“Merry Christmas,” Tyler greeted his cousin. “How’s Erica doing? How are the blood counts?”
“Happy wedding day to you,” Ford slapped his back. “Erica’s doing great. We just came from the hospital, and the counts are encouraging. I can’t thank you and Kelly enough. Bree was the perfect match.”
“And she made the perfect match,” Sheryl observed. “Last night, I heard all about how you two met.”
“Yep, it was all Bree.” Tyler kissed his cousin’s wife on the cheek. “Thanks again for being here.”
Tyler made the round of his coworkers and Kelly’s. His boss, Dylan Jewell, brought his entire family, three brothers and two sisters, as well as his long-time girlfriend, Carina Chen. Dylan and Carina had given him a chance when they hired him to be the spokesman for their charity, Warspring International, despite his homeless condition and suffering from PTSD.
“Merry Christmas.” Dylan gave him a bear hug. “My brothers and I are all prepared to be groomsmen if you want to overwhelm your bridal party.”
“I’d be honored, but I’m still cautiously optimistic Sawyer will be back in time.” Tyler shook everyone’s hand.
“It’s not a good idea to outshine your bride,” Carina, always the straight shooter, said, elbowing Dylan.
“Just playing with you, man,” Dylan joshed. “Thought you’d appreciate all the ugly men standing behind you. Today’s your day, so you gotta look good.”
“Right. I can’t wait to marry Kelly.” Tyler gave him a brother’s handshake. “If I’d had my way, we would have eloped a year ago.”
“It’s worth the wait,” Carina said. She waved her hand at the large gathering of friends and family. “These are the things memories are made from.”
“Definitely.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek and turned to Dylan. “I’ve got your back, in case you need an ugly mug to stand up next to you.”
Dylan gave a gargled chuckle and hugged his girlfriend too tight. Carina zinged him with a narrow-eyed glare, and Tyler realized, he’d touched a hot topic. The man who’d lectured him on committing to Kelly was afraid of commitment himself.
The sweet and light background music repeated a second time as the church filled. Tyler checked his watch. It was getting close to the time. He watched Kelly’s father make his way to the back of the church and out the door, followed by a photographer.
Tyler closed his eyes and imagined his mother and father looking down on him from Heaven. They would have loved Kelly. They would have adored Bree and Arman. And they would have been proud of him today.
“Tyler!” Sawyer’s voice boomed through the church doors. “Am I in time?”
Tyler snapped to attention and craned his neck as Sawyer made his way to him.
“You’re back.” He crashed into his buddy and enveloped him with a tight hug. “Did you find Hawa?”
“I did, and she’s with Zulu right now. Did you know Kelly asked Zulu to be a bridesmaid? They’re redoing their makeup after all the crying and kissing.”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Tyler straightened Sawyer’s bowtie. “Come on into the church.”
“I wasn’t sure if we could make it in time. We had to catch military transports, and you know how busy it is this time of the year. Didn’t want you to hold up the wedding on account of me.”
“Good to have you back, man. Zulu must be so happy. How’d you find her sister?”
“Asking around. I started with the women you rescued, followed every lead. It turns out she was resettled as a refugee in Germany, not far from Landstuhl.”
“That’s the hospital Zulu was taken to.”
“Right, but Zulu had left and disappeared. Hawa didn’t know how to contact her, so she stayed around the hospital, asking every American she met if they’d heard of Zulu. One of them found out I was looking for Hawa. They should be coming soon. Zulu is over the moon. She couldn’t stop thanking me.” Sawyer’s teeth flashed inside a wide grin.
“What about Ella? Have you spoken to her?”
“I texted her and she’s very happy, but she’s busy getting Bree and Arman dressed. She says she’ll text me when they’re on their way.”
“Man, I’m just so happy you’re back.” Tyler and Sawyer walked back into the church where a loud cheer erupted from the veterans.
Everyone lost it. They jumped over pews and rushed Sawyer, lifting him onto their shoulders. After they finished welcoming Sawyer, he received a text.
