The Flower Shop

Chapter Fifteen

           Jalil touched his tie and frowned as he saw that, one again, it was crooked. Grabbing at his neck, Jalil all but yanked the necktie off of his neck.
           "Hey, hey," He heard Mr. Ruffin's calm voice call out to him before he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. "I need you to calm down. Nadia is waiting for you."
           Jalil exhaled loudly and nodded, allowing Mr. Ruffin to turn his body so that it faced him. Jalil watched as he fixed his maroon tie for him.
           "There. Now, you're nervous aren't you?" Mr. Ruffin asked and Jalil exhaled again, nodding his head.
           "Have a seat with me." Mr. Ruffin instructed. Jalil did as he was told, but not before helping his best man down into his seat. Jalil sat back in the cool leather chair, allowing it's coolness to soothe his racing heart.
           "Let me tell you a story." Mr. Ruffin began. "You know when I proposed to Margaret the first time she told me no."
           Jalil looked at Mr. Ruffin with wide eyes. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
           Mr. Ruffin chuckled. "Yes- she sure did. She declined me not once- but two times before saying yes."
           "What made you keep proposing?" Jalil asked, sitting up from his leaned back position.
           Mr. Ruffin looked at him. "Because God had let me know that she was the woman for me. You see, I had prayed for a woman who was God-fearing and fineeeee!" Mr. Ruffin whistled causing Jalil to laugh.
           "You see, Jalil, I knew that she was my rib. I knew that. And when she said no- I was hurt at first but she had my heart. Much like Nadia has yours. It's ok to be nervous. But today is your special day. The only thing that matters is you and her. Focus on God and your love- and it'll be just fine."
           Jalil took in Mr. Ruffin's words and allowed them to seep down into his soul. He knew that Nadia was the love of his life and that this nervousness would pass.
           "Thank you. Mr. Ruffin. Not just for right now but for everything. You are such a light in my life and I bless you every chance I get." Jalil said. The older man held his hands out and grabbed the younger one's.
           "Jalil, can I cover you in prayer?" Mr. Ruffin asked.
           "Always, Mr. Ruffin. Always." Jalil said as he bowed his head and allowed Mr. Ruffin to pray.

**
           Ok, Nadia. This is it. Everyone is in their place and now it's time for you to get in yours, Nadia thought to herself as she exhaled slowly.
          "Breathe, baby girl." Her father whispered to her. Nadia looked over at him and nodded her head.
           He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Baby girl, I am beyond proud to be your father in this moment."
           Nadia smiled at her dad who winked at her, seeing to calm her nerves.
           She held onto her bouquet and smoothed down her white dress. She had chosen a vintage style dress, that was lace. The dress was slender and although off the shoulder, Nadia had fallen in love with the lace sleeves.  It held her petite frame perfectly and she touched her veil to make sure it was secure with the pins her mother had stuck in. Touching the pearl necklace that Jalil's grandmother had given her, she said a silent prayer as she looped her arm around her father's .
           When the church doors did open, Nadia could only hold her breath as the beauty of how the church was decorated took her by surprise. Deep red roses and blush pink azaleas were decorated by her hand. But it was how simple yet elegant the church looked that made her smile. She knew her mother had taken church decorations into her own hands and she although she knew how much of a perfectionist her mother was- the beauty of the church this day was beyond description.
           As Tamia's soulful voice began playing, Nadia did what she rehearsed only the day before: she took her first step.
           As she began walking, her eyes couldn't help but to look up at the designs in the sky and she smiled widely. Looking around, Nadia was met with the faces of those she'd known all her life and those whom she'd only known for a few months or years. Yet no matter the length of the time she'd known them, Nadia's heart swelled with joy knowing that each person was there to help her and Jalil celebrate the beginning of their union.
            Feeling someone looking at her, her eyes met the man she was about to spend the rest of her life with.
          As they looked at one another, it took strength for Nadia to not cry. Jalil's maroon suit fit him well as well as his black dress shoes and bowtie. With his hair freshly braided, Nadia thought he was beyond fine. But it was his eyes that held her gaze. His brown eyes were soft yet firm and unwavering as he watched her walk down the isle.
           Even as Nadia stood, listening to her parents as they gave her away, could only look at Jalil- who stood only looking at her.
           By the time their vows came, Nadia was ready to marry her best friend.
           She stood, watching as Jalil unfolded a piece of paper from his coat pocket. He cleared his throat before speaking.
           "Nadia, I will never forget the day that I entered your shop- hot and sweaty- looking for a job. I don't think I've ever told you but I had been on 7 interviews prior that and you were my eighth one. Eight means new beginnings Biblically and I know it was God's design that you were my eighth interview.
           "And so we began anew. You became my friend and then much, much more. Slowly I had fallen in love with you but I'm glad God allowed it to go slow. Because if I would've known how deeply I would fall, I don't know if I would believe it." Jalil paused, releasing some of his tears. Nadia released her own and squeezed his hand softly.
           "Nadia, I know that you are a planter. But today I want you to know that you are the most precious, beautiful, rare flower that God has planted in his garden. You are so rare and beautiful that I know it's nothing but God's grace that allowed me- a former convict from the hoods of New York- to even get a glimpse at your beauty. I praise God for you because you are evidence of his grace. And I am so happy....so blessed to be standing here with you today. And I can't wait to stand with you now unto forever more."
           Nadia allowed a few more tears to fall as she soaked up Jalil's words. Knowing that it was her turn, she turned to her mother who handed her a piece of paper.
           She cleared her throat before reading the words from the paper.
           "Jalil, when I look at you, I see God's provision. And I say that because I know that you are prayer that has been answered. I prayed for a man who would see me. Not my assets. I prayed for a man who knew the Lord and I prayed for a man who understood that I could only put God first. And God sent me you.
           " I have never been in love before I met you- and that's because I believe that God hid me until He ordained for us to cross paths. Like Abraham, you were my ram in the bush. Like Hannah, you were my Samuel. Jalil- you are an answered prayer.
           "Jalil, I am so happy that God has allowed for you to be the man that I will spend the rest of my life with. I choose you, now until eternity." Nadia finished, watching as Jalil wiped his eyes.
           "We have heard the couples profession of their love," The reverend said. "And from the sniffles and watery eyes from not only them- but the audience- I can tell that their love is truly from God." The reverend spoke with an echo of amens following his statement.
           He looked at the young couple before him. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."
           Jalil took one step closer to Nadia. He allowed one hand to gently wrap around his waist and the other to cup her chin. He leaned down and soon allowed his lips to touch her own.
           Despite the crowd hooting and hollering at their kiss, Nadia and Jalil only saw one another in that moment. Finally breaking their kiss, they looked at one another.
           "I love you." Jalil mouthed.
           "I love you too." She mouthed back.