Marrying My Childhood Sweetheart: A BWWM Christian Romance
Page 8
They left church shortly after and she told her father she would be home later on. He had waved her away and told her with a smile that he is supposed to give way to her husband to be.
David took her to his parents’ home. His mother was still at church because she was organizing some garden party with several of the women. His father hugged her as soon as she came through the door. He was still suffering from a bad back and could only hobble around but he promised that even if he had to be put in a wheelchair, he was going to be at the wedding.
David took her up to his old room. “Couldn’t we have made out at your house?” she teased him as she sat on the bed while he pulled open a desk drawer.
“You’re insatiable,” he told her dryly. He had a black velvet box in his hand and as he approached her, Sara’s breath caught inside her throat. He went down on his knees in front of her. “I bought this the week before you left. It took all of my savings but I wanted the best for you and I kept it even when you left.” He opened the box and Sara gasped, her hand going to her throat. The single diamond solitaire flashed and sparkled in its white gold settings; it was exquisite.
“Oh David,” she murmured tearfully. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was too proud and when you said you were leaving, I did not fight for you. I am not going to let you go again Sara,” he warned her softly.
“I am not leaving,” she reached out a hand and touched his cheek lovingly.
“Sara Williams, will you do me the great honor of being my wife?” he asked her gently, taking the ring from the box.
“I would be honored to,” she told him holding out her left hand for him to put the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit and she sat there admiring the diamond on her slim finger. He stood up and pulled her up against him.
“You have just made me the happiest man in the world,” he told her, reaching for her lips. Sara closed her arms around his neck and leaned into him; returning his kiss with a passion that shook them to the very core. He felt himself hardening against her and he wanted to take her then and there but had to fight for control as he remembered that his father was downstairs.
He broke off the kiss and rested his forehead against hers; his breathing rapid. “I love you so much,” he murmured, hugging her to him.
They stayed that way until they were calm enough to go back downstairs. Sara found the tears shimmering in her eyes as she leaned her head against his shoulder. This was where she belonged.
Chapter 8
The dress shopping proved exhausting and not productive. The only bridal shop in the small town had dresses that were either outdated or totally unsuitable.
Callie and Sara had spent the entire afternoon searching through the racks without success. They decided to go and get some lunch and consider their next option. They went to the ‘Fish Place’ and ordered fish and chips which they ate with gusto. Her father had told Sara to take the week off and he would be able to manage without her.
“If we don’t find anything at the next store I can always find something buried in my closet that’s suitable for the occasion.” Callie said. The little restaurant was crowded and she waved at a few people she recognized.
Sara gripped her hands; her eyes lighting up with excitement. “I am an idiot!” she exclaimed, pushing away her half eaten plate of food.
“I would agree if I knew why it is,” Callie said with a puzzled look at the other girl.
“Apart from the money I made modeling, there was an added bonus. I got to keep all the clothes I modeled and one of them was an incredibly beautiful white dress that I wondered at the time, where on earth was I going to wear this to. And there is also a sapphire blue dress that would look perfect on you.”
“Then I do concur, you are an idiot,” Callie said, the excitement catching on. “Let’s go raid your closet.”
They went home immediately and Sara went straight to her closet. Callie’s eyes widened at the amount of clothes she saw; it was like she was looking at a rainbow. “What on earth are you doing with so many clothes?” she asked incredulously, running her over the different fabrics and styles.
“I happen to love clothes and shoes,” Sara said defensively. “I have no problem sharing.” She added with a smile.
“Good,” Callie grinned, pulling out a dress in wild red and one in dark blue. “I love these.”
“They're yours,” Sara said generously. She pulled out the white dress she had told Callie about and held it up for her inspection. The other girl gasped in wonder, her eyes wide as she stared at the beautiful creation. It was off white and knee length with narrow hem. It was elegant in its simplicity and the bodice had pearls stitched in from the bosom to the waist and had small capped sleeves. It was deceptively simple until Sara tried it on and it took on a life of its own, molding and hugging her perfectly, giving her an ethereal beauty. Callie’s gaze was transfixed and she could not tear her eyes away from her friend.
“David’s going to die along with every man attending the wedding,” Callie said dryly.
Sara laughed and walked over to her shoes closet, taking out off white heels with a bow at the side. “What do you think?”
“Perfect,” Callie said in approval. “What about accessories?”
“I have tons of those,” Sara hurried over to a huge jewelry box on her dressing table and took out a single strand of pearls; delicately made drop earrings and a slim bracelet.
“You’re all set,” Callie nodded in approval. “And we could put some tiny white rosebuds at one side of your hair.
