THE WIDOWER.

CHAPTER 45.

CJ was nervous. He looked at all the preparations and thought of the time he was about to propose to Shona and he was a godless man with nothing but just pride.
Eight years ago he was lost and now he saw how God's strength carried him. "You have been so kind and merciful to me Lord. You have given me more than I lost. You were my strong tower, Lord. I thank you for my family and I asked you to help me be a husband, priest and father to Olive as well as my future children. Thank you, Lord. Let today Lord be a beautiful one and a memorable." He prayed.
He watched as Jade and Rick fumbled with some flowers as Olive played with Lora.
He had planned this for the past six months. After Nora returned from her vacation they wanted to make things official. He took her out on the promised dinner and there he asked her to be his girlfriend and permission to court her.
He was happy when she said yes. When she left for Nakuru, CJ started praying over his broken heart over Shona's betrayal. He wanted to start over and within a month he knew he was going to be okay. He forgave Shona for everything and he cleared the storage room with everything that belonged to her.
He found diaries addressed to Malik and Ajay. He witnessed Malik's sadness over receiving the diaries and a photo of baby Ajay.
He knew he was not turning his back and the past was the past.
He relayed his worries to his buddies Rick and Daniel who encouraged him to be patient as he prayed.
Jade was happy to receive an invitation to Nora's baptism which to Jade was a dream come true.
She hugged her best friend and congratulated her on her new faith.
CJ helped her with some questions about faith and purity.
"I read it in the Bible to flee from sexual immorality." She said on one of their dates.
"Yes, because it defiles our bodies which are the temples of the Holy Spirit." He replied.
She smiled, "I thank God, 'cause I was worried if we will ever talk about it."
CJ laughed and told her what it meant when it came to purity.
She confessed to her abortion when she was eighteen.
"I am highly attracted to you but I have to let my head stay on the game for the Lord's sake. I don't want to ruin this." He winked at her.
Here he was and it was on the eve of Christmas at Jade's home. He stared at his friends and they all told him to be calm.
When Nora asked if he would be coming for the celebration he said he was working late and he would not be able to attend. She was disappointed but understood him.
Daniel came with his wife and daughter, Melody. He congratulated his long-time friend. They had also invited Richard who declined and said he would be at his parent's home.
Jade's parents also came along. They had all agreed to make it look like it was just a family dinner.
Olive jumped from the window where she watching out for Nora's car.
"She is here!" She signed.
CJ hurried to hide as Jade received her best friend's gift. They all sounded merry and mellow.
He had picked a gold ring with a small diamond encrusted on it.
He prayed she would say yes.
She heard her speak about the over decorations that weren't Jade's style. She waved her away with what she felt today would be special.
Jade's mum said they had a surprise for her but she had to be blindfolded.
After a few minutes of persuading her that it was not a prank, she agreed. They motioned him to come out with his bouquet of white roses.
Olive together with Melody, Daniel's daughter held a white clothe written "Will you marry me?" With blue and yellow paint that was Olive and Mumbi's work.
He stood behind her asking if she could remove the fold.
The photographer of the day was Daniel. Jade turned her towards the held piece of cloth and she told her to remove her blindfold.
She did it in haste and saw Olive smiling at her and read the cloth.
CJ had knelt a few paces behind her and waited for her to turn around.
CJ watched her turn around in confusion and on seeing him kneeling she laughed with tears glimmering in her eyes.
She walked towards him as he gave her the flowers and cocked his head.
"Is it a yes Miss Nora Kimani?" He smiled at her.
She replied, "I don't know Mr Christopher let me ask." She winked at him.
She went and held Olive's hand and whispered into her ear. Olive looked at CJ and shrugged with a twinkle in her eyes. Nora turned towards Jade who nodded and then she came back to him.
"It seems everyone here wants me to marry you. Let's not crush their hopes." She blew her cheeks.
"What about you?" He asked nervously.
"It is a yes!" She laughed as he put the ring on her finger and hugged her spinning her around.
"I love you missy!" He breathed as he kissed her cheek.
"I love you." She breathed as tears shimmered. She stared at her beautiful ring. Jade was the first to come and hug her with Lora in her arms. Nora kissed her niece and held her. The little girl smiled at her.
The rest of the family congratulated them and joined in the celebration. They gave thanks to God and CJ's heart was overwhelmed.
He held Nora's hand all the time they sat to eat Jade's parents prayed over them and Elijah told CJ to take care of his daughter.
Jade hugged Nora and CJ dragging Nora away from him and the two disappeared for a while.
Olive came and gave him their fist hype routine they had made as a habit.
"I never thought I would see this happen again," Daniel commented.
"Me too." He replied.
"I know I was harsh on you about your departure and as a friend I should have prayed for you while you were gone but I was too angry Barrak tried to help me understand grief but after losing my mom five years ago I got to know that you left and you were all alone. I had Soni to help me through it what about you? I asked God to forgive me for being unkind when you returned.
I am happy to see you this happy again. Congratulations bro." He congratulated his best buddy.
"Thank you," CJ said as he parted his back.
CJ thought about his life and he was again wrecked by God's good plan for his life.
"Uncle CJ, are you going to marry Aunt Nora? If so can I be your flower girl?" Melody swung with his hand as tried to tuck Melody's stray braids.
"Yes, sweetie you can." He answered her.
"Yeeei! I am going to tell Dad and Mum." She sprinted off.
CJ stared at the whole room full of people he had come to love and care about.
The door rang as Olive ran to open it.
Malik walked in holding Ajay's hand. CJ moved to greet him.
"Congratulations man," Malik told him as he gave away the gift he had brought.
"I hope there is room for two more." Malik inquired.
Jade came and greeted him and welcomed him warmly.
Ajay walked beside his father and sat with him.
They all welcomed him with open arms as Olive sat near Ajay with a notebook. She was happy to see him again.
CJ searched for Nora.

