Loving

  Dayne’s expression relaxed and a smile filled his face. “That, my friend —” he took firm hold of Brandon’s shoulder, “— is exactly how you’re supposed to feel.”

  A looser bit of laughter came from Brandon and he remembered to exhale. “It’s like it was one thing to win her love, but to have the gift of Bailey Flanigan all my life?” He looked over his shoulder and off to the corners of the room where the other guys and Brandon’s parents were caught up in talk about the NFL draft. “Like I keep expecting a director to jump out and tell us it’s a wrap. End scene. Roll credits.”

  “Brandon … what happens in the movies when the conflicts are worked out?”

  A light began to dawn in Brandon’s heart. His words came slowly. “They live happily ever after.”

  “Exactly. And when it’s obvious that’s where the story is headed, what happens then?”

  “When they reach the happily ever after?” Brandon laughed. “Roll credits. Story over.” He was suddenly aware of how crazy his feelings had been. “Maybe that’s it, then.”

  “Yeah.” Dayne patted his back and grinned. “You’ve lived in the conflict so long you don’t recognize a happy ending when God’s giving it to you. When it’s rushing up to meet you.”

  Every uneasy feeling faded like darkness at dawn. “Or walking down the aisle to meet me.” Brandon felt the peace of God for the first time that day. “Right?”

  “Exactly.”

  Dayne’s words stayed with him while the photographer entered the room and took a couple dozen shots — some serious, some fun — and while the wedding coordinator ushered the guys up the side aisle of the packed church minutes before the ceremony started. As an actor, of course the happily ever after taking place that day would give him a sense that the story was almost over. Now that he understood, he didn’t have to fear what he was feeling.

  He would hold onto this happy ending with Bailey for as many decades as God would give them.

  They took their places at the front of the church and Brandon let the sight settle in around his soul — the view from where he stood, where he would only stand just this one time. Familiar faces looked at him from every section, friends and family and a few other actors and directors and producers. He spotted Cody Coleman near the back with Andi’s parents and for a few seconds their eyes met.

  Cody smiled politely and gave a slight nod, as if to thank Brandon for allowing him to be here, for understanding that he represented no threat. Not to Bailey and Brandon’s love and not to this, their wedding day. Brandon smiled in return, at peace with Cody’s presence here and how far they had all come to be in the same place this afternoon. Brandon shifted his gaze to the front row on his side of the church where his parents sat. Together they beamed at him, no longer burdened by the guilt of the past but only grateful to be part of this day.

  He breathed in deeply. The church was beautiful, the weeks of careful decision making resulting in a gorgeous center aisle. The satin white bows and scalloped draping from one pew to the next framed the walkway and forced people to enter from the outer aisles. The air smelled of subtle cologne from the guys mixed with the sweetness of the spring flowers on either side of the stage. Their own hand-picked music played through the church speakers, filling Brandon’s heart with the promise and depth and enormity of the moment.

  The song finishing up now was an old one — a Bryan Adams ballad called “Everything I Do” that Dayne and Katy had used at their wedding. Next was Train’s “Marry Me,” and Brandon wasn’t sure he would hold up, couldn’t promise he would keep his composure. Especially when the artist reached the line about asking his girl to marry him today and every day. Brandon felt his throat tighten. That’s how he felt, how he would always feel. That he would marry Bailey Flanigan every day for the rest of his life if he could.

  He had never been more sure about anything.

  As that song ended, another Francesca Battistelli song began to play. The pretty ballad was called “Hundred More Years,” a song about wanting moments like this one to never end. It was the cue for the bridesmaids to walk one at a time down the aisle, starting with Bailey’s high school friends, and then Katy Hart Matthews and Andi Ellison, one at a time.

  Help me hold onto this, Lord … every moment.

  Brandon felt his eyes well up. Everything seemed to skid into slow motion as the words of the song surrounded them — how the young couple had waited for love and how the decision had been worth it and how together they wanted to feel this same love for a hundred years.

