“I would like to introduce you to Dr. and Mrs. Alec Ray Collins and family,” The preacher announces.
The crowd erupts in cheers and laughter, and we lift our hands and smile. This is my family, and I couldn’t be happier.
After the ceremony Alec and I walk around the yard that has been transformed into our wedding paradise. The white tents cover the white linen tables that are adorned with white pillar candles, lilac flowers, and silver glitter. The food buffet is set up to the right of the tent and the wedding party table is front and center.
A band and a makeshift dance floor are set up down by the boat dock. The wedding cake is stunning. Although Alec and I picked out the cake together, it appears to be even more impressive now that it is our wedding cake. It is a seven-layer fountain cake decorated with lilacs.
Alec and I take a seat at the head table with our best man and maid of honor, Raelynn and James. James lightly taps his water glass with a spoon to get the attention of the guests and the glass breaks. The grandpas rush up to the table to help James prepare to make his best man speech. I make sure he isn’t cut from the glass before taking my seat.
My dad tells James to tap another glass to get the attention of the guests. They all look up and James looks scared. Alec moves his chair slightly back so I can see the best man make his speech. My nose tingles and I will the tears not to come. I don’t want to miss this moment. The grandpas stay on stage and James turns around and whispers, “I can do it.” They reluctantly sit down and James holds the microphone. Raelynn stands up and walks over to James. This is unexpected and I have no idea what they will say or what is planned.
“Sissy and I want to thank you guys for coming to our mommy and daddy’s wedding.” James and Raelynn turn slightly to face Alec and me, and I reach for Alec’s hand. “Sissy and I love you ever and ever,” James says as he and Raelynn raise their water glasses, indicating everyone to toast their speech. This has obviously been rehearsed and James and Raelynn perfected it. Alec and I toast their speech with each other and with Raelynn and James. I hug them both and my heart bursts with the pride that I have for them.
We have dinner, cut the wedding cake, and then dance with each other and with the kids. The band is good and plays a variety of music for everyone, including something for the kids.
I slip away from the party and walk down by the water where the tiki torches line the cobblestone path. The skies are clear and the winds are calm. I watch the moon’s reflection off the water and feel a slight breeze blow across my face. I have to wonder if it’s Max. My thoughts drift back to mine and Max’s own wedding day and how wonderful my life was with him. I will always love him and will never understand why he was taken from me so soon. Someone walks up behind me and wraps his strong arms securely around me. I rest my head on Alec’s chest and he whispers into my ear, “I’ll always love you ever and ever.”
I close my eyes and smile. I feel another cool breeze blow across my face again and I know it’s Max’s way of telling me goodbye. A single tear falls from my face and I turn around and wrap my arms around Alec’s neck. I pull him closer and say, “I’ll love you ever and ever.”
Epilogue: One Year Later
Alec
Raelynn is back to her normal, bubbly, skipping-around self after the school shooting. James, although he’s two years younger than Raelynn, has had a growth spurt and is now the same height as Raelynn. I never asked how tall Max was, but I can assume he was well over 6 ft. Sara and Donovan got married on Valentine’s Day and they are in the process of adopting a boy from Spain. Molly’s photography business has taken off, as I knew it would and she and Adam are now engaged to be married. I like Adam and I am happy for them both. Raelynn and James actually spent the weekend with Molly. Molly and Adam are getting married next weekend, and Emma and I are their best man and matron of honor. He is a good guy and is great to Raelynn, James, and Molly. I have come to like and trust Adam. Molly and I are better off as friends than we were as husband and wife.
I lie in bed and watch my beautiful wife sleep. She is so beautiful. She stirs and I lie still, not wanting to wake her. I watch her and her eyes flutter open. She smiles and I have to smile, too.
“Happy anniversary, Baby.” I lean in and kiss her sweetly.
“Happy anniversary, Alec. How long have you been up?” she asks.
“Not long,” I lie.
She smiles; she knows I am lying. I never sleep in, but here lately I stay in bed with her as long as I can.
