on bended knee, tags Raven & Rev. Manning

[Isaiah Kingsley]

Isaiah was in a state and looked it. He had to spend hours to pry his grandmother's engagement ring out of his mother's jewelry box. She had hated her mother in law and had never actually worn the ring. It had been left to Isaiah, but he had let his mother keep it until such a time as he needed it which was now. He loved the ring. it was in a delicate platinum setting with an emerald and two diamonds. To him they looked like flowers and reminded him of the delicate lady who was his grandmother. The ring had been practically invisible on his mother's rather chubby hand. He had also talked to his parents about Raven and had told them everything because he hadn't wanted to shock them with Raven's animosity. His father at least had approved that he wanted to marry her. His mother had gone into hysterics as the gossip was unwanted and he wouldn't be going to divinity school now. Isaiah was now in the shower and trying to forget her reaction and remind himself why he wanted to marry Raven. It wasn't that hard to do which surprised him somewhat. His father had said they could have the old coach house and fix it up so they wouldn't be constantly in each other's way. They were going to go to Home Depot the next day to look at kitchen necessities so they could have a kitchenette and bathroom. He hoped Raven would want to come and give her opinion on things. His father's reaction was more than he hoped for and he was really pleased. He would just hope that he could keep Raven hidden from his mother until after the baby was born. His mother was less than rational on the whole subject. He had kind of expected that so he was prepared for her whining and bitching. After showering Isaiah dressed in his church suit to be respectful of his soon to be father in law. He hoped that Reverend Manning would take it better than his mother, but he wasn't holding his breath.

All in all Isaiah had to admit he cleaned up well. He looked respectable and handsome in the dark blue suit. The ring was in a small box in his jacket pocket and he couldn't wait to see it on Raven's finger. He kissed his parents and went out to drive to Raven's house in his van, hoping it's worn state wouldn't be held against him. It had served his mom for a long time before he inherited it. He was a bundle of nerves and almost went off the road when a dog ran across it. He gave himself a stern talking to and then continued on more cautiously. The walk from the van to the Mannings' front door was the longest of his life and he was looking a trifle pale by the time he got there.His hand was heavy as he lifted it to the doorbell. Ringing it he almost ducked as if some axe would come out and decapitate him.

[Raven Manning]

Raven left the brunch, which she drove to after an interesting little tryst between her and Isaiah. God, she loved to bring a man to his knees and the moment Isaiah picked her up there was no way he was getting out of it with out....well you get the picture of just what happened.

Raven made it home while her dad was out so she could think. She needed either a way out of Isaiah actually coming here, or a way to keep her dad from finding out she was pregnant and now engaged. Of course Raven could be honest, but she would not get far before her dad was accusing her of being the devil's spawn and being kicked out the door.

Anyone who committed a sin was the Devil's spawn in her father's eyes. He was obsessed with religion since her mother left. Reverend Manning blamed Raven for his wife leaving. That was nothing new, but this would just make things worse. Raven loved her father despite how he felt about her. He was the only family she had except...Raven touched her stomach.

No...she could not think like that. She would be a horrible mother...a horrible wife...a horrible person. All the sudden she heard the door and the clock. Isaiah would be her soon. So Raven had to act fast.

"Hey dad, I wanted to warn you a guy is coming over. His name is Isaiah and he is convinced we are soul mates and he wants to marry me. Its some stupid crush you know....." She started saying feeling even more guilt set in... Raven gave a nervous laughter. Then she heard the door...crap...


Mr. Manning looked at Raven and walked over to the door to open it. "You Isaiah?" Mr. Manning asked in a stern strict voice. "Come in." Reverend Manning moved out of the way and closed the door behind Isaiah. Reverend Manning circled Isaiah like a vulture would a dead Caracas. "Come...lets sit..." He motioned for the boy to follow into the living room and for Raven to follow. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

[Isaiah Kingsley]

Isaiah did his best to keep breathing and not give into his nerves. "Reverend Manning, I am Isaiah Kingsley and I have fallen in love with your daughter and I wish to ask for her hand in marriage. I will do my best to care for her and be a good husband in everyway. I am a Christian. I belong to the Episcopal church and I have been running their youth group since I started High School. I am a good student and worker. I believe that we would be good for each other." He didn't want to ruin Raven's relationship with her Dad so he left off the more scandalous reasons they should marry. "My parents are willing to let us live with them and I have a job with a landscaping firm so I can save up so we can get our own place eventually." He hoped that Reverend Manning could sense his sincerity.

[Raven Manning]

Raven was so shocked when she heard the first few words. He was in love with her...no way...he had to be lying for the sake of the marriage or whatever this was. They barely knew one another. It was one time, and she drugged him and it was a stupid bet. Had Sloane never made the bet Raven never would hae slept with Isaiah, did he not understand that. She would have to explain it and if he even pulled that perhaps its fate, or it was God's plan, she would scream.