*******
"I hope you like the ring." He asked his fiancee.
She smiled, "it is so perfect." She breathed.
They were now outside watching the stars with two mugs of tea steaming before them. Most of their friends had left except for Jade's parents and the kids. CJ had promised to bring Melody home.
Olive was so happy to have a sleepover with her cousins as she called them.
"You know that when we get married I am adopting Olive and I think her name should be Olive Metta Mwamba. How does that sound?" He asked her.
"I like that name more than her birth name and it will signify new beginnings." Nora hinted.
"That reminds me, what did you whisper to her before saying yes to me? CJ asked her with curiosity
"That's our little secret." She replied with a coy smile.
"Seriously, we aren't married yet and you two are ganging up against me?" He pouted.
"You are so cute when you pout. I will tell you one day but not today." She elbowed him with a giggle.
CJ smiled at her. He thought of how beautiful she was and peaceful more than when they had met.
He looked at how far she had come from a cold woman and hurting person to a warm, beautiful and sweet person. Though they had their differences most of the days they enjoyed each other companionship.
Their personalities were in sync and CJ could not believe that his heart was whole again after eight years of agony.
He found out that she had a sweet tooth just like him and she loved to travel. She enjoyed silence in the mornings while reading her bible just like he did.
He saw a raw ruby that God was shaping to be of great worth.
"I am going to see Mother tomorrow." Nora spilled.
"We need to patch up things and I think I am ready to see her." She closed her eyes.
"Do you want me to go with you?" He asked her.
"No, I need to do this alone. Then you come later as I introduce you as her son-in-law. In addition, the day after tomorrow is your birthday I wouldn't miss it in any way." She grinned at him.
"It is alright by me. I will be here waiting." He cooed.
She smiled at him and CJ saw the fear behind it so he brought her closer and put his arm around her shoulder.
"Now we set a date for our wedding," Nora stated.
"How about a March wedding?" He asked.
"I was thinking of a Valentine's wedding." She spoke with a cheeky smile.
"Urgh! It is a cliche, my love." He groaned.
Nora laughed as she stared at his scrunched face.
"Okay, then I am thinking of May." She said.
"Perfect. How about your birthday." He squealed.
"You are the best love." She replied.
At first, she found it awkward to reply to the pet names and CJ understood that everything was new to her.
"May it is. Let's go and inform le familia." He said as he offered her his hand. She took it and he kissed it.
"I love you." He professed.
"I love you too." She whispered as they walked hand in hand to what the future held.