A Reason To Stay (26 page)

Authors: Julieann Dove

BOOK: A Reason To Stay

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CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Impromptu Union

Elise watched as her sister gave her hand to Jacob. The groom’s fingers shook as he slid the ring on her. A quick glance to the crowd confirmed there was a tear in every eye. Ben’s gaze never left Elise. She smiled at him, wondering what lay beneath his stare.

With the preacher’s announcement of them as husband and wife, two white doves flying in the formation of a heart couldn’t have competed with the bliss they must’ve been feeling. They hooked their arms and proceeded down the steps for the final march toward the aisle. Elise extended Melanie’s bouquet to her when she leaned over and whispered something in her ear.

“Don’t be mad at me.”

Elise looked quizzically at her. Then she looked at Ben, who had stepped closer. The organist stopped playing the final song of procession. He took her hand and led her to the center area in front of the preacher. The place Melanie and Jacob had just left. He cleared his throat as Elise looked at him, seeing the ten years of hope in his eyes. The bride and groom took their place on the step below them.

“Elise,” Ben started. His voice shook a little bit. He started over. “Elise, I’ve loved you since the tenth grade, and I’ve never stopped. My love went dormant when you left, but it never went away. I’ve never felt the way I do when I’m with you. And I never want to feel a moment that I’m not with you. I might die if you ever go away again.” He squeezed her hands, and she felt his perspiration transfer to hers. He swallowed hard.

“Please make me the luckiest man in the world and marry me.”

Elise looked down at Melanie, a million questions clouding her mind. Her sister smiled.

“Elise, marry him. He’s been unbearable these last couple months. Share this day with me. It’s what sisters do.”

Elise looked at Ben. A tear flowed back and forth on her bottom eyelid, blurring her vision. Commitment in the purest form. In front of witnesses, too. She drew in a large breath and blew it out through her mouth. Take the plunge.

She closed her eyes and nodded her head. Ben yelled and picked her up. She felt his strong arms hold tight to her. Suddenly, all the fear of him ever leaving her vanished. He placed her back on the ground and pulled a ring from his pocket. It was the one she had found in his room all those years ago. Wouldn’t it have been easier to have just stayed back then?

They both looked at the preacher who had obviously been told about what might happen. He leaned in and spoke softly to them. “Of course you’ll have to get a license, but what the hey, I can’t deny true love. Let’s do this!”

Elise tried to stop her hands from shaking as Ben held them tightly in his. It felt good to have someone hold her down for once. Memories of her dad dancing around in the living room with her flashed in her mind, and Elise was once again secure.

Slowly, she felt the wings that always carried her away dissolve. She looked into Ben’s eyes and saw the love she’d been missing all her life.

Acknowledgments

As always, I first thank God for the privilege to do what I love.

I would like to thank my mother for being the most awesome person I know. You are a true survivor, the most compassionate person, and the one who everyone wants to have around. Thank you for passing down to me your great storytelling abilities.

Thank you to the people I shared the first part of my life with and who began shaping me into the person I am today—my brothers, sisters, and dad. Kim, you were my pretend mother, always being seen holding me in pictures. I was beyond jealous when you had a baby of your own. Jerry Wayne, you’re the great thinker, always proving to me that it’s better to plan ahead. Jeanne, you’re my cheerleader, making me feel I can do whatever. Thank you. Chris, you’re the best memory of my childhood. All of your crazy antics kept me amused beyond words. Finally, my dad—Pop. Pop, you instilled in me my steadfast morals and ethics. Thank you for being a stand-up guy.

Finally, I would like to thank the reader of this book. Life is short and precious, and I consider it a sacrifice of your time to dedicate it to this journey of Elise. Although it is fictional, it’s someone’s story out there. Someone who has issues stemming from their childhood that trickle into their adulthood. It is my hopes that you enjoyed it. I really enjoyed writing it!

About the Author

As a little girl, Julieann always wanted to grow up and become an English teacher. So it would come as no surprise to anyone that after college she was a property manager for 20 years. Then one day, she took a few months off from work and wrote down a few stories that had been on her mind—about people she created, overcoming imaginary obstacles, and ending with a happily ever after. She was no good for her day job after that!

Now Julieann gets to write a lot more and manage properties a lot less. She lives in Virginia with her husband and five children, teaching them that it’s never too late to realize your dream.

Learn more at julieanndove.com.

Thank you for purchasing
A Reason To Stay
.
We hope you enjoyed Elise’s story.

We welcome you to write the author at
julieanndove.com

Also by Edward Allen Publishing, LLC

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