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“GO ON,” GEORGE POKED Titus with his elbow as they finished dinner. “Outside with ya.” His dark eyes twinkled and Titus caught the wink he shot at his wife who smiled knowingly.
Rising Titus leaned over and whispered something in Sarah Jane’s ear, a moment later they were walking down the hall and out onto the front porch.
“Titus please don’t say it,” Sarah Jane said turning toward him her dark eyes full of pain. “I don’t want your excuses anymore. I told you I love you, and you can’t change that; not with all the logic in the world.
Titus stepped up close to Sarah Jane, seeing the soft frosted puff of her breath as he pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Sarah Jane’s breath caught in her throat as tears threatened. He was going to say good-bye, he was going to leave, and she would never be the same.
Smoothing the wayward lock one more time Titus leaned forward placing his lips over Sarah Jane’s and silencing the sob that threatened.
It was time to give up; to stop fighting what his heart knew was right.
Hot tears touched his cheek and he pulled back looking into Sarah Jane’s startled face.
“I’ll stay,” he said simply, brushing a tear away with his thumb. “I can’t fight it anymore Sarah Jane, you’ve stolen my heart.”
Sarah Jane wrapped her arms around Titus holding him tight, feeling his arms come around her the way they were meant to be.
Sniffing, she finally pulled back. “No Titus,” she said, shocking him. “You don’t need to stay.” A smile broke across her face, and he gaped trying to understand what she was saying. “I’ll go.”
“You don’t have to do that?” he said, pulling Sarah Jane to him again.
Titus “We’ll find your family, we’ll find out where you came from.” Sarah Jane insisted.
“Sarah Jane, do you know what that will mean?”
Sarah Jane nodded, snuggling close and enjoying his warmth in the cold night. “I’ve already started,” she said, “I’ve sent letters, and we’ll start at the beginning.”
“Sarah ...” he gasped.
“Titus I love you. Maybe it wasn’t the kind of mad romance people talk about or dream about, but it is real love, and I want to be with you forever.”
Titus lifted her chin, bending close and kissing her again feeling the holes in his heart begin to knit.
***
MOLLY BENTLEY SNIFFED softly as her daughter walked down the aisle on her father’s arm, and her sister-in-law patted her arm.
Titus stood before pastor Dalton a broad smile on his handsome face as he watched the most beautiful, clever, and stubborn woman in the world walk toward him.
He didn’t have much to offer, but he knew he’d give her everything he had.
A moment later Bill placed Sarah Jane’s hand in Titus’s and he knew his world was coming together like never before.
Pastor Dalton cleared his throat and smiled, as he read the liturgy watching as the town’s people nodded and awed in approval.
As he reached the vows he turned to Titus solemnly.
“Do you Titus...”the preacher stopped, looking down at his notes then looking at the couple before him in confusion.
“Do you Titus...” he tried again.
Rising on tiptoes, Sarah Jane leaned forward and whispered “Smith”.
“Do you Titus Smith take Sarah Jane Bentley to be your lawfully wedded wife?” the preacher asked.
Titus looked at Sarah Jane questioningly. “Smith?” he asked on a breath.
“Why not, there are plenty of Smiths and Jones,” she smiled.
Pastor Dalton looked between the two waiting expectantly. Titus smiled squeezing Sarah Jane’s hand, “I do,” he announced loudly.
“And do you Sarah Jane Bentley take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” Sarah Jane said with a smile that lit up the whole church.
“Then I now pronounce you man and wife,” Pastor Dalton said. “You may kiss the bride.”
Titus took Sarah Jane by the waist pulling her close then leaned down his eyes meeting hers. “Well Mrs. Smith,” he said, “I guess this is it.” He finished kissing her soundly to the cheers of the people in the church.