“Now it’s your turn,” Sara went to the closet and searched until she found a sapphire blue dress with flared waist and fitted bodice. “It’s kind of short on me but I am taller than you are, so it’s perfect.” Callie tried it on hurriedly, gazing in the mirror at the transformation. “What a fabulous dress can do to you,” she sighed, running a hand lovingly over the soft satin fabric.
“I also have accessories to match.” Sara told her, digging through her jewelry box. She handed Callie a sparkling faux sapphire necklace the stones shimmering with light and a matching set of earrings. They decided they would dress at Sara’s since everything was already there. They sat among the clothes strewn on the bed and chatted idly about the plans for the wedding.
“Absolutely no shower,” Sara said firmly, tucking her feet underneath her as she leaned back against the pillows. “David doesn’t want a bachelor’s party; I am just going to take that night to rest and spend some time with Dad. I am also going to be moving some stuff over to David during that week and of course you’ll be spending the night.”
“Yes ma'am,” Callie grinned at her. She was lying on her side at the foot of the bed. “I am so glad you are back and we are best friends again, I've missed you.”
“I missed you too,” Sara told her sincerely. “I never knew you could feel so alone in a big city with so many people around but that’s exactly what I was, alone and lonely. I thought I was tired of a small town where people knew each other but I was wrong. I love this place and the familiarity of it.”
“I know what you mean,” Callie said soberly. “I always knew I belonged here and this is where I wanted to stay so I never had the mixed feelings like you did. I am glad you found where you belong Sara and if you had not gone you would be wondering and pining after the unknown.”
“Thanks Callie,” she told the girl softly.
Callie left shortly after; saying that she had to pick up Benjamin from her mother-in-law's and that she would be helping with the decoration of the church and the auditorium.
David called her at around three. “Hey baby,” he said warmly. “How was your day?”
“Very productive,” Sara told him. “How was yours?”
“Hectic,” he said wryly. “Because of all the attention I have been focusing on you, my businesses have been suffering. I am afraid I won’t be able to keep you in the lap of luxury you have gotten used to.”
“No problem, I’
ll tough it out if I have to,” she said in a mock serious tone. “As long as I am with you.”
“Good answer,” he said huskily. “I wish I could see you later but I have some things to do and they can’t wait.”
“I understand darling,” she soothed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I love it when you call me darling,” he told her huskily.
“Then I’ll continue to do so, darling,” she murmured.
“I’ll call you later baby, I love you.”
“I love you too.” She murmured before hanging up.
*****
She was humming in tune to a popular song on the radio and grilling chicken for dinner when her phone rang.
She did not recognize the number but murmured a tentative hello. She had often wondered if Michael would ever try and get in touch with her and every time the phone rang since she had gotten back and it showed a strange number she had answered tentatively.
“Hello baby girl,” She stiffened. She did not recognize the voice but the only person she remembered calling her baby girl was her mother.
“Who is this?” she asked sharply, her heart beating loudly.
“It’s your mama, baby girl.” The person continued.
Sara’s first instinct was to hang up and she gripped phone tightly against her ear; her eyes closed. She had never expected to hear from her mother again and she did not know what to say to her.
“I know you probably don’t want to talk to me but I want you to listen, baby girl,” her voice was persuasive and Sara remembered her as an incredibly beautiful woman who turned heads wherever she went.
“I am listening,” she told her coldly.
There was silence at the other end and Sara was almost wishing that she had ended the call. “I did not want to disturb your life but I felt I had to clear the air before your big day.” She paused and Sara frowned wondering how she had heard about her impending nuptials. ”I called your father,” she said softly as if reading Sara’s thoughts. “I don’t want you to end up like me Sara; I left the love of a wonderful man because I thought I was too good for him and the town we lived in and I wanted better. There was no better and I found that out the hard way. I knew you went away for a time and you came back and David still loved you, so you’re fortunate and I want you to know that.”
Sara was silent for a spell. Her mother’s story sounded so much like hers only she had been granted a second chance. She felt her heart constricting in pity. “Why didn’t you come back?”
“Because it was too late for me,” the voice sounded incredibly weary and sad. “I went and lived with a man who showed me a very glamorous lifestyle and he kept telling me we would get married eventually, until I got pregnant and had a miscarriage and found out he had no further use for me. I have made my mistakes and I am living with the result of it; there is no turning back for me. I only called to wish you all the best and I know you’ll be very happy.”
“Thanks er – Mom,” she said uncertainly. She had spent so much time hating and being angry with her mother that she had no idea how to feel now. “Do you want to come to the wedding?”
