Page 57 of Pretty

Those simple words brought a smile to my lips in spite of the horror I had just experienced. “I love you too,” I replied weakly.

I looked up and saw my parents, siblings, and Drew’s parents and sister hovering around, and no longer sitting in the chairs with the rest of the guests.

“Baby, are you okay? Can we get you some saltine crackers?” Mama Jennings asked.

“No. I’ll be fine. Thank you, though.”

“Do we need to reschedule today?” Maman asked.

I looked at Drew. “Baby, we can get married any time. I just need and want you to be okay,” he reassured me.

I glanced down at my dress, looked back up at everyone else, and then to Pastor Mickelson.

He wore a smile on his chubby, cherubic face. “How are you feeling now, sweetheart?”

“Much better. I sometimes get sick in the evening, but not often.”

“I think that little one in your belly is just anxious about all the excitement going on,” Pastor Mickelson proclaimed.

I giggled weakly. “Yeah, I guess so. Can we finish our vows?”

“Sure. We can do whatever it is you want to do. Would you like to stay here at the arch or sit down?” he asked, pointing to the chairs behind us.

“I can stay at the arch.”

“Baby, you’d better sit down. I don’t want you getting queasy again. If you want to, we could postpone the wedding. We could⁠—”

Mr. Jennings held his hand up to cut Drew off. “Son, game day is never stopped because of a little rain. We play through it all. We dig our cleats in the mud, tuck our heads down, and we get dirty and sweaty for that victory. This woman is your victory after a season of losses. I’m ready to claim her as my daughter-in-law, and in order for that to happen, you need to claim her as your wife. You understand me, Son?” Mr. Jennings asked.

“Yeah, Coach. I’ve been ready to claim her as mine. I just need to make sure that my soon-to-be wife is good,” Drew answered before he turned to me. “Baby, you ready?”

I nodded, and we took our positions under the arch again. Drew resumed his vows.

“What just happened was a glimpse into the future. Our journey won’t always be sunny skies and smiles, but I vow to be by your side through it all. I vow to always be ready with a plan of attack or find a way to reroute. A few minutes ago, I vowed to be your protector and your provider, and I also vow to be your comforter, to hold you up when you’re sick, and ease your pain and discomfort.” Drew slid the ring on my finger, and tears flowed from my eyes. He was so sweet.

“Pretty, you may now say your vows,” Pastor declared.

“Andrew Nicholas Jennings, after suffering loss, betrayal, and repeated pain, I vowed to never love again. I couldn’t withstand the pain of losing someone else, but my heart would not be denied, and my heart wants you. I didn’t anticipate you. When I do something to embarrass myself, you have taught me how to laugh at myself and not take things so seriously. I thank Almighty God that He saw fit to bring you into my life.

“It’s because of your love that I was able to walk out of the darkness and into the light. You have helped me to heal, to grow, and to be strong. You have loved away my heartache and shame. You have helped me to breathe again and filled that empty void within me. I look forward to waking up with you every day and loving you for a lifetime. You make falling and being in love so desirable, so sweet, and so worth the risk.

“With this ring, I pledge to care for your heart, be honest with you, inspire you to greater depths, and have your back through your most challenging times. With this ring, I pledge to be the wife who will always stand beside you and never give up on you. I pledge to love you from now until the end of time, and I pledge to always be your reason for hoping, dreaming, and loving.”

I slid the ring on his finger, and he smiled brightly at me. Surprisingly, Drew cupped my face and kissed me sweetly and slowly.

“Eeew!” Maxime declared.

When I finally broke the kiss, I looked around at him and pointed. “Shut it, or I’ll shut it for you.” I turned back and resumed kissing my husband.

Everyone laughed, and my father stated, “No matter how old you get, you two will always be bickering like little kids.”

“I know that it’s our wedding day, but today is also a special celebration,” Drew declared when we ended the kiss.

I lifted an eyebrow and looked to our family and friends who smiled brightly. “What have you done now?”

Everyone laughed, and Drew smiled warmly at me. Kissing my hands, he stared into my eyes and explained. “You chose this venue for its location to the art community, its beauty, and the space that it had. Although we wanted a quiet and intimate venue for our wedding, it was large enough to host an art showing. Well, I wanted you to know that this is the new home of the Jolie Mercier-Jennings Art Gallery.”

My mouth dropped open, and my heart thrummed in my chest like a finely tuned guitar. Had he just said what I thought he said?