Page 87 of Love, Rekindled

“I know.”

“Came right to me, shook my hand, apologized and explained. He left that limo on the interstate to get here. Not like the last idiot.”

I smile, loving that my Dad likes Ben. They’ve bonded a lot over the last few years, but then again, Ben has made every effort to show them he’s different.

We go up to New Jersey for the holidays, and it also doesn’t hurt that he’s a die-hard Giants fan, which makes him an automatic win to Daddy. More than that, I know it’s how he treats me. My father has always wanted me to find someone to love me like he loves my mother. They met very similarly to us. They were high school sweethearts that got married right out of school. No one thought they’d last, but here they are, still ridiculously in love.

“Are you ready to give me away, Daddy?”

He kisses my forehead. “No, but I’m ready to give you to a worthy man.”

I hook my hand in his arm, leaning on him for support. My stomach is in knots as we make our way down the hall toward the aisle. When we get there, the music changes and I focus on my breathing.

I’m so ready for this. Ready to be Mrs. Benjamin Pryce.

When we get to our spot, I see him for the first time.

I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but the look on his face makes it impossible.

My father starts to walk and tears fall with each step. They’re not sad tears though, it’s joy. I’ve never been happier than I am right now.

Ben looks at me like I’m the center of the world and he’s my anchor. Together, we ground each other.

When I get to where he stands, I see the unshed tears in his eyes.

My father places my hand in his and kisses my cheek.

“I’m sorry I was late,” Ben says softly.

“I’m just glad you made it.”

“It would’ve taken an army to keep me from you.”

I smile, wishing I could kiss him right now, but I know it has to wait.

The priest begins, calling our attention away from our private conversation.

Through each part of the ceremony I think about how we got here. The struggles and triumphs that lead us to this moment. We’ve had no shortage of issues, from his recovery after being shot to me adjusting to not being a practicing lawyer and feeling a little out of place. Both of us have been each other’s rock and I know that no matter what we face, we’ll come out on top.

We say our vows, the same that many long-lasting couples have promised each other, but add our own touch to assure each other of what we both need.

“I, Gretchen Burke, promise to always be there, even when you think I won’t be. I promise to give you my heart, my love, and my soul without question. You will never have to wonder because I won’t give you cause to doubt me. From this point forward, trust me to never fail you and always come from a place of love. Even if I’m angry, tired, or just in a mood, know that the constant will be how much you mean to me. Know that you’re my heart, Ben. Always.”

Ben’s eyes are locked on mine as he speaks. “I, Benjamin Pryce, promise to love, honor, and cherish you. I think I’ve been waiting to say those words since I was thirteen, because that’s the first time I felt love. You didn’t know it, I didn’t even really understand it, but I’ve loved you since the beginning. I promise to be the man you deserve and when I’m not, I will do whatever I can to fix my shortcomings. I vow that my love will be the constant you can always rely on...forevermore.”

And that last word says it all.

Forevermore.

He looks to the priest, who gives a nod. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may?—”

He doesn’t get to finish because Ben already has me in his arms. I grip his shoulders as he seals our union with a breathtaking kiss.

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