Everything in Between
Page 25
“What if it goes to my brain when I’m in labor, and I have a stroke and die?”
“Then I’ll raise our baby and tell him every day how much I loved his mother.”
“I don’t want to die.”
“Then don’t.”
“I can’t control the future,” Zae fretted. “Anything can happen.”
“Then there’s no point worrying about it, is there?” Chip smiled.
“I can’t believe I walked right into that.”
“Into what?” CJ and one of the keyboard players from Del Brown’s began playing “My One and Only Love,” the song they had chosen for their entrance. Chip took Zae’s crutches and leaned them against the wall. He hoisted her up in his arms to carry her down the aisle.
“Into a crapload of common sense.”
“See? I’m good for something, professor.”
Her good arm wrapped around his neck, she kissed him. “You’re good for me, soldier.”
“Anything can happen at any time, love,” Chip told her. “But life goes on, no matter what. All we can do is make the best of the time we have, and love the people we love as best we can. In another minute or so, I’m going to stand before you and God and all our family and friends, and I’m going to pledge to love you with all my heart until the day He sees fit to take me from you. In sickness and in health, in poverty and wealth, in good times and bad, through death, through birth, and everything in between, I’m yours.” He touched his forehead to hers and nuzzled her nose. “I am yours, professor.”
Tears brimming over her lower lashes, Zae asked, “Were those your words or someone else’s?”
“That was all me.”
“It was beautiful.”
“So are you.”
“I know you are, but what am I?”
“You’re something else.” He chuckled.
“So I’ve been told.”
The door swung open and the music quieted, their cue to enter. “Are you ready to make this corn-fed Tennessee boy the happiest man alive?” he whispered.
“I thought I’d already done that,” Zae said.
“Are you ready to be my wife and not just my baby mama,” he asked flatly.
“Absolutely!” Zae squealed. “Giddyup, soldier!”
With everything he ever wanted in his arms, Chip carried Zae to the altar to join his life to hers—before she could throw another worst-case scenario at him.