Dedicated to Mhiztemmy ❤

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And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
--Genesis 2:23‭-‬24 (KJV)

Six months later...

The tune of the processional hymn 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' brought him out of his reverie as he turned to see his bride walking towards him resplendent in her white gown. She looked so beautiful, like a queen, walking down the aisle towards him. He beamed a smile at her and she replied with a matching one. They were always so open about their smiles and love for each other, and today was the day to finally seal that love before many witnesses. 

The ceremony passed by him in a blur and all he could remember was the feel of her hand in his when her father handed her over to him, when they both said 'I do' and exchanged the rings.

"I now pronounce you man and wife!" he heard his Pastor exclaim.

He was finally going to be allowed to kiss her. He felt her stiffen slightly when he was about to kiss her and he had expected that. They had done everything to keep themselves till this moment. And truth be told, it hadn't been easy. They had had to take drastic measures like ensuring they hung out with friends, staying accountable to their pastors and never watching some type of movies together. No matter how harmless it seemed. 

And now, it was proven. Waiting was just the best thing. 

They both turned to the congregation as they were announced as the latest married couple in town. The joy he felt was nothing to be compared with. All he wanted to do was lift his wife and twirl her around. As he moved forwards to do that, his best man placed a restraining hand on his shoulder. 

He turned to look at him and winked as if to say it will be your turn soon. 

Gerald turned back to his wife and held her hands like his life depended on it. 

Mrs Funmilayo Coker was now his. 

*******

Tayo totally understood how Gerald was feeling at the moment but if he carried Funmi now, it would be close to an outrage. They were in an orthodox church and such actions could be frowned upon. 

But he was truly glad for them and he could see the enthusiasm on Posi's face from where she stood beside her friend. God was indeed awesome to their friends and all the glory was His. 

Their wedding ought to have been done six months ago but Funmi had been rushed to the hospital roughly a week to the D-day. 

*****

Posi couldn't hide her joy. Tayo had just proposed a relationship and she finally understood what the phrase "over the moon" meant. Of course, she wasn't so unrealistic to think that everything was going to be all pink roses and fluffy cotton candy onward but she had an assurance that they were going to make it together with God on their side. And God indeed was on their side. 

Informing Funmi was another highlight. Immediately she told her friend that she had something to tell her, the girl began to squeal her head off and even though they were miles away from each other, she could still feel the reverberations of the squeal. It was like she had been informed prior but she insisted that she didn't know, that it was just that her TaSi radar had been giving off high-frequency signals. Her excitement was so contagious that she also joined her in the squealing match after telling her friend how Tayo had proposed. Posi was so sure that Gerald and GP would already have heard the news by the time their call was over. 

Posi had also shared the good news with her mum and Pastor Bee, who had been prior informed. 

Every day since then was so full of sweetness. Although she still retained her status as a member of The Hard Girls Association, Tayo's romantic overtures were enough to melt her like she was butter placed near a fire, every single time. It was so good that she felt like she would have to relinquish her hard girl status. 

They went on dates, talked for long hours on the phone and prayed together more than ever. Of course, she had learnt enough from Funmi to know not to place themselves in tempting situations, knowingly or unknowingly. However, she basked in the pool of knowing she had someone she was so sure was sent by God to her. 

It was a wonderful feeling. 

"When you're done having that dreamy look on your face, come and help me zip up my dress," Funmi bellowed from the enclosed dressing area in the bridal shop. 

Posi jerked into awareness and went towards her friend. "Sorry. I was lost in thought there when I was supposed to help."

"You mean lost in love, yeah? Don't worry, you're allowed." Her friend snickered like she had just delivered the best joke in history. 

"Ha ha ha," Posi mocked as she arranged her gown. 

They had come to make final changes and fittings on their dresses for the wedding, from the traditional wear to her bridal shower to her wedding gown and reception gown too. All the five members of her bridal train, including Tutu, had had their fittings done and had left for the day. Only Tutu was left and she was busy tapping her phone every second. 

"Is it me or it looks like my tummy is bigger than the last time you mentioned it?" Funmi asked as she stared at her tummy in the standing mirror. She rubbed her tummy and caught Posi's eyes through the mirror. 

