The night of their wedding reception, Corvus waited downstairs for Miracle to finish dressing. It was safer for his little wife, if they wanted to be present at the event. Sitting on the sofa, he reflected over the last few days. His father had come up with some interesting information that he planned to meet with the Negus about very soon.
Tonight, however, was his wife’s evening with all of their family and friends. She’d been excited the entire week about the gathering and he, too, was looking forward to it, because anything that made her happy, did the same for him.
“I’m ready,” Corvus heard the sweet voice and looked up.
He smiled and got to his feet. “Look at you,” he said as he walked over to stand before her.
“You like?” Miracle asked.
He shook his head and she looked down at herself. “What?”
Corvus lifted her face to his. “I don’t like…I love. You are so beautiful, Miracle Shaw.”
“I’m glad you think so Corvus Shaw.” She smiled at him. “Because I think you are too.”
Corvus stepped back and looked at the classy, little black dress that fit her curves and showed her toned body. Black stilettos covered her small feet.
“Do I have Faith to thank for this look?” he asked.
Miracle shook her head happily. “Nope, I did this all by myself.”
He turned her slowly in a full circle. “You did that.”
“So did you,” she looked him over slowly in a dark shirt, slacks and blazer.
Corvus brought her hand to his lips. “I want you to have a good time tonight. It’s your night Little Goddess.”
“It’s our night,” she corrected him.
“As soon as this land issue is settled, I’m taking you away,” Corvus said pulling her into his arms and Miracle rested her head on his chest.
“Somewhere warm, right?” she whispered.
“Mmm…hmmm, and if you’re not already pregnant…we’ll get started.”
She smiled against his heartbeat. “I hope that I am. I prayed…”
Lifting her face, he kissed her softly. “And I manifested, so we’re covered to have whatever we want.”
“Amen,” she kissed him again. “And Ase’.”
“Did I tell you that I love you today?” Corvus whispered against her mouth.
“Yes, this morning when we woke up, then at breakfast, and before I got dressed,” she answered wrapping her arms around him.
Corvus tasted her lips. “Just so you know.”
She laughed softly, then touched his jaw. “And I love you.”
“You just want me for my body,” he teased her.
Miracle ran a hand down his strong neck and across his broad chest. “I think I do.”
Corvus laughed. “Let’s get to this party, so you can have it when we get home.”
Inside his car, Miracle turned to him. “I have a surprise for you tonight.”
“Does it involve being naked?”
Miracle blushed and shook her head. “No, it does not.”
“Okay…” he said disappointed.
She chuckled. “Maybe later.”
“Definitely later.”
At the venue, Corvus escorted her inside with a hand on her waist. When Miracle stepped inside, she froze and her mouth fell open. The huge banquet room was beautifully decorated from floor to ceiling in extravagant detail. Arrangements of various colors of orchids filled the room. She continued to look around at the huge buffet in one corner along with a towering wedding cake.
On the other side of the room, Miracle saw a table filled with gifts from their registry. She turned to Corvus. “This is incredible. I never expected anything so lavish.”
He looked around the room, then down at her. “With my mother and the Nigist…I’m surprised there wasn’t a horse and carriage outside.”
“Don’t speak too soon,” Pam said as she greeted them at the door.
She hugged Miracle tightly. “Welcome, my daughter.”
“Everything is so beautiful,” Miracle whispered with emotion.
Pam looked at her. “Just like you.” She turned to Corvus. “Hello, my son.”
They embraced before he kissed her cheek. “Thank you Momma. This is amazing.”
She smiled. “Betty and the Nigist also get credit.”
“Is my mother here?” Miracle asked.
“She went home to get dressed,” Pam relayed. “She’ll be back with your father shortly.”
Miracle looked at Pam. “Well, you look beautiful as well.”
Pam smiled. “Thank you. George has been complimenting me all evening.”
“That’s where you get it from?” Miracle asked Corvus.
“Yep, me and Daddy know exquisite beauty when we see it,” he said kissing her forehead.
