Page 149 of Charlotte

As her dad guided her down the aisle they’d created with the chairs, Charli kept her eyes on Blake. This was the moment she’d once dreamed of. Her younger self probably would have wept at how long it had taken to get there. But right then, all that mattered was that they’d finally made it to the altar.

Handing off her small bouquet of four red roses and baby’s breath to Janessa, Charli turned to Blake and took his hands. His wonderful hands that represented so much to her. In the calluses was his determination to work hard to provide for his family. In the strength was his promise to hold and protect each of them.

But under all of that was his gentleness, which was present in a more profound and deeper way than it had ever been before. It had been that, more than anything else, that had convinced her that it wasn’t too soon to get married after reconnecting such a short time ago. She trusted him to take care of her, the girls, and the baby soon to join their family.

The pastor, having heard their story during a meeting with them earlier that week, reminded them again of the verse in Ecclesiastes 3 that said He has made everything beautiful in its time. It had certainly taken time, but Charli believed that what they had was beautiful, and it was only going to get more so with time.

When they spoke their vows, Layla and Amelia stood with them, listening as Charli and Blake pledged their love and made promises of forever to each other, before God and family. Happiness radiated off the girls, and it was matched only by the happiness Charli felt and could see in Blake’s eyes.

Christmas night they’d told them about their plan to marry, and Layla had run off, making Charli worry about how she was receiving the news. But before they could discuss what was going on, she returned, clutching a familiar box.

Layla had shoved it at Blake and said, “Promises kept.”

Blake had stared at her for a long moment before looking at Charli and then down at the box. He’d slowly opened it, then sat with his head bent.

Charli had reached over and covered his hands with hers, waiting until he looked up at her, sadness in his gaze. “Layla’s right. Promises kept, Blake. We made it.”

Since her gaze held his, she’d seen the moment the sadness faded away.

“Promises kept,” he’d agreed, then he’d slipped the ring on her right hand, though it fit a bit more snugly than it had the first time he’d done that.

And after making new promises to each other, he slid another ring onto her finger, and this time, she had one for him too. The rings had also been hurriedly purchased off Amazon, just until they could get what they wanted later.

Once the rings were in place, the pastor instructed them to share their first kiss as husband and wife. Charli went up on her toes to meet him halfway, smiling into the press of his lips against hers. The kiss lingered for a moment, then they stepped apart.

“Today is the first day in our forever,” Blake said as he gazed down at her with a smile. “I love you, Charli.”

“I love you too. And I can’t wait for what’s to come.”

They kissed one more time, then they turned to take the girls’ hands and face the group gathered there.

When the pastor presented them as Mr. and Mrs. Blake Madden and their daughters, Layla and Amelia, their families cheered and clapped. There was slightly less decorum in their reaction than there might have been at the church.

Charli smiled at everyone, thankful that each of them had come to support and celebrate with them. And she knew that they’d be there to support and celebrate with them when their family grew in a few months, even without knowing the relationship they shared with the baby.

Though she would have had a happy life with just Layla, Charli was grateful to be able to experience life with Blake and Amelia. Big changes were coming, and not all of them would be easy, but rather than be worried, Charli was excited, and she knew that Blake was as well.

And even though it had taken them far longer than they’d planned to reach the point of getting married, Charli had decided to let go of all regrets, and she knew Blake had too. They had two beautiful, healthy daughters, with another baby on the way. They had careers they loved. And most of all, they had their faith in God and their love for each other, both of which would be the foundation on which they’d build their future.

They shared the belief that God had brought them back together after years apart, and they knew that He would walk them through the ups and downs to come.

Promises kept.

~*~ The End ~*~