This excerpt is from the last chapter of SIGN OF THE RAINBOW, a Christian novel I tag as being on music, morals and miracles. Two six-year-old girls, Becky is black, Mary Jane white, bond in Chapter One under a rainbow. It's their story of growing up together with love and joy, overcoming obstacles in a prejudiced world. This portion of the final chapter is the wedding night of Becky and Isaac in Memphis in 1989. Both black, having met on stage at Carnegie Hall, she, a renowned singer and he, a concert pianist. They are nationally known as "America's Musical Sweethearts."

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Shortly before five p.m., Becky and Isaac walked into the lobby of the Peabody Hotel. A large crowd had gathered between the elevators and the fountain.

Becky grabbed Isaac's arm. "Mary Jane has spilled the beans and told them we're staying here tonight. What else could the crowd be for?"

"We're not that well-known here," Isaac argued.

"I was born here and have had several concerts and lots of publicity."

As they drew nearer, no one seemed to pay any attention to them.

"Look at that!" Isaac pointed to the fountain in the center of the lobby. Becky eased forward to get a better look. There was a red carpet leading from the fountain to the elevator, surrounded by layers of people on both sides. Suddenly a male mallard, proud as a peacock, jumped from the pool surrounding the fountain, onto the edge, then to the carpet, twitched his sassy tail, and marched to the elevator. He was immediately followed by four speckled females, more drab, but equally as sassy with wiggling tails. They strutted to the stirring tune of "Stars and Stripes Forever," played over the intercom.

The Duck Master, in his jaunty uniform, ushered them into the elevator amidst a round of applause.

"Well, I never," commented Isaac.

Someone nearby was heard to say, "They retire to their 'penthouse' on the roof."

"Aren't they adorable? And am I chagrinned, thinking the crowd was for us," Becky admitted.

"You should be," Isaac teased. "Come on, let's check in."

Greeted by a pleasant person in Reservations, they were sent to the "Romeo and Juliet Suite."
You'll find it a special place for newlyweds. Everything's all taken care of."

"The room is a wedding gift from our church," Becky smiled. "Do the ducks go up to the roof every day at five?"

"Yes, ma'am. Every day. Have a nice evening." The clerk handed the keys to a bellboy who gathered up their small suitcases and led the way.

Riding up on the elevator, Becky said, "We must bring Mercer to see the ducks tomorrow night at 5 p.m. He wants to draw a picture for us. All he has to do is take a look at them, and he draws from memory. We're all having dinner at our house about 7:30, so that will leave us plenty of time. I know Mary Jane and Donald will want to come, too."

"Great idea," Isaac agreed.

"There's no telling what the church spent on this room."

"I know they think you're worth every penny of it."

"We're worth it," she corrected.

Becky waltzed around the room. "Isn't this beautiful? Fresh flowers, fresh fruit."

"We could just skip dinner and eat flowers and fruit," Isaac told her, eyes twinkling.

"No, dinner at Chez Phillippe at eight o'clock is part of the package, and we don't want to disappoint the gift givers."

"Eight o'clock! I'll be starved by then."
Becky looked around and pointed to the spiral staircase leading to the bedroom. "Let's investigate. No, you stay here, I'll go up." She climbed the stairs and called out, "It's delightful." Stepping onto the small balcony overlooking the living room, she looked down at her new husband. "Isaac, Isaac, wherefore art thou?"

"I'm bringing up the suitcases." He joined her on the balcony.

"This is why it's called the 'Romeo and Juliet Suite.'"

"Is that good? he asked. "I thought they were 'star-crossed' lovers."

"So are we, my darling. Except our signs are the Natal Star and the Cross of Jesus. Isn't that star-crossed?"

"Rebecca, I will never be prepared for your words of wisdom, but I will always love you for them." He gathered her into his arms. "Shall we kiss on the balcony?"
I'll go for that any day," she said, turning her face toward him.
They moved into the bedroom, overlooking a view of Memphis.

"There," she pointed, "is the Mighty Mississippi."

He placed his arms around her as they enjoyed the view.

"Isaac, this is almost too wonderful to believe. We met six weeks ago, and I feel we've know each other forever. I love you so much. We're going to make such a great couple, on stage and off."

Isaac pulled her close to him and kissed her, this time with more passion than ever before. Upon recovering, she asked, "Where did you learn to kiss like that?"

"I just invented it," he said with a straight face, "and have in mind we're going to have lots of new discoveries this night. Say, do you think there was a special reason to get us here so early, except for the ducks, and schedule dinner so late at 8 p.m.?"

"Like what did you have in mind?" she asked coyly.

"Like consummating the marriage. You know, we're not really married until the marriage is consummated, and I don't want to go to dinner unconsummated."

"Let the consummating begin." She hugged him, then turned around. "Would you unzip me, please?"

"With pleasure," he said.