Posted by hummingbird on 3/12/2014, 8:04 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
There must be a God I believe it's true 'Cause I see His love When I look at you
And He must have a plan for this crazy life 'Cause He brought you here and placed you by my side...
When I Say I Do ~ Matthew West
Chapter Twenty-Six
December 21, 1999
The walls of St. James Church flickered with candlelight. Bo, carrying Matthew, came from a side room to meet Andrew at the front of the church. A few moments later, Nora came from the opposite side of the church to meet Bo at the altar. She was dressed in a simple but elegant white dress and carried a small bouquet of red roses. They had decided on a very simple wedding, no guests except for Rachel and Clint who were their witnesses, no decorations except for the poinsettias and greenery already adorning the church for Christmas.
Nora smiled at Bo as she stood before him. Matthew reached for his mommy, but Bo pulled him back snugly into his arms. Both Bo and Nora had been a bundle of nerves at their first wedding, but neither was nervous tonight. They had no doubts about the direction their lives were going. They were happy and ready for their new life together to begin.
Andrew began. “Bo and Nora...I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you standing here together before me tonight...with your children,” he said glancing at Matthew and Rachel, “to reunite and become a true family. I know it has been a bumpy road to get to where we are now...but God has been gracious, and here we are. I understand that you have your own vows prepared for one another; so Bo, we’ll begin with you.
At this point, Rachel came to take Matthew from Bo’s arms. Bo took Nora’s bouquet and gently laid it on the edge of a nearby pew before he gathered her hands in his. He lowered his head for a moment as he tried to get control over his emotions. She squeezed his hands as encouragement, and he looked up and into her eyes.
You see the hands you hold will always hold you up When the strength you have just ain't strong enough
“Funny,” he began, “I had all of these elegant words that I planned to say to you...now I hardly know how to put them all together to express what is going on in my mind and heart right now…”
She smiled. “They don’t have to be elegant...just real.”
He nodded and looked at her hands in his before he continued. “The months we were apart, I was lost. I tried to move on and make sense of my life, but there was this...aching emptiness inside me. I was stubborn and proud and didn’t admit it at first...but it was true. When I lost you, I lost everything.” He swallowed hard. “Then someone...very near and dear to me...helped me to see that it was pride that was keeping me from the one I loved the most; and that if would choose to love and forgive, I could be a happy man. So, I made those choices...to love and to forgive...and to seek forgiveness...and she was so right. I am a very happy man...and a very grateful one.”
He squeezed her hands and smiled. “Now, here we are...at our new beginning. I am so thankful for this second chance...and I promise you, Red, that I’ll be by your side forever because...I want your sweet face to be the last one that I see when I close my eyes on this earth for the very last time.”
Tears brimmed in Nora’s eyes. She bit her lip trying to compose herself. Finally, she looked into his eyes and began. “All of those months apart…” She shook her head. “Life took a lot of twists and turns...there was a lot of confusion in my mind...but the one thing that remained constant was my love for you. It rested inside my heart, so strong that I tried to run away from it… I moved myself out of this town and tried to start a new life...but my love for you was still there, buried deep...and finally you came and found it again. I am so glad that you did, because...what we have together...it’s like no other love...it’s amazing and wonderful and... splendiferous even.” They both giggled at their inside joke.
“Splendiferous,” Andrew repeated. Well, I must say, I’ve never heard that one before.”
They both smiled, then Nora continued solemnly, “Bo Buchanan...I love you with all of my heart and soul...and I promise to be by your side for...as long as we both shall live…”
“Now you’re stealing my lines,” Andrew said smiling. “If you are ready, we will continue with the exchanging of the rings.” Rachel and Clint handed Bo and Nora their rings.
Take my hand and take this ring And know that I will always love you through anything And as the years march on, like a beating heart I will live these words, til death do us part
Andrew continued. “Nora gave me some more personal words for the exchanging of the rings. Bo, we’ll start with you. Place the ring on Nora’s hand as you repeat after me…”
“With this ring, I give you my heart.” Andrew said.
Bo repeated, “With this ring, I give you my heart.”
Andrew continued, “I promise from this day forward, you will not walk alone.”
Bo repeated looking deeply into Nora’s eyes, “I promise from this day forward, you will not walk alone…”
“May my heart be your shelter, and my arms be your home.”
“May my heart be your shelter, and my arms be your home…” Bo finished, placing the ring on Nora’s finger.
“Nora, when you’re ready,” Andrew said.
Nora held Bo’s hand and said softly, “With this ring, I give you my heart.” She stopped to compose herself, then continued her vow to Bo with tears in her eyes, “I promise from this day forward, you will never walk alone. May my heart be your shelter...and my arms be your home.” She placed the ring on his finger.
Andrew nodded and smiled. “Now, by the power vested in me by God and the state of Pennsylvania, I pronounce you husband and wife. Bo...you may kiss your bride.”