“Have you had your coffee yet?” she asks.
“No, not yet. I was waiting on you.”
“Give me a minute, and we’ll go down together.”
I watch as my very pregnant wife gets out of bed and walks to the bathroom. I make the bed while she is in there and wait patiently for her to finish. “Do you need help?” I joke, after she has been in there for a while.
“I can’t see my feet,” she yells from the bathroom, and I laugh. She’s in the bathroom, so why does she need to see her feet? “I can’t see the scales either.”
That explains it. I walk into the bathroom and say, “Let me see.”
She carefully steps off the scales and smiles at me. Emma never lets me see her weight. “Nice try, Mr. Collins.”
“What? I was just trying to help, Mrs. Collins,” I say, laughing.
“Do my feet look swollen?”
She lifts up her white eyelet nightgown so I can see her feet. I look and they are fine. Emma is six and half months pregnant, but she looks pregnant only in her belly. To see her from the back, you could never tell she was expecting. “No, Baby, your feet aren’t swollen.”
“Are you sure, because my toes feel fat.”
I want to laugh because I have no idea what fat toes would feel like. “Are you hungry, Emma?”
“I’m starving.” And just like that she forgets all about her fat toes.
We walk through our home and I admire the photos throughout the house. Angel was right about Molly; our wedding pictures are beautiful. Molly does great work.
After a hearty breakfast and decaffeinated coffee, we shower and get ready for church. James and Raelynn run up to us when they see us entering the church. Molly and Emma get along very well, which has proven to be very beneficial to Raelynn and to James. We sit with Molly as Adam gives the sermon today. The topic today is “Live for today for tomorrow may never come.”
Emma places my hand on her belly and I can feel my son kick. Our son. Emma and I are excited to be welcoming our son into the world right around the start of the New Year. The baby’s room is almost completely decorated. James thought the baby’s room should be done in ninjas, of course, Raelynn wanted rainbows and unicorns. Luckily for me and Emma, we all agreed on colorful baby dinosaurs.
After church services we say our goodbyes. We go to the grocery store because this is our week to stock the schoolhouse with the weekly supply of food. We take turns supplying the kitchen with Brooke and Brice and each of the grandparents. The grandparents each insisted they get a turn.
When we go home, we have a leisurely day as we celebrate our one-year anniversary. Emma and I were a family with the kids before we got married so other than us becoming man and wife, nothing really has changed. Except she is now mine ever and ever and I am hers ever and ever. Oh, and the fact that in a few months we’ll have a new addition to our family.
We thaw the top of the wedding cake and we attempt to eat it. The kids like it, and Emma and I decide one bite should suffice to bring us good luck. Another tradition Emma believes in.
Mason and Angel called us to see if we want to rent a large cabin in the mountains of Tennessee for the Christmas holiday. Sara, Donovan, Brea, Vincent, and all the kids will be coming, too. Emma and I discuss it and decide it sounds like a great time. Emma says it sounds like a Magical Christmas, and I can’t be certain if she is kidding or if she is being serious. It sounds fun, but magical, I’m not so sure.
Adam
I make sure all the arrangements
are made before our wedding tomorrow. We have a large church upstairs, but I met Molly in the small chapel downstairs and that’s where I want our wedding to take place. My father disagrees, but the smaller chapel is perfect for me and Molly. She is a simple and beautiful girl. I knew from the first time I saw her she was different and I was right. I knew I wanted to get to know her and I am very blessed to be marrying her.
Molly’s ex-husband, Alec, is my best man. I know this is unorthodox and some people won’t understand it. Molly and Alec are both good people who have been able to be friends after their divorce; this has been very beneficial in Molly’s recovery and for Raelynn. Emma has also agreed to be Molly’s matron of honor. Outside of the church, Molly and I have very few friends. I prefer it that way.
I’m not jealous of Alec and I have grown to really like him. He’s a great father to Raelynn and to James and he is a wonderful husband to Emma. I know he was good to Molly during their marriage and that Molly has made bad decisions. I can’t judge her for her poor choices, for I have made them, too.
