139

President Call had a small, but lovely home near the temple. His wife had made us all kinds of food, some American and some not. They both spoke broken English, but the missionaries, and there were now six of them, all spoke just fine. We basically ate and then sat through a first investigator discussion with Jeremy and Levi. The weather was perfect, we sat outside in the shade of their arbor.

Before we left to head back over to the church for the youth fireside as they called it, President Call took me and Rafe into his home office and sat us down. He steepled his fingers over each other and looked down at the desk in front of him till we both felt nervous. Then he started talking about marriage--- all kinds of thoughts, about sacrifice and love, worthiness, gratitude, valuing each other, everything. And quickly... he felt like he needed to get it all out fast, I could tell.

"Sister Mann, you have promised yourself and your parents that you will have a temple wedding, it is true. This is a very worthy goal and the best you could do. Brother Stryker has demonstrated that he would like to be the man to take you there." He nodded, still looking at the desk. When he finally looked up, his face was shining with acceptance. "I feel very strongly..." He said gently. "That you should consider marrying in the Mexico City Temple."

"You mean when we go there in like three days?" I blurted, my mind whirling with electric and random thoughts and plans.

"No." President said with a soft smile. "In three weeks when you come back to Mexico City after touring. I have looked at your schedule. I have spoken my feelings to your Bishop, fortunately you have the same Bishop and Stake President. Your brother, Sister Mann is coming to Mexico City this week, and has agreed to bring both of these worthy gentlemen to your side when he comes."

"We barely made these plans." I blurted again. "I mean Zack coming here. We made them just an hour ago, well, three hours ago."

"Word travels fast Senorita Mann. And your parents are very concerned for you."

I knew then that as usual, the authorities--- meaning Dad and Kell--- had been following every move I made, and every detail of every----

I looked away, feeling teary and a little angry. I was not the child they seemed to think. It felt like an indictment of guilt. They thought we were too familiar--- they felt we were---- well, Kell. Kell thought it. I swallowed hard, not daring to look at Rafe.

"There has been no Bishop's court." Rafe said instead, his face drained of color.

"There has been no need." President Call said. "The past is past, Brother Stryker."

His shoulders squared. "I am still not perfectly reconciled to----."

"I believe you will find that reconciliation this week, Brother Stryker. I have every confidence that the Lord has a plan, an urgent plan for you."

"An urgent plan? What Plan?"

President just smiled softly and shook his head. "That is for you to find out."

Rafe blew out his breath, and I turned to look out one of the stained glass windows nearby. "We can let you know later, will that be all right?" Rafe said, the tension in his shoulders palpable. President Call agreed and we loaded into our vans to head back to the ward building.

A large gathering of youth and other people had congregated to hear us speak. I was more nervous than I had ever thought I could be. President Call asked us to take an hour. He himself conducted the meeting of respectful and energetic kids, and then turned the time over to me.

Of all the things-- I glanced at Rafe, who had been holding my hand gently. His eyes were wide and full of amusement. He looked like the Cheshire Cat. I expected him to disappear at any second and watch me from his comfortable invisibility.

I stood up and took a deep breath and then it happened. I started speaking in Spanish, stumbling for a moment over words I wasn't used to yet, telling them about growing up in my family--- a family whose lives were largely dedicated to the entertainment industry, about our church membership and how it was challenging to remain strong in the face of such media hype. I told them about meeting Rafe that first time, about our first date, and how fun it had been. I told them about the next three months, being way from Rafe and so involved in saving the lives of little tiny babies, and then about trying to save my own niece. I bore testimony to God's hand in our lives, about his plans for us, and how we accessed those plans by remaining strong and worthy, and following the promptings he gave us.

When I was done, I barely knew the time had passed. Rafe stood up, nodded to Ben and Jeff who had been supplied with their guitars over the last few minutes and suddenly they were simply on the stand, in their little trio, and asking me to join them, and the kids to join them as they sang the familiar Primary hymns like I am a Child of God, A Child's Prayer, Love is Spoken Here and I know my Father Lives. Then they took requests. Some songs they didn't know, so they had the kids come up and sing them. The hour was about over when Rafe stood and talked about the temple, and the priesthood. He bore his testimony again, talked briefly about standing for something worthwhile and not letting go.

President was wiping his eyes discreetly as the meeting ended. The youth all wanted to shake Axis members hands, so that took a few extra minutes, and then President was walking us out. Tim was glancing pointedly at his watch--- very pointedly.

