UNBREAKABLE (ABLE SERIES) (33 page)

Jake reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze, knowing how I get when I hear someone mentioning my dad.

Pastor Bob hands Jake a silver ring which is called the Cord of Three Strands. “We are gathered here today to witness the union of Jake and Tricia as husband and wife. The Cord of Three Strands will serve as a symbol of their commitment to God and to each other. The blue cord represents the groom, the pink his bride, and the purple, the color of royalty represents God. As the protector of this union, Jake will hold onto the silver ring with strength and conviction, fearing no one, just as he would his wife and children. Tricia, the woman and nurturer of this union, will braid the three cords together with love and devotion, forsaking all others just as she would her husband and children. God, being the center of their marriage will strengthen their bond through His love.”

As
Michael Buble’s
song
Close Your Eyes
starts playing, I begin braiding the cords together gently and slowly. While I’m listening to the words to yet another song Jake has dedicated to me, and hands down, this one is my favorite. It’s as if he asked it to be written just for me, and as I make my final loop, I hand it over to Jake as a symbol of my trust and confidence in him that he’ll protect our marriage, me, and our children. Jake, as the protector ties the final knot as a symbol of courage and dedication to our marriage. Brian and Tami place the braided cord around our shoulders, sealing our union.

With what we’ve been through, Jake and I already know our bond is
unbreakable,
but with God intertwined with ours, it’s indestructible.

Jake

Watching Trish braid the cords seems so surreal. She braids the cords delicately, just like how I treasure her. She holds the cords with great care, just like how she took care of me. I never thought I’d see this day. There were moments during my treatment it was touch and go, especially when I developed a lung infection, but Trish’s strength and love pulled me out of that darkness. Like an angel, her forgiving heart knows no bounds. Time and time again, she overlooked my mistakes, and recued me from myself.

As it comes time for us to exchange our vows, I get nervous all of a sudden, because I don’t want to forget anything I want to tell her. Normally, the groom says his vows first, but I want to go last, since she always comes first in everything I do.

“It’s time to exchange vows. Since Jake and Trish can’t agree on who goes first, they’ve decided to play rock paper scissors. Shall we start kids?” Pastor Bob says, trying to control his laughter.

“You ready, babe?” Jake winks at me.

“Sure you can take me, baby?”

Laughter erupts all around; there’s never a dull moment with our motley crew of crazy people. She’s been pestering me for the past two days that I have to go first. I know how much she doesn’t like to lose, so I don’t know if she’s just throwing me off. Before I realize what’s happening, I have to go first. I guess my girl beats me to the punch, again.

I take a step closer to her, wrap my arms around her waist, and her hands automatically goes on my chest where they belong.

“I thank God every day for giving me a gift. A gift, I know at times I don’t deserve, because of all the heartaches and tears my gift has shed for me. That gift is you, my love. Your love didn’t run out on me. Your love rescued me and pulled us through the darkest hours of my life. Your love and devotion for me guided me and anchored us, so I can be with you forever and a day. My heart beats for you… You and me always, as it should be, plus babies, of course. You’re my Heaven on Earth, baby. If I can hold you every second of my life I would, but it wouldn’t be enough for me…I’d need more than a lifetime with you. Thank you for choosing me. Until I take my last breath, do not forget you will always be in here. It beats strongly because of you, because of us. I love you, Tricia, so very much.” I place her hand over mine where my heart strongly beats….because of her.

I place her ring on her finger, kiss it, and smile at her with the smile only meant for her. A tear falls, and as always, she wipes it off.

“Jake, you’ve changed my life. You’ve given me a reason to live, again…to love, again. I would never change anything that’s happened between us. Our life journey, though hard at times, made us love each other more. It made us stronger. You are my one, Jake. The one I want to share everything with, be it good or bad. I’m ready to face whatever life throws our way, because I know I’m safe with you.
We
are safe with you.”

My eyes narrow slightly when I hear her say
we
. Her eyes are attentively watching me. I notice as her eyes glaze over, and I fight for my eyes to stay dry.