Molly and I have talked about having children once we get married and she explained that she’ll never be able to be a full-time mom to Raelynn and she can’t bring a child into this world, knowing how badly she failed her first child. I understand her reasoning although no one holds it against her. Alec and Emma now include Molly with everything pertaining to Raelynn, from schoolwork to doctor appointments. Whenever Molly gets Raelynn, she also gets James. I think Molly likes that and Raelynn and James have a close bond. I’m happy being a step-parent to Rae. I don’t need a child of my own to be happy or to feel fulfilled. Raelynn and Molly fill all of my needs.
Molly shows up at the church after her photo shoot and instructs the florist where to put the flowers. It’s a small area and the pink stargazer lilies fill up the space perfectly. Mom, Dad, Bridget, and Sam walk in and also help with the tulle ribbon, lights, and candle placement. It will be a very small and intimate wedding with my dad officiating.
“I guess we’ll shower and meet up at the restaurant at 7:00 p.m.,” I say. Molly and I don’t live together and we haven’t made love yet. I am a man of God and believe premarital sex to be a sin. I have surely sinned in the past, but I try very hard to be a man whom God would approve of.
“Sounds good and you can bring over another carload of your things if you want after the rehearsal dinner,” Molly says.
“It’s already loaded, I just need to drop them off.”
The rehearsal dinner is beautiful. We have a set menu of shrimp cocktail for an appetizer, petit filets, baked potato, and house salad for the main course and lemon meringue cheesecake and coffee for dessert. We also added mushroom ragout with pasta as a vegetarian alternative. We have sparkling cider for toasting.
Molly
Raelynn and I wake up to my wedding day at my parents’ house. I think it’s the first time Raelynn has stayed with me without James. This is a nice girly day. We are getting a mani/pedi and then getting our hair done — orders from my mother. Who am I to argue? Mom made appointments for her, Raelynn, me, Emma, and Adam’s mom, Teresa.
Raelynn and I have never had a girly day together before. Emma meets us all at the salon, but she looks tired. She sits in the chair and closes her eyes as she soaks her feet. “Aww, I forgot how much I like these.”
I laugh and I have to agree. “Nothing is more relaxing than a pedicure.” I think Emma sleeps through hers and Raelynn giggles as they massage her feet. Teresa and mom talk about the wedding and the reception.
When we are done, we all go to the church to get ready. Raelynn’s dress fits her perfectly. It is ivory silk and lace with a pink sash tied around her waist. I am so happy, and my little girl looks beautiful. Emma leaves to go check on James, our ring bearer, who is getting ready with the guys. Teresa and mom place my veil on me, and I stand in front of the full-length tri-fold mirror and stare at each angle it has to offer. My dress is a long cream-color formal gown, and my floral bouquet is made of the same pink stargazer lilies decorating the church.
“Molly, you look beautiful,” Teresa says, and my mother agrees. Adam has never been married and his parents are thrilled for us. Adam and I are marrying late in the afternoon because we have a flight to catch. Adam has arranged for us to honeymoon in the Bahamas. We’ll fly over and take a cruise ship back. Since we live in Florida, this is a very affordable trip.
“Molly, we must go and take our seats,” my mother says. She and Teresa kiss me and Raelynn before exiting the room.
My dad stops at the door and just stares at me. “Molly, you look beautiful.” He walks over to me, closing the distance between us. He takes my hands and looks at me and says, “You look just like your mother on our wedding day.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
Emma comes in and says, “It’s time.” I hug Raelynn and Emma and thank Emma for all she has done for me and Raelynn. We leave the room and wait outside the chapel doors. Raelynn walks in first, but she turns around and waves to me. I smile and wave back. I mouth, “I love you,” before she leaves. Emma walks out next and she also looks behind her at me. She gives me a big smile before she disappears. My dad squeezes my hand, but doesn’t say anything. Our wedding song, “Because You Love Me” by Jo Dee Messina, begins to play, and dad and I enter the chapel.