Reverend Manning looked up at his daughter's pale face, "Yes, my daughter said something along those lines." Even though that was not the exact truth, afterall Raven referred to it as a silly crush, but Reverend Manning would discuss that later. "A nice Christian boy huh...well I must say you seem to have it all figured out young man. But marrying at such a young age, you must know the statistics with young marriages."

The fact he did not mention the pregnancy had Raven even more confused. Isaiah held all the cards when it came to her father. He could drop the bomb, get her kicked out and then she would have no choice but to move in with Isaiah, yet he did not use it. Raven would have been that mean. She would have ratted Isaiah out immediatly. Then again she was an evil bitch. She could not be going soft...no way in hell. Raven was evil...not nice...not obident.

"Your parents are okay with this...marriage?" Reverend Manning asked. "I demand the wedding happen in my church. I shall have a felloe Reverend perform the ceremony." Reverend Manning sat back and eyed his daughter once more. "Are you sure about this son? I know my daughter, and I must say I am rather surprised she would fall for a Christan boy with a good head on his shoulders. She has always brought home, less then saintly people."

Raven actually felt the wind leave her body, this was not good. Her dad was accetping this...he was liking it...Isaiah was not ratting her out, he was keeping their secret. What the hell? What was with all the nice....no...where was the evil..where was the whole calling her the spawn of the devil and the sinner....

[Isaiah Kingsley]

My father is happy for us, but my mother is not convinced that this is what I really want. She was quite eager for me to go to Divinity school at Notre Dame. But I believe that God is leading me a different direction. I can still follow God's calling as a lay person and I think with Raven at my side I will be more focused and can lead young people to Jesus even more effectively. Every moment I am with her I feel even more that she will be a positive part of my life. As for the wedding, I would be honored to be wed at your church, Sir. I would like to have the reception at the Four Seasons hotel in their gardens since it is where I asked Raven to marry me. Oh and, I don't want to forget this," he said as he pulled the ring box out of his pocket and held it out to Raven. "I hope you like it, It was my grandmother's and she was very special to me."

[Raven Manning]

This kid was laying it on thick. Her dad was eating this up. Divinity school...Notre Dame...her having a positive what ever and reception at the Four Seasons. Holy hell Isaiah was crazy. Either that or freaking smart. Her dad was loving this. "Divinity school you say, thats a good mother you have, although I can obviously see why you would rather marry then attend."

Raven took a few steps forward as he said Notre Dame, "You wanna go to Notre Dame..." That was the school she was aiming to get into. Wonderful, now they had something in common. As if things could not get any better, or worse depending how you looked at it, Isaiah pulled out the most gorgeous ring Raven had ever seen. A platinum ring with an emerald and two diamonds. And it belonged to his Grandmother, someone special to him.

Reverend Manning stood up. "Now this calls for a celebration, it is lovely to know my daughter has a good head on her shoulders. I was worried for a moment. I was sure she would come home pregnant by some spawn of Satan before this...I know my daughter and she has her blinded view of the world, but its good she is making the right choices...I believe I have some sparkling cider in the pantry, I shall be right back." With that said Reverend Manning left the two kids alone.

Raven turned and looked at Isaiah the moment her father was out of ear shot, "Do I need to explain what evil is to you...cause you see I am evil...I drugged you, and now I am forcing you to marry me, although thats your choice not mine...and now this...you...my father...why are you being nice...you should be evil..you should wanna get back at me by telling that man I am pregnant so he can go into a tangent about sin...why are you so nice.... it's driving me crazy... You are officially crazy...."

Raven felt like she was going mad with all this. She did not understand. Had it been her she would have sold Isaiah under the bus in an instant and done something horrible to him. Before Raven knew it the ring was officially on her finger. Raven stared at the ring for a brief moment, "Do not think for one second this makes me change my ways...I still plan to make you regret this decision..."

Reverend Manning returned and Raven smiled at her father. He sat down with the sparkling cider, "Notre Dame huh....thats the school Raven wants to go too, I bet you already knew that huh...wow...I was really worried my daughter would give into the devil's temptation of sin of the flesh...I am glad to know she is still holding onto her values about no sex before marriage and everything else I have taught her."

[Isaiah Kingsley]

Isaiah just gave Raven a sweet smile which he could tell infuriated her. "On that note. I would like to marry her as soon as possible, to avoid such temptation. I graduate in June and there will be a lot on my mind. I want her to be my wife so I am not distracted by it all the time. If you don't mind, Sir. I was hoping we could marry in April." Isaiah was afraid it was going too well and it would turn around on him. But it was important for Raven that they get married quickly. He didn't want to get revenge on her no matter what she thought and he could tell she loved her dad. So his mission was to get her married to him with their relationship still in tact. "We have an old coach house on our property that my dad is giving us. We're going to start fixing it up tomorrow. Raven would you like to come pick out cabinets and stuff?"

