“I know that now honey,” he told her sadly. “I know that we are all God’s creatures and he made us all beautiful; some more than most,” he added with a grin. “But I am okay with that.” He stood up and gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek as she stood up with him. “I am going to be fine Sara, don’t worry about me.”
*****
That night at home; it was just the three of them; she, her father and Callie who kept calling her husband every five second to check up on their son. “It must be hard leaving your son with a stranger,” Sara told her in amusement as she hung up from calling Paul for the fifth time since she had gotten to the house. They were in the living room and her father had gone to get a fresh bottle of non alcoholic wine.
“You just wait until you start having children,” Callie warned her as she plopped down on the sofa beside Sara. “I can’t believe that tomorrow at this time, you’ll be Mrs. David Graham.”
“I am still pinching myself,” Sara agreed; nibbling on a tuna sandwich. David had called her a little while ago to say that he loved her and he could not wait until tomorrow.
“All right girls, here we go,” Deacon Williams came back with the chilled bottle of wine and poured some in the glasses already there. “Here’s to my lovely daughter who has found love that is so rare in this world today.”
“Cheers,” Sara and Callie said in unison. They drank in silence for a little while until her father decided it was time for him to turn in. “I’ll leave you young people alone while I go get some sleep. Big day tomorrow,” he said with a wink as he came and gave Sara a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t stay up too late.”
As soon as he was out of earshot Callie said, “I hope he’s not going to be too lonely here by himself,”
“I said the same thing to him but he told me he was going to be fine.” Sara had told Callie about her mother calling the other day. “I asked him about the time he first met mom and he told me. He really loves her Callie and he still does.”
“Jeez!” she exclaimed; padding over to pour another glass of wine and to top up Sara’s. “How sad it must be to love somebody so much and be apart from them.” She added sympathetically.
“I think they will get back together one day,” Sara said with confidence. Deep in her heart she hoped they would because in spite of what her father told her; he was going to be lonely.
“I hope so,” Callie said contemplatively. “A love that spans time and distance; it sure makes for a good movie or a book,” she grinned. “Here’s to real true love,” she lifted her glass and Sara lifted hers and they clinked their glasses together.
They retired to their bedrooms shortly after. Callie was staying in the guest bedroom and Sara brought her towels from the linen closet.
“Please let me do my job as matron of honor,” Callie warned. “I am supposed to bring you breakfast in bed, so in order for you to get it in bed, you have to stay in bed.”
“Yes mother,” Sara grinned as she retired to her own bedroom. It took a while for her to sleep and when she did, she dreamed of weddings and honeymoons.
Chapter 10
She woke up very early the next morning but remembering the warning from Callie, she stayed in bed. Today she was getting married to the man she loved. She felt the quickening of her heartbeat. A glance at the bedside clock told her it was barely six o’clock and she did not expect her father and Callie to be awake yet.
Her cell phone rang just then and without looking at the caller id she knew who it would be. “Hi darling,” she answered.
“I see you’re wide awake,” he said huskily. “How did you sleep?”
“It would have been better if I had been beside you,” she told him softly, pulling herself up to recline against the pillows.
“Any trace of second thoughts?” he asked lightly but Sara could hear the trace of anxiety in his voice.
“Are you kidding?” she exclaimed. “I wish we were standing at the altar right now,”
“I am glad to hear that,” he told her huskily. “I can’t wait either.”
“See you later,” she whispered softly before hanging up.
Callie bustled in at a quarter to seven with a tray and white ‘goo’ on her face. “Love your new look,” Sara teased as she took the tray from her friend.
“I don’t happen to have flawless skin like you,” she sniffed. “Make sure you eat everything on the plate.” She told her before heading for the door. “Your dad and I will be eating breakfast now and I will come back and collect the tray.”
The plate was packed with all of her favorite breakfast foods. There were scrambled eggs, bacon and cheddar; waffles with maple syrup and strawberries and whipped cream. There was also a cup of strong black coffee and a tall glass of orange juice.
To her surprise, Sara dug into the meal with gusto and ate everything; including the glass of orange juice and the coffee which she left for last. She was sipping it when Callie came back in to collect the tray.
“Pastor Phillips said we are not supposed to be late and I am to make sure that you get ready on time.” Callie told her, putting the tray on the side table. “The fashionably late bride does not work for him.”
“It does not work for me either, or David,” Sara grinned, climbing out of bed. She had not seen her Dad and wanted to make sure he was okay. “Where is Dad?”
“In his room. I gave him a hearty breakfast and yes, I have called Paul two times since I got up, so sue me,” she told Sara with a bland look.
“I won’t say a word,” Sara told her with a backward look as she headed for the door.
Deacon Williams was in his study reading his Bible. “Dad I just came to say good morning,” she told him, pulling up a chair beside him. He placed a book marker between the pages he had been reading and looked up at her with a smile.
“This house will not be the same without you,” he told her gently.
“Dad, please remember that I will not be far away and I promise to come over as often as I can,” Sara said earnestly.
