The Greatest of These (Sequel to Kansas Summer) -- Faith

'Til Death Do Us Part

                “Good morning beautiful.  How was your night?” I croon, turning over in the creaky bed to face the love of my life, bedhead and all.  “Mine was wonderful with you by my side…”  Jenna groans and stuffs a pillow in my face, giggling softly to herself.  The next words of the song are lost in the fluffy down.  Jenna cracks a wry smile.

                “What was that for?” I tease playfully.

                “Mood swings,” Jenna replies nonchalantly.  “Love me, love my flaws.”

                “Your mood swings have never gotten me a pillow in the face before.”

                “There always has to be a first,” she groans, sitting up in bed, hugging the bed sheets close to her body.  Sunlight peeks in through the window, casting golden rays upon her tan, scarred body.  My wife closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.  Sighing, she runs her hand through her hair, trying to untangle the knots.  I lie on my pillow and gaze at this specimen of unique beauty.  I smile, but slowly, it returns to a state of neutrality.

                “Do you still have nightmares?”

                Jenna sighs deeply again, hanging her head and letting her chocolate hair cascade down her bare chest.  “I wish I didn’t.”  Suddenly aware again, she turns towards me quickly.  “Do I show it?” she asks.  I can see the tears forming in her eyes.

                “Yes.”  I scoot over to her and wrap my arm around her.  I can feel the hurt and the abuse in her weathered skin, even though she is young.  My darling rests her head on my shoulder and I can feel her chest heave.  I close my eyes and run my hand through her hair, massaging her scalp.  Pressing my forehead against hers, I stare into her scared, painful eyes.  For a moment, it reminds me of my dad, seeing his rugged body on the day he passed, a splinter of wood pierced through him like some odd crucifixion.  I remember the fear in my soul.  Losing Jenna, losing my dad, losing my home.  Closing my eyes, I try to sweep those memories out of my mind.  I know that if we keep dwelling on the past, it will be impossible to move forward with our lives.  When I open them again, I see a woman staring back at me, fearfully, but still with a trace of hope.  I glance over every line, wrinkle, and freckle of her face, loving what I see.  A grin breaks on my lips as I move my head to kiss her. 

Immediately, I see the fear dissipate from her eyes.  A wave of security and contentment flows through her as she closes her eyes and lets herself be drawn into the moment.  I don’t know how much time has passed, but I don’t think that it matters.  When we open our eyes again, we are both smiling.

“I want to tell you,” I whisper, “that I will always love you.  Everything about you.  Your past too.  Please give me the chance to love you for who you are.  I don’t want you to be scared of me.”  I touch my forehead to hers again.  “I meant every word that I said at that altar.  I promise to love you in sickness, and in health, for as long as we both shall live.  I intend to keep that promise.”

“Til death do us part?”

I smile.  “Death will never do us part."

Jenna wraps her arms tightly around me and lays her head on my chest.  I know I have her trust, but more importantly, I know I have her love.  When she decides enough is enough, she throws the covers off of us and swings herself out of bed with much groaning and complaining from the old bed springs.

"Come on, Colin.  Sun's coming up, and that means our day's just starting."

Nodding, I roll myself out of bed as well.  The farm life is lots of work, but I know that as long as I have Jenna by my side and we have God in our hearts, there isn't anything that we cannot overcome.