Pam watched the couple thinking that they would be just fine. Miracle was just what her son needed because she challenged him to be the man she’d raised him to be. A man who knew who he was, and because of that, was able to love this woman who was also much stronger in who she was than she realized.
“The guests will be arriving soon,” Pam told them. “Take a look around at everything while it’s still quiet. This place will be packed before you know it.”
Corvus took Miracle’s hand and led her around the room. “Did you tell them about the orchids?” she asked.
“I’ve got a few surprises of my own for you tonight.”
She smiled brightly as they continued past the food to where the several-layered white cake stood tall. Miracle glanced at Corvus. “Wow, look at this…”
He swiped a bit of the icing from the bottom and held it to her lips.
“Corvus! What are you doing?” Miracle asked looking around.
“Taste it,”
“I don’t think we’re supposed to touch it yet,” she explained and he frowned.
“It’s our cake.”
She looked around again. “If we get in trouble, it’s your fault.”
“Okay, taste it and see if you like it,” He held his finger to her lips and she opened her mouth slowly. Their eyes connected as she licked the buttercream and tasted it inside her mouth. Corvus watched with a dark gaze as she licked her lips.
“Is it good?” he asked.
“Yes,” she answered softly.
“Let me taste it,” Corvus said before lowering his head and tasting both the icing and her mouth.
Mr. and Mrs. Chapman entered the ballroom and immediately spotted the couple in their ardent embrace.
The Bishop turned to his wife. “He’s very demonstrative with her,” he commented.
Betty smiled and continued to watch them. “Yes, he is and she loves it.”
The Bishop stared at Betty before she headed off to check on things. He then walked over to the couple, who remained in their own world until he cleared his throat.
Corvus looked up and contained his frown. “Bishop Chapman.”
Miracle smiled. “Hi Daddy.”
The Bishop nodded and looked around the room. “This is impressive.”
“It’s amazing!” Miracle said happily as she turned to look at her husband. “I couldn’t have imagined anything more.”
He hugged his daughter. “You deserve it Miracle.”
“Thank you Daddy.” Miracle saw her mother with Pam and they waved her over. “I’m going to see what our mothers need.”
Corvus kissed her temple. “Okay, Little Goddess.”
Both men watched her walk away then turned to one another.
“Thank you for coming,” Corvus told him.
“I wouldn’t miss this night.” Bishop Chapman said. “I want to thank you for agreeing to donate your registry items to church members in need.”
“Miracle and I wanted to give back, so half of the items will go to your church and the other half to the Pride Center,” Corvus explained. “We have everything we need, so it just made sense.”
“It’s very generous of you both,”
Corvus shrugged. “I got everything I needed in Miracle.”
The Bishop nodded. “I want to pay for your honeymoon, since I didn’t get to cover her wedding.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Corvus protested.
“Please, this is my daughter.”
Corvus paused. “She wants to go somewhere tropical.”
“Just tell me where.”
“I understand that your church is in some financial difficulties. Miracle wouldn’t want you going out of your way,” Corvus said quietly.
Sighing, the Bishop answered. “Yes, some things have gotten out of control, but I’m on top of them now.”
Rubbing his beard, Corvus looked at the man. “Look, Bishop Chapman, I’m just going to be honest with you…I have issues with you trying to build a larger church, when you have one that doesn’t serve the community around you at all.”
The Bishop froze. “I think you’re mistaken. We offer bible study, youth classes, and a gospel choir.”
“I’m sure your members enjoy them and that’s great, but what about the people who live across the street? The ones who have never set foot in the doors of your beautiful, expanding church? What about the people who sit on their porches with empty refrigerators watching your members drive right by them in their Sunday best?”
“We’re saving souls, Corvus. God’s children are to give up worldly things and seek the kingdom,” he explained.
Corvus nodded. “If that’s what you truly believe, then why are you building a bigger church? Why do you and your wife have two luxury cars and live in an affluent suburb? Are you not charged to also give up these worldly things?”
“You know not what you speak of son,” the Bishop replied.