“It’s time.” He pumped his fist and pulled Tyler to the front of the church. One of the photographer’s assistants rushed to take pictures of the two men as the quiet chamber music from the string orchestra tapered off, and the piano segued into an ascending series of broken chords introducing a jazzy, contemporary Bridal March.
This was it. The moment he’d waited for his entire life. The purpose God gave him before he took his first breath. The blessing he’d prayed for during his darkest days on the battlefield.
The twinkling of the piano notes gave a light, airy, feel of spring, signifying a new beginning.
Tyler stood ramrod straight and focused his gaze down the aisle between the pews to the heavy wooden doors of the church house.
He remembered the first time he saw Kelly, alone and frazzled while Bree whisper-shouted her wishes to Santa, “I want a papa for Christmas.”
Even though the little girl was a bundle of cuteness, he hadn’t been about to take his eyes off the mother when something elemental had stirred his heart. She was the one he wanted to walk through life with, the one who’d hold his hand through good times and bad, and the one he’d love and comfort through all the seasons to come.
The piano music skipped merrily along with Bree coming through the door first. She was dressed in a pretty flowery frock with a wreath of flowers around her head. Holding a large white basket, she grabbed gobs of red rose petals and threw them, overhand like a quarterback lobbing a football, at the people in the pews.
Laughter percolated through Tyler’s throat. It was just like Bree to practice forever on throwing flower petals daintily, only to have Matt ruin it that day they pitched paper airplanes off a rooftop deck.
Matt followed, pulling a red wagon. It was full of petals, and in the middle of it sat baby Arman, who splattered petals every which way.
The three children giggled with glee, with Bree making sure to toss petals at everyone on both sides of the aisle.
“Did anyone tell her she’s supposed to sprinkle them on the floor and not in people’s faces?” Sawyer chuckled behind him.
“Bree always surprises me, and it’s always good.” Tyler beamed fondly at his children.
When the children got to the front of the church, Ford handed Matt a tiny pillow which was covered with a silk handkerchief. Sheryl took Arman out of the wagon and held him over her shoulder as they went back to the pew, and an usher removed the wagon from the aisle.
Bree set her flower basket on the floor and rushed to the altar, throwing her arms around Tyler’s legs. “Will you be my papa today?”
“I definitely will.” He knelt and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Stand here next to me.”
He held his daughter’s hand, feeling prouder than he’d ever been. This child had chosen him of all the men in the world to be her father, and now, it was time to make it official.
An usher escorted Kelly’s mother down the aisle and next, Zulu walked slowly toward him, smiling widely. Beside him, Sawyer stood straighter, and Tyler could feel the waves of emotion engulf his friend. Sawyer had always cared about Zulu, and it was also one of the reasons Tyler had never allowed himself to go further with her. Besides, he was destined for Kelly.
Zulu wore one of Kelly’s Easter dresses, and she gave Tyler a wink as she took her place at the bride’s side of the altar. Next came Ella as maid of honor. She was, as usual, a beauty to behold, but Tyler couldn’t keep his eyes from the doorway where Kelly would appear.
Once Ella reached the front of the churc
h, the music paused, and the organist struck the chord. Everyone stood and turned toward the doorway of the church. Tyler swallowed a lump at the love beaming from everyone’s faces for Kelly.
He held his breath, his heart pounding with a sweet ache in his gut, as he tried not to let tears seep from his eyes.
Kelly stood straight and tall at the entrance with her proud father. Her dress was light and airy, full of lace flowers, and he could tell she was as relaxed and calm as a fairy flitting among fields of wildflowers.
Her warm brown hair was woven with flowers and vines, and the smile on her face was solely reserved for him. She walked down the aisle with a bounce to her step and when she reached the front, she laughed and hugged her father, blew Bree a kiss and took Arman from Sheryl.
“Hey baby boy, you’re standing up for me at this wedding.” She gave Arman a tickle on his tummy. He chortled heartily and clapped his hands.
They joined hands, and Kelly whispered, “I feel your parents up there. They’re smiling and so, so very proud of you.”
