Love Is . . .

Chapter 33

One year later . . . 

       Rays of morning sunlight beam through the stain glass window and are casting a prism of colors over us. We sit opposite each other with knees touching, hands clasped, and heads bowed. He finishes an eloquent prayer based on 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7. When he stops praying, I open my eyes, and I am met with warmth and love in his blue-grey ones. 

"You look so beautiful, Abby. Literally glowing with happiness," he says with a small smile. I take my hand and cup his scruffy cheek.

"I'm so glad you made it home, Graham." I say sincerely.

"I wouldn't have missed this for the world." He takes my hand from his cheek and kisses the back side of it. 

At that moment, Ben walks into the room.

"You had your chance," he states firmly.

Graham looks from Ben to me and then says, "And the best man won."

I laugh and kiss Graham softly on the cheek before rising to stand. I turn to face my soon-to-be husband. I take in just how handsome he looks in his tuxedo as I walk slowly toward him. I rest my hands on his lapels, and he places his on the fitted waist of my white lace wedding gown just above where it cascades down into a long, flowing train.

"You, sir, aren't supposed to see me yet," I chastise him.

"I had to make sure my bride didn't get cold feet since she has a history of it," he explains with a teasing smile.

"I learned my lesson, and I will NEVER want to be where you aren't."

For a moment, we are lost in each other's eyes with everything around us fading away. Ben starts to lean down to kiss me when Graham clears his throat rather loudly. Ben smiles his lopsided grin and whispers,

"To be continued . . ." 

He then strides over to clap Graham on the back. They shake hands, but end up in a brotherly hug. At that moment, Natalie runs in with her long auburn hair trailing her with ribbons flowing from the flower girl wreath she has on her head.

"Momma, Momma! Where's . . . . Ben! She exclaims as she runs and throws herself into his awaiting arms. I am amazed at how quickly they have bonded. Ben is totally wrapped around her little finger. "So, today you marry Mommy, right?" Ben smiles even bigger.

"Yes, I definitely will."

"So . . . I can call you Daddy, right?"

Ben looks to me with so much emotion shining in his eyes.

"I'd love that if that is what you want." He answers looking back at Natalie.

"Oh, yes! I've always wanted a daddy, and since I already love you so much, AND you love Mommy so much, it makes sense, right?"

"Especially since I love you so much as well," he answers, and she gives him an even tighter hug.

Graham and I exchange a look. I know it is hard for him because for years now, he felt like a father to her. He playfully tugs her hair and says,

"Hey, what am I? Chopped liver?" He fends a look of hurt. Natalie looks at him, scrunching her nose in confusion.

"No, you're Uncle Graham. What's chopped liver?"

We all have a good laugh as Ms. Mae enters the doorway leaning on her cane with Clair, my maid of honor, and Shawndi, Graham's very pregnant wife. He met her during one of his many mission trips. She doesn't speak English too well, so she is quiet a lot of times, but the love in her eyes for Graham speaks volumes. 

"Y'all are going to be late for your own wedding!" Ms. Mae admonishes. Graham is quick to run over to them, offering his arms to escort Ms. Mae and Shawndi. Ben looks at me, offering his hand while holding Natalie's with his other one. But as I walk towards them, something catches my attention. A single ray of sunlight is beaming down on my Mom's old worn Bible, causing the gold-colored engraving of her name and the cross on the front of it to glow. I walk over to it and graze my hand across the cover. It is warm to the touch. I feel as if my mother is right here in this room. I close my eyes and lift my face toward the Heavens.

"I love you, too," I whisper to her and the One who has shown me what true love is . . .

                                                                            THE END

I hope you have enjoyed this edited version. I sure have loved reliving these characters and adding to the story some to make it flow better than the original. Please star the chapters you liked the most and leave comments. I'd love to hear from anyone on what they thought and any constructive criticism that I can use for my next book. I am excited to start something new, and have no idea what it will be yet. (Praying God will direct me on what the next one should be!) When I first wrote this story, the song 'Testify' by NeedToBreathe was popular, and I felt like it was the perfect soundtrack for this book. If you have not heard of it, definitely take the time to do so! Until next time . . . 

Much Love & Happy Reading!

Serena Melton