“Please enlighten me.”
The two men stood looking at one another for a silent moment.
“We should continue this discussion at another time,” the Bishop conceded. “Tonight is your celebration with my daughter.”
Corvus nodded. “I agree.”
“Does Miracle know your view on this?”
“Yes, she does.”
Bishop Chapman lifted a brow. “Hmmmm…”
“It’s everyone’s duty to make sure we’re all taken care of, regardless of beliefs or status because when a black man, woman or child is killed in the streets, a part of all of us dies. If we continue to let religion, skin tone, money or anything else to divide us, we all remain vulnerable to the atrocities that we face every day.” Corvus told him firmly as George Shaw joined them.
He hugged his son. “Congratulations son. You have a beautiful Goddess.”
Corvus smiled. “Thanks, I learned how to pick them from the best.”
He turned to the Bishop. “Bishop Chapman have you met my father, George Shaw?”
“No, I have not.” He stuck out his hand. “Joel Chapman, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Mr. Chapman. You have a lovely daughter and we’re happy to welcome her into the family,” George greeted.
“I’m going to get my wife before she tries to start doing everything around here,” Corvus said, then nodded at both men.
“Your son has interesting views,” Bishop Chapman told George after Corvus walked away.
“Which views would those be?” George asked.
“What exactly are your beliefs?”
George nodded. “Khemetic.”
The Bishop looked confused. “What denomination is that? I’m not familiar.”
George smiled. “It’s not a religion. It’s our Way of Life. We believe that everyone should have access to those things that are necessary to physically survive…food, resources and shelter. It is our duty to make sure our children and our community has these vital basics.”
“What about preparation for the life hereafter?” the Bishop questioned.
“How can one be prepared for a life hereafter, if they have no life now?” George answered.
The Bishop glanced over to where Corvus again held Miracle in his arms while she smiled up at him. George followed his gaze then looked back at him.
“He will love and protect her from anyone,” George told him pointedly.
“I’ve gathered that.” Bishop Chapman commented. “He’s a strong man.”
George looked at Corvus again. “He’s my son.”
Guests began to arrive and greet the new couple with hugs and smiles, and Miracle was swept up in the excitement of the evening. Never in her life had she been the center of such attention. She was used to being the one in the background and happy to serve everyone else. Her mother, mother-in-law and the Nigist had taken care of every detail to create this remarkable event.
Corvus approached her with the handsomest little boy in tow. They both smiled at her as they reached her side.
“Miracle, this is my godson, Kyros Lewis.”
Kyros held out his hand like the little man that he was. “It’s nice to meet you Auntie Miracle.”
Miracle looked surprised. “Khalil already explained everything to him.”
She nodded and took his hand and smiled. “And it is my pleasure to meet you Kyros. You are very handsome.”
“Thank you,” he responded politely and turned to Corvus with a smile.
“She’s a real pretty girl, Uncle Corvus.”
Corvus winked. “I told you.”
Miracle looked between the two and shook her head. She conversed with Kyros a little more before he took off to check on his new baby sister, who he guarded like a watch dog.
“He’s so cute,” Miracle commented.
“And so smart it’s scary sometimes,” Corvus informed her.
“Is he going to come spend the day with us?” she asked.
Corvus nodded. “Soon, that’s cool with you, right?”
“Of course, I love kids.” Miracle took his hand. “Thank you though, for checking with me first.”
“I had some good advice.”
The Nigist showed up and Corvus threw his head back. “What do y’all want?”
“Miracle needs to get ready for her surprise and we have to swear her in,” Khayla answered.
“Swear her into what?” Corvus asked confused.
“As an official Nigist,” Danielle explained.
Corvus shook his head. “I swear, y’all be doing the most.”
Tauri took Miracle’s hand. “Come on, we have everything set up.”
As she was whisked away, Miracle smiled back at her husband as he stood frowning at the group. He turned to where Faith stood with Dante and he could see the mischievous look on her face. Quickly, Corvus made his way over to them.