  Brandon stood straight, his heart pounding, more aware than ever in his life of the undeserved favor of their loving God.

  A hundred more years. Father, that’s how I feel. Help me treasure every second, every word, every detail today and over the weeks and months and years. And for the rest of our lives.

  After Andi came little Sophie and Devin. Sophie held a small white wicker basket full of rose petals, and Devin carried a white satin pillow. They looked beyond adorable and the reaction from their guests only added to the fact. With his free hand, Devin worked to protect his little cousin, staying at her side, holding her hand and helping her keep balance as she threw flower petals along the runner. But in classic Devin Blake form he also managed to look up at the people watching him and blow a few dramatic kisses. As they reached the front of the church, Devin walked to the second row and left Sophie with John Baxter, as they had planned. Then Devin took his place at the front with the guys.

  “Good job,” Brandon leaned over and whispered, patting Devin’s shoulder.

  “Thanks.” Devin held the pillow with both hands now. “Good luck on the wedding.” His voice wasn’t as quiet as Brandon’s, and again a ripple of laughter flowed through the pews.

  When the crowd settled down, a different song began to play, one Bailey and Brandon had decided on only a week ago for her walk down the aisle. The song Brandon had used to propose to her, the one Brandon had been singing and humming for the past six months: Forever Love.

  The words were haunting and unforgettable, setting the mood that something special was about to happen. The audience stood and faced the center aisle. as the song began.

  You are my forever love …

  You are my forever love.

  At that moment the church doors opened and from the back Bailey and her father stepped into the sanctuary. Brandon felt tears gather in his eyes, heard the way their family and friends softly gasped at the sight of her. She was a vision, more beautiful than any girl had ever looked on her wedding day or any day. Next to her, Jim Flanigan beamed even as tears slid down his cheeks. Bailey was his only daughter, and Brandon couldn’t imagine how difficult this walk was for him. But Brandon barely noticed Bailey’s father. As the song built and grew and filled the church, his attention was completely on the girl he was about to marry. The words from the song couldn’t have been more fitting — she was truly an angel for him to love the rest of his life.

  With everything inside I’ll run to you.

  ‘Cause all that I’ve become I owe to you.

  No words could have been more true. She was everything he’d ever needed, far more than he had prayed for. And she was about to be his for all time. Bailey smiled at him and he did the same. She was absolutely stunning, and Brandon knew this was the way she would always look in his mind. Because no matter her appearance in the days and seasons and years to come, he would always see her the way she looked right now.

  His one-in-a-million girl. His bride.

  As pretty as her veil was, it couldn’t hide her eyes, and for that Brandon was grateful. Because in her eyes he saw enough to set his mind at ease. They were filled with longing and loving and they were aware of only him as she came closer.

  Like the two of them were the only ones in the church.

  As she reached him, Brandon became aware of her father again, of what it must feel like in this moment to be finished with the job of raising a daughter. He looked at Jim and the answer came in
the quiet tears still on the man’s cheeks. He had raised Bailey from the time she was born. He had held her when she cried and read her bedtime stories at night and taught her to ride a bike. Brandon knew because Bailey had told him all of it, everything that made her relationship with her dad as special as the one she shared with her mom. He had bandaged her knees and tended to her broken heart more than a few times. He had cared for her and protected her and provided for her.

  And now he would do the hardest thing of all: He would give her away.

  Pastor Mark smiled at the congregation as the song finished. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

  Jim’s eyes were dryer now. He smiled at Bailey and held her gaze for an extra few heartbeats. Then he looked up at the pastor and in a steady voice he said, “Her mother and I.” With that, her dad carefully lifted her veil and shared one last look with her. A quick kiss on her cheek and he took her hand and placed it slowly, confidently in Brandon’s. There was so much Brandon wanted to say, but this wasn’t the time. He mouthed the words, Thank you. Jim smiled and gave him a quick wink. Then he turned and sat beside Bailey’s mother in the front row. They leaned into each other, wiping at their tears and smiling at the same time, the significance of what had just happened clear in their eyes.