Her words undid him, and a tear slid from the corner of his eye. He mouthed, I love you, to Kelly, unable to take his eyes off her.
The music stopped and the pastor smiled at them. “Dear friends and family,” he began. “We are gathered here …”
~ Kelly ~
“ … to witness the holy union of Kelly and Tyler in marriage, in front of God.”
I hope my hand isn’t sweaty where I hold Tyler’s as we stare into each other’s eyes. I can’t help but look back to the first time I saw him. He was holding Bree’s hand, as he’s doing now, except back then, I thought he was a creep trying to kidnap my little girl. Oh, he was broad-shouldered and good-looking all right, and my body reacted to what I saw, but I reminded myself the worst criminals were also the most charming. I didn’t want to give him a chance, at first.
Fortunately, Bree had better instincts than me, and when she claimed he was her father, I was embarrassed, especially when the police and security turned to me with questioning expressions. Soon enough, that charm and heroic way of Tyler’s won me over. I’ll never forget the battle-scarred veteran I visited at the hospital. My fate was sealed, and I’ve never loved anyone more than I love Tyler Manning.
“Kelly and Tyler have written their own vows,” the pastor said, snapping me out of my reverie. “Tyler, you may go first.”
“Kelly, before I met you, I was a lost and lonely man.” Tyler’s voice cracks as he blinks at me through watery eyes. “I was consumed by duty and honor, but I never allowed anyone to care for me the way you did when you offered your friendship and acceptance. You’ve shown me that love can heal all wounds, build a broken life, and moreover, grow strong and more abundant when shared with family and friends. You’ve trusted me to come into your life and share everything you have, and you’ve shown me strength and love combined with faith can overcome all obstacles. I promise to cherish you, Bree, Arman, and all of your family as my family. I will always love and honor you and the commitment you make to me today. Before God as my witness, I take you, Kelly, as my bride, and may God help me be the kind of husband and father you deserve. I pledge my love and life to you, today, from now to forever.”
My heart is full to the brim at Tyler’s words. I hadn’t heard them before, because we’d agreed not to share our vows with each other beforehand. Now, I’m at the verge of losing it, and forgetting my vows to this brave and wonderful war hero I’m marrying.
I can hear sniffling and sighs from both sides of the church as Tyler’s vows sink in, and suddenly, I don’t care that I’ve forgotten my carefully scripted vows. I open my mouth and simply tell Tyler what I’ve always wanted to say.
“Tyler Manning, I’m sure when you first saw me, you had no idea we’d be standing here today.”
He lifts an eyebrow as if to say he knew exactly where we’d end up.
I shake my head. “I wasn’t looking for love, but Bree knew better. She asked Santa for you, and because she believed, and she never stopped believing, we’re here today in front of our family and friends, proclaiming our love to the world. I cannot imagine life without you, Tyler Manning. You’re the guy with the biggest heart, larger than the man on the moon. You have the most foolish courage and tell the funniest bedtime stories. You’re the man I’ll always love and cherish, the only one I will spend my life with. You’ve given me and Bree unconditional acceptance and love, and you’ve put up with me and all my personality traits.”
Tyler tips his head back and laughs. The audience follows his lead, but I don’t mind, not in the least bit. This is my wedding and a day to celebrate.
“What I’m saying, Tyler, is you’re stuck with me now. And all I had to do was give you a plate of Christmas cookies, frosted by Bree.”
Our family and friends howl with laughter. Even the pastor chuckles. I’m not drunk, not that anyone will believe me. But I’m letting go. I’ve left the checklists at home, and I’m not ever going to obsess again when God is in control. He brought Sawyer and Hawa back today, and he gave Tyler and me a life together. He arranged it so that Bree would find her own biological father under a Christmas tree at the mall.
“I wanted the perfect wedding,” I continue, undeterred. “And God has given me not only the perfect wedding, but the perfect husband. I promise to be the wife you are meant to have, and to honor the Lord with everything we do as a family. I love you, Tyler Manning, and I’m honored to be your bride.”
