BOMAW 1-3 (99 page)

"This is no pre-nup. No signed contract or power of attorney, notarized before court or a judge prepared by an attorney, but a commitment I will hold you both to before our Heavenly Father. If you two wish to stand in my church tomorrow and say vows that are meant to bind you forever, you will make this promise before me and before GOD this day. I want to hear both of you declare, here and now, with these words that -
No matter what hell for us comes, we will not divorce, no - it is not an option... now - nor on the road ahead.
Say it... and mean it. Say it to me, repeat it to each other, and then in prayer to the Almighty Creator of marriage. Say it now, you first Mr. McPherson."

"To you reverend Hamilton,
this -
I promise - that no matter what hell for us comes, we
will not
divorce, it is not an option... now - nor on the road ahead. Sylvia... this I promise you... that no matter what hell for us comes, we will not divorce... it is not an option... now - nor on the road ahead." Shawn looked back at the reverend.

"Now your turn Sylvia, and the last part, I will lead you two in prayer to promise to our Father."

"I promise, to you reverend Hamilton..." She followed suit, to Shawn as well and upon completion turned back to the reverend.

"Now bow your heads with me. Close your eyes, open your senses, and expose your hearts. Heavenly Father, I petition you through your son, and I plead a moment of your time. Tomorrow, I will be committing these two in marriage, one that I pray will last until one or both of them expire. Please give us this moment and hear their declaration and promise to you. Shawn... you first."

"Heavenly Father..." And he went on to make the same heartfelt declaration he made to the reverend and Sylvia, but this time to God. The reverend then directed Sylvia to do the same and she followed through. The reverend closed the prayer and said an amen followed by Shawn and Sylvia.

"Now... I know you two don't live here in town but I wanna see you in my church. If this marriage is to have a chance in succeeding, you two need to at least make it here on Sundays... yes its a drive... but its to benefit yourselves and its the least of what you can do in return to the Lord. The pledge - the promise, what you two have just declared, cannot be challenged in a court of law. One, or the other of you, need not comply... all the declarations in the world, will not keep you together, if you are not determined to be that way. Simply put... what your marriage will be... is in your hands. Remember, words... cannot be taken back... actions cannot be reversed... and anything that you do, if it is not for the sake of each other, it is not worthy to contemplate. Tomorrow, the two of you, will become one... one... one... it is no longer about just what you want... nor is it about what you want... but what you two need... for each other.... one... after tomorrow."

They both took a deep breath and nodded in understanding. "You need to get here to church."

Shawn spoke up looking at Sylvia. "We'll try, won't we?" He asked. She nodded and squeezed his hand, realizing that she still held the reverends and then let it go with an apologetic smile. "Yes... we will."

"I'd feel better if you just did it... just trying, often leaves room for failure. Oh well, I've had my say, I'll see you here tomorrow at 3... I can't wait."

L.A...

"Oh... this is nice, I like it. It's... big... real big... roomy, nice." Deidre complimented Jeremiah after he closed her door and walked around to his side of the H2 to climb in.

"What can I say, this... just one of the things I can depend on... I must say, I love it."

"So must the gas companies... what it must cost to fuel up at the pumps."

"Everything in life worth having comes at a price... some prices are higher than others. All depends on what it is a man wants. Then... what he's willing to pay for it. For me to drive something like this... I have to be willing to accept the cost... and I do... I enjoy the ride, so I fill it up and don't bother about the rest and head on about my way. Trust me, its worth the feeling I get... when people see me drive by... worth every dime to dollar." Jeremiah shared calmly, relaxed behind the wheel. It was his second one, trading in the first he had the moment the new models made it to the showroom floor. The comfort and luxurious interior could not be denied. Deidre noted the extensive technology installed within the dash and could only shake her head in wonder. It was most certainly a man's vehicle. Not that a woman wouldn't enjoy it as well... but the gadget filled dash was more than she cared to deal with.

"You comfortable?" He asked, starting it up.

"How can I not be?"

"Exactly... so... how has your week been?" He began pulling out of her lot, he'd finally held out long enough and called her for lunch - she already had plans for lunch, so he asked about dinner... and there they were.

"Pretty good. My parents are out of town, so I was able to get more done with the business, getting some coaching done, had a few meetings with our sales persons. The staff is more relaxed when they aren't around - gives me the space I need to boost morale and with good reason."

"So the staff respects you - over your parents?"

"That's because my parents treat everyone working for them as chattel."

Jeremiah raised a brow, but reserved comment of the true statement, he knew that from what his mother had gone through working for them. This too crossed Deidre's mind and she grew uncomfortable after saying it. Once again, she felt the shame of what happened to his mother at her parents hands.

Realizing he needed to relieve the sudden tension, he asked, "So what is it that has made you so different from them?"

"Oooh, I guess its due to the fact that they care no more for me than they do anyone else. I stand practically in the same position - difference being, I happen to be an off-spring of theirs."

"Off-spring?!" Jeremiah shivered at the word.

"Yeah... that about says it, for that reason, I get to carry the great Wherrington name. Trust me, it elevates me no more than the next person who might stand in their way of whatever it is they seek."

"Thus... your moving out." He stated.

She turned to him and wondered how he knew that she'd just moved out. "How did you know that?"

"Know what?"

"That I'd moved out?"

"Emmm, let me think about that a moment... ummm, I just picked you up - not - from the famous Wherrington mansion... that might have a lot to do with it." Jeremiah tried to recover, he couldn't believe he'd said something so stupid. Of course it sounded as if he knew what was going on in her life...and he did... but it wasn't something he wanted her to know, he figured he might need to take a detour of his laid out maneuver.