  With that Brandon took a deep breath and turned all his attention on Bailey, his most beautiful bride. He helped her up the few stairs while Andi tended to her train, straightening it so it fanned out behind her.

  “You look gorgeous.” Brandon’s words could only be heard by her and maybe the pastor.

  “We’re getting married!” She whispered louder than him. Then she raised her brow and her face lit up in a way that brought another happy response from their guests.

  Pastor Mark took his spot and smiled at the audience. “Welcome friends, family. I think everyone here knows what a special day this is, and what a rare and beautiful love Bailey and Brandon share.”

  He went on, talking about God’s plan for marriage and the sanctity of the decision to commit to forever. He cited 1 Corinthians 13 and several verses Bailey and Brandon had chosen. Brandon let the words soak into his soul, the truth of God, the strength they would need so they could hold onto what they were feeling right now. Their lives would be built on the Word of God and on faith in Christ. The love they shared would last a lifetime that way.

  Their attention was on Pastor Mark, but Brandon caught another glimpse of Bailey and he couldn’t believe that in just a few minutes she would be his wife.

  While he watched her, while he let himself get lost in her heart and soul and her loving blue eyes, he remembered their love story, every wonderful detail. The way he felt the first time he saw her and how he hadn’t known girls like Bailey Flanigan existed. He blinked and she was driving him to the Starbucks near the university and being the kindest friend ever as they ran their scenes for Unlocked. And she was sitting beside him at Lake Monroe Beach listening to him as he told her things no one else knew.

  No one in all the world.

  Pastor Mark kept talking but Brandon stayed wrapped up in Bailey. He could see her opening the door of her house, her shock because he had flown in to help her pack before her move to New York City. And she was flying across the stage in Hairspray, lighting up the whole theater with her dancing and singing. She was in his arms at the only prom ever staged on a New York City rooftop and she was kissing him at the top of the Empire State Building. He saw the look on her face when he told her he wasn’t leaving, that he would fight for her and wait for her all his life if that’s what it took. And when she walked with him along the beach and when she told him yes near a lit-up fire pit last summer.

  He blinked again and he saw her as she was here, stunning in the most unbelievable white gown, her face glowing, ready to trust him and love him for life.

  The time had come for the vows. Andi held Bailey’s bouquet so Brandon could take her hands. The feel of her skin against his only intensified the way he felt, the joy filling everything inside him. They had written the words they would say, and Brandon felt strong and determined as he began. Like there had never been anything in all his life that mattered as much as this moment, that he’d never been as sure about what he was going to say.

  “I, Brandon Paul, take you, Bailey Flanigan, to be my wife. I promise to love you and cherish you all the days of my life. When the whole world crashes in and you’re sick or afraid or discouraged, I promise to stay beside you and pray for you and remind you of the truth. I promise to lead you, the way God intended.”

  Bailey’s eyes filled with tears. She was clearly struggling not to break down. She sniffed and nodded as a tear slid down her pretty face.

  Brandon felt his own eyes blur, felt the tears gather there too. But he didn’t cry, didn’t let his voice break. The words meant too much to let anything stop him from finishing his promise. His voice rang strong with passion and sincerity as he continued. “I will hold you up when you cannot go another step, and I will remind you what love means when you’re tempted to forget. Where you are, I will be, and that place will be our home. Bailey, I consider you God’s greatest gift. And so I promise to be faithful to our love and careful with your heart. Until I draw my final breath.”

  Pastor Mark seemed deeply moved by the emotion of Brandon’s words. He looked right at him. “Do you, Brandon, take Bailey as your wife, to love in the power of Jesus Christ for as long as you both shall live?”

  “I do.” A smile filled Brandon’s face as he finished.

  Because in all his life he had never meant any words more.

