HER LOVE HER PAIN

Chapter Twenty Three

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Joanne couldn't hate him even if she wanted too, she loved him so much. He didn't cheat on her and he was working had to prove himself to his father, to the world, she thought allowing his love to embrace, engulf her take all the hurt away. Tears glands all dried up, they both sat on the floor ken still holding her tight in his arms. “Thank you for being truthful. It’s late we need to get some sleep”.
She prepared them warm glasses of milk, “Am done let's go”, she as he took the tray from her allowing her to walk head. They reached her room and she opened it turning when I didn't feel him follow her in. taking the milk she placed it on the night stand,
“Why are you standing there, come in and close the door. We don't want mosquitoes flying in”.
Ken was surprised she wanted to share a room with him. He figured she had forgiven him but she wouldn’t allow him in her life this quick.  Entering he closed the door thanking his lucky stars. 
She took off her night gown cover getting in bed she took the glass of milk handing it took, “It will help you sleep”, she said taking her son out of his crib to feed him too. They both sat in bed Ken's back against the headboard, Joanne sat between his legs breastfeeding their son.
“Thank you for giving me such an adorable son. Am sorry I wasn't with you when he came in to this world. I missed you so bad”.
“I missed you too, so much”,
“I missed you more my love. Every single day was hell without and Rosa made sure to remain of what I had lost every single day”, Kenneth said caressing his son's tiny pink hand. The little guy held onto his finger. Dozing off as he feed from his mother. Please marry me precious?
“When? Was all she said tracing her son’s chubby cheeks.
“For real? Ken inquired over joyed by her answer.
“Yes, but first I have to introduce you to my whole family and clan traditionally in my culture. You have to pay bride price and before all the clan members and family I have to choose you as my husband. Then I want a church wedding and honeymoon in Greece”.
“Consider it done. First thing tomorrow you introduce me”.
“Chuckling she turned to look at him, Babe it's a whole ceremony and before that you have to officially talk with my whole family as my suitor, good thing is I think your parents already took care of that part. But usually you would have to ask for my hand in marriage then they would decide the bride price for you to pay. After that we go on to prepare for the official introduction ceremony. Friends and family bear witness to our introduction ceremony then off to the wedding it is”. That night they both slept with a soaring hearts.
“Precious wake up”, Ken whispered placing kisses all over her face.
“Ken stop, still want to sleep….” Joanne slurred.
  “Precious it's almost noon”.
“Oh Mathew”, she shoot up wide awake.
“Come down my mother came for him earlier on, letting us sleep some more”.
“Ken I have not fed him yet, he must be starving”, Joanne said stepping out of bed just as a knock came at their door. Tighten ties of her gown she called them in. Cindy walked in with her fussing son. 
“He has crying for food, we tried everything to distract him and give a few extra minutes of sleep but the man wants his food”, her sister joked placing the baby in her arms
“By the way can you believe this Mr Hunter just bought him a whole ranch, mean horse breeding ranch in Montana. Cindy said damn founded. He just got off the phone with his lawyers minutes ago”.
“Now that's too much his not even two weeks old. Joanne said putting him to her breast which he suckled early. There, sorry Mummy over slept”.
Later on in the day as they all sat in living room watching the news when Jessica asked the question everyone was dying to know,
“So please tell the wedding is back on?
Ken looked the woman besides him, he couldn't help it. He wanted her in his life no matter what, “If she is willing to have me we can get married tomorrow”.
“Joanne? Jessica asked the anticipation visible on her face.
“Yes, I want to be his wife”.