The church is small and packed. The first thing I notice is the glittery flowers that Raelynn dropped. I follow the pink glittery trail until Adam comes into view. I am happy to see his blond hair is still spikey. I was afraid he would comb it down. He is smiling, and I think my heart just skipped a beat. I look at Alec and James before I look at Emma and Raelynn. They are all smiling at me.
I look at the pews and see my friend Bobby and his wife, Leah. I smile and say a silent prayer of thanks to God for letting each of us find our piece of happiness and the happiness of peace.
As soon as the wedding is over, Adam’s dad, Wesley, who is officiating the wedding, introduces us as Mr. and Mrs. Adam Wesley McDaniel. Adam looks over at me, takes my hand in his, and says, “Well, Mrs. McDaniel, I do believe that this is the ultimate high.”
Books by Brenda Kennedy
Mending Hearts is Book Three and the final book of The Freedom Trilogy.
Book One: Shattered Dreams
Book Two: Broken Lives
Book Three: Mending Hearts
Other books written by this author include:
The Starting Over Trilogy (Featuring Mason and Angel)
Book One: A New Beginning
Book Two: Saving Angel
Book Three: Destined to Love
The Fighting to Survive Trilogy (Featuring Bobby and Leah)
Round One: A Life Worth Fighting
Round Two: Against the Odds
Round Three: One Last Fight
The Rose Farm Trilogy (Featuring Abel and Savannah Mae)
Book One: Forever Country
Book Two: Country Life
Book Three: Country
Coming Soon:
The Forgotten Trilogy… Coming Soon
Book One: Leaving the Past. Coming… Summer 2016
Book Two: Living for Today. Coming… Fall 2016
Book Three: Seeking the Future. Coming… Winter 2016
Prologue to A Life Worth Fighting
Robert
I kiss my wife, Leah, goodbye before I head out for my morning run. I’m currently training for my first boxing match in almost two years. Life interfered with my dreams, wreaking havoc on everything I once held near and dear.
I dress in gray sweats and a gray hoodie. Before I head out the door for my roadwork exercise, I secure my iPod to my arm. Sure, running builds endurance, but I also do it to clear the thoughts from my head. I double-check the time on my watch, lock up the house, and I’m off. The song “The Eye of the Tiger” is set on repeat on my iPod and pounds in my ear through the earbuds. I know it’s cliché, but what can I say? I’m a Rocky Balboa fan. When I hear that song, I feel like I can take on the world
.
I let my feet pound into the pavement and let the music set my running pace. It’s a 15-mile run, and I have the time down to a science. Midway through my run, I stop at the local florist, as I do once a week.
“Good morning, Bobby.”
“Hello, Mrs. Ford.” Mrs. Ford is the elderly woman who owns and runs the floral shop.
“It’s a beautiful day today.”
“Yes, ma’am, it is. May I have a dozen pink roses, please?”
“I have them all ready for you.”
I pay for my purchase, thank her, and head towards the door. “Bobby, will I see you next week?”
“Yes, Mrs. Ford. Thank you and have a nice day.”
“You, too, dear.”
I run the short distance to the cemetery and kneel in front of the black and gold tear shaped tombstone with the name “Jamie Sue Grether.” I place today’s fresh roses down and remove the flowers from last week. Deep breaths help me to keep my anger under control as I wipe the tombstone off with the clean cloth I carry in my hoodie pocket just for this purpose. I kiss my index and middle fingers and press them gently to her name that is engraved in gold.
I turn to leave, and I swear another piece of my heart stays there with Jamie. I turn up the music on my iPod and pound my feet into the cement in time with the music until I reach home.
“How was your run?”
I look up and see that my wife, Leah, is in the kitchen having a cup of coffee. She is standing at the stove wearing a white blouse, a gray pencil skirt, and gray heels. I smile as soon as I see her. I look at my watch, and I am pleasantly surprised that I shaved off another minute from my running time.
“It was good. I made better time today.”
“Did you make all your stops today?” Leah is referring to the stops at the florist and to see Jamie.
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