“Look at me child,” he told her taking her hand inside his big warm ones. “I don’t want you to go into your marriage, thinking you’re responsible for me. I am going to be just fine; I have the good Lord with me always and I am not in the least bit lonely.”
“I am just a phone call away, remember;” Sara told him tearfully, gripping his hands with hers.
“None of that on your wedding day,” he told her firmly, gently wiping her cheeks. “I will be all right, you don’t have to worry. Now run along and get ready, I don’t want to have to answer to that young man of yours for making you late.”
*****
By eleven thirty Callie was ready and helping her to get dressed. Sara had become an expert on putting on her own make-up and had insisted on doing so now. Callie had used hot curls in her short hair and there was a mass of curls around her beautiful face; there was also a sprig of white gardenias at the left side; placed strategically to fall down one delicate ear.
Next came the dress and Callie helped her slip over her sheer white teddy that molded her body lovingly.
She was sitting at the dressing table, retouching her make-up when she heard the voice at the doorway. “I never thought it possible but you are way more beautiful than I was at my wedding,”
Sara spun around, her lip gloss still in her hand. It was her mother. The woman whom she had not seen in fifteen years. Apart from looking a little thin and the wisps of gray in her own jet black hair she still looked beautiful. She had on a pearl gray skirt suit and matching shoes and a tiny hat that sat jauntily over her forehead. Her skin was flawless.
“Mom?” Sara stood up a little unsteadily.
“I will go and see what your father is up to,” Callie said to no one in particular; hurrying towards the doorway, where she stopped to smile at the woman framed there. “Nice to see you again, Mrs. Williams.”
“Thanks dear,” Caroline returned the smile.
“I decided that it was time to come and see my daughter and
what better time than on her big day?” she came further inside the room.
“Does dad know you’re here?” Sara asked foolishly.
“He knew I was coming. I told him not to tell you, I wanted it to be a surprise,” She reached out a hand to grasp her daughter’s. “I hope it’s a pleasant one,”
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Sara said wonderingly.
“I am here and I don’t want to make you late for your wedding. I just wanted to see you before you went to the church to find out your reaction about me being here.” Caroline touched her cheek gently. “I didn’t leave you baby girl, I pined every day for you but I thought I wanted more and I thought I was not ready to be a wife and a mother but I was so wrong. I am not asking you to forgive me now but I am asking for a second chance to be a mother to you.”
“I have already forgiven you,” Sara told her softly. “I just don’t know how I feel about you but I guess it will take time. How long are you staying?”
“I am not sure – I”
“I have asked her to come home,” her father’s voice sounded just inside the doorway and both women turned to look at him. They were a twin set of beauties and his heart turned over inside him as he looked at them; they were visions to behold. “She has not answered me yet.”
“Will you?” Sara asked her, turning back to stare at the woman who was an older version of her.
“I don’t know yet, but I am not leaving tonight or maybe tomorrow night so we will see,” Caroline said with a gentle smile, sending her ex-husband a warning look. “In the meantime, let’s go get you married.”
*****
Her mother rode with her and Callie in the rented limousine and all the way to the church, she held Sara’s hand; every now and then fixing something in her hair or on her dress and staring at her as if she could not believe that she was actually seeing her. Sara had called David and told him about the addition to the guest list and he had said he was so happy for her.
Her mother and father walked her up the aisle and Sara felt rather than saw the curious looks they were getting and the whispers behind cupped hands but she had eyes only for her groom. He looked dashing in a dark blue suit with his dark hair combed back from his face.
He met her halfway up the aisle, shaking her father’s hand and hugging her mother; welcoming her. Then he took Sara’s hand; his eyes saying it all.
She handed Callie the flowers as soon as she reached where the rest of the party was and Pastor Phillips started the ceremony.
“Friends, we are gathered here today to be a witness to the joining together of our dear brother David and our sister Sara as they declare their love for each other before God and mankind. If there is anyone who thinks that this marriage should not take place; say it now or forever hold their peace.” He waited a spell then continued in prayer.
“The parties have expressed their desire to say their own vows. So we will allow them to do so at this point.” He indicated that David should start.
David took her hands in his. “Sara, you are my better half; you complete me and I do not want to live my life without you. I love God and then it’s you; it has always been you and will always be you and no matter what happens from here on I will always love you.”
“David, my love, my heart, you make me a better person; you make me want to be better and with you I have discovered a love that is so complete that I embrace it with all my being. It will always be you and no one else.”
“I need not say anymore,” Pastor Phillips said with a smile. “The rings please. David Graham do you take Sara Williams to be your lawful wife, forsaking all others until death do you part?”
“I do,” David said soundly, sliding the ring onto Sara’s finger.
“Sara, do you take David Graham to be your lawful husband to honor and obey until death do you part?”
“I do,” Sara slid the ring onto his finger.
“Now by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride David.”
He took her into his arms and kissed her gently, whispering to her, “My wife.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. David Graham” Pastor Phillips said as he bade the congregation to stand while the couple made their way down the aisle amide tremendous applause.
