“Erykah Kennedy, I vow to love you until I draw my last breath.” He stared into her eyes, hoping she knew how seriously he took this commitment. “I vow to love Ashlynn and Cheyenne as daughters of my heart. I vow to cherish you and lay down my life for you, whether it’s as simple as taking your needs into consideration before my own or literally. I vow to be the spiritual leader of our household and keep my faith submitted to God. I vow that no other woman or thing will come between us.”
“Christian Gamble, you are a gift from God, and I promise to remember that in good times and bad. I promise that I will respect you as God asks wives to do. I promise that I will be your biggest cheerleader and always be a safe place for you to rest. I promise to let no other thing or person come between us. I vow that I will love you all the days of my life.”
Why was his cheek wet? He wiped at it, then smiled at Erykah, whose eyes looked as watery as his were.
Lamont handed him his grandmother’s ring, and Chris followed the pastor’s guidance until Erykah wore it, a beam on her beautiful face. After she placed the gifted ring from Dr. Cook on his finger, Chris glanced at it. Both of their rings were vintage. The original wearers had worn them until the day they’d died. Chris liked to think it was a foreshadowing of his and Erykah’s life to come.
Before he knew it, the pastor gave the famous line, “You may now kiss the bride.”
Chris shifted forward, careful to keep his weight to the left. He slid his right hand along Erykah’s cheek and kissed her until the cheers of the crowd penetrated the haze that accompanied the feel of her lips.
“I’m happy to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Christian Gamble.”
Epilogue
FIVE YEARS LATER
“Cheyenne! Ashlynn! Let’s go!” I shouted.
I tapped my foot as I waited for the girls to come upstairs. Chris had already stowed their suitcases in the car, so that was an item crossed off my list. Still, they were taking their precious time coming to the door.
“Mom, Ash took my earbuds.” Cheyenne came running up the stairs, a pink backpack on her shoulders.
My ten-year-old was gangly and reminded me so much of how Ellynn used to look. When she’d first called me Mom, I’d had to keep the waterworks under control until I had a quiet moment alone. A slight pang hit my chest, but I took in a deep breath and blew it out.You’re always in my heart, sweet sis.
“I did not!” Ash came running after Cheyenne. “Daddy won’t let me have my own, so why would I take yours?”
Ash looked like a perfect blend of Asher and Ellynn and had the same wild hair Cheye had at five years old.
Chris walked up the steps and stared at the two girls bickering. “What’s going on?” he asked, sliding an arm around my waist.
I leaned into him, loving the fresh scent that clung to him. I wanted to turn my nose into the crook at his throat and settle in there forever. Instead, I placed a quick kiss there.
“Gross. They’re kissing again,” Cheyenne whispered, not quietly at all.
Chris leaned down and placed a soft kiss against my lips. “Give them something toewabout.”
I laughed, wrapping my arm around his neck.
“Come on, Mom. Please stop,” Cheyenne begged.
I pulled back and looked at her. “Kissing your husband is the best thing invented.”
“Sure.” She rolled her eyes. “My earbuds?”
“Cheye, don’t roll your eyes at your mother. It’s disrespectful.” Chris’s tone was stern, but I could hear the love in his voice for our girls. “And I have your earbuds. I placed them in the car when I loaded it up earlier.”
Relief sagged her shoulders. “Thanks, Daddy.” She hugged him around the waist, then ran to the car.
Ash walked toward us. “Iwant earbuds.”
“Are you responsible enough to not lose them?” Chris asked.
“Uh-huh.” Ash nodded.
He pulled a little case out of his pocket. “I’m trusting you, Ashlynn.”
“Thank you, Daddy!” She grinned and hugged his legs.
