AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Then a hush settled over the room. The kids and grandchildren—all thirty-plus of them—wandered quietly to take their places. Nearest Kevin at the front of where the ceremony was to take place, Elizabeth Clayton stood from the chair they’d placed for her. Samuel and Eleanor Allen remained seated because standing for any length had become too much. Mixed in with Brayden and a few grandchildren—greats to them—Helen’s parents also stood. This time genuine approval filled their whole expressions. Standing beside Megan, Buck and Anna Alexander beamed as they watched for the bride.
This time, this redo . . . it was perfect.
Kevin leaned toward Brandon, who was now standing in front of the fireplace, and whispered, “Ready or not, here we go.”
The words were barely off his lips when the sight of Helen and that silly, wonderful hat stole his full attention. She carried a bouquet of white daffodils—some of her favorite flowers, and stems that were hard to come by this time of year. This time Helen did not make him wait in agony to meet his gaze. Those blue eyes searched his out and once latched, held.
Kevin’s heart clutched and breath caught, and everything around faded to an inconsequential haze.
Forty years. Years full of laughter and tears, struggles and ease. Forty years with the same lovely woman, and yet simply the sight of her seized his heart and filled him with overflowing joy and love.
This time Helen did not look at the floor when she stepped toward him, Matt her escort. Then she was there, handing Kenzie that bouquet and then slipping her hand into his. Her blue eyes brimmed with tenderness and—dare he claim so?—adoration.
It was entirely mutual. Kevin tugged her closer and leaned to brush a kiss against her cheek. “You’re lovely, Helen.”
“This is a lovely surprise,” she whispered back.
In front of them, as well as the whole gathering, Brandon cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together today in the sight of—”
“Wait.” Helen stepped back and turned a quizzical look on their son. “Are you allowed to do this?”
Brandon scowled. “Would you prefer someone else?”
“No. I mean, is it legal?”
His folded brows lifted into amusement, and he chuckled. “Was it not legal before?”
“Great,” Jackson grumbled playfully behind them. “Turns out our parents weren’t married, boys. What else don’t we know?”
An entertaining blush seeped into Helen’s cheeks and spread to the roots of her hair. “That’s not what I said.” She looked up at Kevin as if to say,Deal with your sons.
Kevin laughed. “Brandon, show your mother the papers.”
With a gleam of pride, Brandon dug into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and produced a folded certificate declaring that he was an ordained minister, legally recognized in the state of California.
Still blushing, Helen beamed and hugged Brandon. “Congratulations, Brandon! That’s thrilling!”
“May I continue?” Brandon tugged himself straight again, feigning the normal seriousness of his nature.
“Please do.” Helen settled back into place, taking Kevin’s hands.
He cleared his throat again. “To witness the recommitment of vows between these two special people. Dad. Mom.” Brandon looked at each individually, and deep emotion filled his gaze. “We’ve watched you go through the years with laughter and tears. We’ve witnessed you fight, and disgustingly, we’ve witnessed you kiss.” He paused, made a face, and then switched back to serious mode. “I think every one of us boys would say that because of you, we work hard to make a good marriage.”
Whispers ofyesandamendrifted through the room.
“So it is our joy and honor to be with you here today, on your fortieth anniversary, and to celebrate a renewal of your vows.” Brandon paused and then nodded to Kevin. “Dad, I think you wanted to say something?”
Kevin drew in a breath. He’d written the things he wanted to say—the little sheet was in his coat pocket. But as he focused on the woman he loved, he found he didn’t need it.
“Helen, my beloved. Forty years ago I married you as a frightened young man who saw you as my way out. Out of loneliness. Out of a life I hated. You were my way into being someone somebody wanted. And it was also the way out of trouble. Forty years ago on our wedding day, I knew I was a coward, and I also knew I wasn’t what you deserved. Truth be told, I was terrified, and the only way I made it through the ceremony was by the aid of strong drink.
“There is no way to tell you how much I have regretted that.” Kevin had to pause to swallow the lump in his throat.
“So today I want to stand here before you as a sober man. One who is more concerned with being who I should be for you, and before God, than having you fill a void that only proved to take us both into a dark place. I want to promise you the next forty years from my heart. When I say for better or for worse, I mean it—but not because my drinking is bound to make it for worse. I will work every day so that, as far as it is in my power, your life will be better with me. When I say for richer or for poorer, I mean it—but I also know with absolute certainty that with you at my side, I am always richer, no matter what the bank says.”
He bent, touching his forehead to hers. “You have my respect. My fidelity. And all of my love.” Lifting her hands to his chest, he pulled in another breath. “So today, will you marry me all over again?”
As a beautiful peace draped over them, the room held for one breathless, memorable moment.
