Page 56 of Courageous Demands

“Oh yeah,” Lance smirked and gave a little wave to the pregnant, dark-haired woman in the front row on the groom’s side. “Hey, babe.”

Justin slapped his forehead, causing another ripple of amusement in the church. Yup. That was planned because she wanted people to feel joy and laughter as they shared their vows. This was a moment of happiness and pride that she had always wanted to be associated with their name for years to come.

“I, Willow Donna Rushman, would be beyond humbled and honored to become your wife today. Taking a husband means accepting him at your side, loving him, and bringing our families together. It also means taking on the mantle of your name and standing tall before the world, proud to wear it, and I am always going to make you proud.”

“You’ve never stopped,” he said tenderly as a tear escaped his eyes.

“I’ve always loved you,” she said passionately, not holding back. “From the moment you introduced yourself to me to the first kiss stolen on the front porch of my mother’s house. Even when things fell apart, I still loved you and knew I always would, which is why I had suggested the charity event for the orphanage.”

“Huh?”

Alec's shocked expression, along with her confession, sent a ripple through the crowd once more. Yup. That had been her little secret, and if Stevenson was digging, she was going to make sure she had no skeletons in her closet to be manipulated or twisted later on. She had worked with Sister Mary Hazel at the orphanage, her marketing manager, and Chief Carpenter to bring the charity event to life, whether she won her auction or not.

“All I wanted was the chance to see your smile or say ‘hello’ once more – and I took it while still finding a way to give to the community. You were my friend, you are my love, and you will always be a part of me forever.”

Alec’s surprised expression melted into a proud smile as he began to laugh. It wasn’t just a little chuckle but a boisterous, from the soul, belly laugh that shook his frame.

“Oh my gosh, you are so clever and brilliant. You orchestrated that charity event with my boss?”

“Like molecules revolving around each other in an orbit,” she smiled at him. “I had to make sure my beloved science partner from long ago was in my own ‘orbit’ once more… and giving children bicycles, clothes, new books for the library – that seemed the perfect way to do so.”

“I sincerely love you, woman,” Alec said simply, grinning from ear to ear as his eyes glistened, aglow with amazement and pride. “You blow me away sometimes – and I love it.”

“I love you dearly and would do anything to make you smile, to bring happiness to your life, and to make our home a better one,” she answered openly. “I am yours – always.”

“I am yours, forever and a day.”

“Marriage is an ancient rite, a sacrament, bonding these two souls together. It takes dedication, commitment, and love – and we see that here, shared by these two before us,” the minister paused briefly as she and Alec shared a knowing smile. “By the power vested in me by the Great State of Texas and the Church. I pronounce you as Husband and Wife, lawfully wedded before the eyes of God.”

Alec dropped her hands and took hold of her veil, not looking away from her eyes as he smiled proudly. His beautiful eyes were so shiny, and she could hear someone sniffling in the distance, but silence reigned as if everyone was waiting with bated breath for the kiss.

I sure am, she thought, smiling brightly at him as he finally draped the veil back over her head, uncovering her face before him.

“You may kiss your bride, Mr. Beckett, sealing your union before all.”

Alec stepped forward, his hand cupping the side of her chin as he leaned forward. His breath was stilted, his hand trembling as he leaned forward. Every move he made was slow, almost as if he wanted to savor their special moment.

“I love you, my sneaky girl…” he murmured.

“When it comes to you, always,” she responded faintly right before he pressed his lips against hers, sealing their marriage. Had his lips ever been so gentle, so tender? Maybe it was her imagination, but kissing him right now felt like coming home, like her soul had finally found its place directly beside his.

Alec took his time, kissing her a few more times – until the pastor finally cleared his throat.

“Oh hush, Pastor Mike… Just let the Beckett boy finally kiss his girl. We both know it’s long overdue.” Mrs. Kendall said from somewhere, causing the whole church to chuckle.

As they separated, Alec and Willow gazed at each other, and she knew at this moment that she would never forget the love in his eyes.

This man could do no wrong.

If he broke her heart a thousand times, she would always offer him one more chance with infinite patience. In Corinthians, her favorite passage, she always took it to heart and applied it to everything in the world around her, hoping to make a difference.

Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude, nor self-seeking. It is not self-seeking or easily angered. It keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, and always perseveres.

“I love you,” she said openly, feeling her heart swell with emotion.

“Then forgive me,” he replied, grinning… and put two fingers between his lips, giving an ear-splitting whistle. She was so stunned by the unexpected comment that she wasn’t even able to get the word ‘Huh?’ out as every groomsman suddenly – and incredibly – began doing the Macarena dance there at the front of the church, singing.

The team, Alec’s team, was singing and swinging their limbs and hips and making a complete scene, in uniform. The pastor looked at her questioningly – and Willow shrugged. The entire church was filled with laughter as the other team, Team A, suddenly flooded the aisle to join them.

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