Inside the car, Corvus glanced over at his angry Little Goddess. Her arms were folded tightly as she stared out of the window to avoid looking at him. To say that he didn’t like this treatment was certainly an understatement. The fire that she possessed was now burning him as he felt her anger surrounding them.
“Miracle,”
“I do not want to speak with you right now Corvus.”
He looked at the back of her head. “I didn’t think you would be angry.”
Slowly, she turned to him and lifted her brow. “And exactly what did you think Corvus, hmmm?”
Hearing her tone made him pause. “I thought that you’d be happy.”
“You thought that I’d be happy that you gave me the land that’s in the middle of all this controversy?” she asked confused.
Corvus pulled up in front of their home and parked the car. Cutting the engine, he turned to her. “Like I’ve tried to explain, I gave you the land because I trust you to do what’s right with it.”
“What’s right?” she exclaimed. “Why do people always expect me to be the one who does everything right?”
Miracle jumped out of the car and began walking towards her own car, before Corvus caught up to her.
“Where are you going?” he asked, standing in front of her.
“I’m going to my house,” she told him stiffly. “I need to get some things.”
Corvus frowned. “I thought you already brought everything you needed.”
“Are you going to stop me?” Miracle asked folding her arms.
He stepped back to give her some space. “Okay baby, let’s go in the house and deal with this then I’ll take you to pick up your stuff.”
“Just let me go and I’ll be back,” she persisted.
Corvus rubbed his neck. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” she demanded.
“Because I’m not about to let my whole life, drive off angry.” He stepped closer and she looked up at him.
“Why did you do this?” she whispered sadly.
Corvus pulled her into his arms. “Come inside and let me tell you,” he pleaded.
A tense minute passed before Miracle reluctantly agreed. Quietly, Corvus took her hand and led her to the door before stopping to open it. As she walked inside, Corvus glanced back out at the street and saw his father arriving.
He grimaced and shook his head. “Shit.”
Miracle turned back. “What?”
“My father is here and I need to talk to him right quick,” he informed her.
“Take your time, I didn’t want to speak with you right now, anyway.” Corvus watched her disappear inside and close the door. He walked down to his father’s car and climbed inside the passenger seat.
George looked at his son. “What happened?”
Corvus rubbed his head. “I think we’re about to have our first fight.”
“What did you do?”
He turned to his father. “How do you know it’s me?”
“Because you’re my son.”
Corvus shook his head. “Daddy, I might have messed up.”
George looked surprised. “And you’re admitting it? Wow, she’s changed you already…for the better.”
“She’s mad at me and now that I think about it, I can understand why,” Corvus explained. “Miracle has spent her whole life having to always do what was expected of her and to do the ‘right’ thing, whether they were her choices or not.”
Corvus dropped his head. “I told her that I understood that and I’d never do that to her, but then I turned right around and did it.”
George put a hand on his shoulder. “So now, you go and make it right.”
“That’s a part of this husband thing,” Corvus said quietly.
“The only thing you have to learn is to listen to what she says, even when you don’t like it or agree. When she loves you, she can deal with you having a different opinion but she can’t deal with not being heard at all,” George told him. “And she should never have to…”
Corvus nodded. “I should’ve checked with her.”
George frowned. “Didn’t Rion and Khalil tell you about that?”
“Rion talks too much.” Corvus said turning to his father.
“We’re going to have to school you. Your momma spoiled the hell out of you,” George told him.
Corvus smiled. “Yeah, she did.”
George gave him a look. “Listen, go talk to your wife.”
“What did you need to talk to me about?” Corvus asked.
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you at my house?”
George smiled. “Because I’m keeping a watch over my son and daughter until all of this nonsense is over. I was driving by and saw you two on the street, so I stopped to make sure everything was okay.”
Corvus smiled. “You still looking out for me?”
“Always.”
“Thanks Daddy, we’ll be fine.” Corvus told him. “I hope.”
George laughed. “That woman loves you. Go kiss her, apologize and oil her body down.”
Corvus paused. “What?”
“That’s just what your Momma likes. You can deviate on the last part.”
“I didn’t need to know that, though, for real…” Corvus told him, shaking his head.
“Get out the car, boy.”
Corvus followed directions and said his final goodbye before heading inside his home. He looked in the living room and then the kitchen with no sign of Miracle. Walking up the stairs, he checked the bedroom and found an empty bed.
Frowning, he walked out of the room and sniffed the air. Corvus walked down the hall and opened the door to his meditation room. Inside, Miracle sat on the floor, cross-legged with a tray of sage burning in front of her.
