought.”
“I helped build this church up and you’re not just going to kick me out!” Emanuel protested.
“Go home Emanuel,” the Bishop told him. “Go home and pray.”
Emanuel paused and held the Bishop’s stare. Eventually, he nodded and said, “Yes, Bishop, I will do that.”
Turning he walked to the door, then looked back. “You and Miracle should do the same.”
Bishop Chapman frowned as Emanuel walked out the door. When it opened and minute later, he smiled and watched the woman cross the room.
“How did it go?” Betty asked.
“Not well,” the Bishop answered and took her hand. “I don’t think he’s going to let this go.”
She squeezed his hand. “Is he upset with Miracle?”
He nodded. “Very much so.”
“What should we do?” she asked anxiously.
Bishop Chapman brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. “We must watch and pray…”