Chapter 40
It didn’t matter that he saw her an hour earlier. The moment the doors opened to reveal his bride, Tyler’s heart raced.
“Mama!” David pointed to Lauren the moment he saw her.
“Yeah, buddy, that’s Mommy,” Tyler whispered in his ear, tightening his grip on David so he couldn’t squirm out of his arms. “Stay with me. Mommy’s coming for us. Pa needs to walk her to us.”
Her blonde curls swayed as she marched down the aisle on Richard’s arm to the organ music. Dress flowing behind her, she had never appeared so majestic. Her smile widened at the sight of him.
Thank You, Lord, for her. Thank You that she’s mine.
The sight of Tyler sent her pulse soaring. David bounced in his arm; Tyler’s smile widened with every step she took. They looked so adorable together, wearing matching outfits. Tyler whispered in David’s ear when he called to her, calming him. Not only was he created to be her husband, but he was made to be David’s father.
Thank You, God, for your grace, for Your blessing of two loves in my lifetime.
“Mama!” David leapt into Lauren’s arms when she reached them.
“Hi, buddy.” Lauren kissed his cheek. “Go to Pa, okay?”
David happily went to Richard’s open arms.
“You’re breathtaking,” Tyler said when she faced him.
Lauren ran her hands down his velvet jacket. “You’re quite handsome yourself. Even in tights.” She bit her bottom lip.
“Thought you’d like that.” Tyler winked.
Raphael spoke of the biblical definition of love, but Tyler’s thoughts were of her. The first time they met, the first time he made her laugh, the first time he made her cry. The depression, the mania, the love discovered and lost. And lost again. And reconstructed. The days and nights over the past year that had defined her, them. Now, as Lucas had said months ago, God had strengthened their resolve. They would not be shaken with their Savior as the foundation of their marriage.
God, I’ll never deserve her, but thank You. Thank You for Your grace and her love.
As he slid the wedding band on her finger, he choked up speaking his vows. Forever she’d be his. It was finally true.
“Until one day when we go home.”
Tyler smiled as Raphael said the last part of the vows. The only part she wanted rewritten.
“Not ’til death do we part, but until one day when we go home,” she had said. “That’s how long my love for you will last. Until God takes me to heaven.”
The knot that had been in her stomach all day disappeared as she stared into his eyes. Never had she been more sure of her love—their love. And their future together.
As she slid the ring onto his finger, tears filled his eyes.
“I, Lauren, take thee Tyler, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.” She paused, swallowing back tears. “To love and to cherish, until one day when we go home.”
“I love you, Lauren,” Tyler said when she finished.
“I love you, Tyler.” Lauren smiled.
“It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Stevens.” Raphael bowed. He faced Tyler. “You may now kiss your bride, Boss.”
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, blood rushing through her entire body, as their friends and family applauded.
Before they headed down the aisle, Lauren took David from her father’s arms.
“Dada!” he said to Tyler.
Tyler smiled, kissing his head. “Yeah, David. Now I’m your dada.”
Her laughter echoed throughout the castle as they danced. Never had he seen her so happy.
“Dinner was delicious,” Lauren said when she finished laughing.
“I’m proud of you for trying mutton.” Tyler twirled her. “Even though you used a fork.”
“This dress is gorgeous,” she said. “There was no way I would risk dropping anything on it. I loved the Cornish game hen.”
“Does that mean you’re staying away from the chocolate-raspberry-filled cake?” Tyler kissed her neck.
“Just feed it to me nicely and we’ll be fine. I think we have the garter and bouquet toss before the cake cutting, right?”
A sheepish grin crept across his face. “I get to take off your garter?”
“Maybe, if you can control yourself. We have another couple hours before that fun begins.”
He scanned the room. “I haven’t seen Shelly or Danny for a while. I wonder what they’re up to?”
Lauren’s eyes widened. “Is he proposing? Now?”
Her phone played the incoming message tone. Pulling it from Tyler’s pocket, Lauren opened one text from Shelly. A picture appeared of her left hand with a half-carat diamond ring.
“Oh my gosh.” She showed it to Tyler. “You knew?”
“Yeah. Danny was holding your ring. I kept teasing him not to get them mixed up. That would have ruined everything.”
Lauren stared at the picture. “Oh my gosh. I’m so happy for her.”
“Lots of happily ever afters.” Tyler wrapped his arms around her. “Guess that happens when your Father is the King of Kings.”
She lifted her blue eyes to his. “You amaze me, Tyler Stevens. You truly amaze me.”
Her skin soft to his touch, his lips were instantly drawn to hers. The clanking of silverware against glasses encouraged him to kiss his bride.
“We’re engaged!” Shelly shouted, bursting into the room. Applause and cheers erupted. Lauren and the other girls raced to her side.
Danny walked up to Tyler wiping his lips.
“Congrats, man.” Tyler shook his hand.
