by Unknown
“I understand the position you were in. When I get back from my honeymoon, we’ll celebrate your promotion to SAC. You deserve the position.”
“Sounds like a plan. Plus we have to discuss your decision to join the Domestic Terrorism Division. Are you sure that’s what you want to do, Zach?”
He nodded. “I have a family to support. For the first time in my life, I have roots, Rodney. I want to read my daughter bedtime stories and kiss her goodnight. I want to hear about Carla’s day while we enjoy a glass of wine together. I also want to lay down with her and wake up next to her in the mornings. I’ve spent so many nights sitting awake watching, and planning that I need the break. I want to experience what it’s like to be a regular family man without the damn drama.”
Rodney sighed. “Maybe the changes going on in our lives are a blessing, Zach. I’ll be in the office working behind the scenes instead of traveling. With my butt in one place, I think I’ll start looking for love again. Watching you with Carla has had an impact on me to want the family thing again.”
Zach grinned. “Really? One woman and no cheating ever again?”
“I swear the next woman I meet will see the new me. Rodney, the playa is gone for good.”
“Wait until after the reception before you make any life-changing decisions. There will be plenty of single women attending and I don’t want you to self-implode trying to adhere to any promises,” Zach said laughing.
Rodney laughed with him. “Good looking out.” He checked his watch. “We better get in position before Carla thinks you backed out.”
“How do I look?”
“You look great, man. Congratulations on making the right choice.”
Zach stretched out his arms. “Bring it in, man. We hug one time and no one, and I mean no one will ever know about it.”
Standing at the altar, Zach’s knees knocked as he waited for Carla to walk down the aisle. He’d been in dangerous situations and didn’t blink an eye but today, he was scared to death of what was about to happen.
He sucked in a breath as he looked around the church. Pink and white flowers were everywhere and big lavender bows and white lace decorated the pews. On the pulpit, the minister, dressed in a white and gold robe stood in a regal pose. On the floor, a small band with members of the choir seated on a platform above them patiently waited.
This was all new to him. He wasn’t a part of Patty’s wedding fifteen years ago. He missed the wedding working a case overseas, but his plane made it back in time for the reception.
Zach’s attention went to his daughter when he heard her giggle. She was sitting on Patty’s lap playing with her favorite stuffed animal not amused by what was going on around her. At seven months old, she was crawling and got into everything in her reach. He looked over at Carla’s family sitting proudly in the front section of pews. Many of her family members accepted him, but there were some that couldn’t get over him being the FBI agent that sought to put Tyrone and Phillip behind bars.
In the end, Tyrone was caught by Federal Air Marshalls as he tried to board a flight to Canada. He is currently awaiting trial in a federal prison in Virginia. Phillip was granted immunity for turning States evidence against Lowes and other members of the FBI and ATF that were working with Lowes. He also named key figures in the Russian mafia currently residing in the United States that the FBI and ATF have a keen interest in. He will serve as a confidential informant for the FBI’s Organized Crime division.
He stood straight as the wedding planner raised her hand and the music for traditional wedding march filled the church. Paula was first to walk down the aisle wearing a flowing lavender floor-length dress. The tiny lavender flowers in her hair were perfect the early Spring wedding.
Paula smiled as she passed him to stand on the opposite side of the altar. An empty chair with lavender lace draped across it with a bouquet of flowers centered in the middle served as a maker for Tonya. If she were alive, she would be a part of Carla’s big day.
Zach’s eyes fell on Carla as she walked down the aisle with her father. It shocked her when he asked if he could walk her down the aisle. The lump in his throat rose. She looked stunning in the off-the-shoulder white wedding gown that hugged her tiny figure. The extra weight she gained during her pregnancy melted off her right away.
A magical warmth filled his heart when he took her hand in his and looked into her eyes. “Carla, you’re so beautiful. I love you so much.”
Her eyes blinked. “Baby, don’t make me cry and ruin my makeup. But, you look so handsome and I love you so much. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Zach turned to the minister. “You heard what the lady said; she wants to be my wife so let’s get this show on the road.”
Once the minister pronounced them man and wife, Zach sealed their union with a kiss that drew a round of applause from the guests. “I love you, Mrs. Murphy,” he said coming up for a breath.
“I’m so happy, Zach. I never thought this kind of happiness would be possible after all I’ve been through.”
He thumbed tears from her eyes. “I promise you’ll never regret marrying me.”
“I know I won’t and to prove it, I have a surprise for you,” Carla said with a wicked grin.
She pointed to the band. Paula handed her a microphone. She turned to the guests who wondered what was going on. “I know what I’m about to do is not traditional for a church wedding, but I could only think of one way to show my new husband how much I love him. I want to sing him a song. This song is one that many of you are familiar with, so feel free to join in.”
Zach felt the blush rise on his cheeks. Was she really going to serenade him in front of 200 people? He dropped his head unable to make eye contact with any of the eyes staring at him.
Carla signaled the band, and the music started to play. He released a broad smile recognizing the music. Rodney slapped him on the shoulder, as he bounced to the beat of the music.
“Ladies, how many of you have wanted to sing this song to your man because you know it’s true? Well, I’m singing it today and thanking Ms. Patti LaBelle for writing the words that I feel in my heart about my man.” She lifted Zach’s head up. “Baby, you are the right and only kind of lover for me.”
Zach clapped his hands and swayed to the beat of the music with his new wife as she sang Patti LaBelle’s The Right Kind Of Lover. It wasn’t long before the guests were on their feet singing and dancing along with them. It was wonderful to see two families from two different backgrounds come together to celebrate their special day.
At the end of the song, Zach pulled Carla into his arms. The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. “God, I love you.”
“I love you too, baby,” she said giving him a kiss. “Now where is our daughter? I want her to enjoy this moment with us.
Zach motioned for Patty, who went up to the altar and placed Sofia in his arms. The three of them posed for a picture together then greeted their guests before heading to the reception hall.
The End
About the Author – Toye Lawson Brown
Toye Lawson Brown lives in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an Amazon bestselling author of romance that includes interracial romance, romantic suspense, and multicultural novels. And recently nominated by the B.R.A.B Book Club for Breakout Author of the Year 2014. Each novel is a journey into the lives of strong characters with normal backgrounds. Always a sucker for a happy ending, Toye Lawson Brown strives to lure readers from the present and into her fictional world.
Website www.toyebrown.com
Join her blog at www.booksbytoye.com.
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