Sara met her mother’s eyes and her own eyes teared up as she noticed the woman smiling at her and standing beside her father. The auditorium was in the same building but the wedding party was on their way to the park to take pictures.
They came back to the reception an hour later to find it in full swing. They were escorted to the head table and Sara found herself admiring the decorations on the table and the ceiling and walls. The cake was towering on a side table next to the head table. Sara searched for her mother and found her sitting with her father at the table several feet away from them. She was laughing at something Sara’s father said and she was touching his arm. David’s parents were sitting with them.
“They look happy don’t they?” Sara asked David as she turned to see him looking at her.
“Yes, but I would like to have my wife’s total attention.” He told her in amusement.
“You said ‘my wife’ as if it’s the most natural thing in the world,” she murmured, angling her head to look at him, her husband.
“It is,” he took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You’re my wife.”
Before she could respond the Master of Ceremonies stood and started talking. The toasts were made while they ate dinner and Sara found that she could barely eat. “You’re going to need your strength for later,” he whispered in her ear as she toyed with her food.
“I can hold my own,” she retorted, poking her tongue out at him. To her shocked surprise he bent his head and took her tongue into his mouth. Sara barely heard the round of applause as she gave in to his melting kiss, her hand coming up to grasp his neck.
“Later,” he whispered shakily as he released her lips.
They had the cutting of the cake and then it was time for their first dance as husband and wife.
“Have I told you that you’re the most beautiful woman in this room?” he asked her as they danced to the tune of Luther Vandross’ ‘Here and now’.
“No, but you can tell me now,” she looked up at him; her eyes sparkling with love for him. “My husband.”
“My wife,” he murmured, bending his head to take her lips with his. Sara forgot where they were, she forgot that there were other people around and she melted in his arms. She didn’t want him to stop. The song had ended and they were still wrapped in each other’s arms.
It was the clearing of somebody’s throat that brought them back to the present. Her father was standing beside them; an indulgent expression on his face. “Mind if I borrow your wife?” he asked.
David grinned sheepishly, “Yes sir,” he let go of her reluctantly and made his way over to his mother.
“We all thought you were getting a head start on your honeymoon,” he said teasingly as he swung her around in time to the music.
“Dad!” Sara said with a blush.
“You are so beautiful and I am a proud father,” he told her.
“Thanks dad,” her gaze wandered over to where her mother was having a conversation with a sister from church. “Is she staying?” He did not have to ask who she meant.
“I still have hopes that she will,” her father told her with a gentle smile.
“You’re one amazing man, do you know that” Sara looked at her father with a gentle look.
“I have an amazing daughter,” he murmured, giving her a kiss as the song ended. Sara watched as he made straight for her mother and the way her face lit up when she saw him. Suddenly, she knew that it was going to be all right; her father would not be alone.
She and David left shortly after; and her mother came over and hugged her, telling her that she would see her when they came back from their honeymoon. They were taking a road trip which would l
ast a week. “So you’re staying?”
“Your father gave a convincing argument,” she sent a fond glance over to where he was talking to David’s father. “I never really stopped loving him you know.” She murmured.
“Oh Mom, that’s great!” Sara hugged her tightly.
“Go on and start your marriage, your husband is waiting,” she gave her daughter a soft kiss on the cheek.
David drove his car with the top down and they got home in record time. He lifted her and carried her straight upstairs to their bedroom. Some pieces of her furniture were now scattered around the room giving it a lived in look. He placed her gently on the floor. “We’re home,” he said softly. He took the sprig of flowers from her hair and Sara pulled out his bow tie.
“I love you David, my husband,” she murmured, unbuttoning his shirt as he shrugged out of his jacket.
“I love you my wife Sara,” he told her, his hands busy unzipping her dress; his eyes widening at the wisp of material she had on underneath. “It’s a good thing I didn’t know about this, I would have taken you then and there.” He said ruefully, running a hand over the material covering her. He took off the rest of his clothes and when she made to take off her lingerie; he stopped her. “I want to do it,” he said, standing before her gloriously naked, his erection throbbing. He lifted her and placed her gently on the bed and kneeling over her; he slowly peeled away the garment; revealing skin already flushed with desire.
Sara gasped as his mouth closed over one breast already hardened with the feelings rushing through her. His tongue licked and tasted and discovered. Then he moved over to the next one to give it the same treatment. His hand snaked between their bodies to dip inside her wet warmth; his fingers seeking and exploring. Sara was fast losing control of her emotions and as he delved deeper inside her, she felt the onslaught of emotions licking through her body like tongues of fire!
“David,” she called out achingly, her hands grasping his soft dark hair. But he was not through with her yet as his mouth left her breast to continue on down to her stomach, lingering at her navel before making its way down to her pubic area. His tongue touched her there and caused her to jump and before she could recover he was inside her, licking and savoring and destroying her control. Her legs rose to give him further access and he gripped her hips, lifting and bring her closer to his mouth as he furiously brought her to a powerful orgasm that had her shaking uncontrollably!
Marrying My Childhood Sweetheart: A BWWM Christian Romance Page 10