“Thanks.” He nodded. “And thank you for the romantic vacation to allow me to pull off the perfect proposal.”
“No problem.” Tyler pointed to his cheek. “You missed some lipstick.”
Danny chuckled, wiping off the red mark. “She may have been overcome with joy.”
“Apparently.” Tyler laughed.
“So, Shelly wants you to help me plan the wedding. There’s no way I can top this European vacation, but do you have any ideas for a spectacular venue within my price range?”
“How about San Diego?” Tyler slapped him on the back. “Less travel expenses, beautiful beaches. Isn’t your family talking about moving there?”
“Possibly this fall.” Danny stroked his chin.
“Hotel Del in Coronado is pretty impressive. It’ll only cost you an arm, not a leg. I hear they deck it out for Christmas.”
“She does like the beach.” Danny followed Tyler toward the girls. “And I could handle being married on my next birthday.”
Shelly and Danny’s toast made them laugh, Richard’s welcoming Tyler to the family was touching. When his father stood, Tyler started to sweat.
“I wanted to say a few things.”
Tyler shot a glance to Kris who shrugged with a worried expression on her face.
“I know I wasn’t father of the year, and trust me, Tyler was the first to tell me that.” Everyone chuckled. When his dad ran his fingers through his hair, Tyler suddenly realized where he got that nervous habit from. “But I was taught a father’s job was to work hard to provide for his family, to put food on the table. It was the mother’s job to be all caring and loving.” He shifted to his wife. “Which you did well.” She smiled and he shifted his gaze back to Tyler. “But the more I see you with David, the more I realize I missed it. A good dad provides more than money for his family. He brings laughter and love into his home. Joy.” He paused. “I see a joy in you and Lauren that I’ve never seen before. I thought it was because you had everything money could buy until your car accident. Then I realized where it comes from.” Taking a deep breath, he raised his glass to Lauren. “Thank you, Lauren, for introducing my son to Christ. I know that’s what has made the difference in his life. It’s a pleasure to have you and David join our family. Here’s to many years of love and more grandkids.”
“Shelly’s engaged.” Lauren hadn’t stopped smiling since her friend announced it. She was beyond excited for her.
“And my dad acknowledged Christ.” Tyler slipped his hand around her waist as they walked towards the stairway to their suite. “He told me they’re going to attend church with Kris’s family.”
“That’s awesome. Did you hear Luke’s company is closing? He’s searching for a new job. Kris said San Diego and LA are her top two picks.”
“That would be awesome. Imagine having my family close by to help with the kids and watch them grow.”
“Kids?” She raised an eyebrow.
He rubbed his hand over her stomach. “After a while, don’t you think?”
“I’ll need a few years to forget the preeclampsia.” She imagined a little boy like him—
“I’ve prayed against that happening again. We should be good. Too bad Ruth isn’t closer. Think there’s a chance—”
“Never, but I do love visiting New York. Pretty soon you can take David to ballgames and skiing with Mike.”
“Can you believe David fell asleep in the middle of the dance floor?” Tyler chuckled.
Lauren laughed. “Glad we got pictures of that. You did a great job wearing him out today.”
“Think he’ll sleep in tomorrow?” Tyler let go of her as he led the way up the narrow staircase.
“Hopefully, but we don’t have to worry about him in the morning, right?” All night passion for him had been growing inside her. Her heart rate increased with each step.
“True. The bus leaves at ten o’clock with our family and friends.”
“That’s good.” Reaching around to his front, she unbuckled his belt. His sword hit the floor with a clank.
“We’ll catch up with them in Florence in a few days.”
“That’ll be nice.” Running her hands across his shoulders, Lauren relieved him of his coat. She stepped over it when it dropped onto the stairs.
“What are you doing?” He swiveled at the landing of the stairs.
“Undressing you.” She kissed his neck. “I believe it’s time.”
“How about we get in the room first?” Tyler opened the door, the white roses on the entryway table greeting them. He approached the flowers with a chuckle. “Nice one, Mac.” Turning, Lauren began kissing him again. “You know, if you’re too tired—”
She stopped. “Are you too tired?”
“No, but it’s been a long day—”
A grin crept across her lips. “Why, Mr. Stevens, are you nervous?”
“No.” Tyler coughed to lower the pitch of his voice. “I’m simply concerned about you.”
“And you are my concern.” Lauren nibbled on his earlobe.
Placing a hand on either cheek, he stared into her eyes. “I love you, Mrs. Stevens.”
Her smile grew. “I love you, Tyler. Happy almost birthday.”
“Best one ever.” He lowered his hands to her waist. “I waited for you.”
“I’m so glad you did.”
“Me, too, Angel.” Tyler gently kissed her neck. “I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine.”
Thank You, God, for the great things You have done, Lauren silently prayed, running her fingers through his hair. Your love endures forever.