During the day, Deb planned to go shopping while Hannah was at school. She needed
some things for the wedding still. Even though Hannah didn't want to be away from her sister,
she knew she had no choice. That evening, Hannah rushed home to spend time with Deb. All
her other activities, she put on hold for the rest of the week, except the course. The two of
them decided to have supper outside since it was quite warm.
Dressed in shorts and sleeveless t-shirts, they sat at the round stone table on the half moon
seats. With supper out of the way, they were relaxing and catching up. It was still bright at six
in the evening.
Absorbed in their conversation they did not see Jonathan come up to them. "Is this a
private party or can I join?" he asked bemused.
"Jonathan!" Hannah squealed jumping up excitedly. "I didn't know you were coming
over."
"I wasn't but I thought it was too long since I saw you." He kissed the top of her head.
"This charmer must be Jonathan," Deb said with a wide smile.
"Sorry!" Hannah moved out of Jonathan's embrace. "Yes, this is Jonathan. This is my
sister Deborah." Hannah made the introductions.
Jonathan wanted to shake Deb's hand but was pleasantly surprised when she pulled him
into a warm hug and said, "I am very pleased to meet you." She mouthed to Hannah, 'He's
gorgeous!' as she released Jonathan. Hannah's smile was acknowledging.
"Same here!" Jonathan said warmly thinking she definitely did not feel shy to give hugs.
"I thought you were not going to make it home for the wedding," he added confused.
"I wasn't but I traded with my boss. Christmas for your wedding," Deb added at
Jonathan's questioning expression.
"That's very big of you," he said with heartfelt gratitude thinking she was very
forthcoming with information. Very unlike her sister.
"Thanks. I couldn't miss my little sister's big day," Deb smiled.
"Did you have supper yet?" Hannah cut in.
"I am actually having supper with mum and Derrick," he announced.
"She didn't mention that you would be dining with them," Hannah said puzzled.
"Neither did I. She invited me just now."
Hannah nodded acceptance.
"Come join us until it's time for supper," Deb invited unabashed.
"I don't want to disturb your catching up," he said graciously.
"Nonsense!" Deb reprimanded good naturedly. "You did come to see Hannah after all
and I don't want you to be disappointed." Deb grinned mischievously.
Trapped Jonathan joined them, sitting next to Hannah. He had to admit, he was intrigued
by these two sisters. The one he loved dearly and the other he liked already even though he'd
just met her.
"So how did you meet?" Deb fired away and was soon laughing at the story Jonathan was
telling.
"Just like my sister not to divulge any information. Does she also frustrate you with
having to prompt her for information?" Deb teased.
"It's not frustrating but she does keep a lot of things to herself," Jonathan teased also.
"Like the fact that she can play most musical instruments, some of which she taught
herself or that she has a masters in music or that she won the school talent show at age eight?"
Deb inquired slyly.
"No she did not tell me any of that," Jonathan said with mock disappointment, ignoring
the look of agitation on Hannah's face. He was really enjoying Deb's company.
"Up against others from age eleven to eighteen, she played keyboard and sang, 'Greatest
love of all'." Deb stated this fact proudly.
"Wow!" Jonathan was impressed. "I did say to her that a voice like hers can only be one
you are born with." He winked at Hannah who was quite red already.
"For sure. Everyone was so impressed and the judges didn't have too much trouble
deciding a winner. Off course, she wouldn't go up to collect the prize without my parents so
we all ended up on stage."
"I didn't want the prize," Hannah protested.
"That's true, she didn't," Deb agreed addressing Jonathan. "In fact, she didn't want to
enter the talent show either so we entered for her - actually I did. And I paid dearly for that.
No one had ever seen Hannah so furious as that day and has not since either." Deb laughed at
the memory.
"Really?" Jonathan smiled not surprised, remembering the day she had stormed into his
office over Lisa.
"Oh and her favourite superhero is Superman," Deb continued.
"I kind of got that one." Jonathan laughed.
"Hey, I'm still here," Hannah protested.
"Sorry, honey!" Jonathan said not at all sorry.
"Do you know that she will never wear her hair loose or why?" Deb raised her eyebrow.