“Then it's settled you two are walking down the aisle in February next year. But first Joanne needs to introduce you officially to her whole family”, Jessica said eyeing Dorothy knowingly. Kenneth and Joanne had their introduction a month later before they departed back to New York, her mother staying behind to deal with some family issues.
That Christmas the Hunter household was full of laughter, even Dorothy flew in for the celebration. Joanne finally met ken’s grandparents and they were excited to meet their great grandson. The whole family flew to Barbados where they ushered in the New Year.
In January Ken handed off the complete vessel to the Japanese and was also awarded the most influential business man of the decade award that was usually given to those who had been in the business for decades. 
Soon enough February rolled in with lots of love. Joanne sat in her hotel room as they did her makeup and hair. It was the day she would say yes to the love of her life. Anxious and nervous she kept her fingers crossed the whole time. Cindy walked in texting away on phone,
“Hey how are you holding up, your big day is finally here?
“Am so nervous what if something goes wrong?
“Calm down Joanne everything is going to okay, mother and Jessica have everything under control and as I speak they are down stairs eating ice cream with your son”
Okay ladies we leave in half an hour let's finish up here and get in the dresses, the assistant to wedding planner said. The guests are arriving as we speak and soon the groom will be there. They had invited three hundred guests, most of them were from Kenneth side, his grandparents and parents had also invited their friends and distant family. As for her she invited her uncle and a few distant relatives, friends and colleagues from the ministry back home, not forgetting the Luxemburg.
Joanne sat in the maroon Rolls Royce trying to calm her nerves as it pulled up to the cathedral. Press was present capturing every moment. Thankfully security had them in control behind the barricades. Her brides maids Evelyn and Cindy stepped out first from their car and walked in to the church. Her roll Royce followed suite stopping at the front of the steps of the cathedral, Miranda stepping out first, then she followed as cameras went off, Miranda although six months pregnant was able to do her maid of honour duties perfectly. She helped her straighten the veil and train as she moved up the stairs, turning to wave at the media for a moment before they entered the church. The wedding planning appeared at the doors ushering them in to the foyer of the cathedral.
Just on time, we are right on schedule and everything is running according to plan, the planner said as they reached the doors that opened in to the hall. She radioed for the orchestra to start playing as they all got ready to enter the hall. Kenneth’s grandfather Papa Steve as he liked to be called approached her ready to walk her down the aisle as promised. The old man had taken a liking to her from the moment he met her and when she asked him to walk her down the aisle he had accepted instantly. She couldn't forget how lively the old man was that festive season when he met his great grandson for the first time, he even asked them to join him in Dallas after the new year which they did and to her surprise he gifted her with real estate right in the center of Dallas a seventeen storage complex with a shopping and offices. The old timer even taught her how to ride a horse, leave alone ken who said he would teach her but just took advantage of her in the hay of the stables claiming he was teaching her to ride.
“First lesson is to learn how to ride me”, he whispered in her ear hands sliding under her blouse pinching her erect nipple.  She remembered walking of the stables to find papa Steve at the entrance with a knowing look in his eyes.
“At this rate she ain’t gonna learn anything; he said with a grin on his lips as walked passed them patting his grandson on the shoulder proudly. And young lady you better fix that shirt of yours before anyone else know what you two kids have been up too”. Joanne wanted the ground to swallow her while Ken stood proud as a peacock. Luckily papa Steve took over lesson and soon she could ride the majestic creature without fear of falling to her death.

Joanne snapped out of the thoughts as the planner gestured for one of her people. This is the day Missy and I hope you give a lot of grand babies unlike your mother in law. You not only spend but work hard. I have heard about what you’re doing at hunter corps and am so proud of you. I got that company from my father and it’s good to know it’s in good hands.
“Papa Steve you’re going to make cry”, she said trying to waving at the tears in her eyes.
“No crying for you today, this is a joyful day”, Steve said as the planner approached them again after sending Miranda down the aisle.
“You’re you up”, she said as the orchestra changed to play a slow melodious love tune,
“Am little nervous”, she said as the planner announced again through her radio
“Note to all Security watch out for the lady in the picture I sent to all your devices. She is not be allowed anywhere near this church”, she repeated and on queen the inner doors of the cathedral were opened once more. Joanne could see Kenneth across the church, hands folded before him as Micheal whispered something in his ear making his smile. Ethan and Brandon stood beside them waiting patiently so was Evelyn, Cindy and Miranda across from the boys. Everyone stood up as she and papa Steve walked to the priest.
As the orchestra continued playing Luther Vandross’s here and now, papa Steve guide her down the pass to her love, emotions overwhelmed, “I can’t believe am finally marrying the man I love, the father of her baby. Thank you lord”, Joanne said a silent prayer just as they reached ken, she thought taking his hand. She couldn't help feel the butterflies when he promised to love, hold and cherish her until death do them part.
“With the power vested in me I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride”, the priest pronounced and with a tender sweet kiss to her lips they sealed their future.
Ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr and Mrs Kenneth Reid Hunter. The church erupted in to cheers of joy. As they walked out of the church, rose petals and butterflies floated in the air. 
“I love you”, Ken said lost in beautiful browns as they took the family picture. “Am luckiest man alive. You know that right?
“Do not be silly am the lucky one for having found love in you”, she said laying a kiss on his lips. All along the photographer was asking them to look in to the camera while Jessica augured with him to just take the photo.

              ∞………The End…….∞