The One Who Holds Me (Sovereign Love #4)

43. Olanna

43

OLANNA

NOW

I f I wasn’t so unstable on my feet, then Alex and I would’ve recreated the iconic scene from Titanic right here on the ice rink. But no matter how much Alex plants his firm hands on my waist, my feet can’t stay together and glide smoothly on the vast sheet of ice around us. If I didn’t love Alex so much, I would be sitting in the corner with my butt glued to the chair, watching everyone else risk breaking their bones.

“Yes, baby. Come on, you can do this.” Alex lets go of my waist and lets me glide, one foot in front of the other like he taught me half an hour ago. But soon, my confidence takes over and when I try to go faster, I lose my balance yet again. Before I drop to the floor for the umpteenth time today, my man’s muscular arms wrap around my waist and lift me until I regain my balance.

I smile up at him and he leans in and kisses my lips. “I love you, but you’re a piece of work.” He rubs his nose on mine.

“Yeah, I’m your piece of work.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him and he laughs.

“I thought I was the master of cheesy lines.”

“Yeah, and an excellent teacher too, so well done.”

“Thank you very much.” He glides with me to the bar and with the way I grab onto it, you would think I’m hanging on for my dear life.

Alex leads me slowly to the bench next to the giant Christmas tree and we watch the other people glide past us, in pairs, in groups, and some on their own. My hands are cold and my muscles hurt from the thousand falls I’ve had tonight. But you know what? There’s no place I’d rather be.

As soon as we got back together a week ago, Alex pulled out our A-Z date ideas list from wherever he was keeping it safe the last two years, and he squeezed in this date two days before Christmas because he’s so amazing.

Being here with him, risking breaking my bones and enjoying the laughter and small talk, is a blessing, and I’m going to savor every moment. I think I now know how Dad feels when he describes his relationship with Mom.

It took me much longer than a week to know, but God confirmed Alex was the one for me when we first dated in college. That’s why our break up devastated me because I thought I’d heard God wrong. But now I know better. It just wasn’t the right time. We both needed to mature in our faith and character. Now God has brought us back together again at the perfect time.

“Can I ask a question?” I lean toward him as he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

“Sure.” He nuzzles my neck.

“So when people ask how long we’ve been dating, do we say one week, or nine months and one week?”

“Hmm, that’s a good question.” He tilts his head and taps his chin with his forefinger. “We can’t say we’ve only been dating one week because that would make the first nine months invalid.”

“Yeah.”

“So we can say nine months and one week with a much needed two year pause in between?” He leans in and kisses my forehead.

“That sounds perfect.” I laugh as my phone vibrates in my jacket pocket.

When I take it out, messages chime in from my Boss Chicks group chat.

“India and Danielle?” Alex peers over my shoulder. “I didn’t realize you girls were still in touch.”

“Well, we weren’t until last week.” I place my phone back in my pocket.

“Really? That’s cool,” he says. “If you don’t mind me asking, what happened between you girls? Kwame had no clue because India didn’t say anything to him. I didn’t ask India because I didn’t think it was any of my business.”

I tuck a loc strand behind my ear. “Well, after our breakup, Danielle started dating one of the seniors from Ignite, and it was difficult to engage in conversations when they kept referring to their boyfriends. Living with them those last two years was hard, so after college, I kept to myself and focused on my healing journey.”

“I see.” He nods and pauses. “So, what happened last week?”

I shrug as a girl glides past on one foot. “When Lerato asked me to be her bridesmaid and she started talking about our friendship, it reminded me of the amazing friendship I had with India and Danielle. We stuck with each other through so much and it wasn’t fair that I let my personal issues get in the way when they did nothing wrong. I’m in a much better place now and God has taught me how to be genuinely happy for others, even when I’m still in the waiting season.

“I reached out to the girls on the group chat last week and it turns out they have no hard feelings. We’ve been chatting non-stop and we’re already planning our next meet up. As you probably know, India teaches in New York and Danielle works as a marketing manager for a tech company in Florida. She got engaged to that senior from Ignite. His name is Derek and they’re getting married next summer. Danielle asked India and I to be her bridesmaids, so we have a wedding to plan.”

“Wow, congratulations to her! I’m so happy that you have your friends back.”

“Thank you. I missed them so much. I can’t wait.”

“Did you realize all three of you are in relationships with guys you met at Ignite?”

I tilt my head. “Oh, yeah. That’s so true. I miss Ignite fellowship.”

“Me too. Maybe in the future, when we’re married, we could open up our home to hosting worship and Bible study nights, too.”

“Yes, that’s a brilliant idea. God is going to do amazing things. I can already feel it.”

“Hallelujah.” We both laugh as my phone vibrates again. India is sending some inspirational photos for Danielle’s wedding dress. “India has been looking forward to one of us getting married for so long. I can imagine what her own wedding will be like.”

“I can imagine too. Kwame is planning on proposing as soon as he’s done with med school.”

I grin as my heart swells for my friend. “Aww, really?”

“Yes, he already bought the ring, but baby, don’t tell her I said that.”

“Oh, please. India is smart. I’m sure she has already figured it out. But please, show me the photo of the ring.”

He laughs and kisses my nose. “I wish I could, babe. But unfortunately I ain’t got it. Even if I did, I would reconsider showing you right now because you’re so close to bursting with joy.”

I swat his arm playfully and rest my head on his shoulder. “I’m going to miss working with you when you leave.” I sigh before looking up at him. “We’re going to set up the SEO department at Madu Health after the HearCare launch. If you want to take the lead on that, just let me know and it’ll be done.”

He smiles. “Is this my interview and job offer, Miss Madu?”

I chuckle. “I think it’s okay to say you get a free ride since you’re the chief executive’s boyfriend.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “I’m honored that you want me on board permanently. Would you give me some time to pray about it? Working for HearCare over the last two years has been an invaluable experience, but I think God wants me to start my own SEO agency when the time is right.”

“Aww, of course. I’m so excited for you.”

“Thank you, baby. I’m excited for us.” He caresses my ring finger. “How do you feel about us raising a family right here in Jersey City after we get married?”

“Wow, you are rolling with ideas today, babe. It’s what I’ve always wanted as well. The city is all I’ve ever known. So we agree to stay here for now until God says otherwise?”

“Fine by me.” We shake on it. “What do you think about a penthouse?”

I squeal. “Yes, I’d love that. It’ll have a balcony and a swimming pool.”

“Yes, and a view of the Statue of Liberty and the Hudson River.”

“And a dog—a miniature poodle called Missy .”

Alex laughs before standing up. “Okay then, Missy. I’ll give the dog a thought if you give me one round on the ice without falling.”

“But…but.” I whine as he pulls me up. “Do I have to?”

“Yes, baby. Let’s do one more round and then we can check out the bumper cars.”

“Yay, that sounds fun.” I cling to him as he places his hand on the small of my back and we glide together on the ice rink in perfect sync.