They talked for about twenty minutes until the red battery light came on the display of her phone. Lily could see that John had his mother’s smile and asked that Martha promise to show her the photo albums if they ever came to visit. John rolled his eyes at that, but Lily could see she’d made a friend immediately. Hanging up, John quickly stood and announced he was going to get a shower before evening service before walking out the front door in a panicked rush. John didn’t even ask Radar to follow him, causing the two of them to look confusingly at each other by his actions. Lily plugged in her phone and quickly texted John to see if he was alright, to which he replied a curt ‘yes’.
Carefully, she changed her clothing and pulled on a plain green dress for the holiday. She had small tiny silver bow earrings but couldn’t bring herself to remove the blue tear drops John had given her. Instead, she pinned a silver snowflake to her dress and smiled at the simplicity of it. Pulling on her shoes, she heard a knock. Opening it, she felt her heart melt into her feet. John stood there looking completely and utterly serious in a devastating grey pinstripe suit and dark tie.
“Is everything okay?”
“It’s perfect. Are you ready or do you need any help? I imagine your hand is hurting you.”
Lily shook her head. Her hand was actually throbbing but what hurt more was the fact that she knew deep down inside he was keeping something from her. Two steps forward, one step back. She thought that things were so good between them, but maybe she’d been wrong. Lily frowned. That couldn’t be it because John was politely attentive towards her at church, the only sign of any intimacy between them was that his hand rested on the back of her neck, caressing the nape of her hair. The simple touch was driving her nuts.
They had taken a seat at the back of the church in order for him to be able to step away when Radar needed to go out. That was one thing that impressed her: how well trained the large dog was and the fact that the two were inseparable. Radar was family and John would no sooner leave someone behind than his dog. Sure enough, as a hymn began John leaned over and gently kissed her on the cheek.
“I’ll be right back,” he whispered and nodded towards the dog that sat there looking expectantly at them both. Maybe someday Lily could read her expressions but till then, she was utterly John’s other half. Lily nodded and sang softly, simply at peace with the holiday and overjoyed with her life. Even if there were ups and downs, she treasured what a difference it was having John with her. As he silently returned back to the pew where she was standing, she smiled softly at him and saw him return it, his gaze infinitely tender.
“I love you,” he whispered, looking down at her. Lily marveled again at the miracle blessed upon her for being placed in John’s life. When his hazel eyes looked at her, she saw nothing but shining adoration. He took her hand in his and turned back towards the front to listen as they took their seats once again.
She stared at his beautiful profile and felt so humbled to be loved by him. She felt a faint coldness touch her hand and stared mesmerized as he slipped a gorgeous diamond ring onto her finger silently. The square cut diamond seemed so appropriate, so fitting from him. They’d never even discussed rings at any point but seeing it, it was perfect beyond belief.
His eyes were glued forward on the pastor, but she saw the faint, satisfied smile that teased the corner of his mouth. That sneaky man. He’d been hiding his intentions from her and this was probably the reason he’d been curt or stepped away earlier in the day. No wonder he didn’t want her to answer him when he mentioned marriage, he was probably cursing himself for saying it without a ring yet. They had no secrets and she guessed it had been killing him not to spring it on her.
Her eyes began to water with overwhelming happiness and she gave a quick silent nod of agreement. Yes, she would happily marry him because she couldn’t imagine life without him. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing where the ring lay on her finger as if to seal it into place, before holding it against his chest just above his heart.
Epilogue
April 2016
Tyler, Texas
Lily was breathless with excitement and felt her heart pounding in her ears. She stared down at her ring fondly and knew that there was no more perfect a man for her than John. She treasured his love more than anything else in the world. She was so very proud of him; how strong his internal code was, and marveled at the way he simply ticked. He was resilient, silent, tender but at the same time – he was ornery and made her laugh like no other. She adored the way he made her feel treasured above all and his simple faith that they’d been brought together by a higher power.
She felt it too.
There was no mere chance meeting in life, or so she thought. She believed that her letter fell into his hands at the moment he needed it most. For her, it was the same. She’d been lonely and needed him more than she’d ever realized. Now, they would be beginning their lives together as one.