“Finally,” he sighed pulling Nora into his arms. They shared a sweet kiss, then hugs all around. Bo took Matthew and held him up high, “Hear that, Buddy? We’re a family now! Yeah!”
* * * * * * *
“Can you believe it? We’re married!” Nora exclaimed to Bo as they drove away from Rachel’s apartment. Rachel was keeping Matthew while Bo and Nora had a night away They were driving out of town to stay at the Winchester, a quaint Bed and Breakfast near Lancaster.
Bo reached for her hand as he was driving. “I don’t know about you; but, after the past few weeks, I am ready for a night away...just to forget about everything...except us.”
She smiled at him. “It has been crazy, hasn’t it? Packing and finishing my term at the University, and Thanksgiving with my parents, and packing some more…”
“Please stop. You’re making me tired.” he told her.
“Nope. You can’t be tired. It’s our wedding night!” She squeezed his hand and pulled it into her lap. Just then Nora twisted her head around quickly. “Oh Bo! There’s Greenfield Drive! Let’s stop at the house for a minute. I haven’t seen it since we got back.”
“It’s getting kind of late...are you sure you want to take the time? We can…”
She interrupted him, “Oh please, Bo? Just for a little bit? I have the sudden need to see it.”
“Okay. Anything for my bride,” he said.
They turned around and drove back to Greenfield Drive. As they drove into their driveway, Nora leaned up in her seat. “Home,” she said quietly.
As soon as Bo parked, Nora jumped out of the car and headed for the door. Bo followed keys in hand. He unlocked the door and she started to hurry past him, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her back.
“Hey now...wait just a minute,” he said calmly, attempting to slow her down. “You can’t just barge in there like that.”
“Why not? It’s ours, isn’t it?” she said quizzically.
“Well yes, honey, but that’s just not how it’s done. You see, when a man marries the woman he loves and they go to their home, he’s supposed to…” He scooped Nora off her feet and into his arms to her surprised “OoOooo!” and bubbly laugh…”carry her over the threshold.”
She wrapped her arms tightly about his neck and kissed him as he carried her into the house. She looked around at the familiar surroundings and felt peace envelope her. “This feels so right,” she whispered to Bo.
“That’s because it is right,” he whispered back.
She smiled at him and kissed him again. He stood there still holding her in his arms.
“So...are you going to put me down?” she asked playing with his lapel.
“I guess. If I have to,” he said grinning at her.
He let her down and she started exploring. Everything was a bit dusty, and there was a pile of boxes that Bo had already brought stacked in the space by the windows. She went to the fireplace mantel and ran her hand across it. Then she turned to look around.
“Do you know...when I left here for the last time, I thought I’d never see the inside of this house again. It was a sad day,” she said, remembering.
He nodded. “I went through the same thing myself,” he said.
Recuperating quickly from sentimentality she exclaimed, “But...today is a happy day! We’re back! Come on.” She grabbed his hand. Let’s go see the upstairs.”
She pulled him by the hand up the wooden steps and into their bedroom. It seemed strange without any furniture. She walked to the window where their bed used to be and looked out.
“We made a lot of good memories in here,” Bo remarked walking to the fireplace.
“Yes, we did,” she agreed quietly.
“And Matthew was conceived right about in that very spot where you are standing,” he continued.
She smiled, remembering. After a few silent moments she asked, “Do you know what I want to do?”
“Well, uh…” Bo began.
“Not that...well, yes, that, but…” She walked over to him and put her arms around his neck. “I want to stay here tonight,” she said quietly, eyes gleaming.
“Here? Are you kidding me? Honey, we have no bed…”
“Never stopped us before,” she replied, stroking his cheek and toying with his earlobe.
“It’s pretty cold in here too…”
“We won’t be cold,” she said giving him a lingering kiss.
“The Bed and Breakfast has a hot tub...” he said pulling her closer.
“We have that big antique bathtub that we can fill with hot water and bubbles…” She kissed his neck and made her way back to his mouth. “And you can build us a fire in that little fireplace there and we can make a bed out of blankets...are there blankets in one of those boxes down there?”
“I think so, but...Honey...it’s your wedding night. You deserve more than a pallet on the floor in a dusty room.”
“But, it’s what I want. I remember you telling me not too long ago that you would give me anything I wanted...that you wanted to spoil me…” she said loosening his tie. She looked up at him and lifted her brows.
“Taken by my own words.” He shook his head and grinned. “Alright! I guess we’ll honeymoon here tonight...at the Buchanan Inn.”
She threw her arms tightly around his neck. “Oh, thank you!” she said enthusiastically. “Life is an adventure, Sweetheart! And for you and I...it’s just beginning!”
And I pray every day will be the proof that I mean what I say when I say "I Do"...
When I Say I Do by Matthew West
Re: FF-Begin Again-Chapter 26
Posted by rosie on 3/12/2014, 10:49 am, in reply to "FF-Begin Again-Chapter 26" VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
another great chapter....loved the vows and the visit to the barn....thanks