Jonathan shook his head, baffled. Before Hannah could protest again, Deb rushed on. Hannah
buried her head in the palm of her hands. "Our school used to have this cancer fund raising
day when everyone was allowed to spray their hair with colours for a small fee which allowed
us girls to wear our hair down. When Hannah was twelve, she and her friends were waiting to
have their hair sprayed when a boy, one grade higher than Hannah, came up to her and
stroked her hair and said in awe, 'Such beautiful, soft locks!' Off course the other girls teased
her mercilessly for months! The worst part was that Hannah thought of boys as revolting,"
Deb finished off laughingly, mischief written all over her face.
"Deb!" Hannah groaned. Deb was really enjoying revealing all of her life in one evening
and it was embarrassing for Hannah. As Deb said, she never liked to talk about herself. She
wanted to run and hide but Jonathan pulled her into a comforting embrace. Hannah was
grateful to be able to bury her face in his shoulder.
"Sorry, sis!" Deb said with a mischievous smile. But she did stop telling stories about her
sister. "Do you guys have your dance song?" she asked instead.
"We don't need..." Hannah began but Deb cut her off.
"Off course you need one," Deb said decidedly. "Everyone must have a song."
"We're having the reception in a restaurant," Jonathan stated matter-of-factly. "Neither of
us thought of a dance."
"Did you discuss your favourite song?" Deb continued as if he hadn't interrupted.
Neither of them said anything. "Off course Hannah didn't tell you what her favourite song
is," Deb laughed knowingly. "Her favourite song is I will be here for you by Michael W
Smith. Has been ever since it was released," Deb proudly announced.
Jonathan was captured by her choice of song. "Then that's our song!" he said decisively.
Hannah gave him a look as if to say 'Just like that?' but he ignored it.
"Good!" Deb also ignored Hannah's look. "I will make sure they play that."
"Can we please talk about something other than me?" Hannah pouted.
"I am quite enjoying the conversation," Deb said laughing but she didn't pursue the
subject. Instead she started to ask Jonathan some personal questions.
He was able to handle her inquisitiveness. These two sisters were so different, he
observed. Good different though. And they had a very strong, loving relationship. For which
he was thankful.
Before he left, he whispered to Hannah, "Are you doing alright after Sunday?"
Hannah's heart filled with love. That's why he came to see her. He was concerned. She
nodded unable to speak. He kissed her on the forehead before saying goodbye to the sisters.
"You know you can kiss him in front of me," Deb said teasingly as soon as he was out of
sight.
"I know but he won't," Hannah said secretively.
"Why not?" Deb's mouth dropped.
"I made him promise not to kiss me until we're married," Hannah shrugged.
"And he made that promise?" Hannah nodded. "And he's kept it?" Deb was incredulous.
Again Hannah nodded. "Wow, he has a lot of self control." Deb whistled.
Hannah was mildly surprised. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, Hannah you are so naïve! A man around the woman he is going to marry, must want
to kiss her to show her how he feels."
"Yeah and does it really tell a woman that? I would rather not feel anything that I would
have to relinquish if for some reason we do not get married," Hannah said tightly.
"You know he's not Simon right?" Deb said with more kindness.
"Off course I know. Haven't I said that Simon is history?"
"Then why are you still holding on to those fears?" Deb asked wisely.
Hannah didn't say anything as she pondered what her sister was saying. It made sense but
Hannah was not prepared to go there. She also knew that Jonathan would not break his
promise. But now she did feel horrible about making him take that promise. It was too late to
whine about it now, though!
Since Wednesday was the last course date, Deb decided that she would spend the evening
and the next day with a friend and return on the Thursday evening. Hannah was fine with that.
Knowing her sister was not alone during the day made her feel better. Deb left mid-morning
on Wednesday.
Hannah didn't have time to miss her sister when she got home that evening for she had
just put down her bag when Emily walked into the cottage. "Got the keys, let's go," she
announced.
"Go where?" Hannah asked taken aback. She didn't remember having an appointment
with Emily.
"To see the home you are going to call yours in three days," Emily stated as if Hannah
should know this.
"Oh!" Hannah had not thought of moving even though it was inevitable in marriage. And
since Jonathan was the one with a house, she knew she would be living there. But saying it
out loud was a bit daunting. "Won't that delay me for the course?" she asked hoping it would
be an excuse not to go.
"It won't take more than twenty minutes so there's plenty of time. You'll be back long
before Jonathan gets here." Emily was a little impatient to get going. Rather than argue with
her, Hannah followed the older woman out.