Straightening her skirt, she took a deep breath and smiled at John’s mother, Martha, who’d arrived earlier in the week for their wedding. It was to be a simple ceremony between family and friends, but as time wore on the size of the event grew and grew. Her students and the faculty at the school were attending, as well as most of the police force. John had arranged for a photographer to be present because he wanted to mail photos of them to his friends back in Afghanistan with the next set of care packages he sent. Her man had a huge heart of gold and always picked up something for the guys when they were out shopping.
Lily peeked outside of the event center to see that it was almost time. It was a beautiful spring day there at the park. The pink dogwoods were blooming and the heavy scent of magnolias hung in the air. It was sunny without it being too hot and the arbor was covered with honeysuckle. Well over a hundred people were in attendance but she only had eyes for one man and he was just outside of her line of vision.
Her gown was fitted at the waist and flared outwards. It was simple like her with little décor; the only thing that sparkled was her ring. She wore her blue earrings and necklace from John as good luck -and a reminder of their letters to each other. They each had chosen one person to stand up with them. Lily chose Maria Beckett and John had asked his chief to stand with him as his best man.
Taking a deep breath, she heard the lilting melody begin as she stepped out of the building into the sunlight. Her hair pulled back in a simple chignon with tiny wisps that framed her face. As if the wedding was choreographed by a higher power, several petals were carried on the wind from other flowering trees in the grove. It was breathtaking and humbling to think of what a gift it was to be marrying her best friend and the love of her life. As she reached the aisle, she smiled tremulously at Martha. Her own family was gone, and she was marrying into his.
“Take care of my boy,” Martha whispered, kissing her on the cheek. Her throat convulsed as she tried to keep her emotions in check, but her glassy eyes betrayed her. A faint smile and the proud look of a mother’s love kept her from breaking down. “He might be thirty-nine years old - but to me? He’ll always be my sweet baby I rocked every night to bed. Now, go to him. Patience was never his strong suit.”
“I will happily do so,” she whispered back. Lily felt a fresh set of hot tears spring forward in response to her tender words and could only imagine the depth of love the woman felt for her only son. Tears of sheer happiness and joy threatened to spill forward. Martha nodded and stepped back, as Lily glanced towards the arbor at John.
Thank you for his heart, she prayed silently as she saw her soon to be husband. John stood there in his uniform. The black dress uniform of an officer with a camouflage ribbon tied around his upper arm in remembrance of his brothers. Radar sat next to him with a bow around her neck and a flower pinned to her K-9 uniform vest around her torso. John’s crisp white gloves, gleaming polished shoes and his officer’s hat made him look like something out of a fairytale or a dream. He had this stony reserved expression plastered on his face until their eyes met.
This was her fairytale.
Stepping forward, their eyes held each other’s and she barely realized anyone else was there in the park. She only had eyes for him. As she stepped closer, she saw that his own eyes were glassy with unshed tears that he quickly wiped away, breaking his stoic stance. His tender smile of encouragement kept her on track, drawing her forward. As she stepped beside him by the pastor, John took her hand in his. She knew he needed this connection between them, a tether and expression of love.
Lily had deliberately not worn makeup because she knew that it would be an emotional day for them both. She never dreamt this day would come and knew that John felt the same. A year ago, neither thought this life was possible yet here they were taking the first steps to creating a new life together. Looking up at him the pastor began to speak, but the words barely registered as she looked at him. His beautiful hazel eyes held hers, so full of promise and love. Her eyes raked over his face, drinking in every moment as if to burn it into her memory for all time.
“Lily, when I met you for the first and laid eyes upon you – I knew then that I had been lost. You are everything good in this world. Happiness, tenderness and laughter. I was gifted your letter by the grace of God and found myself again through your love. I cannot tell you how very precious you are to me because words don’t seem like enough. You are the reason I get up in the morning, the reason I am who I am and the reason I stand here today, humbled and in awe of your sweet soul. I love you more than the air I breathe, more than Twinkies…”
A large hot tear spilled from the corner of his eyes as he spoke his own vows to her. John swallowed hard, clearing his throat and gave a nervous laugh before continuing, “I love you more than circus peanuts, Lily - and that’s saying a lot. I would give everything for your smile, your heart and your hand in mine for all time. I swear before God to love, honor and cherish you before all.”