  BAILEY WAS TREMBLING, THE EMOTION of the moment almost more than she could take. They both knew each other’s vows, but now it was like she was hearing them for the first time. Her turn had come and she felt herself gain control of her heart. She would say these words with strength and conviction, the way Brandon had said them. The way he deserved to hear them.

  Holding tight to his hands, she began. “I, Bailey Flanigan, take you, Brandon Paul, to be my husband.” She grinned, overcome by the amazing way it felt to say that. “I promise to love you and cherish you all the days of my life. When the whole world crashes in and you’re sick or afraid or discouraged, I promise to stay beside you and pray for you and remind you of the truth. I promise to trust you to lead me, the way God intended.”

  With everything in her, she wanted to hug him before finishing. Because his look of love was beyond what she had ever imagined when she thought about this moment. Instead she drew a steadying breath and continued. “I will hold you up when you cannot go another step, and I will remind you what love means when you’re tempted to forget. Where you are, I will be, and that place will be our home.” She angled her head slightly, and smiled because she was ready now. If God called them to Los Angeles or to the Philippines or to the moon, she would go. Wherever he was, that’s all that mattered. “Brandon, I consider you God’s greatest gift. And so I promise to be faithful to our love and careful with your heart. Until I draw my final breath.”

  Pastor Mark hesitated, his eyes damp. “Okay, then.” He looked at Bailey. “Do you, Bailey, take Brandon as your husband, to love in the power of Jesus Christ for as long as you both shall live?”

  Bailey looked straight at Brandon, at the man he was and the man she knew he would be as they shared their life together. “I do.”

  The depth and meaning in the moment made them both lean in closer to each other, no longer aware of the people who filled the church. After a few seconds, Connor walked up to the side of the stage where a microphone was set up, and he sang a song he’d written for the day, a song that had been a surprise until this day. While he sang, Bailey and Brandon walked to a small table where they lit a unity candle and then took communion. Something they had both wanted to include in their ceremony.

  Brandon prayed quietly over the moment. “Father, I commit my life to you and to Bailey, my forever love, my wife. Help me be the leader you want me to be, and help us to k
eep you at the center of our lives and actions and love. For now and always. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  Connor began to sing the second verse and every word spoke straight to Bailey’s soul. The song was called “This Is What Love Looks Like,” and Bailey could hear people sniffing and pulling out tissues across the church. It talked about how her parents and his had prayed about this moment all their lives. As the song ended, they returned to their spot at the center of the stage and Andi fluffed out Bailey’s train once more. She barely noticed, so caught up in Brandon. God had done this, removed the mountains that once stood between them and He alone had brought them to this day. Brandon moved closer to her, running his thumbs along hers. She could read forever in his eyes and again it made her forget everything around her but him.

  Only him.

  Pastor Mark’s announcement that it was time for the rings was the only thing that brought them back, ready to continue the ceremony. Dayne held Bailey’s wedding band — since they’d put a fake ring on the pillow to keep the real one from getting lost. Now he handed it to Brandon while Pastor Mark looked at the congregation. “The ring is a symbol of forever, a symbol of unending love and promise. It has long been a sign of the covenant of marriage, and Bailey and Brandon have chosen to exchange rings as proof of the commitment they are making today.”

  Bailey held her hand out for Brandon, and she saw that she was no longer shaking. With all her heart, everything she was and would ever be, she wanted this ring, wanted the promise and love and commitment that came with it. She smiled at Brandon and their eyes held, the way they would for all time.

  Repeating after the pastor, Brandon slid the ring onto her left finger. “With this ring …” he grinned at her, “I thee wed.”

  Bailey felt dizzy with a sort of joy and happiness she had never known before. It was her turn and she took the wedding band from Andi. Then she turned to Brandon and repeated the simple, traditional vow they’d decided on for this part of the ceremony. She felt her smile filling her face. The celebration was almost at hand. “With this ring, I thee wed.”