She helped him find his way back to God.
Waiting for the cue to walk out to the ocean bluff, Tyler lifted his eyes to the blue sky beyond. Maybe you can give her a window tonight, God. So she can know how much her words mattered to me. Tyler smiled. Every one of them.
Marcus took a quick breath. “Any minute now.”
“Feels like forever.” Tyler peered out the window. The wedding coordinator was within sight. She would signal to them when it was time. After the guests were seated and the violinists were in position. “I’ve waited for this day since I was a junior in high school.”
“You’re lucky.” Marcus patted Tyler on the shoulder. “I only wish I’d known Mary Catherine that long.”
“True.” He nodded, his soul full. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.” He slipped his hands in his pants pockets. The wedding today would be followed by dinner, and then both couples would take off for Shutters, a beachside hotel in Santa Monica.
Tomorrow morning Marcus and Mary Catherine would leave for the Bahamas. Tyler was taking Sami to Maui. Their bags were loaded in the vintage car Marcus had rented for the occasion. Everything was set.
Tyler couldn’t wait. He steadied himself. “Earlier . . . I was thinking about Virginia.”
Marcus’s smile softened. “Sweet Virginia. Such a wonderful person.”
“She was just what I needed.” Tyler nodded. “I don’t know where I’d be today without her.”
“Mmmm. God definitely lined up all the right people.”
“At just the right time.” Tyler thought about the pastor who gave him a bag lunch and then sent him looking for a job at Merrill Place. “In some ways it feels like God has been working behind the scenes this whole time. Otherwise this day would’ve been impossible.”
Marcus nodded. “What if that volunteer hadn’t pushed me out of the way of that bullet? That night at the Youth Center?” He shrugged, as if he had no words. “The odds of Mary Catherine and I being here today? Beyond impossible.”
“You rescuing her from Africa?” Tyler chuckled. “They make movies about stuff like that.”
“I had help.” He hesitated. “Did I ever tell you about the Jeep?”
“In Africa?” Tyler shook his head. “Tell me.”
“I needed a Jeep to get her out of the orphanage. At first the guy behind the counter said there wouldn’t be one for a day or so.” Marcus leaned against the nearest wall, the story clearly still very real to him. “But you know how sick she was. I didn’t have that kind of time. I needed a Jeep immediately.”
Tyler had heard much about Marcus’s time in Uganda. But he hadn’t heard this. “So what happened?”
“All of a sudden this mechanic comes in and says he’s got a Jeep. He’d fixed one that was broken.” Marcus’s laugh showed that he still couldn’t believe what had happened that day. “Things like that. Over and over again.”
“A series of miracles.”
“And that Ember girl,” Marcus added. “The one who helped Mary Catherine at the orphanage.”
“The one who convinced her to fight for her life.”
“Yes.” Marcus’s eyes grew distant. “Mary Catherine called her . . . to let her know about the surgery and to invite her to the wedding. Just in case she could make it.” He looked at Tyler. “The woman who answered the phone said she’d never heard of an Ember. No one by that description had ever worked there.”
“Which is obviously a mistake.” Tyler felt confused. “Clearly the woman worked there. You met her, right?”
“Of course.” Marcus shrugged. “Mary Catherine never did find her. Maybe she’s moved on.” He paused. “I don’t get it. I just know God worked a miracle. It’s like we could see His fingerprints with every passing hour right up until this.”
“So true.” The moment lightened and Tyler caught the signal from the wedding coordinator outside. He nodded to Marcus. “Hey, best man. It’s time.”
Tyler led the way with Marcus a few feet behind him. They had decided that after the pastor gave the message, Tyler and Sami would say their vows first, then Marcus and Mary Catherine. So they would each have their own special moment.
Unlike the girls with their bridesmaids, Tyler and Marcus had decided to pass on the idea of groomsmen. They were close to the entire Dodgers team, so choosing a handful of special friends would’ve been difficult. Just as Sami and Mary Catherine were each other’s maids of honor, the guys were each other’s best men.
In life and here, at their weddings.
Tyler felt their friends and family turn and watch as the guys made their way to a place at the front of the wedding setup. Already Coach Wayne was there. He stood to one side, grinning as Tyler and Marcus walked up. Tyler took the left side and Marcus the right. They stood side by side and stared down the aisle, ready for their brides.
Tyler felt the sting of tears. Lord, I don’t deserve Sami. Only You could’ve brought us here . . . Tyler watched the bridesmaids leave the building and head to the back of the chair setup. The violinists played Bach while one at a time Sami’s friends walked down the aisle and took their places on the far side of the left archway. They each smiled at Tyler as they walked by. A few of them had tears in their eyes.
Next came Mary Catherine’s bridesmaids, each of them taking a spot on the far right side. The music changed, and the guests stood, all eyes on the back of what felt like an outdoor church.
And suddenly there she was, his Sami. His forever bride. Her eyes shone with the light of the setting sun, and everything about her looked stunning. The vision of her took his breath, and in a single heartbeat he could see the two of them through the years, celebrating life in their twenties and thirties, with babies and a busy, happy family. He could see them as empty-nesters and even into their eighties and nineties, holding hands and rocking on the front porch together.