"Hmm. I'm not sure. You said you'd work out in preparation for your wedding, right?"

"Yes, I did. And I have. But I just feel it's not reducing."

Posi was quiet for a minute before she asked, "Have you been having any pains or discomfort? Or any sign to note that something is wrong?"

"Yeah, I told you the last time. I have been having this severe pain in my pelvic area. It's usually so painful and then, it stops for some time."

"Have you told Gerald about it?"

"No, I haven't. You know how he is. He'd most likely buy me a bunch of medications that I won't use."

"Okay. Maybe you should just keep up with the workout then. And maybe just check with the hospital for a checkup. Or what do you think?"

"Alright. I'll consider that. Thanks."

"What are we for we for? Anyways, the fashion designer did a great job on your clothes. They are so beautiful," Posi commented. 

"I know, right. You already know who to come to talk to for your wedding." Funmi winked, making Posi laugh. 

"You always take every opportunity to mention this wedding thing."

"I'm just so excited for you guys."

Posi smiled shyly as she fiddled with her pair of glasses. 

"Awwwwn. Look at you."

Posi shook her head. Funmi obviously wouldn't give it a rest and there was nothing she could do about it. 

******
(Some days later)

"Hey, Gerald. What happened?" Tayo asked as soon as he sat beside his friend. GP had come along with him too when he heard the news. 

Gerald was obviously distraught. He placed his head in his hands. "We were just talking in the house when she began to complain of a sharp pain in her tummy. I thought she was up to her mischief again but she began to whimper. I rushed her here immediately and I haven't heard from the doctor yet."

Tayo knew what it felt like when your loved one was in pain and you couldn't do anything to stop it or take the pain away. He tapped Gerald's back. "I'm sure she'll be fine."

"She has to be."

After some minutes, Posi ran into the reception and scanned the room for them. He raised his hand in a wave and she moved towards them. 

"Hey, babe," she greeted him before turning to Gerald and GP.

"Hey, love. She's still in the room with the doctor," he said as he filled her in on what had occurred. 

Posi sat on the other side of Gerald and held his hands. "She'll be fine, you hear?"

He just nodded and continued to tap his feet. Posi gazed ahead. Her friend had to be fine. 

******

After almost two hours, the doctor called for Gerald and took him into his office while Posi and the others sat outside. 

Before she knew it, her hands began to twitch involuntarily and she tapped her foot. Tayo must have noticed that because he moved closer to her and held her hands silently.

Posi was grateful for him and her friends. For someone who had just encouraged Gerald a few moments ago, she was filled with so much dread and worry. 

"I should have insisted that she go see a doctor when she spoke to me. I just thought it was a simple tummy upset," she whispered to herself. She could feel her eyes filling up with tears. 

Tayo wrapped his arm around her and hugged her close. There was nothing he could have said at the moment that would have made her calm. However, just the fact that he was there and he let her know it without so many words was enough. 

A door opened and the trio perked up. As Gerald approached them, they all stood and looked at him expectantly. 

Gerald sighed before he spoke. "The diagnosis is fibroids but the good news is that she can have the surgery done soon."

They all sighed in relief but they all had a question on the tip of their lips and Gerald seemed to notice it. 

"There's nothing more important to me than Funmi's health right now. We will have to postpone the wedding till she's okay and till I'm okay that she's okay."

GP spoke up next. "Have you discussed this with her?"

"No, not yet. She was given some pain relief drugs and is resting at the moment."

Posi knew that her friend would surely contest Gerald's decision but now wasn't the time to tell him that. 

"I think we should go get some rest or freshen up and come back with some food till she wakes up," Tayo said. "Or what do you think?"

"Yeah, it's okay. The doctor did say she will be asleep for a while. But I prefer to stay with her. You guys can go and return after you have freshened up."

They all nodded in response and gave him hugs before leaving. 

As they walked out of the hospital building, Tayo held her hands. "See, she will be fine."

Posi looked up at him. "And I'm glad to hear it."

Funmi had a long way to go, she couldn't lose her. 