“What’s up Faith?”
“What?” she asked slyly.
“What’s going on?” Corvus asked and Dante also looked at his wife.
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Yeah, she does.” Dante corrected. “I know that look on her face.”
Faith laughed. “Don’t worry, Miracle never goes too far.” She shrugged. “Well at least not as far as I’d go.” Dante smiled at her and nodded.
“Testing, testing…” Corvus turned as he heard Miracle’s voice over the speaker system. “May I please have everyone’s attention?”
Corvus looked back at Faith who was literally beaming as she looked at her sister standing in front of the large crowd.
“Go Miracle!” she screamed and her parents turned to her.
“First, I’d like to thank all of you for coming to celebrate my blessing. I’d like to thank my mother, Mrs. Shaw, my sister Faith and my Nigist sisters,” Miracle said clearly as the Nigist clapped happily.
“Most of all, I want to thank the man who has literally changed my life.” She paused and took a deep breath.
“This will probably be the first and only time I sing to him in public, but tonight I want to show him just how much he means to me,” she finished with a flush.
“Growing up, my sister and I were only allowed to listen to gospel, but we also lived in Detroit, so we heard music everywhere and the first time I heard this song, I wondered what could make a woman sing a song like that to a man…and now I know.”
“It’s an old song by a Detroit legend and I hope that I do it justice…”
“Kill it Miracle!” Faith shouted again.
Miracle smiled. “I love my sister.”
“I love you too!”
Miracle sought Corvus out in the crowd. “Corvus Shaw, you’re my Angel…”
The music to Anita Baker’s classic began to play and Miracle lowered her head and closed her eyes and lifted her hand while holding on to the mic with the other one. Once she lifted it to her mouth the crowd was amazed.
Corvus stepped forward to stand before her as she gave her tribute to him. She sang with all of her heart as her eyes connected with his. Her small hand fisted and released through the notes as she swayed slowly to the beat.
Everyone in the room felt the emotion that Miracle put into the song and her love for Corvus. For his part, Corvus stood shaken to his core listening to this angel sing her heart out to him. To say he was stunned, was an understatement and although he’d heard her sing before, he had no idea she could blow like this. Anita would be proud the way she killed the last verse after the break.
Love the way we touch, I love the way it feels
Every time you're near me my poor heart just won't keep still
No doubt about that this love I feel is real
Ask me to go with you, you know I will
Hold me near, hold me tight
Only you can make it real, only you make it all right
Just let me know that I am special to you
My angel
Oh, angel
You're my angel
Oh, angel
Miracle finished to a rousing round of applause and smiled out at the group. “Thank you,” she said quietly. Corvus made his way to stand in front of her and before she could blink, she was bent across his arm with his mouth on hers and the mic she was holding, hit the floor.
Pam turned to Rion and Lance. “Go get him.”
“Go Corvus!” Both Faith and Dante yelled as the crowd continued to clap for them.
Betty turned to the Bishop with a smile and he looked at her slowly while Rion and Lance went up front and stood in front of the couple.
“I think the food is ready,” Rion announced after picking up the forgotten microphone. “So everybody can disperse and start eating.”
After the crowd turned and was ushered away by the women, Lance turned back to the couple.
“Corvus, let the woman breathe,” he told him. “You got like a hundred people in here, man.”
Miracle opened her eyes and looked up into sexy, dark ones. “You like to surprise me,” Corvus told her.
“I told you I was,” she whispered. “You should let me up.”
Corvus stood her upright and looked down at her with his hands on her waist. “I don’t have words for how amazing you are,” he told her.
“She’s amazing and you’re surprised,” Rion told him. “Now, chill out before our Momma, Miracle’s Daddy and all these church people here, have heart attacks.”
“And there are kids here,” Lance told him.
Corvus looked at his brother. “Thanks, now go away. I got this.”
Lance looked skeptical. “You sure?”
“Can I talk to my wife?” Corvus motioned between him and Miracle.
“Talk dude,” Rion told him.
Corvus repeated. “I. Got. This.”