"Maybe I moved out the moment I left for school? You made it sound like I'd just done so? Which... in fact I have... how did you know that?"

Jeremiah took a deep breath and gambled on a bit of honesty.

"I know... because... I've been following the events of your life... closely... carefully. I also... went out of my way to meet you the other day at the 7 Eleven... I also... waited with baited breath... to call you these last few days gone by. I had this big plan you see... to suddenly swoop into your life... and ... ummm, impress you. I've never - forgotten you, Deidre Wherrington... you... inspired me... to greater things... to be more than, the maids black son. It all began, when you told me about Arthur Ash... and here I am. You caught me red handed."

He quieted to let that sink in, took a deep breath and pulled over after they passed the intersection they crossed, at the curb, he turned to her and looked at her. She was pondering his words, peering at him through the dark interior of his hummer. "I suppose... I should take you home now... hm? I mean... now you know."

Deidre was stunned and flattered. A bit wary... yet, touched. He was a successful corporate lawyer, and whether that was due to something she once said way back when or not, the point was, here he was... on top. He had her full attention. Jeremiah Franklin was obviously a man motivated easily, able to set a focus on something, with the ambition and drive to actually go out and obtain it, against the odds - he'd succeeded in doing just that. A self-starter and leader. She smiled.

"Funny... I thought you were taking me out to dinner. Now you're not you say... why... that's not very decisive... for a corporate lawyer. Very well, if you wish."

He smiled, "What I wish... is to start over. I have reservations at Morton's Steakhouse - a place I'm almost certain you'd enjoy. The foods great, and ummm, I think the company will be too."

"Well lets go... and ummm, by the way... Morton's one of my favorites as well." And she smiled.

At The Restaurant...

They were seated in an area not far from the bar, giving them a vantage point of it, and the kitchen across the large dinning area. The room was low lit and breathtaking. The waiters and waitresses were at their best, prompt, attentive and service with a smile. Not one of them, which included the host, bat an eye at the interracial couple they made - and an attractive one at that as they were escorted to their table and handed their menus. Water was set before them as well silverware, immediately they were able to order a drink. Both declined satisfied with their water as they browsed the menu. Playing in the background, Frank Sinatra singing,
'What's New?'
Jeremiah squirmed in his seat, the music, atmosphere in the restaurant really was spell binding, however... he wasn't there to fall in love. Yet... he couldn't deny she was indeed breathtaking, the low lights did wonderful things for her eyes and skin. Her hair was such a rich healthy gleaming blonde. She glanced up at him and smiled, he returned it, deciding he should say something.

"So what are you having?" He asked.

A mischievous gleam came into her eyes, "Surely you know... if you've been following the goings on of my life so closely, hmmm, what do you think I'd enjoy?" She asked, and then making up her mind, she folded her menu closed and laid it aside, picking up her water, she took a sip and invited him to, "Go ahead... order for me... let's see how well you do, whether I enjoy this nights dinner, falls entirely on you."

"Oooh, a challenge, I love a challenge... let's see." He spoke softly looking over the starters, then up to see if their waiter was in sight, he was, he caught his eye and gave a ready nod, he was right there, "You ready to order sir?"

"Yes I am, for the lady, let's start with the sauteed wild mushrooms - grilled asparagus, roasted red pepper and balsamic vinegar, and I will have the blue point oysters on the half shell. For our salads, I'll have the Caesar, and she'll have the Morton's house salad. For our entree, she will have the domestic double rib lamb chops, and I will have the broiled salmon fillet, chef's sauce beurre blanc - for a vegetable, we'll both have creamed spinach, at the end of our meal, I'll have coffee - black - she'll have tea, with a lemon wedge. Thank you."

The waiter completed writing down the order and picked up their menus. He walked away from their table and Jeremiah checked his guest to see her reaction. "Well, how did I do?"

"If you must know... I'm impressed. Now I'm most certainly curious as to just how closely you have been watching, everything you chose for me, I order often, it's my preference, should I be worried?"

"With me? Never. I ordered according to what I see. You look like you take good care of yourself. I imagine you to be someone who would indeed eat what I've chosen."

Deidre picked up her water and took another sip, setting it down she stated, "Seems to me, either you're one hell of a lawyer with incredible insight to people and how to read them, or you have an article of my clothing bugged... so... which is it?"

"Certainly not the latter. I must say, my powers of perception are pretty right on. Emmm, nice song..." He commented suddenly to the song playing, Peabo Bryson's,
'I'm so into you.'
"... so tell me Deidre, what type of music do you like?"

"Pretty much anything that tickles my ear. My ex - listened to quite a variety of music, lots of Rhythm and Blues, some Jazz, and I ummm, grew accustomed to all types of music... so, I agree - this is nice."

"What happened? If you don't mind me asking?"

Deidre took a really deep breath, thinking about whether she wanted to share that or not, but then figured, what the hell did it matter. Shawn's life was in Wisconsin with Sylvia, and it was time for her to begin a life of her own.

"What happened? Hmmm, oooh lots of things. For one, I was blind... maybe refused to see what was going on right before my eyes. Basically, my parents tore us apart, and I - let them."

"Is that regret I hear?"

"Ye-eah... it is. But... its over... he's gone on with his life and appears to be very happy. He's due to remarry soon... and ummm, has a child on the way with his future wife."

"You two have a daughter together, correct?"

"Yes... she's with him. For good reason, he's an exceptional father... that's all he's ever wanted to be, a father of many children."

"And you... not a many children kind?"