*********
(Funmi's POV) 

"Why would you make that decision yourself? Our wedding is in two weeks, Gerald. We can hold off on the surgery till then," Funmi's voice could be heard. 

She had just woken up from her sleep and had seen Gerald fidgeting with the rails on the bed she was on. He had seemed very worried but she didn't realise the extent of his worry till he opened his mouth and said they should postpone their wedding. 

"I know that, love. But I can't afford to prepare for the wedding when I know you're in pain. We can have the wedding later. Your health is more important here," Gerald insisted. 

"Is it just that or you don't want to have the wedding anymore?" Funmi cried out. 

Gerald sighed in exasperation. "Why would you even say something like that? I'm worried about you here! We have waited for years to have this wedding, a few more weeks waiting shouldn't make a difference."

She was no longer listening but was sobbing loudly with her face in her hands. This was all her fault. She should have gone for a checkup the moment she noticed the changes in her body but she had procrastinated on it thinking she had just been eating too much. Now, her husband-to-be was here telling her nonsense about postponing their wedding. 

She could sense him move closer to her and she turned away. She knew she was almost acting immature but she couldn't help the way she felt at the moment. At the moment, facing the white wall of the hospital room seemed more important.

"Love, I want to get married to you as quickly as possible too. But for me, your health is just way more important and I won't joke with that for anything."

When she still refused to look at him, she heard him sigh before she heard the door open and close. 

He left her. He didn't understand her. 

How were they supposed to apologize to all their relatives, vendors and guests about the change in wedding date? What were they going to say was the reason? How would they even begin to explain? 

She hiccuped. Yes, her health was important but why was he not trying to see it from her perspective? Was this how it was going to be once they become married? Would her opinions not matter anymore? 

She wiped her tears even as more spilt onto her cheeks. What was she going to do? 

******

"She doesn't want to listen and I don't know what else to tell her," Gerald was saying. He looked pained and upset. "It's like she doesn't even want to see my side of things. She needs to have the tumour removed as soon as possible so that she can stop being in pain. Is our wedding day more important to her?"

Tayo and Posi sat still beside him as they tried their utmost to comfort him. GP had stayed back at the house to take charge of the wedding preparations and answer questions on Funmi's health, as much as he could anyway. They hadn't informed their families yet but their close-knit friends needed to know too. 

"It will be fine. Try to imagine how she's feeling right now. She has been planning the wedding for some time now and she feels like the condition isn't a threat yet," Posi said. 

"Okay. But she has to see that her health is the priority right now and I don't plan to go back on this decision. She's in pain, Posi," he winced as if he was feeling the same pain. "And she doesn't seem to think it is affecting me."

Posi had nothing to say on that. She looked at Tayo who had been giving his silent support. "Okay. Let me talk to her first. Why don't you go get something to eat? We got you spaghetti. It's in the car."

As Gerald managed to rise from his seated position, Posi and Tayo had a moment of silent communication and they moved into action. 

Posi made her way to the room her friend was still in. "Hey, babes."

Funmi looked at her with her eyes swollen. "Hi, Posi."

She moved to her side and sat with her on the bed, holding her hands. "Gerald filled us in on what's happening."

"I'm sure he did," Funmi said, wiping her eyes. 

"He's just worried about you, Funmi. He must have been scared when you cried out in pain."

"He's in the medical field so he must have seen a lot of people in pain and should be used to it by now," she scoffed. 

"Well, none of them was his wife-to-be."

Funmi lifted her eyes to Posi's like she just understood what was happening. And then, she burst into a fresh wave of tears. Posi wasn't sure what she should do but she hugged her and called for Gerald. 

The two apologized to each other and spoke with the doctor on when the surgery date will be. 

Posi stood by the door watching the two work out their differences and smiled. Tayo tapped her then and asked what brought on the smile. She just smiled more at him, held onto his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. 

This was what love was about. Being there for someone and making sacrifices for that someone. 

As soon as Tayo and Posi approached the room Funmi was in, they heard their friends' raised voices. They turned to look at each other before retracing their steps back to the reception. 

Tayo spoke first. "I hope everything is okay."

"It has to be. It just has to be."