The last day of January in Windsor, Oregon, was sunny and filled with promise in spite of the anguish in Carrie’s heart—in the past few days Timothy still had not been found.
Every day, she, Brian and Lisa prayed that he would be returned soon. Carrie’s prayers felt true now, without the guilt she’d carried for so long, without the secrecy that had been tying her down. Brian’s unconditional acceptance and love had freed her and had allowed her to free herself. Now she felt ready to give herself to Brian—again. This time for a lifetime.
Brilliant sun streamed through the stained glass windows as she stood at the back of the church with her father. This recommitment ceremony had been Brian’s idea. Now, as one of her favorite hymns played in the background, she looked down the chapel’s aisle to her husband.
“Let’s go,” her dad murmured, giving her arm a squeeze.
The ivory satin dress that she’d worn on their honeymoon was perfect for today. The fabric flowed around her as she walked down the aisle.
Lisa, Carrie’s mom, dad and sisters, their husbands and children, as well as Leigh and Adam, were their special guests. Carrie hadn’t been able to reach Katie, and Nancy hadn’t been able to find anyone to cover for her on such short notice.
As Carrie walked toward her husband, she could see the same emotion in his eyes that she was feeling. This time they were going to be united as one. This time they were going to give themselves completely to each other.
Before they’d gotten dressed for the ceremony, Brian had told her he’d called his mother. She was flying in to visit them the following weekend. Carrie hoped for the best. She hoped for the best with everything now. They had discovered so much over the past month, they had found so much. She’d developed a new closeness with her parents and so had Brian. They’d become surrogate parents to Lisa. In a few weeks they’d be moving into the new house with her until she went to college in June. When Timothy Jacob was found—Carrie had to believe he would be—he’d add joy and light to their lives, too. They were surrounded by family and whatever happened in the future, they would be a family.
With each step up the aisle—Carrie had told her dad to take his time—she counted her blessings. When she reached Brian and her dad put her hand in his, she smiled up at her husband, proud to be standing beside him.
After the gray-haired reverend welcomed everyone to their recommitment ceremony, he said to Brian, “I understand you have something to say to Carrie.”
Carrie’s father had taken her flowers for her mom to hold. Now as Brian took both of her hands, she gazed up into his eyes.
“I, Brian Summers, take you, Carrie Bradley Summers, to be my wife. I vow to love, honor and cherish you each and every day. I promise I will be dependable, responsible, understanding and forgiving. I want to be your life partner, your friend, your confidant and your lover forever. To the best of my ability I will be your shelter, your home and your comfort. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Carrie. Every day I will prove how much I appreciate that, how much I appreciate having you in my life. Today I pledge to you my trust with all my heart and soul.”
The reverend glanced at Carrie.
She took a deep breath and began, “Our journey has led us here to this place, and we realize and appreciate what we have. Your love is a gift. You are my love, Brian, and I vow to stand beside you, to support you, to encourage you, to compromise with you and to love you every day of our lives. You’ve accepted me for who I am, and I unconditionally accept you, too. I promise to always share my secrets and dreams with you, to trust you and respect you. My heart, soul and body are yours until the end of time.”
The reverend looked out at the guests. “Since this couple has already exchanged rings, now they’d like to exchange something else. Carrie.”
The reverend handed Carrie a masculine-looking gold watch. Taking Brian’s hand, she slipped the watch onto his wrist and clasped it. “Every minute that ticks by, know that my love for you grows stronger.” On the back of the watch Carrie had had inscribed, Beginning Again, Love Always, Carrie.
Out of his pocket Brian took a delicate bracelet with a solid gold heart at its center. Taking her hand, he fastened it on her wrist. “Every time you look at this bracelet, know that my heart is yours.” He whispered in her ear, “It’s engraved with something really original—All My Love, Brian.” He caressed her cheek as he leaned away.
The reverend was grinning. “Brian and Carrie have recommitted themselves to each other, and with my blessing, I hope you will also give them yours.”
After he gave the blessing, he smiled and nodded.
When Brian took Carrie into his arms, the reverend, the church and their guests all faded away. She was his and he was hers.
Forever.