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Blake wasn’t sure that it would have been.
Though he’d attended church during the time he’d been in Serenity thirteen years ago, he hadn’t been involved beyond going to the Sunday services. Part of the reason had been that it was summer, and most of the programs were on hiatus. But even if they’d been in session, he probably would only have attended the ones where Charli would have been present too.
Blake still only attended Sunday school and the morning service each week, though Jackson had been encouraging him to join the men’s Bible study. He’d been using Amelia as an excuse for not going, but he knew—because she’d told him—that Julia would come stay with Amelia so that he could attend.
Maybe it was time to take her up on that offer.
Blake glanced over at Charli, wondering how she was enjoying the wedding. Though her attention was on the pastor as he gave a small challenge to the bridge and groom, her expression was unreadable.
It wasn’t hard to imagine why she might not be all smiles that day, unlike other members of her family. If Charli’s dream was still to get married, weddings might be hard for her. He felt the weight of being responsible for how she might be feeling.
“Hudson and Kayleigh have chosen to write some personal vows,” the pastor said. “Hudson, you can go ahead.”
“Kayleigh, it’s so amazing to be at this point in our relationship. There was a time when I didn’t think we’d ever get here, but I’m beyond thankful for how God has guided us. Having you in my life has made me strive to be a better man. Spending time with you has given me a glimpse of what our future could be, and it’s a future I want with all my heart. I look forward to walking this road with you, hand in hand, as we traverse the ups and downs of life together. Whatever you do, wherever you go… I will be there at your side. Always and forever. I love you, Kayleigh.”
From where he was seated, Blake could see Hudson’s face. The man’s smile as he looked down at his bride was full of love.
“Hudson, I wasn’t looking for love when you walked into my life, but that didn’t stop love from finding me. And I couldn’t be happier. The love we share has been such a wonderful thing, and I’m so thankful for it.
“Watching you grow in your faith has been such a blessing, and it has encouraged me to continue to seek God in my life. I’m grateful that you’ve been willing to give God first place in your life and in our relationship, and I can’t wait to see how He guides us in the years to come. Thank you for giving me your heart and know that you have mine in return. Now and forever, I love you so much, Hudson.”
As he listened to the couple say their vows, Blake realized that the love they shared had a maturity to it that his and Charli’s hadn’t. Not that that really meant anything. Young love wasn’t necessarily doomed. He only had to look at his aunt and uncle to see that.
Would their love be different if they fell in love again, with twelve years of maturity and experiences under their belts?
They had both changed, but over the past several weeks, Blake still saw much about Charli that he admired and was drawn to. Unfortunately, he was pretty sure that she didn’t feel the same way.
“May I please have the rings?” the pastor asked with a smile directed toward the pew where Charli’s parents sat.
Peyton got to his feet and climbed the stairs, then held out a small box. The pastor opened it, removed its contents, then thanked the boy.
Once Peyton had returned to his seat, Hudson and Kayleigh exchanged rings, then a woman Blake recognized from the church worship team got up to sing as the couple lit a candle together, then moved with Janessa and Gareth to a small table to sign papers.
Finally, the couple stood facing each other in front of the pastor once again. When the pastor announced that Hudson could kiss his bride, the congregation cheered and clapped as he took Kayleigh into his arms.
After a lingering kiss, the beaming couple turned to face the congregation, and the pastor said, “Dear family and friends, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Hudson St. James.”
Music swelled as the couple made their way from the stage and up the aisle to the doors. The rest of the wedding party followed them out, then both sets of parents also walked to the exit leading into the foyer.
“All of them were so pretty,” Amelia said as she sat turned in her seat, gazing at the back of the sanctuary. “I can’t wait to get married.”
“Oh, Berry, you’ve got a few years to go before that can happen.”
“I know,” she said, swiveling back around to look up at her dad. “But maybe I can be in a wedding like Layla before then.”
“Maybe.” He couldn’t make her any promises since he didn’t know whose wedding she’d be able to be in. Maybe Jackson’s, if he ever got to that point with a woman. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Amelia smoothed her hands over the skirt of her dress. “Will I be able to talk to Layla?”
Blake glanced over at Charli, who nodded. “Yep, for sure.”
“We’re all supposed to meet at the park for photos in the garden,” Misha said. “So we’re on our way now.”
“These family photos are madness,” Charli muttered. “Especially when people don’t listen to the photographer.”
“I know,” Jay agreed. “But Mom wants these pictures.”
Charli got to her feet. “You’d think that now that we’re adults, the process would be easier.”