“No, baby girl,” she said ruefully. “I don’t belong there anymore and I don’t want to spoil your big day. All I'm asking is that I get to keep in touch with you.”
“I think I would like that,” she told her softly.
“Thanks baby girl,” Caroline whispered and hung up the phone.
*****
Her father came home and found her in the same place in the darkened kitchen. She had finished preparing the meal but her appetite was non-existent and she was deep in thought. She no longer felt the burning resentment she had felt for her mother; her story was too sad. She had messed up so bad that she could not find her way back
She blinked as her father switched on the light. “Girl what are you doing in the dark?” he asked her, placing his leather bag on the chair nearest the door.
“Hi dad, are you hungry?” she asked automatically.
“Starving,” he told her, taking a seat. “What’s the matter?”
“Mom called,” she said casually, getting up and busying herself by making a plate.
“Yes?” he paused in the middle of putting a piece of meat into his mouth.
“You don’t sound the least bit surprised,” she carried her plate to the table and sat next to him.
“She called me earlier and I told her you were getting married and she cried.” Her father put down his fork and linked his hands together. “What did you say to her?”
“You mean, did I tell her to get off my phone and never call me again?” she asked, with raised brows.
“Something like that,” he told her ruefully.
“You really love her don’t you?” Sara looked at her father astutely.
“I told you love is not something you switch on and off.” Her father said gently.
“Why didn’t you fight for her Dad?” Sara asked earnestly. “Why did you give up on her?”
“I begged her to come back, even when I found out she was pregnant with the man’s child and even after she miscarried and she called me crying, I begged her to come back but she told me that she was too far gone to come back. I tried fighting but I just gave up and left it alone. I am here if and when she needs me.” He told her.
“Oh Dad,” Sara cried, reaching out a hand to touch his. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it’s between me and your mother, dear and I strongly feel that God will sort it out in his own time and his own way.” He told her gently.
“You are an amazing man, do you know that?” she asked him, tears in her eyes. “I hope I can be half the person you are.”
“You already are,” he told her softly, leaning forward to kiss her cheek.
*****
That night when David called her she told him everything.
“You okay baby?” he asked anxiously. “Want me to come over?”
“I am okay darling,” she told him gratefully. “I just did not know a lot of things and now I know. I feel so sorry for her David and I shudder to think that what happened to her almost happened to me. I almost lost you.”
“But you didn’t,” he told her firmly. “I love you baby and soon we are going be together for the rest of our lives.”
“I know David and I love you so much. I am going to spend the rest of my life showing you.” She told him tearfully.
“I am going to hold you to that,” he told her teasingly. “Get some sleep baby, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She did not sleep right away. She could not get her mother out of her mind. How sad she must be. She had left a wonderful, loving man and had run away to something that was shallow and meaningless. She sounded so miserable and sad and Sara felt all of her resentment floating away. Her father still loved her so much and he was not bitter and he still listened to her and talked with her and had told her about her daughter’s upcoming wedding. What a love. A love that transcends all wrongs and distance; she realized with a sharpness that hit her that it was the kind of love David had for her. He had loved her even when she had deserted him and even though he had fought it; it had still been there.
With a sudden decision; she picked up her phone and dialed his number. “Baby, you okay?” he answered immediately.
“Thank you,” she told him softly, well aware that she had probably woke him up.
“For what?” his voice was puzzled.
“For loving me even when I didn't deserve it,” she said huskily.
“You always deserved it,” he told her softly. “Don’t ever think that. We all make mistakes and I would never hold that against you. I will always love you no matter what.”
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you but I am going to run with it.” She smiled through her tears. “I love you David Graham, now go back to sleep.”
“As if I could now,” he told her dryly. “Goodnight baby.” He said before he hung up.
*****
He had watched her get progressively unhappy each day and had chosen to ignore it, trying harder to fix what was wrong inside her but he had gradually realized that he could not fix her. When she had said she wanted to leave, he had let her, he told himself he had no right to stop her.
He replaced the picture and closed the Bible. He was no longer pining over her but he was still in love with her and that would never change. Now he was contented and was so happy that his daughter was marrying such a wonderful man; he had been so afraid that she was so like her mother and her leaving had reinforced that feeling. Now she was back and he praised God that she had gotten whatever it was out of her system.
He went to his desk drawer and took out the deed to the store. He had had his lawyer draw up papers; he was turning over the store to her. It was time to hang up his hat and let her run the show; he needed to slow things down and she had proven that she could more than manage. It was going to be his wedding gift to her. With a whimsical smile he placed the deed on the dresser and reached for the phone. He had failed to tell his daughter that Caroline had been calling him every night and they had been talking.