But however long they lived and whatever the years ahead held for them, Tyler knew one thing for sure as Sami walked toward him.
He would never forget how she looked in this single moment.
27
IN THE MINUTES BEFORE Mary Catherine would walk down the aisle and become his wife, a flashback hit Marcus. The hot afternoon when he learned about his teammate Baldy Williams dying from a drug overdose.
Marcus hadn’t known where to turn.
So he’d gone to the stadium and started running. Just running the stairs until he thought he might pass out. And the whole time all he could think about was Baldy’s success, Marcus’s own success, and how none of it mattered. How there had to be more to life than baseball and money and the fame that came with it.
The violins played as Sami walked down the aisle, her eyes locked on Tyler’s.
Even still Marcus was back in that moment, there in the empty stadium crying out to God, Okay, if You’re there . . . show me! Give me a reason to believe. If You’re real . . . give me meaning.
Marcus blinked back tears at the memory.
God had been answering him ever since.
The music changed, and in a blur of white, Mary Catherine was there, walking beside her father. Her dress was simple and elegant, satin and lace that made her the most beautiful bride Marcus had ever seen. She wore a white lace bag that carried her battery pack, a reminder that there was nothing ordinary about Mary Catherine Clark.
There never had been.
He couldn’t stop the tears if he wanted to. You’ve done what I asked, Lord. His bride was walking closer, joining him for now and as long as they lived. Marcus couldn’t take his eyes off her. Father, You proved You were real. You’ve given me meaning beyond anything I could have asked for.
That day at Dodger Stadium, a swirling of dust had risen from the baseball diamond. As if the finger of God were moving the dirt, speaking to Marcus, assuring him that he was not alone and that life did hold meaning. Today the sign from God was different.
It was Mary Catherine, his bride, walking toward him.
All the proof Marcus could ever nee
d—now and forever.
HALFWAY DOWN THE AISLE, Mary Catherine looked at her dad through teary eyes. “I feel perfect.”
Her father wiped a finger along his own damp cheek and smiled at her. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.” She glanced at Marcus and then at her father again. “I’ll be fine, Daddy. Marcus has me. God figured it all out.”
“I know, honey.” Her dad nodded, even as a few tears ran down his face. His smile never wavered. “I believe that.”
Mary Catherine turned her attention to Marcus again. Him and only him. Their eyes locked and held. Through all her high school and college years, in the long seasons in Los Angeles when her health took a turn for the worse, Mary Catherine never believed she’d have a moment like this. Sure, she could skydive and swim with the dolphins.
But love? Finding a man whose heart belonged to God first? Allowing him to love her when she didn’t know if she had a year to live? Everything about it had seemed impossible.
She felt the tears on her cheeks, but she didn’t care. Marcus was crying, too. In all the world there was no other man who would’ve raced to Africa and rescued her from certain death—all so he could prove how much he loved her. God had known the condition of her heart—both physically and emotionally. And he had brought her the only man who could help heal her in both ways.
When she reached the end of the aisle, Coach Wayne stepped forward. His eyes were kind and familiar, filled with his obvious deep joy for the weddings at hand. After all, he and his wife had been there from the beginning. For both couples.
Ollie Wayne lifted his Bible. “Who gives this woman to be married?”
Mary Catherine’s father nodded. “Her mother and I do.”
Her dad kissed her cheek. “Love you, baby.”
“Love you, Daddy.” They had practiced this, but even still Mary Catherine wasn’t prepared for the emotion she felt as her dad turned and took a seat next to her mother. The action was as profound as it was symbolic.
After today, forevermore she would belong to Marcus Dillinger.
She stepped up and took her place next to her handsome groom. “You’re so beautiful.” He leaned close and whispered the words. “I’m in love with you.”
“Happiest day of my life.” She breathed the near-silent words in response, as one of her bridesmaids helped straighten her train.
On the other side of Coach Wayne, Sami had done the same thing. They shared a quick smile as they each handed their flower bouquets to another of their bridesmaids. Then, at the same time, they turned and linked hands with their grooms.
Mary Catherine could feel their guests reacting, touched by the double wedding. But she and Marcus might as well have been the only people there. The ocean spread out like a scene from heaven over her left shoulder. Marcus’s eyes held more love than Mary Catherine thought possible.
He’s Your gift to me, God . . . no man could ever love me more.
Marcus seemed to read her thoughts, because he lifted his eyes toward the deep blue sky and then he grinned at her. The slight shake of his head told Mary Catherine he was thinking the same thing. God had given them this day and each other. They would spend their lives thanking Him.
Coach gave a talk about marriage, how God designed it from the beginning. He read from Genesis chapter 2, where God made woman specifically for a man, and then He directed them with words that held deep meaning today.
“And so the Bible has the answer for marriage.” Coach Wayne’s voice was kind, compassionate. “Scripture tells us in verse twenty-four, ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.’ ”
He talked about marriage being a mystery because literally the two would no longer be separate, but one. The way Christ was one with His church. Marcus looked deep beyond her eyes to her soul. He ran his thumbs lightly over hers, adoring her, loving her.
