In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

145

"Then stop breaking up with him every single time you don't agree on something. That's just going to push him away and you're going to lose him forever." I think I got through to her that night, because there hadn't been anymore breakups in the past few months. Kenzie and Kevin were going strong, as well as the rest. Colby and I had been going back and forth to Georgia, to supervise the renovations on our house. I made sure to see Mrs. Gail and my parents every time. Mrs. Gail was trying to rush us out the door last time we visited her, and it kind of hurt my feelings...until I found out why. "Okay, well I'm sure that you kids are tired after a day full of traveling. I'm sure you want to get back to the house and get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow." She ushered us out the door, with me protesting the entire way. When we reached the front porch, I dug in my heels and turned to face her. "Ma, what is wrong? Why are you trying to get rid of us?" She blushed all the way from her neck to the top of her head, making her newly dyed hair stand out. "I'm not honey. Really. I just know how tiring traveling can be." I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms. "If you want us to leave, just tell us. Don't lie to me Ma. You always hated when I lied to you." "Ohh, you always were too smart for your own good. Too observant," she said, swatting the dishrag that she had in her hand at me. I heard Colby start laughing, so I shot my glare in his direction. "I have company coming sweetie. That's all. I would've canceled but I didn't know that you two were coming tonight. You should letting me know. Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't like to have a night to enjoy myself." "I didn't-" I started, but Colby cut me off with nudge of his shoulder. I looked his way, then followed his eyes to the driveway, where a dark blue, almost black, Oldsmobile had pulled up. My mouth dropped when I saw who stepped out. "Brother Ledford?" I gasped out, my wide eyes going back to Mrs. Gail. "Are you two...dating?" I asked, unsure of what to call it. Did people still even date at that age? "Yes, we are. Don't look so shocked honey. I can still get down with the best of em." "Oh no," I groaned, while Colby busted out laughing at Mrs. Gail's suggestive little move. "Okay, it's time to go. We'll stop by soon Ma." I gave her a rushed hug and kissed her cheek then pulled Colby down the porch stairs. I nodded to Brother Ledford as we passed. Once we got back to the car, Colby busted out laughing, while my face was burning. "Shut up. This is not okay. This is...weird. She's like my Grandmother. And he's my old pastor. This is weird." "Oh, it's fine. Look, she looks happy," he said, motioning towards the couple standing on the porch. The pastor had removed his hat, and pulled Mrs. Gail close to him for a kiss. "Oh ew, no, back up, back up," I said, telling Colby to put the damn car in reverse. I was glad that she was happy, but I wasn't ready to face the fact that she wasn't a bride to the Lord himself, wearing virgin white clothes.  Colby couldn't stop laughing that entire night. He would just start laughing randomly every time he thought about it. The house was nearly finished though. The top floor was completed, and the bottom floor was about halfway finished. Colby and I had combined our styles and made it into a modern day home, while still keeping as much of the old place the same as we could. I didn't want to lose the history of the place, but I didn't want to fall through a weak floorboard either. Time went on, and the years passed, changing some things, but also not changing at all. Colby and I were married three years after he had proposed. The ceremony was performed in a nearby church, and it was huge. I hadn't wanted a large wedding, but with the amount of success that Colby had gained, and myself as well, it had just grown into something massive. My parents had flown to LA to attend and my father walked me down the aisle, while my mother was my matron of honor. It was beautiful and perfect in every way. I had been so nervous walking down that aisle, looking down so that I could make sure that I didn't trip on the long white wedding gown that the girls had helped me pick out. "Look up sweetheart," my father had said. "That's a look of pure adoration on that boy's face." I glanced up at the mention of Colby and my heart had all but stopped. His blue eyes were more vibrant than ever, with a glassy sheen to them. The black tux that he was wearing fit him perfectly. The white shirt underneath made his tan stand out, and his newly burgundy hair was glowing under the lights. He really looked like a dark angel, put on this Earth just for me. I sped up, holding his gaze, eager to make it to him. My father chuckled, but kept up. Once we reached him, in a tradition as old as time itself, my father placed my hand in Colby's. "Take good care of her, son," he said, then he and my mother took their seats in the front row next to Denise and Elias. I stood in front of the man I loved, and everything else disappeared again. It was just us two. The pastor went through the traditional passages then asked if we wanted to read our vows. We had chosen to write our vows and that had probably been one of my biggest regrets before today. It had been so very hard trying to put into words the way that I felt about him. The way that I felt getting to spend the rest of my life with him.