Lance and Rion went to join their families and Corvus turned back to his wife who was smiling at him. “You are going to give these people heart attacks.”
He pulled her close. “Then my Little Goddess shouldn’t be so beautiful, sexy and talented. From now on, you just sing to me in private.”
“Why is that?” Miracle whispered.
He leaned down to her ear. “Because after every time, I’m going to thank you…”
“Like you wanted to thank me right now?”
Corvus kissed her neck and groaned as he pulled her closer. Miracle cradled the back of his head and sighed as she felt the evidence of passion.
“We’d better get some food,” she said breathlessly.
“I thought you prefer this over food,” he reminded.
Miracle threw her head back. “The food’s for you.”
Corvus laughed and released her reluctantly. “Tell me now if you have any more public surprises for me.”
Miracle shook her head. “None in public.”
He nodded and took her hand. “Let’s eat.”
They found their seats facing everyone and Miracle blushed as the Negus gave Corvus some head nods and Faith flashed two thumbs up. The table was set beautifully with pink orchids adoring the table. Corvus seated her and took the chair next to her before leaning over to kiss her.
“I think you’re supposed to wait until they clink the glasses,” Miracle told him.
Corvus picked up his butter knife and clinked the glass in front of him.
“Corvus…” Miracle looked at him before he kissed her again.
After that, the Negus, Nigist, Dante and Faith created a musical parade of glass clinking until Pam stood up. “Can they eat please?”
Corvus ran a thumb across his lips as he stared at Miracle. “I love you,” she whispered.
“Now I have to kiss you again,” he said before doing exactly that.
“Your mother is going to kill you,” Miracle said against his lips.
“Nah, she’s wants some baby grand-goddesses,” Corvus told her.
Miracle smiled. “I do too.”
“I’ll work on that later,”
Lance stood and lifted his glass to give a toast. “Everybody knows that me and Corvus are closer than brothers.” He looked over at Rion. “No offense.”
“None taken,” Rion told him, holding his oldest son.
“Anyway, we’ve been through just about everything together. Even when he left and went to college, we never missed a beat. Everybody knows that Corvus talks so much smack…” The crowd agreed.
Lance looked at Miracle. “But sometimes he’s right because he said that he was going to find a beautiful, smart, and sweet Goddess…and he did. To Corvus and Miracle, may you manifest everything that you want in life and all your kids look like their mother.”
The group laughed as Corvus frowned.
“Thank you Lance,” Miracle said happily.
“Yeah, thanks Lance.” Corvus told him.
The Negus took their turns toasting the couple and a few others. When the Bishop stood the room became silent.
He cleared his throat before he began in his authoritative voice. “Miracle and Corvus. I pray that your union will be strong. Proverbs 31: – Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
Corvus listened as Miracle recited the words along with her father and turned to her while her father finished his toast.
“May you have love and peace all of your days together,” he finished and took his seat as Betty smiled at him.
Miracle watched as Corvus stood and looked down at her. He lifted his glass and began, “I have to give a toast to this woman who slayed me from the beginning and will for the rest of my life. I tell her I love her several times a day, because I simply can’t help myself. Her smile knocks me off my feet, so I watch her when she sleeps, just to be able to absorb how beautiful she is both inside and out.”
Miracle bit her lip as she felt a tear fall down her cheek while she listened quietly.
“Her energy is so kind and loving that I never want to leave her side. I want to hold her hands and kiss her soft lips forever. I want to hear her prayers and know her dreams, so that I can make them all a reality for her.”
“Miracle Shaw is my angel. She is the one that I asked for, the one that I prepared for, and the one that I will love for the rest of my life.”
He lifted his glass. “To my Little Goddess…”
Miracle stood and hugged him with tears streaming down her face as everyone stood and clapped. She kissed him slowly until he pulled back and stroked her face, wiping away the dampness.
“Don’t cry, baby,”
“I’ve never been this happy,” she whispered softly.
He smiled at her. “Then it’s my job to top this, every day.”