“I can only tell you, Sami and Tyler, Mary Catherine and Marcus, marriage—God’s form of marriage—is the most beautiful gift He has given us outside salvation.” The coach’s words rang with compassion and conviction. “You have the privilege from this day forward of guarding this gift, protecting it. Fighting for it. When you look at your spouse in the days and years to come, you must see that perfect gift, designed by God for you alone. The way you see each other here, now.”
Marcus grinned. “Every day,” he mouthed. “Every hour.”
Her heart certainly didn’t feel mechanical. She had so much love bursting from her she wanted to rush to his arms right now, before the vows. Instead she waited, lost in his love.
When Coach Wayne was finished, he moved to the spot between Sami and Tyler. Like they had rehearsed, Marcus turned and put his arm around Mary Catherine, so the two of them could watch their friends say their vows. Both couples had written their own, and Mary Catherine had already heard them yesterday at the rehearsal.
Good thing.
Because here, with the ocean so close, and their families and friends nearby and her head resting on Marcus’s shoulder, Mary Catherine couldn’t quite concentrate on the words Tyler was saying. Something about having loved Sami forever, and how always when he looked at her he would see the grace of God. Because only God’s grace would’ve given them a second chance at love.
It was Sami’s turn. She promised to always see Tyler through the eyes of her heart, the place where she had always known he loved her. She talked about how God had created her to love him, and how she wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life living out that purpose.
Something like that.
Their friends exchanged rings then, and the pastor smiled. “Tyler, you may kiss your bride.”
Tyler lifted the veil out of the way, dipped Sami low, and kissed her in a way that brought applause from their guests. Mary Catherine felt fresh tears in her eyes. She had never seen Sami so happy. To think she’d had the privilege of insisting Sami take that meeting with Tyler more than a year ago.
She couldn’t imagine Sami with anyone but Tyler Ames. And now the two of them would have forever together.
“All right.” Coach chuckled. “Time for act two.”
The guests laughed, same with Mary Catherine and Marcus.
Then—as they had planned—Marcus returned to his spot facing her. He whispered to her, “Finally!”
“I can’t wait.”
Coach Wayne looked up at the guests. “You get the feeling these two are in their own world?”
Again light laughter from their guests. Marcus chuckled and hung his head for a few seconds, guilty. Mary Catherine stifled another laugh and then, like that, it was time for their vows.
Not only had they written them, they had memorized them. Same as Sami and Tyler. Marcus went first. He held Mary Catherine’s hands gently in his. “There was a time when I struggled to find meaning in life. Wins . . . losses. Failure . . . success . . . it meant nothing. So I asked God to give me a sign that He was real, to give my life meaning.” Marcus’s eyes grew watery, and his smile faded a little. “And God gave me you.”
Mary Catherine blinked so she could see him clearly through her tears.
“Now, Mary Catherine, I promise to give you myself. I will love you as long as you live. And along the way I will be strong when you are weak, I will carry you when you fall. I will pray alongside you . . .” He paused, his eyes marked by the deepest intensity. “And I will believe every day that God will give us a lifetime together. I am here for you now and always, Mary Catherine. I would go to the ends of the Earth to find you again and again and again.”
She couldn’t stop her tears, but they didn’t matter. Every word he spoke was etched in her soul, where they would stay forever.
“I promise to hold your hand . . . and your heart . . . forever in mine. Till death do us part.”
How could she possibly speak after that? Mary Catherine leaned her forehead against Marcus’s, and then, because weddings didn’t have to all be
the same, she put her arms around his neck and leaned into him. The hug lasted a few seconds before she felt composed enough to step back.
One of the bridesmaids passed a tissue to Mary Catherine. “Thanks.” She sniffed and laughed at the same time. She dabbed at her eyes and cheeks and handed the tissue back to her bridesmaid. Then she turned to Marcus. “Sorry.”
Once more the guests laughed. But Mary Catherine could see that most of them were crying, too. They all knew her story. How only by the miraculous healing power of God she was here at all. Let alone marrying the man who had rescued her. The one God had created to love her.
It was her turn.
And with Marcus’s beautiful vows still ringing through her heart and soul, Mary Catherine steadied herself and began. “Marcus, I take you this day as my forever husband, my other half. My hero and rescuer sent by God.” She smiled. There could be no truer words. “You pursued me even when I told you no, and you saw past my shallow words to the deepest part of me. Past my fears to the dreams I didn’t dare voice. You are not afraid of tomorrow. You are brave, and so you have made me brave, too.”
Marcus’s eyes welled up again. He didn’t blink, didn’t look anywhere but straight into her soul.
“And so I promise to give you myself. My honesty and my concerns, my health and my sickness. My whole life long.” She hesitated, finding control again. “I cannot promise you decades. But you have taught me that no one can promise that. All we have is today.”
He nodded, his head angled slightly. She knew he was feeling for her. Believing in her.
“So here, in the power of Jesus, and with our friends and families as witnesses, I give you today . . . and tomorrow. And every day God gives us after that.” This time she ignored the tears on her cheeks. “I promise to believe in our future and the child that will join us in April.”