Quietly, he entered and closed the door behind him. Moving over, he assumed her position on the floor next to her and she looked over at him.
“I prayed and I decided to meditate too,” she whispered.
He nodded. “You didn’t like what I did.”
Miracle looked away. “No, I didn’t.”
“Can I kiss you?”
She turned back to him with an incredulous look. “This isn’t the time for your games, Corvus.”
“I’m not playing,” he told her softly and moved closer. “I need to kiss you.”
“I’m not thinking about kissing you right now,”
He nodded again and placed his mouth hovering over hers. “I know,”
Miracle put a hand on his jaw. “This is your way of getting me not to be angry?”
“This is my way of saying, I’m sorry and whatever you want me to do…I’ll do it because I love you,” Corvus told her.
She placed her lips on his and they shared a gentle kiss before he stared into her lovely face. “I deeded the land to you for a couple of reasons.”
Miracle nodded and removed her hand as he continued. “One, I’m biased as hell against your father and I felt that you would make a better decision on what to do about selling.”
“You don’t think I’m biased?” Miracle asked.
Corvus smiled at her. “Your heart is pure Miracle. You would’ve never agreed to marry me if you weren’t so open-minded.”
She shook her head. “Corvus…”
“The other reason is because of exactly what happened today. I know that I have skeletons in my closet and people will try to use them against me to get that parcel. Your reputation is spotless and no one can touch you,” Corvus explained. “The land is yours and whatever you do with it, I’ll support you.”
“Corvus, do you understand the position you’ve put me in?” she asked.
He stared at her. “You’re a realtor. Listen to all the offers and make the decision that your heart tells you to make.”
“I know that you want the land to be used to serve the community and my father wants it to expand the church, the builders want it to gentrify…what am I supposed to do?” she asked.
Corvus moved behind her and began to massage her neck. “You don’t have to decide today.”
Miracle closed her eyes as he kneaded her shoulders. “Mmmm….” she moaned.
“I’ve never worked on a deal of this scale…” Miracle whispered.
He bent and kissed her neck. “I’m right here for whatever you need.”
“You really trust me this much?”
“Yes baby, I do…”
Miracle sighed and turned to him. “This will take the spotlight off of you and your business…and people will have to leave you alone.”
He nodded. “And it gives you experience on a land deal while introducing you as a new player in the city.”
She smiled. “Wow, I didn’t see it that way. You’re also advancing my career.”
“I still should have checked with you first,” Corvus admitted. “I’ll work on that.”
Miracle straddled his lap and put her arms around his neck. “Okay, and I’m working on something else.” She kissed him sensually.
“What are you working on Little Goddess?”
Miracle smiled. “A little Goddess.”
******
Sylvia entered the restaurant and stood by the seat across from Emanuel. He looked up at her and motioned toward the chair.
“Please, have a seat.”
She rolled her eyes as she took her chair. “I was waiting for you to hold out my chair, but I see chivalry is not your strong suit.”
“We’re here about business,” Emanuel told her. “I have to get this land for the church.”
Sylvia placed her napkin on her lap and looked across the table at him. “From my understanding, that should be a done deal now.”
“How so?”
“Records show that Corvus has deeded that land to his new little wife.” Sylvia announced.
Emanuel sat up. “He’s given the land to Miracle?”
Sylvia nodded. “They had quite the grand wedding reception last night. Invitation only…”
“Were you on the list?” Emanuel asked.
“No, apparently I’m not that important,” Sylvia frowned. “I only get invited to birthday parties.”
Emanuel smiled. “If Miracle now holds the deed, all the Bishop has to do is tell her to turn it over to the church.”
“You think she’ll do that?”
“Of course, Miracle always does what’s right,” he boasted.
Sylvia sat back. “Marrying Corvus Shaw was right?”
He frowned. “She suffered a momentary lapse in judgment, but maybe I’ve underestimated her. She promised that she would do everything possible to get the land for her father.”
“Including marrying a man? That’s a little extreme…”
“You don’t know Miracle.”
Sylvia chuckled. “Do you?”
“Of course, she was my fiancé. I was going to marry her.” He said firmly.
“You weren’t the only one looking for that land,” Sylvia informed him. “We’ve had all types of inquiries about what can be permitted to be built there. People with a lot more money than your church, from my understanding.”
“The church has the finances,” Emanuel protested. “The Bishop has agreed to mortgage his home if we need more. He trusts the plans I’m making.”
Sylvia shook her head. “You don’t seem too broken up over losing your fiancé,” she surmised.
“Miracle is still an integral part of the plan. The Bishop is adamant that the church stays in the family,” he explained.
“But she’s married,” Sylvia pointed out.
