To Have and To Hold

Chapter 50

Michael rose and kissed her cheek. "You, ok?"

"Yeah...I'm just...overwhelmed..."

"You are overwhelmed...well...let me tell you. This is one surprise I never would have dared to hope for. How did you do this?"

"Well- I know you still are iffy about celebrating your birthday, but I thought we'd get around that by making it our anniversary. Plus, while we were getting the legal stuff ready for the adoption, I got the marriage license- and Reverend Jones here did not solely come out here to say the benediction for the adoption gathering."

Michael stared at her, still barely able to comprehend his dreams were about to come true. Lisa had done it: She had said she'd do it on her own time, and he had afforded her the trust she needed. They did not rush this time. No one could accuse them of all this being a game for the media this time, either. And if they did, well...screw them!

"Wow...you really thought of everything. What about witnesses? Anyone here willing to do the honors?" He turned and looked at Elizabeth who was standing with his mother.

"Elizabeth, would you do me the great honor to be my witness?"

"Well, my dear. I guess I can do that, especially since your little pushy soon to be again wife already had talked me out of a vacation I had planned to be here today. And, to be ready to be your witness. And as you know, I am a sucker for those repeat love stories."

Elizabeth stepped up to him, gave him a huge hug- and winked at Lisa. Well, miracles never seemed to cease! Seemed those two had finally buried the hatchet. He had simply assumed Elizabeth had shown up to irritate Lisa. But no... This once again showed that he really needed to stop underestimating the women in his life. Especially the one he was about to marry. Again.

Lisa's friend Alecia stepped up and hugged both of them, whispering to Michael to make sure not to mess up or she would break his legs. He laughed, but deep down he knew she was serious as a heart attack.

And so, minutes later, they stood at the little gazebo by the gorgeous fountain. Ben and Riley standing next to Lisa, while Prince was held by Janet, and Paris by his mother, standing close to him.

Lisa looked nervous still, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes a dark, incandescent blue. The minister started to talk, but Michael could barely concentrate on the words. This was really it. This was final. This was forever. His heart soared from his lips straight into God's hands- and he knew he would not mess up again. Suddenly it all was so clear. He made a solemn vow to love and honor, to have and to hold, from now until death did them part. But it was about so much more. He now understood that the words meant work. They meant a commitment which had to be renewed daily in words, in actions, in feelings. Nothing was more important.

Once upon a time he really had thought his work took priority before his marriage. Or that his marriage could wait until he had time to deal with it. Somehow, the thing he had longed for in so many lonely, tear-filled nights slid down the priority ladder as if the rungs had been removed and the sides been oiled by Lisa's tears as she fought to keep him close, forcing him further away.

Really, it was simple. His heart had always guided his work. How could he expect to be effective in one area of his life when he had so miserably failed in another?

Lisa looked at Michael, touched by the sincerity in his tone and a flicker in his eyes she had not seen in a very long time. Some light had been turned on, and looking at him, he allowed her a full gaze into his soul. As she repeated her vows, she suddenly knew: She didn't have to kick, scream, and fight to get or keep his love. It was simply there. It was as fragile, perfect, and rare as a hand blown, sparkling crystal unicorn coming to life. She could hold it and treasure, work to keep it alive and healthy, but she could not squeeze and contain it, or she would break it once again, cutting her own soul in the process.