Tacoma Falls: Blazing Hearts

Grayson and Amber Fuller

Maury

Amber wanted a different entrance for her wedding. I helped the girls with her arrival and gussied up Phoenix for Amber. Amber mounted Phoenix so I could lead them to the Reverend. Grayson appeared in the opposite direction on his mare and walked toward Amber and Phoenix. I grabbed the reins to his horse and led them to the Reverend. The guests watched Grayson and Amber ride their respective horses toward the front.

Morgan, Mary, and Patsy waited at the front while Hank, Beau, Waylon, and Shep stood on the other side. I stopped the horses as Grayson dismounted his horse. He walked over and held out his hand to Amber. She dismounted and placed her hand in his before they approached the Reverend. Dalton took over so I could stand with the girls. They had initiated me as the fifth musketeer.

We turned to the Reverend.

"Are we ready?" Reverend Harper asked.

"Sure am," Amber said while smiling.

"Let's begin, shall we?"

Grayson and Amber nodded in response.

"Dearly beloved, we gather today to join two souls in holy matrimony. Grayson and Amber found their way to each other while overcoming a difficulty. Amber is like a wild horse that enjoys running freely. Grayson prefers to watch his wild horse run. Amber didn't run from him but ran toward him. To understand wild horses, you need to understand their spirit."

We smiled and listened to Reverend Harper.

"Do you, Grayson, take Amber as your lawfully wedded wife and promise not to cage her spirit?"

"I do," Grayson said.

"Do you, Amber, take Grayson as your lawfully wedded husband and run toward him?"

"I do," Amber said.

"Grayson and Amber have promised to celebrate her free spirit while watching wild horses run free. They choose to honor each other before family and friends. Today, we celebrate happiness and honor love. Join me in welcoming Grayson and Amber Fuller."

Everyone clapped and cheered since signified a turning point for Amber and Grayson. Amber was no longer a victim but a survivor. If anyone deserves happiness, it's Amber after the hell she endured.

*******
Shepherd

Now, this was one wedding we all wanted to attend. We watched Amber suffer in silence. But Grayson never gave up on her. He pursued her like the dickens so she could bolt from an abusive situation to freedom.

It took everyone's effort to support Grayson's decision to help Amber. We don't regret it and would do it all over again.

I was talking to my brothers when I spotted Maury lingering by the food table and excused myself. I approached Maury, grabbed a plate, and filled it for him. Relief flooded Maury's face as he took the plate from me.

Celebrations were a struggle for Maury because of food. I never understood how much he struggled until he collapsed in that parking lot. When the doctor mentioned his weight loss, it shocked me to my core. Maury was willing to sacrifice his health and life to repent for what happened.

But at what cost?

"What?" Maury asked me after swallowing his food.

"You scared the hell out of me when you collapsed in that parking lot." I shook my head and blinked back tears.

Maury furrowed his brows.

"I watched you struggle and hated every minute. I almost lost you that day."