“For now…”
She frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Emanuel recited.
Sylvia sat up. “Emanuel, I know that you believe you are untouchable, but Corvus Shaw is a Negus and those guys don’t play around, especially about those they love.”
“I’m not afraid of Corvus Shaw. He’s nothing but a bully and he will be dealt with.”
She shook her head. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Emanuel picked up his glass. “I don’t need any warnings. My vision will be fulfilled because it’s ordained.”
After lunch, Emanuel raced to the church to see the Bishop. He wondered why the man hadn’t shared the good news with him and assumed he’d possibly just found out himself. Now their plans were all aligning in the best way possible. With Miracle now owning the land, she could just deed it over and leave more money in the coffers for the expansion.
Sure, she’d embarrassed him, but now knowing why she’d done it, made it all better. She was the Proverbs 31 wife…She considereth a field and buyeth it…
Miracle hadn’t bought it, but she’d done the next best thing to acquire it and saved the church a lot of money to be used for an even grander expansion. He’d take her back and overlook her transgression of marrying another man. She’d be a widow at the time, so their union would not be frowned upon.
After the new build was completed, Emanuel would wait the allotted time for her to grieve and then his reign would begin. David, himself, who was a man after God’s own heart, also at one time had taken matters into in his own hands and although things had not worked out exactly as he had planned, he was still forgiven.
Emanuel parked and looked out over the vacant adjacent land. He smiled knowing it now belonged to the church and those worries were over. Inside the building, he proceeded to the Bishop’s office and knocked.
Entering at his command, Emanuel walked inside with a smile and took his customary seat as the Bishop stared across his desk at his protégé.
“Emanuel, I was just about to call you.”
Emanuel smiled. “To tell me the good news?”
“You already know?” the Bishop asked. “I just confirmed everything an hour ago.”
“I wondered why you hadn’t mentioned it,” Emanuel told him. “I found out today too.”
The Bishop frowned. “From who?”
“I had lunch with Sylvia Morgan. She works for BSEED at the city, handling building permits and licensing.”
“How would she know?”
Emanuel looked confused. “She found out about the deed transfer.”
The Bishop stood. “What deed transfer? What are you talking about Emanuel?”
Emanuel also stood. “What are you talking about Bishop?”
“I’ve found a new church for you to transfer to,” the Bishop told him and Emanuel froze.
He looked at Bishop Chapman. “What are you saying?”
Emanuel watched as the Bishop walked around his desk. “I think this is for the best Emanuel.”
“You’re putting me out?” Emanuel questioned with emotion.
“I’m having you transferred, where you can still be in line to take over the church,” Bishop Chapman explained.
Emanuel sat slowly on the chair, trying to gain some understanding. “Why would you do this Bishop?” he asked.
“Emanuel, listen to me, son. There is too much water under the bridge with you, Miracle and her husband. I won’t have this continued drama here at the church,” the Bishop explained. “I think it’s best if you have a fresh start.”
Emanuel jumped to his feet. “I don’t want a fresh start. I want to finish building what I’ve started and now that Miracle owns that land, I’m one step closer!”
“What do you mean Miracle owns the land? Corvus Shaw owns that land.”
Emanuel shook his head. “No, he’s given it to Miracle and all you have to do is call her and tell her to turn it over.”
The Bishop looked surprised and shook his head as he walked back to his seat. “This is the first I’ve heard of that…and even if that is the case, I would not ask Miracle to simply turn the land over to the church.”
“Why not?” Emanuel demanded.
“Her husband clearly trusts her judgement, and so I’ll wait until she decides without pressure from me.”
Emanuel stood again. “Who are you? What have you done with Bishop Joel Chapman?”
“I’m a husband and a father first, Emanuel.” The Bishop explained. “I had lost sight of that and I’d hurt the women I love more than anything…the women that I prayed for in my life.”
“I will not put my desires before them ever again,” he finished.
“We are the Head, Bishop. We are supposed to lead them,” Emanuel protested.
Bishop Chapman shook his head. “That’s flawed theology, Emanuel, when taken out of context.”
“So your answer is to ship me off to another church?”
“I’m trying to make a peaceful situation for everyone involved.”
Emanuel frowned. “You think that heathen is going to attend church? He’s no better than your other son-in-law?”
“Careful, Emanuel…” the Bishop warned.
“I’ve been by your side,” Emanuel told him. “I’m the reason you have all of this! Your daughter shamed me and the church!”
The Bishop hit the desk with his hand and stood to his feet. “Enough!”