"Rafe, Aubrey. What is your decision?" President Call asked us as we loaded last into the van. Rafe turned back after I had entered and sat down. I was startled. I remember thinking: we didn't even have a chance to talk about it.

"Aubrey received her answer yesterday in the temple." Rafe said without looking at me. "You have explained that I am currently living within the prescribed boundaries. I am skeptical, and don't completely feel that my sins are washed away. But they may be washed clean and I am just too colorblind to see it." I knew he was referencing his new song he'd written this morning. He sighed dramatically, and then reached for my hand. I leaned forward. "We will have to do some planning, but yes."

I was so surprised I couldn't speak. Rafe shook the President's hand and then closed the van door.

"What did you just agree to, Rafe?" Ben said with suspicion in his voice. I don't know how much he had known about singing for the youth this afternoon. It really cut them all short for such a major performance. They had to be to their sound check in just forty-five minutes.

"I agreed to marry Aubrey in the Mexico City Temple in three weeks. Of course, our Bishop and Stake President are coming down on Thursday with Aubrey's brother Zack so we can have some studio time on these new pieces we've been working on."

Ben sat forward, is eyes wide. "You're okay with this, Aubrey?"

I looked into his concerned eyes, and then saw all their anxious expressions. "Are you okay with it, Ben?" I asked him.

"Yes." He grinned. "More than anything, I am so happy for Rafe, to marry his Angel. And I will get to be there. I think. Will I get to be there?"

"I'm not sure how all that works. You have to have a recommend, Ben. That's why our Bishop and Stake President are coming. It's so weird to think they are coming all the way to Mexico City for us. I'm going to have to call my folks. I'm going to have to call a bunch of people."

Rafe put his arm around me and pulled me close. "Come on stage tonight."

"What? Why? Rafe! I'm not a performer...." I could see in his eyes that he really wanted this. My heart sank. I didn't mind being there with him exactly, but--- all those people! And the lights and the energy, and exuberance he had to muster to be up there entertaining. I was not that type.

"Just be with me."

"Like what? Be on the side?"

"Yes."

"Okay." I could be on the side again. That wasn't so bad. It was a good view.

"Help me make up this set list." He said and took a piece of paper out of his pocket. "Ben, what do you want to play tonight?"

They all started giving input and their energy level crept up higher and higher. I could feel it. I could see Jake eyeing me in the rearview mirror. He could feel it too.

I heard them saying they wanted to sing Fall into the Ocean again, and I knew without a doubt my man was about to suggest I sing it with him. I stopped him with my hand held up. "This is your song." I said.

"It's our song." He said. Ben and Jeff were nodding.

"Ben! Please, stick up for me here. A little help, please."

"Aubrey, you can do this. You can sing the chorus with me and Rafe can sing the body of the song."

I rolled my eyes. "You guys are Axis. Do you hear me! You are Axis!"

"I hear you." Ben said. "And I get what you're saying, but really, Aubrey, this song just sings better with your voice. Trust me. It was meant for a female voice. Your mom did excellent, and you--- honestly, seriously, truly, you look and sound just like her."

"Oh, for Pete's sake! I am nothing like her. She's this amazing----."

Rafe pulled me in for his kiss. His lips pressed hard to mine to silence all protests as we pulled up to the really nice venue and showed passes to get inside the talent area.

"Trust me, Aubrey. This song needs your chemistry. You can do this." Ben said as he opened the van door.

I waited till they all emptied out, and Rafe waved as he was urged away to get ready. Jake turned to me.

"Jake! I am not my mom. Tell them."

He eyed me speculatively. Then he blew out his breath. "Aubrey, you look like her, you're built like her, and you sing like her. You don't have to be her, to be all those things. You can be you and capitalize on those qualities. It's her legacy to you. Just go with it."

"Jake! I went to school for thirteen years to be a neonatologist!"

"Yes, you did, girl, and you are one. You're the best darn neonatal surgeon in the family too. And right now you are learning what it's gonna take to be Rafe Stryker's wife."

I slumped back in my seat. He was right. Rafe was doing his part. He was bending over backwards to be part of my life, and change things to fit my expectations. This was a small thing to ask of me, in light of all he was willing to do. I sat forward. "Jake. How did this happen? How did I get an industry guy? I always pictured marrying some doctor, and settling down to our mutual practice. Now...?"

He smiled gently. "Life throws you lemons baby, you make lemonade. You is industry through and through, get used to it."

I pulled my weary and confused body out of the van and made my way up the steps of the venue to find my industry man, giving a meet and greet. Good.... Just great.

******