Finally Found (37 page)

“I’ll be the barefoot pregnant one on the beach. And I am wearing white because I am completely scandalous.” She chuckled.

So the day passed as it should, painless, pleasant and fun. By the time, they all walked out to the beach to get married at sunset, they were relaxed and ready. Cammie had done an amazing job catering the affair. They married under a large floral arch. They walked down an aisle lined in flowers, seashells and candles. There was so much beauty and so much love that as the vows were exchanged, there wasn’t a dry eye to be found. Even the grooms looked a bit misty eyed.

They dined on the beach by candlelight at a large round table. The servers carried out course after course. Everyone chatted and mingled like they had known each other forever. It couldn’t have been more perfect.

The most memorable part of the entire experience for Cammie was a moment that wasn’t recorded on video. There were no pictures, not even with the phone. After everyone had retired for the night, Adam brought her down to the beach. She was still wearing her wedding dress, but her hair was down and Adam was still in his suit, minus the jacket. The sky was this deep gorgeous midnight blue absolutely covered by a smattering of stars. She was entranced by the scented air,
and charmed by the intensity of his touch. Then he spoke.

“Cammie, I know we already said our vows publicly, but I want to say some that are just for your ears.” He gazed into her eyes and she knew they were watering.

“Stupid pregnancy hormones,” she muttered.

He smiled and wiped away the tears. “Oh, Cammie, may the only tears you ever cry because of me be hormone induced. I’ll never make you sad. I vow to make every day happy. My goal is to help you achieve your goals, whether it be five or ten years at a time. I vow to be the best father for our child, the best husband, friend, and lover for you. To you, I give my whole heart. We’ll share one soul. We’ll live more than a lifetime in this one life.”

Her eyes emptied completely. “I don’t know what to say. How do I top that?” She sniffled.

“We’re a team now. We don’t top each other. Just tell me you love me and trust me. That is enough.” He kissed her hands.

“I do. Every day I love you more. Day by day trust becomes such a part of us that I don’t even consider not trusting you. I know what an amazing, loving, giving, man you are. I’m so honored that you are mine, that we belong to each other, and that we get to share this life. I’ll make sure you never regret it.” She nestled into his neck.

She tried to stifle it, but he felt her yawn. “To bed, doll,” he said.

“And then what?” She asked sleepily.

“Still some lingering doubts?” He asked. “From here…anything you want.”

“Anything?” She smiled.

Five years later…

Adam stepped out of the car, walked around to the back seat and hauled Amelia out of the back seat. She giggled when she saw him. “Daddy, can we eat with Mommy today?” She asked.

“That’s the plan,” he responded. They held hands as they walked toward the door. Amelia had her rituals. He prepared for the first one. Sure enough, they paused so she could read the sign. She couldn’t really read yet, but she knew certain words…like the sign.

“Cammie’s Meals,” she said while pointing at the sign.

“Yes, mommy’s café. Shall we see if Uncle Sam, Aunt Haley, and Elijah are here?” They walked in and were greeted immediately. Ah, the benefits of ownership.

As they headed to the usual table, Amelia saw the rest of the family. She squealed and rushed to the table just as Cammie walked out of the kitchen. Her belly was popping and she was working on a serious waddle. Adam smiled as she walked directly into his arms.

“I don’t think you’ve ever looked more beautiful,” he murmured into her hair. “So can you join us to eat?”

Nodding, positively glowing from the compliment, she said, “Absolutely.”

There were the usual kisses and hugs as everyone enjoyed their Sunday brunch together. “I’m so glad we do this,” Haley commented. She looked around the table before squeezing Sam’s hand.

“What was that for?” He asked.

“I look around and realize I have everything I ever wanted, ever needed. You made this happen.” She smiled. “You made me confront my past and gave me back my life.”

A sniffle indicated that Cammie was crying. “Stupid pregnancy hormones,” she grumbled.

“You know,” Adam said with his hand around her shoulders, “we all made out pretty well on this deal. I think we all found just what we needed, even if we didn’t know we were ready for it.”

The waiter brought them mimosas and straight orange juice for the kids and Cammie. After everyone had their drink, he toasted them. “Here’s to five happy years and many many more.” Looking at Cammie he asked her, “So doll, what shall we work on next? We have a daughter, a son on the way, and your dream café. Now what?”

“I recall that before the wedding, you promised that life would slow down. Let’s try that. Let’s slow down and enjoy every minute of it.” She smiled. “Unless there’s something you are dying for us to accomplish?”

He shook his head and smiled. “With you in my life and our children, I’ve finally found everything I always wanted.”

Nicki has lived in
Charlotte, North Carolina with her children for the past eleven years and her husband for the past three years. Her journey has barely begun and she loves every minute of it. Every day of her life seems to bring new adventures, some bigger, better, shinier and prettier than others. She's still getting used to that new life smell she's experiencing, a combination of hope, love, and happiness. (The perfect scents to build a new life on...)

For fun, she spends time with those she cares about, cooks, reads, writes, and especially lives to travel. The current travel goal: visit every Margaritaville. Two down! (Eleven to go?)

In addition to writing on
Suddenly Single Journey
, Nicki
is a contributor for Project Underblog
. Her writing can also be found on Shine, where she is a Shine Parenting Guru and an award winning Yahoo! Contributor on YourWisdom as the relationship and dating expert. And she has been published by McClatchy News in their syndicated papers.

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