Finding a Way to Love:Forever Yours (Book two of The Finding Series)

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Sam whispers to me. I look over at Pastor Arnold and smile, then back to Sam. At this moment, Sam and I are standing in our senior pastor's office, getting married. Do I maybe think I am rushing into this; no. Am I nervous; not even remotely. I know what Sam and I are about to do is something neither of us can take back, but never in my whole life have I ever wanted something this much.

I bat my blue eyes at Sam. "Of course I want to do this, Sam."

He chuckles a bit and Pastor Arnold nods his head. "Alright you two, do you have two witnesses?" Sam turns his head to the back of small office.

My father and Sam's mom stand with smiles on their faces. When I told my father what I was planning to do, he at first questioned me.Hedoesn't want me to make a mistake. I told him why would I be making a mistake, when I love Sam? When I asked him to be a witness, he pulled me into his arms and joyfully said yes. My only wish is that my mom could be here, even though I know she is watching from heaven.

"Mrs. Collins, Mr. Jenkins, can you two come stand beside the couple?" Pastor Arnold asks. My father comes beside me, and Sam's mother stands beside him. Sam takes my hands in his and smiles down at me.

"This is certainly last minute," Pastor Arnold chuckles. "But when you're in love, I guess it doesn't matter." Pastor Arnold turns his gaze to me. "Rachel, I am overjoyed to see you back at church. I know your mother's passing was tough on you. I know you fell away from Him, but God always finds His children when they are lost."

When they say impromptu wedding, the is an understatement. Sam is in jeans and dress shirt. His hair is its usual messy style. I'm in a simple cream maternity dress. My naturally curly hair is pinned back and it hangs down my back in ringlets. We haven't told anyone what we are doing right now but our parents, and I know Annabel will be very unhappy she missed my wedding.

Pastor Arnold smiles lightly and opens the small bible in his hands. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Rachel Anne Jenkins and Samuel Isaac Collins in Holy Matrimony."

Since we decided to do this just hours ago, Sam had my dad run to the jewelry store and buy two wedding bands. How he did it in just four hours later, I have no clue.

Pastor Arnold goes on to speak about how important marriage is and how God ordained it.

The rest of Pastor Arnold's words blur as I stare into Sam's blue eyes. Those eyes I can easily get lost in. How did we end up here? Seems just like yesterday we were playing basketball in my driveway, stealing glances at each other when the other wasn't looking.

Pastor Arnold's words bring me out of my haze. "Rachel, do you take Sam, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse until death do you part?"

I do not hesitate to answer. "I do," I say, then I look back up to Sam's blue eyes.

"Sam, do you take Rachel to have bad to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, until death do you part?" Pastor Arnold repeats to Sam.

Sam looks deep into my eyes, almost as if he can see straight into my soul. "I do," he says, softer than a whisper.

Pastor Arnold grins, lines from old age and worry show, along with his dimples. "By the power vested in me and the state of Michigan, I now pronounce you husband and wife," he turns to Sam. "Sam, kiss your bride."

Sam moves his hands from mine and he cradles my face. His warm thumbs draw circles on my cheekbones. He slowly starts to close the distance between us. I close my eyes and ready myself for his kiss, our first kiss as husband and wife.