[Raven Manning]

"You are...." Raven was going to say an annoying brat, but she did not get a chance when her father walked back in. She glared at Isaiah as he spoke about an April wedding, fixing up a coach house. Raven did not know if she wanted to jump him or kick him. She opted for a third option which was staying quiet.

Reverend Manning looked at the young couple, "Thats awfully soon. How long have you two been...."

"Dad waiting is overrated you know that right, and besides how can you fight true love." Her voice was sincere but the look she gave Isaiah was evil and mocking. She was mocking him and his falling in love.

Reverend Manning looked between the two as the phone rang, "Please excuse me for a moment." Reverend Manning went to answer the phone.

Raven turned to Isaiah, "Cabinets...are you for real...want me to help pick out our bed, carpeting, and furniture too....do I get my own dungeon I can lock you in..." She said in a voice that said she was trying to act like none of this was affecting her.

Reverend Manning put down the phone. People from his Parish had been at the brunch, or in the vicinity of it. So they heard...over heard is more like it. Over heard the baby comment, saw the making out, and the toast and then the stunt in the parking lot when Isaiah and Raven got semi more friendly with the making out. He walked back in and eyed both kids. "I must speak with my daughter immediately if you will excuse us."

Raven walked out of the room with her father who eyed her and in a hushed voice looked at his daughter, "Are you pregnant by that kid? Do not lie to me little girl."

Raven had a feeling he knew, how she had no clue, but he knew. Raven shook her head, "But its not his fault. I drugged him...forced him..." She never did like to hide her evil acts.

Reverend Manning took in a deep breath, "I am sorry you choose the devil's path my dear. I was really hoping you had learned your lesson, or must I continue to remind you that this is the very thing that drove your mother away. A child Raven...and you are not married, could you be anymore of a sinner. Not to mention drugging that poor man.... innocent man with plans for Divinity school...you disappoint me....no daughter of mine would ever do that...you have a dark heart dear Raven, and you better be happy he is offering you a place to stay....cause this is no longer your home...."

With that said Reverend Manning cleared his throat and returned to the room where Isaiah was in. "Sorry for the interruption, I just had to tell her something. How soon are you expecting her to move in, cause I believe she is ready now...right Raven?" Reverend's voice had turned less warm when referring to his daughter.

Raven wanted to cry. What she feared had happened? She only had herself to blame, but she would not cry...not here. She eyed Isaiah. "Of course I can pack a bag right now."

[Isaiah Kingsley]

"My parents will welcome her gladly sir and so will I!" Isaiah said, standing to kiss her on the cheek. "She can stay in my sister's room until we have the coach house ready." He was sorry her father was taking a hard line, but it was obvious someone had called him with a report from the brunch. "I'm sorry, Raven, he whispered, before moving to sit again. "We can go whenever you're ready. His heart was beating much quicker than was comfortable and he wished that Ezra didn't love him so much and hadn't offered her room. He tried to keep his mind away from how good Raven felt in his arms and other even more arousing memories. "Do you still wish the wedding to be held at your church, Sir?" he asked, feeling a bit like the decisions were now out of his grasp.

[Raven Manning]

Raven let Isaiah kiss her, but she said nothing back. Raven knew her father was going to find out and she should have been glad. Raven spent her days enjoying being evil and going against her father's wishes. However, to actually hear she was no longer welcome in her own home was bad, but to be compared to her mother was even worse, cause it just confirmed how Raven already felt....she already felt she was like her mother...and if she was then that meant this child was in for a life of having a horrible mother.

Although Raven's mother did a favor by leaving Raven..her departing words were less then happy. Raven's mother basically blamed the break up of the Manning marriage on her birth...so of course...thats what Raven had to look forward too. A mother who abandoned her own child. Raven's composure was cracking cause her mom was her one weakness.

"I will go pack." She said her voice quivering slightly as she left the room to walk up the stairs and down the hall to her bedroom. Once inside Raven broke down. The evil girl was having a weak moment. She never wanted to be like her mother, but apparently she just might be. However just because she was having one weak moment d not mean Raven would change...oh no..this is why she was evil...she would never show her weakness, except in private.

Meanwhile back in the living room Reverend Manning sat across from Isaiah, "Are you sure this is what you want young man? Because it sounds to me you may not be thinking clearly. You do not have to marry her? She was the one who was in the wrong for what she did." Reverend Manning assumed since Raven admitted it to him that Isaiah had to know too. "Do not let her sins become your own, she took from you what cannot be given back in a way that deserves punsihment....not a wedding..."


Reverend Manning just wanted to make sure Isaiah was making the right decisions. The young man had been drugged, so why would he want to marry the person who drugged him...