Second Chances

8- Back At One

Today was finally the day!!! Today was the day that I married my soulmate, and on top of being extremely excited, I was scared as hell. Before we left Baltimore, Caleb made a final decision that he was flying our families out for the wedding. He wanted to share our love with everyone. He even went as far as to find my old homegirls from Jackson and all my line sisters from Howard. There was absolutely nothing that man could do that would cease to amaze me. It warmed my heart so to know that I was finally going to marry Caleb and spend the rest of my days loving only him. While in the skies on the way back to Spain, Caleb let it be known that I wouldn't have to lift a finger, all I had to do was walk down the aisle and say, 'I Do.' He even found the top wedding dress designer in Spain and paid top-dollar for our custom wedding and reception attire.

My wedding dress was a stunning sleeveless cream bespoke dress with a killer split on the right thigh, and the reception gown was a cute A-line baby doll dress with a million crystals, while Caleb opted for a classy cream three-piece suit. For the first time, in a long time, everything was perfect.

The sun was setting perfectly in the sky, and the ocean was roaring in the distance as my limo got closer to the beach. When I stepped out of the limo, the song we first kissed to, Back at One by Brian McKnight, could be heard through the speakers, and my heart fluttered a mile a minute as tears threatened to ruin my make-up. Caleb put a fist up to his mouth and put his head down to hide his tears, and his best man consoled him by patting him on the shoulder. Everyone stood when they saw me, and a chorus of 'oohs' and 'aahs' could be heard as I slowly cascaded down the aisle towards the love of my life with Brian McKnight leading the way,

One, you're like a dream come true,

Two, just wanna be with you,

Three, girl it's plain to see,

That you're the only one for me and

Four, repeat steps one through three,

Five, make you fall in love with me,

If ever I believe my work is done

Then I'll start back at one

When I took Caleb's hand, the electricity that flowed through me made me feel even more alive. As Caleb and I stared at each other with love flowing between us, I felt my little one fluttering inside of me, which gave me more life. I wiped away a tear from Caleb's cheek, and he reciprocated by telling me that I was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen in his entire life.

"Time was created to keep up with man's agenda, but there will never be a time where time stops love," the officiant bellowed out, and all of our guests vocally agreed.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate the union of Caleb Jackson and Selena Campbell. These two young people were torn apart by time, but thanks to love, they are here to be joined as husband and wife. If there is anyone that feels that this union shouldn't take place, speak now or forever hold your peace." It was so silent, only the ocean could be heard.

"With that being said, Caleb and Selena have written their vows from their hearts. Caleb, express your vows to Selena." Caleb retrieved his little white scroll from his best man, and I received mine from my maid of honor. Caleb glanced down at his paper, then tossed it over his shoulder and grabbed my hands which made everyone laugh.

"Selena, the very second I saw you in Mrs. Grover's class, I knew you were the girl I was gonna marry, but the boy in me didn't want to be a man and give you what you ultimately needed. While I was laying in that rehab center on my last leg of hope, a vision of you flashed through my head, and from that moment on, I vowed to be the man I knew you wanted me to be. The man I knew you deserved. In order for me to do that, I had to let you go, but I made a vow that if the universe allowed me to have a second chance, I would go the extra mile every day to show you how much I love and adore you. You're the wind beneath my wings, my hope when all is lost, and the sweet dream that soothes me when I'm afraid. I love you, and from this day forth, I vow to cherish, honor, obey and most definitely be faithful and true, until my last day on this earth."