Boswell, LaVenia (28 page)

       Jennifer turned, wanting to watch their parents in hopes they were not crying too badly but her vision stopped when she looked into Jason’s eyes.    

       “Kiss me Jas, and tell me again that you are really, really now my husband,” she whispered leaning close enough to breathe his breath.             

       His smile made her heart beat even faster as he crooned, “That I am, Mrs. Jennifer Zonelli.  I’m your adoring husband.  You are stuck with me now for life.” 

       He gathered her into his arms, while trying not to crush her dress over much, and allowed himself to give her the kiss he’d been withholding all his life, until that moment.   

       “Ohh, my . . . word, Jason Zonelli,” Jennifer gasped breathlessly and dizzily as his strong arms cradled her in his lap.  How she’d gotten there she hadn’t a clue.   

       “Bet ya can’t do that again,” she dared with a whisper and a slow smile of her own that made Jason’s heart thunder in his already swollen chest.  Her twinkling eyes closed as he pulled her closer still.   

       By the time the limo stopped in front of the hotel, both Jason and Jennifer were staring through glazed over eyes and they felt the most interesting of emotions and sensations two people could have, they were certain.  Jenny realized she was actually still dizzy and felt truly weak kneed.  Her legs had turned to limp noodles of all the silly things.    

       Jason was unable to leave the limo just yet but Jenny didn’t understand.  When the chauffeur began to open the car door, Jason exclaimed, “No!  Give us a few minutes!” and slammed the door shut.   

       With a worried look on her face Jenny asked, “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”    

       Jason responded, “Nothing most men don’t have to contend with, especially when they have a wife even a fraction as beautiful and loving as you.”     

       She smiled at that.     

       When he began to take deep breaths and oddly looked everywhere except at her she began straightening his jacket and his tie that had somehow gotten all twisted and crooked.  Upon perusing him for anything he might need correcting she soon understood his predicament.   

       “Oh, my.”  Jason heard her mutter.  He looked up at the limo ceiling for a while.  Finally he glanced swiftly at her stricken face and suddenly burst out laughing.   

       “What?” she asked beginning to giggle at his laughter.   

       “Here we are –
finally
married, legal, before man and our precious Lord and I can’t even get out of the car to greet our guests!”    

       “I’m sorry, Jas,” she said looking upset that she was the reason for his calamity.    

       He held her face in his hands, kissed the tip of her nose and said firmly, “Don’t ever apologize to me for being such a wonderful creature.  Now,” he began to feel a little more normal, “can you think of anything to get my mind off you?”    

       He smiled at her and added, though knowing it was impossible, “Any little irritant that might help me clear my head right now?”        

       Jenny bit her lip and slowly said with great hesitance, “Well . . . there’s one.”   

       “What?” he asked expectantly.  It was working, his mind and body were now responding to normal things.    

       “Jas, my wonderful beloved husband . . . have you looked at our fertility cycle on your phone lately?”    

       He didn’t dare tell her he had been checking it every day since it was installed, several times a day some days, and he was very proud of her daily recordings too.  He knew what she knew but he didn’t know how she was feeling about it.  He’d been emotionally preparing himself in the last week to wait to consummate their marriage until she was in the safe part of her cycle, if that’s what she desired, he had no problem with that.   

       Jenny watched his face carefully, looking for any little twitch, or brow movement, or the edges of his lip to turn up or down, his eyes bat, anything.  He didn’t as much as quiver his nostril.  She couldn’t tell a thing about what he was thinking.    

       Jenny had already decided that if he was fearful of them starting a family right away, she would wait.  They were going to have their whole lives together after all, what were a few days in the scheme of things?  They’d still be with one another and enjoying that.  But, she had also decided that if their joining caused Father God to want to produce a tiny soul for them to bring into the world, then that was fine with her too.           

       He knew she was waiting on his answer.   

       “Father,” praying aloud he began, “Jenny and I are about to begin our life together.  It has been Your will that her cycle had a four day change that we both noted over a week ago.  This change is Your doing, I feel, and so Jenny and I want You to show us what Your perfect will is in regards to our marriage consummation time.  We love You Lord and desire to please You in all things.  Our bodies are Yours and we ask you to reveal to us tonight what we are to do.  In the precious name of Jesus Christ, Jenny and I both pray, Amen.”             

       Jason was amazed and deeply proud of her confidence in him.  Already, she trusted him as their spiritual leader and he prayed he never failed at that task.  

        Jenny doubled the Amen, and said, “See, sweetheart, I knew I was worrying and fretting over what you would say and feel about it without reason.  I knew if I handed you the situation you would come up with the correct solution and have our prayers answered somehow.  God always answers those who ask, like you’ve told me many times.”   

            Jason opened the car door and helped Jenny exit while straightening her gown and the turned back veil.  It was now about two thirty in the afternoon.

20 – GOD SPEAKS TO JENNIFER

People who had been standing behind the glass doors waiting for the newly wed couple to exit the limo finally saw them get out.  They opened the hotel glass doors and came running out to greet them.   

            There were many guests who had not attended the wedding for lack of church space but were here at the reception and thrilled to meet the newly weds.   