His trembling hands held hers as he struggled to put the ring on her finger. Both of their hands shook with emotion and she knew his vision was nearly as blurry as her own with unshed tears. Bless his heart, he was trying so hard and she knew he was terrified of messing up. Lily smiled and laughed tearfully as he slid the ring into place and let out his breath in a whoosh of accomplishment. Now it was her turn to say her vows. She smiled up at him and drew a mental blank of the words she’d memorized. Instead of panicking, she took a deep breath and simply let the words of love flow as she stared at him enraptured.
“John, when you wrote me the first several times I have to admit I was fascinated with your words. I could hear you in my mind, in my heart. I knew that you were special to me, I just had no idea how much so until I saw your smile. I love that about you. Your honor, your code, your tenderness and above all: how you show that you love me to the world. I’ve never had someone treasure me or be so very proud of me for just being who I am. You admire my strengths, my weaknesses and thrive in the love that is blooming between us. I am humbled by your heart and by your dedication. I promise, here before God, that I will always love you.”
Lily hesitated, feeling her throat close emotionally as she saw the rawness of emotion on his face. Even Radar knew John was emotional because she began whining and pawing at his shoe, scuffing the shiny finish. She glanced out at the crowd and saw several people wiping their eyes at the emotional words. It wasn’t her intent to make this a sad event. She was happy beyond words and wanted the world to know what sheer joy he brought to her heart.
“Everyone, including Radar, that knows you – knows what a beautiful gentle soul you are and I am so very proud to call you my husband. I vow to love, honor and cherish this feeling between us for all my days and even after- as I believe that I was blessed and gifted with my soulmate. I cannot believe that our love will not transcend into the heavens forever,” Lily was weeping openly now as John wiped his own eyes emotionally, smiling at her. “And I cannot imagine there ever being an end to you and me, my love. I am yours, for eternity – and you are mine.”
Nodding, John didn’t wait for the pastor to speak any longer. Lily saw that he was overcome as he pulled her into his arms. His kiss was full of promise and a pledge between them. She heard cheering and barking as they were pronounced man and wife. He cradled her in his arms for several minutes there at the altar, giving them a secret shared moment to compose themselves from the emotional outpouring between them.
“I love you, Mrs. Griffin,” he teased softly in her ear. “I thought the Twinkies were a nice touch in my vows – didn’t you? That’s why you married me, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely,” she giggled, cupping his smiling face. “You are a man after my own heart. Now, we need to walk down this aisle, husband.”
“It would be my greatest pleasure, wife.”
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my sister, Jill Myles (aka Jessica Clare), for throwing laughter in her books. I realized that there is magic in reading books that not only make you smile and are heartwarming – the stories that make you laugh reach a deeper depth of emotion that leaves you wanting more. Thank you for inspiring me to make my characters real – to make them touch my heart first- before sharing them with the world. I hope to hit your level of greatness someday because I still find myself reading your books and marveling at the worlds you create.
Your characters rock and I am in awe.
In my story Lawfully Gifted, the character Lily spends time fawning over a book she’s read over and over again. This line is straight from my own life, as I am on my third paperback of A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught. I remember my first paperback copy with the knight’s glove on the cover, pouring over it after bedtime because I couldn’t get enough of it. Fast forward years later, I just bought the Kindle version so I can get my fix at any time now without worrying about losing pages or breaking the spines ever again. When you fall in love with a book, like I did hers – it’s humbling and inspiring.
Ms. McNaught – you are my idol.
Afterword
Thank you for taking the time to read Lawfully Gifted. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Doesn’t have to be much, just a simple rating and a few kind words work wonders. Your thoughts, opinions and feedback are much appreciated.
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Sincerely,
Ginny
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