“Now, I’ve shown the patience of Job with you but you will not continue to disrespect or hurt me and my family!” he boomed. “I know what Miracle did, and I didn’t condone it but you will not hold that over her head. If you would have treated her right in the first place, we wouldn’t have this situation at all.”
“I warned you and you heeded it not! Now, this is the consequences of your own actions!” he finished loudly.
“You will regret this Bishop,” Emanuel told him angrily.
The Bishop looked at him. “Are you threatening me?”
“He has put his spirit in my heart, guaranteeing what is to come…” Emanuel recited.
“You should make sure it is the right spirit, Emanuel.” The Bishop warned.
Emanuel stared at the man who had been his mentor. “The effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much…”
“You have to do more than memorize and recite the words,” the Bishop preached.
Emanuel started towards the door. “I’m going to let you pray on this Bishop.”
“You’re the one who needs to pray, Emanuel,”
He turned back. “I’m not leaving this church and Miracle is going to turn over that land so that we can finish our plans. That is the Lord’s will.”
The Bishop watched him leave and picked up his phone.
******
Miracle laid in bed in one of Corvus’ T-Shirts, with her head on her husband’s chest, while he watched the Piston’s game on television. Her arm was across his firm abdomen and his hand stroked her back slowly.
“Are you enjoying the game?” she asked him.
Corvus smiled. “Are you?”
“I don’t even know what I’m watching,” she told him.
“Girl, how did you grow up in Detroit and not know anything about basketball?”
Miracle looked up at him. “I went to an all-girls church school and we didn’t play sports.”
“Do you want to watch something else?” Corvus offered.
She looked back at the screen. “No, it’s interesting how they bounce that orange ball and shoot it into that thing so many times.”
Corvus laughed. “Yeah, that’s it.”
Miracle hit him on the chest. “Don’t tease me…”
“You’re so adorable, I can’t help it.” He kissed her forehead and she settled back against him.
“I was never around boys and I don’t have brothers,” she explained.
“I’m glad you weren’t around boys.”
Miracle smiled. “Do you want your daughters around boys?”
“Hell nah! I will beat some little boys’ asses,” he told her and she laughed.
“Were the Negus good boys?” Miracle asked.
Corvus chuckled. “Lance and I were the bad ones. He used to chase Khayla around the playground trying to touch her butt and big fronts.”
Miracle looked at him. “Big fronts?”
He made a gesture with his hands. “Big fronts.”
She gasped and smiled. “Wow…how did her brother like that?”
“Khalil always wanted to hurt Lance…and me.”
“So you two were the troublemakers?” She nodded. “I can see that.”
Corvus settled her back into place. “That’s when we were kids. We’re grown men now.”
“Did you ever get in trouble with your parents?” Miracle questioned.
“More with Daddy than with Momma. Daddy was the law and he didn’t play.”
Miracle nodded. “And your Momma fed you.”
“I’m really her favorite,” Corvus bragged. “She just doesn’t want to hurt Rion’s feelings.”
“Stop…”
Corvus turned her over onto her back. “I’m your favorite.”
“Yes, you are, my love.” Miracle said wrapping her arms around him. “And I feed you too.”
“You take care of me so well,” Corvus began to kiss her as her phone buzzed.
He lifted his head and reached for the device. Glancing at the screen, he handed it to her.
“It’s your father.”
Miracle took it and sat up. “Hi Daddy,”
Corvus went back to his position watching the game as Miracle listened to her father’s voice on the other end.
“Please Daddy, slow down…what are you saying?” Miracle told him.
Corvus turned at her tone and watched her. Her troubled eyes met his and he lifted a brow in question.
“Hold on Daddy, let me put you on speaker.”
Corvus and Miracle listened to Bishop Chapman explain his evening.
“Emanuel is determined to get the land and now he knows that Corvus has given it to you. He came to my office and tried to demand that I force you to turn it over to the church. I refused and he made, what I consider to be, threats.”
Miracle put a hand to her mouth. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m fine Miracle. I wanted to call and inform you and Corvus of these developments. I’ve set up a new position for Emanuel at a church in Ohio where a friend of mine is the Bishop. I’m now having second thoughts about even sending him there with his current attitude.”
“Emanuel’s always had the same attitude, Daddy,” Miracle told him. “You just never really saw it.”
“I think there is some truth to that,” the Bishop agreed solemnly. “I don’t know where his head is at Miracle and I want you to be safe.”
Corvus piped in. “She will be, don’t worry.”
The Bishop sighed. “I will need to hold you to your word on that Corvus.”
“Bishop Chapman, Emanuel just earned himself a one-way ticket.”
“To Ohio?” the Bishop asked.
Corvus looked at Miracle. “No, sir…not Ohio.”