            In the large reception area, Jason and Jennifer stood in the receiving line for almost forty minutes.  They made sure to visit each table to again thank everyone who’d come.  A number of their old school mates came.   

            Jason and Jennifer noted Marcus had
Salina
well in hand and they both seemed happy with each other.  They had added them to their prayers to accept Christ and receive new life in Him.    

            The light cream colored wedding cake was three really large tiers with beautiful pale green ivy and white roses in a spiral cascade running down one side of the cake.  A real Silver Cross with two wedding bands identical to theirs at its center was the cake topping.  Jason had designed it himself and his mom had it made for them, though the stones on the bands were cubic zirconium it looked real. 

            The cake top would be placed in a crystal domed display case with a mahogany base and locking mechanism.  All Zonelli daughters and sons had such a case in their homes, it was another tradition.   

            When the song Jason had picked for his love song to her began to play, He swept her up in his arms and waltzed across the room.  Jenny was surprised at his choice, but quite pleased with it.  It was a very romantic song, though some might think too suggestive, but to her, right then, it was the perfect song. 
Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman
, sung by Brian Adams brought smiles to most of the couples there as they watched the bride and groom glide across the dance floor.    

            Jennifer was watching how happy her mom and dad were acting.  More than she’d noted in several years. 

            Her dad asked Jason’s permission for his dance with his daughter.  Jennifer asked her dad if he was feeling better now about her marriage to Jason, and hadn’t he discovered what a wonderful man she was now married to?  He smiled and answered, “You know cupcake, I’m pretty convinced you could have waited until you were eighty and you still wouldn’t have found a better man for you.”   

            “Thanks Dad!” she exclaimed as she hugged him.  “Now, you and mom have a wonderful time on that cruise.  As soon as we get back we’ll have a big get-together to share our stories, Okay?”   

            “Sounds like a great idea, Jen.  Now, I see my new son-in-law desperately wanting me to return you to him, so I guess I’ll let the boy have his way, since it’s your wedding day and all,” Martin joked as he danced her over to Jason and said, “I returned her safe and sound, you do the same. 
Italy
is a long way, so you both be careful!”  Her dad left them with a genuine smile.   

            Before Jason could get Jenny to himself again, his dad came by and asked formally to Jason, “Son, may I have this dance with my lovely new daughter?  I do believe the lady needs another waltz.”   

            Jason put Jenny’s hand into his father’s and bowed acquiesce to him.           

            Edward announced, “Jennifer, you are one of the loveliest brides in history - for a certainty.  My son is a very happy, exceptionally blessed man to have you in his life.  Martha and I want you to not think of us as in-laws but as loving family.  We have certainly come to love you already almost as much as our Jason.  You should call upon us for anything at any time.  Our prayers go with you both.  Be happy.”  Jennifer thanked him and shared her love of them as well.    

            Jason walked over to where they had stopped to talk and was soon surrounded by his four older brother’s who all insisted upon a dance with their new sis. 

            Thomas now wanted to dance with his sister, then Marcus and too many classmates and once Jason even thought he saw the chauffer take her for a spin.  She was so lovely, graceful, and radiant.  He noted with pride, her eyes sought him no matter where they were in the room, as his did hers.   

            All the toasts were over, the meal finished.  Although Jason didn’t know if he’d even swallowed, much less eaten anything, he’d have to ask Jenny later. 

            People were leaving. 

            When Jason looked down at his watch, he was stunned to discover it was after five already.  Jason had danced with every able bodied woman there, perhaps twice and he wanted Jenny – now!    

            She gave him a look and he knew she was tired, no matter how beautiful and radiant she was.  Determined to turn away the next man who wanted to dance with her he hurried to her side.    

            “My beloved wife, I think it’s time we say our goodbyes.  Tomorrow is a long plane flight and I don’t want either of us exhausted.  Okay?” he asked.   

            “Oh, Jas, I am getting a little tired.  But I didn’t want to put a damper on the celebration.  This is a one time deal you know?” she stated with a warm smile a moment before she yawned.   

            Catching her dad’s eye, Martin came over with her mom and Jason announced they needed to tell the guests goodbye.  It’s time to throw the garter and toss the floral bouquet so they could get some rest, Jenny was already yawning.  Neither had slept much at all this whole week.    

            Her dad got Edward’s attention, who looked at the wilting couple and he joined Martin in ringing the wine glasses with a fork.   

            Jennifer threw the bouquet and to
Salina
’s dismay she caught it by accident.  She wasn’t looking for it but something came flying by her face and she grabbed whatever it was and then saw what she had.  Jennifer noted that Marcus didn’t seem too upset though.   

            Next came the garter belt, which Jennifer had managed to wiggle discreetly to well below her knee.  With her leg propped on a chair, Jason barely raised the hem and tried to find her leg with his hand.  Try as he might her leg was harder to find than any sane person would have thought.  The volume of her layered petticoats, slip and dress had him in a dither.  He didn’t want to raise her dress hem higher, not in front of all the ogling male eyes behind him but he didn’t want to look like a total horse’s rear either.