Moments that define us

Chapter Twenty Nine

Emily

I was sweatin' like crazy. I was an absolute nervous wreck. I knew Jameson and me needed to talk. But seeing him in person affected me in so many ways.

Watchin' this man that I loved making his way to the altar and givin' his life to Jesus, was the single most amazin' thing I had ever seen. To see him lay all his burdens down, that he carried for so many years and lay them down. It felt like a burden had lifted off my own shoulders in the process.

Then when he hugged me, and pulled me close. I couldn't help, but tell him that I loved him. We stood their holdin' onto each other like nothin' in this whole world mattered. In a way, it didn't though did it? Because he was finally where he belonged.

We hugged until a little hand tugged on my dress. Wiping the tears off my face, I peered down at the little boy who was the spittin' image of his daddy. "Granny said we are goin' home." He told us. I couldn't help, but chuckle at my momma already havin' him call her granny.

Jameson interlaced our fingers, and we said quick goodbyes to everyone, before we made our way out of the church.

So back to what I was sayin'. I was a sweatin' mess. A million things were runnin' through my mind. Was he back for good? Why did Beckham ask if I was now his momma? What was that he said about a ring.

I must've been lost in thought. Jameson had opened the passenger side door to his truck, and looked apprehensive. I shook the racin' thoughts out of my mind, when he spoke. "Is it alright if I pick you up to get in my truck?"

I couldn't help the blush that crept up my neck to my face. I looked at his truck, then down at belly. Finally I settled my gaze on Jameson. "Umm. I'm heavier than I used to be." Which was true. I was six months pregnant. I had also gained about 15 pounds.

Lookin' more determined now, than he did, Jameson came over and scooped me up like he hadn't missed a beat in the last six months that he had been gone. I started to tell him that he didn't have to, but he just gave a look. You know that look don't you? It tells you he loves you, but you're not goin' to fight with him on this matter. So I just kept my mouth shut.

Once we were all seated in the truck, and started off down the road, Beckham started sayin' "Cowboy song." Jameson  turned on the radio and a minute later "When she calls me cowboy" by Triston Marez started filtering through the cab of the truck.

I was instantly thrown back to the summer when we danced to this song after I called him cowboy. But he was one wasn't he? He roped me in, and branded me as his own. He loved me, and held on tight. Then he had left. But he was back now, even if I didn't know what to expect the future to hold for us.

He pulled into my parents driveway, but didn't stop. He drove towards the back field, where my four bedroom farm style house was being built. When we pulled up, I realized that my house was soon to be complete. I had no doubt that the man sittin' next to me was the reason for that.

He got out of the truck and came around to my side. I went to open my door to get out at the same exact time. "Woah." He said in that deep southern voice that had goosebumps raisin' all over my skin. He looked into my eyes, like he could see his whole life just by lookin' into mine. How I would love to know what he was thinkin'. Then he voiced aloud the same words he did the first time I jumped out of his truck, and he looked at me. "I think you're the most beautiful girl I have ever seen."

I looked into his beautiful gray eyes that held me captive. "What are we doin' Jameson?" I whispered. But he heard me didn't he? Cause you see that look? Like he was in physical pain? I wanted to make that go away.

Just as quickly though that expression left his face. He glanced back at Beckham. "You ready son?" Ready for what? I wondered.

"Yes daddy!" Beckham yelled from the back seat.

He leaned down and softly kissed my forehead, then went to get Beckham out of the back seat. After he got him out, Beckham took off runnin' towards the house. "He has so much of you in him." I told Jameson. They had the same gray eyes, and same dark brown hair.

"I'm thankful I get a chance to be in his life." He responded. He placed his hand on the small of my back and lead me over to the house. We sat down on the front porch, and he gently cupped my cheek with his rough hand. "I'm so sorry Em. Man, I'm so sorry.  I don't regret that little boy, but I regret leavin' you. I promised you I wouldn't and I left anyway. I'm sorry I wasn't here with you when you found out about our little girl."

I hated hearing him break. His voice was strained, and his body was tense. I hated knowin' we both made mistakes. "I should've found a way to tell you sooner. You at least deserved that, but I didn't give you the chance."

How could he not know that even though he hurt me. Gutted me. I loved him. I felt so lost without him here. My only savin' grace these past months were my parents, Amy, and our church family. They didn't shun me. They accepted me with open arms, and told me that even when we sin, God makes no mistakes.

He pulled me closer into him, and kissed my forehead. His lips lingered there a few seconds before he pulled away. "Don't do that Em. Please don't take the blame." He looked into my eyes. His were tellin' me everything he didn't know how to verbally speak. "Besides Em. This is supposed to be a good day."

I wiped at the few tears that escaped. "Oh yeah?" I asked him. "What makes today a good day?" I knew it was already a good day with him here. But I wanted to know what made it a good day for him.

He tucked some flyaways behind my ear, then smiled such a handsome smile, it had my lips making a smile as well. "Well ya see." He started. "I got custody of that little boy." He smiled even bigger. My heart started pounding in my chest. "And we just moved back to Kentucky." Did my face look shocked to you? Because hearin' those words had me wonderin' where he was goin' with this. "Oh, and I became best friends with a man named Jesus this mornin'." My whole body felt like it was a trembling mess. "I even found us a place to live. Well if this angel will have us."

"Wh-what are you talkin' about?" I stuttered out.

Jameson grabbed my left hand. He touched that promise ring he gave me, that still sat on my ring finger. "You see Emmalynn. I made this girl a promise that I would come back to her. This is me fulfilling that promise." He got down on his knee and yelled for Beckham. That little boy came runnin' just as fast as his little legs would bring him. "Emmalynn Rose, I have made plenty of mistakes. One I didn't make was fallin' in love with you. You're the sun shinin' through a dreary day, that makes everyone who weathered the storm thankful they made it to the light. You are the best thing in my life."

He looked over at Beckham. He came over beside his daddy, and got down on his knee too. I knew I was a mess of tears and smeared mascara. "Go ahead buddy. Ask her." Jameson told his son.

Jameson handed somethin' to his son, then Beckham looked at me with a big bright smile on his cute little face. "Will you marry my daddy?"

I was now uncontrollably cryin' and I couldn't stop. "Why is her cryin' daddy?" Beckham asked.

Jameson pulled me into his arms and held me. "Well I hope it's cause she's happy son." He pulled back, and wiped my tears away. "You happy angel?" Oh that voice.

I nodded my head, and tried to get control over my emotions. "Very h-happy." I informed them.

Beckham walked over to me and grabbed my hand. "Can I put you ring on?" He held up the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever laid eyes on. It was lined with small diamonds and a round bigger one sat in the middle.

I looked into Jameson's eyes as I answered both him, and his son. "Yes." I smiled at him through my tear streaked face. "You're right. It is a good day."

He held me even tighter as his son placed the ring on my finger. "I love you so much Emmalynn Rose." He gently placed him lips on mine, and everything that had happened in the last few months seemed to come to an end, with this man beside of me.