“You’ve given me more than I deserve, you’ve loved me more than anyone ever could. But, more importantly you’ve shown me how to be strong. Although at times I find myself crying first instead of going all gung ho, I’m getting there because of you. I know that when our smile turns into crying…or that if our light dims for a while…or even if we are not guaranteed tomorrow…or if my strength turns into weakness…or if our happiness turns into mourning…I know you’ll be here…We’ll always be together. You showed me how to believe in miracles and you, babe, you are my Miracle Man.”

She places my hand over her flat stomach. My mind registers the meaning of it, but my heart stills…

“Since you’re my Miracle Man, I want you to know we’re having miracle babies. I love you so much, My Husband. Our babies love you, too, Mr. Daddyo.”

She cries and so do I…everyone around us is crying, as well. I don’t wait for the Pastor to say ‘you may kiss the bride’…I just do. Hearing her say
My Husband
…it seals every crack my heart has, but her saying
Mr. Daddyo
…it restores my heart to perfection.

My lips marry with hers, and what a union it is. At this moment I can say with upmost certainty that no matter what, if I die tomorrow, this woman, right here, made my life complete…she makes me complete.

Chapter 38

Trish

“Thank you, baby. You’ve made me the happiest man alive today. I love you, so very much, sweetheart.”

Hearing him say he’s happy makes everything I’ve been through all worthwhile, but seeing his eyes twinkling with contentment gives me the courage to withstand anything….ANYTHING.

“I love you too, Jake. More than you’ll ever know.”

He carries me bridal style to our waiting Luau reception.

“You don’t have to carry me.”

“Nope, my wife and my babies need to be carried. Just one question, how were you able to pull this off? I didn’t even tell you I saved my
scuba divers
.” His eyes show trepidation and shame, mixed together, something I want to erase, immediately.

“Why didn’t you tell me, anyway?” Knowing the answer didn’t stop me from asking it.

“I was afraid…I’m deathly afraid, Trish. Right now, I’m excited, ecstatic, but I know a couple of hours from now, once everything sets in I’ll be worried like crazy thinking of what can happen to you…to the babies. It’s too risky, there’s a lot that can go wrong. Plus, your tolerance for pain isn’t the best, and I don’t know if I can handle losing you…losing them. Enough about me, tell me how you were able to pull it off?”

“Hmm, well, since you made me your medical power of attorney, all I needed to do was schedule a meeting with the sperm bank and your mom and dad, of course. After that was taken care of, I was able to go through the in-vitro with no problem. Your little
scuba divers
are very potent!”

“Tell me the truth, are you in pain?” His watchful eyes search mine for the right answer…with Jake though, there’s no right answer when it comes to me. He’ll just make sure I’m okay.

“I am perfectly fine. The chickadees are fine, too.”

His somber voice asks me the one question I’m afraid to answer, because every married couple should know when they got pregnant, but my husband didn’t have a clue, not by his choice but mine; it still doesn’t make it right. “How far along are you?”

This is what I’ve been afraid of. He’ll feel as though he isn’t part of this whole process. I look at him, my eyes roaming his handsome face. He doesn’t look sick, anymore. His cheeks are rosy like before; his hair, though a little bit short, suits him just fine. My Miracle Man, how I love him so.

I close my eyes. “We are two months pregnant. Are you mad? I…” I take a deep breath without opening my eyes. “I just wanted to surprise you. Do something special for you because of what you’ve gone through. I know this will make you complete…it’ll make us complete.”

He starts walking and says, “Open your eyes, Trish. Why would I be mad? Thank you for always thinking of me, of us. I’m stoked we’re having twins, Trish. I just don’t want anything going wrong. Everything’s okay, right?”

I opened my eyes, then. “I promise, everything is okay. Don’t worry.”

He sighs. “Good. We’re going to call them munchkins, period.”

“We’ll see.”

Jake tells me the ocean represents our love story, how unpredictable and troubling the water is, but at the same time, how it can also bring peace when it’s quiet and calm.