The house was five minutes from the church in the opposite direction to Emily's. While
Emily chatted away, Hannah sat quietly contemplating the next few days. They were so close
to the wedding but still Hannah wondered if it wasn't a dream.
Emily pulled up at an estate where she used the entrance token to get in. The houses were
lovely in the estate and each one was a stand alone house. Beautiful, spacious double storeys
lined the entrance boulevard.
As they drove further in, Hannah could see the estate housed a lot of buildings. They soon
came to single storey houses that looked delightful. Emily parked at a light brown one with a
neat garden and a double garage.
Suddenly it hit Hannah that she would be living here. Heart beating fast, she followed
Emily into the house. It was very neat and cared for; it looked lived in. It was a two-bedroom
house. One of the bedrooms was converted into a study. The lounge cum dining room was the
centre of the house with the bedrooms to the right and the kitchen and guest bathroom to the
left.
The main bedroom had an en-suite bathroom. It was not a large house but spacious
enough. The kitchen was small but more than adequate.
The lounge had French windows that led to a big garden, which they explored last. When
they got back inside the house, Hannah sat heavily on the sofa, looking straight ahead.
"Are you okay, Hannah?" Emily asked concerned.
"This is really happening!" Hannah exclaimed overwhelmed.
Emily remained quiet for a bit then asked, "Are you having second thoughts?" Although
not accusing, her voice was strained.
"Am I going to be a good wife?" Hannah asked with a quiver in her voice not answering
Emily directly.
"Oh, darling!" Emily sat down next to Hannah and put her arms around the girl's
shoulders. "A good wife is determined by how her husband treats her. Just as a good husband
is determined by how his wife treats him. You can't judge by any other standards. And I know
that Jonathan will take good care of you. To him you are the world."
Daunted, Hannah thought about that for a bit. Would she be able to uphold that? But she
didn't ask that question. Instead she asked, "Then you think I can do this?"
"With God by your side, you can. I am not saying that everything will be great; there may
be moments when you may feel overwhelmed but when you focus on Jesus, you are sure to
overcome that feeling. Besides, you will have lots of help from your mother, myself and any
other matrons of marriage."
"Thank you." Hannah squeezed Emily's hand then got up and looked around her. "This is
a lovely home," she declared.
Emily squeezed her shoulder lightly. "Now let's get going before you are late for your last
session. You know how Jonathan does not like being late for anything."
"He doesn't?" Hannah asked lightly, smiling, knowing too well that he didn't.
Emily laughed but they were back home a good while before Hannah had to leave again.
Hannah handed Jonathan the keys as soon as she got into the car. "Your house keys," she
said redundantly.
"Oh?"
"Your mum showed me your house," she explained as they set off.
"Our house," he corrected. "And what do you think?" he asked patiently.
"It's beautiful!" she said simply.
"You know that you can make any changes you would like," he stated.
"Thank you," she said appreciatively.
"What's the matter?" he asked knowingly.
"I..don't know," she confessed with a sigh. "I just feel...I have no idea what I feel."
Covering her hands with his, he said, "You are allowed to be unsure."
"About marrying you I am quite sure. I just don't know if I am ready," she said.
There was a slight hesitation before he asked, "Would you like to postpone?"
Although his voice was even, she had seen the muscle in his jaw twitch. "Oh, no I don't
want to postpone," she quickly reassured. "Must be just nervousness. Let's not worry about it.
Deb will talk some good sense into me."
They laughed at that thought. Throughout the evening, though, Hannah was aware that
Jonathan was quiet. Instinctively, she knew what she said in the car was affecting him more
than he cared to admit. Vagueness clouded the last session of the course because her mind
wandered throughout the entire evening but finally the course came to an end. With the course
completed they were handed a certificate of attendance to present to the officiating minister.
Before releasing them, the facilitating couple prayed for each attending couple earnestly,
expressively and purposefully. Hannah took their words to heart and pondered on it many
times after that. It was a beautiful prayer and she appreciated it more at that time than they
would ever know.
The drive back was quiet and Hannah regretted saying what she did on the drive to the
course. As she prepared to get out of the car, Jonathan laid a gentle hand on her arm.
"Hannah," he said her name gently, "you will tell me if you decide not to go through with
the wedding, won't you?"
"I promise that I will tell you if anything is amiss," she said with conviction, kissing his
cheek lingeringly.