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~ Tyler ~
Wow! Tyler had never experienced Kelly so free-spirited and cheerful. What had happened to his bride? Whether it was Sawyer’s return with Hawa or her father walking her down the aisle, or the sheer exuberance in finding out he was Bree’s biological father through a mix-up at the sperm clinic, it didn’t matter.
This new Kelly was awesome, and he couldn’t wait to finish the wedding. He had a surprise planned for their honeymoon, and he’d been worried she would balk at upsetting her life—or at least the life she’d known.
Today definitely was his lucky day. He looked behind him and Sawyer gave Matt a little push, bringing the boy to the space between him and Kelly.
“I’ve brought all the rings, Mr. Manning,” Matt said, holding up his pillow.
“He won’t let me see the rings,” Bree said, kicking her fancy shoes at the ground.
Matt stuck his tongue out at Bree and flipped the silk handkerchief from the pillow.
Three rings were pinned to the pillow.
“Three rings?” Bree exclaimed loudly. “Are you marrying me?”
Matt’s face flushed bright red and he studiously ignored Bree, as Tyler hurriedly got down on one knee, still holding Bree’s hand.
“Sweetheart, you’re getting your papa today.” He unpinned a small golden ring, a two-toned engraved band with a pink gold flower in the center.
“For me? Papa?” Bree covered her mouth, her eyes popping wide.
“Yes, darling daughter.” He took her precious hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. “I love you, Bree, and I promise to be the father you can always count on. Whether it’s getting ice cream at three in the morning, shhh, don’t tell your mother, or holding you when you’re sick, I’ll always support you and want you to be happy. No matter what happens, I will always be your father, and I will always love and protect you.”
“Papa.” Bree jumped into his arms, hugging him with her arms and legs. “I knew Santa would give me the best father ever. I knew it.”
“Yep, you knew it, little one,” he whispered in her ear and reached for Kelly and Arman. His circle was complete, as warmth engulfed him, and he felt a presence wash over his shoulders.
Mom and Dad. I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Manning and family.
~ Kelly ~
Tyler and I exchange rings, and we kiss. The pastor pronounces us man and wife, and together, with our children, we stride down the aisle to the cheers of the entire gathering.
My feet are light, and my h
ands are full. One hand is locked around Tyler’s arm, while Arman bounces in my other arm. Tyler walks with Bree skipping at his side, flashing her flower ring at everyone.
The outpouring of love is overwhelming. Rice and confetti shower on us along with the bright December sun once we step outside.
“Mama,” Bree asks when we get to the limousine. “Will Santa come down the chimney now?”
“He already has.” I wait for the door to open.
“Ho, ho, ho.” Santa Claus steps from the limousine and holds out his hand to Bree. “I came down the chimney and couldn’t find anyone, so I asked my driver, where could my precious Bree be?”
“You found us here at the church.” She jumps into his arms. “Are you the Rooftop Santa or the Mall Santa?”
“Neither.” He kisses her on the cheek, his blue eyes twinkling. “I’m Grandpa Santa, and I’m going to take my favorite granddaughter for a ride.”
“On a motorcycle, like Matt’s Grandpa Santa?” Bree flutters her hands, too excited to keep still.
“Even better.” My father carries Bree to a bright red Lamborghini. “How’d you like to race Matt’s Grandpa Santa behind the wheel of this baby?”
“Matt,” Bree squeals, jumping up and down. “If my Grandpa beats your Grandpa, you have to kiss me.”
“You’re on.” Matt runs to his grandfather, who’s also wearing a Santa suit. “Let’s lose so I can kiss the girl.”
Epilogue
~ Kelly ~
One year later, Fort Manning, Colorado
Christmas couldn’t be more different this year. I dust the snow off my boots and fit the large skeleton key into the lock of the heavy wooden door. Tyler had given it to me last Christmas Eve, and during the hubbub of the wedding, I hadn’t been able to figure out what it was for.
A Wedding for Christmas Page 19