Jake

As we entered the tent,
Edwin McCain’s Could Not Ask For More
starts playing, and I walk us to the dance floor. I set her down slowly, my arms encircle her waist protectively, as her able arms find their way around my neck. We dance in silence for a while, enjoying each other’s warmth; how my body fits perfectly against hers. My bliss is anywhere with this woman. As I listened to the song, its meaning waltzes its way to my heart…every word rings true.

“You happy?” She asks, constantly thinking of me.

“So very happy, baby. Everything I’ve ever wanted and wished for came true because of you…all because of you. I don’t think anything can top this moment. I’ve married the love of my life, and I’m going to be a dad to twins. I can’t ask for anything more. Nothing more. My more is here with me.”

“How much more are you ready for, Jake?”

Her question catches me off guard. “We’re having twins, right?”

She shakes her head. “Na-ah.”

I rest my hands on her stomach, and I immediately stop dancing. I’m not scared at all, the numbers doesn’t scare me. What I’m feeling right now is an unyielding need to protect them from everything…and anything. I cup her face with my shaky hands and kiss her gently. As soon as the music fades, she turns me around. I see my parents and her mom directly in front of us. I look at her with questioning eyes, not knowing what’s going on.

“Turn around, love. You’ll see.”

With my back to her front, her hands around my waist, and mine over hers; we both watch as our parents release the latch of the cage, housing doves….one by one they fly out…

As I watch, anticipation is slowly gnawing on me, making me nervous, but excited at the same time. My grip on her hands gets tighter as her grip on mine offers a great amount of calm and serenity. I count loudly… “One, two, three, four.”

I turn around and kneel down placing my lips and hands on her belly while she caress my wet cheek as I talk to our munchkins.

“I love you, munchkins. One day soon, I’ll tell you guys a story of how your dad was given a gift and an angel all rolled into one. She’ll take care of you guys just as she takes care of me. She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever known. She’ll love you guys, giving her heart unselfishly, offering herself willingly, forgiving every tantrums you guys will give us, wholeheartedly. She’ll love without expecting, sacrifice without asking, and she’ll give up anything without questioning. I know this because that’s how she loves me…and that’s how we’ll love you guys. Munchkin B1 you’re the oldest, keep your brothers and sister in line. Please, don’t give mommy a hard time because I hate seeing her in pain. I can’t wait to see all four of you.”

I stand and kiss her gently on her forehead, then her nose and her lips.

“Munchkin B1? B for boy? You already know our eldest is a boy?” She asks.

“Of course, I know we’re having three boys and a girl,” I confidently say, joy and peace dancing in her eyes as much as mine.

“Ready to raise 4 chickadees?” She asks chickadees again, I need to correct that. My babies are not chickens.

“Piece of cake, sweetheart. Piece of cake.”

“Piece of pie.”

As I look around us, I’m so very thankful we’re surrounded with people who love us, unconditionally. People, who’ll walk with us, cry with us, laugh with us, and go through hell with us. I spot my wonderful nurses, Ms. Betsy and Summer, God bless them because I wasn’t exactly the best patient. I was cranky as hell, but not only did they take care of me…they took care of Trish, and that to me is important. I’ll forever be grateful for what they’ve done. My gaze lands on Emily, seeing her happy, dancing with her dad makes me truly believe in the power of love and prayer. Also, having an indomitable spirit that won’t break and can’t break makes a big difference. The will to live and survive is a trait I hope my kids will have. I want them to treasure it, nurture it, and sharpen it so when life throws them a curve ball, like what happened to me, they’ll surpass and survive.

Chapter 39

Trish

I finally can mingle with our friends and family, but then overhearing Jack and the boys talking with LT makes me regret ever walking their way.

“I need you boys to be on alert. Nothing, and I mean nothing will ever get to the girls. Stick to them like white on rice. Keep it tight, boys. Danger is close,” Jack says in his deep hard tone where joking doesn’t exist.

“LT - - Cody, you’ve both talked it out, right? If not, discuss it like men and don’t pussy foot about it,” I hear Jack asking both.

“Yes, Gunny. I’m good,” Cody answers the strain in his voice is evident.