A Bride Worth Waiting For (9 page)

“Are you okay now, Mr. Stillman?” Cole stooped down and handed the older gentleman his glass from the table helping him to take a few swallows. Bethany was shaking so bad she had to sit down. She felt Cole take hold of her hand and squeeze gently.

“I’m okay now, thanks to you young man. You just saved my life. If you hadn’t been here I believe I’d have met my maker.” Bethany realized her granddad was trying to instill a little humor into the situation to lighten the mood and ease some of the fear they’d just faced.

Bethany’s dad sat back down in the chair on the other side of her grandfather’s and took hold of his hand. “Dad, are you sure you’re okay? You really gave us a scare.”

“I’m fine now, no need to fuss.”

Bethany was surprised when her father got up, laid his hand on Cole’s shoulder and said, “Thank you. I appreciate what you just did for my father. He’s right, you saved his life. ”

“No thanks are necessary, sir. I’m just glad I was able to help him.”

That changed her father’s whole demeanor toward Cole and his family and the rest of the evening went very well.

Bethany’s father and Mother walked out to the car with Bethany and Cole as they were leaving for the airport the next afternoon. Bethany hugged her mother as her father shook Cole’s hand. Her father hugged her and said. “We’ll see you in Lake Tahoe for Christmas.”

“I’m so glad, Daddy. I’ll look forward to it. I love you.”

“I love you too, Princess. Have a good flight.”

Cole and Bethany took a nap on the flight and in just a few hours they arrived back at the lodge safely.

The next morning Bethany and Cole went to Incline Village with her grandparents, Carla, Melanie, and Michelle to Christmas shop and buy a Christmas tree. Bethany thought her feet would fall off before they were through but finally they made it home. Cole and her grandfather brought the eight foot tree in and set it in the stand.

“Oh my! It is a big one,” Bethany said. She, Cole and her three friends spent the afternoon decorating the tree and wrapping the gifts they had bought while in town. Bethany hoped Cole would like the gift she’d bought for him. It was a dark brown suede jacket that had a fiddle and a banjo with the necks crossed on the back, with music notes and Bluegrass Music written across it in Royal blue letters.

“Where is everyone? It’s Christmas Eve. I can’t believe we’re the only ones here.” Bethany set her hot chocolate on the coffee table. She and Cole were in the main room downstairs enjoying a blazing fire in the fireplace, while across from them the colorful lights twinkled on the tree.

“Last minute errands I would imagine.” Cole glanced at his watch.

“Papa and Gram went to the airport to pick up my parents and granddad. But I would have thought some of the guests would have been in here. I hope Carla, Melanie, and Michelle made it home okay. I miss them already and they haven’t been gone but one day.”

“I’m sure they did, Darlin and they’ll be back before you know it.” Cole smiled. “Now stop worrying and enjoy the fire.”

Christmas morning Cole knocked on Bethany’s door and waited for her to open it.

“Hi, come on in, Merry Christmas.” She smiled and gave him a kiss.

“Merry Christmas to you, I have something for you before we go down to your grandparents.” Cole followed her into the living room and sat on the sofa beside her.

He handed her a small box and as she unwrapped it she kept glancing up at him as if she suspected what might be inside.

Cole loved the way her eyes lit up as she opened the box and saw the solitaire diamond ring inside. She looked up at him with a big smile.

“Bethany, I love you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me, Darlin?”

“Yes, Yes! Oh, Cole! Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife.” She gave him a big hug.

Cole took the ring out of the box and slid it onto her finger placing a kiss where it rested. “I love you, Darlin. You are my whole world.”

“And you are mine, Cole. I love you so much. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

Cole kissed her and then held her in his arms. “I wasn’t about to give up on you. I know in my heart that you are the mate the Lord has chosen for me and therefore your love was, a love worth waiting for.”

“I’m so glad because I feel the same way about you.”

Cole kissed her again and held her for a minute longer. “I guess we’d better go on down your family will wonder where we are.”

Bethany grabbed her purse and they went down to her grandparents and knocked on the door.

As soon as they walked in Bethany and Cole wished everyone Merry Christmas and then Bethany showed them all her ring. She was pleased that everyone congratulated them even her father. Cole loved his jacket and Bethany couldn’t remember ever having a happier Christmas. Later sitting in the dining room with all of the guests her father stood and made the announcement that his daughter was marrying Cole Beckman and everyone cheered and congratulated her and Cole.

Christmas went by so quickly Bethany wondered where the time had gone. She couldn’t believe it was already time for their wedding. She and Cole had enjoyed the rehearsal dinner the night before and Bethany was so relieved it had gone well. Now here it was her wedding day and she was so nervous she’d already been through two bags of Peanut M&M’s. “Gram where is Mom?”

“She’ll be here in a minute that was her on the phone. They had a flat tire, but they’re now on their way. Bethany sat on a stool in the restroom at the church with her Grandmother, Carla, Melanie, and Michelle waiting for her mother to arrive.

“Bethany you’ve got to relax. You’re not going to make it through this day.” Melanie helped her into her wedding gown. “Your mother will be here she wouldn’t miss your wedding.”

“Melanie’s right, Bethany, You’re a nervous wreck and you aren’t going to enjoy your own wedding if you don’t relax,” Carla said.

Before Bethany could say anything more her mother came in the door. “I’m sorry, Honey.”

“It’s okay, Mom. I’m just glad you’re here now. I’m so nervous.”

“Honey, it’s natural for you to be nervous on your wedding day, but as soon as you start down that aisle and see Cole you’ll be fine.”

Melanie and her mother helped Bethany put on her veil and fasten it securely.

“Oh, my, you look so beautiful. “ Annie hugged her.

“Bethany, this has your birth year on it, Honey. It’s a penny to put in your shoe for something old.” Gram hugged her.

“Cole asked me to give these to you.” Carla hugged Bethany and handed her a small box. When she opened it inside was a beautiful string of pearls. “He said they’re for something new.”

“These are mine for you to wear for something Borrowed.” Michelle hugged Bethany and handed her a pair of white pearl earrings.

“And last but not least, as the saying goes. This is a garter for something blue.” Melanie hugged Bethany and handed her a small bag.”

“Ohh, thank you all, I love you.” Tears welled up in Bethany’s eyes. She blinked to try to keep them from falling. All she needed was to mess up her makeup.

“Don’t you dare!” Melanie warned. “You’ll have us all crying and that will never do.” She laughed and handed Bethany her bouquet just as the organ began to play. “I have to go. You’ll be fine, just think of that wonderful man out there waiting to spend the rest of your life with you.”

Bethany smiled at Melanie as she did one last check of Bethany’s dress and veil before she went out the door. “I’ll see you up front.”

Bethany nodded as her three best friends walked up the aisle. Michelle and Carla in red velvet dresses with a white sash tied in a bow at the back and Melanie as her maid of honor dressed in Christmas green with a white sash.

“Are you ready, Princess?” her father offered his arm as the organ sounded the first chords of the Bridal march.

“Yes. But Daddy, please don’t let me step on my dress and trip. I wouldn’t want to embarrass Cole.”

“I won’t let you fall, Sweetheart. I promise we’ll make it just fine. But I don’t imagine anything you could do would embarrass Cole. That young man is crazy about you. ”

“I’m crazy about him to, Daddy.” Bethany smiled up at her father.

“Well, I’m glad to hear it since he’s going to be your life long mate, my darling girl. Now we’d better go don’t you imagine, before he thinks you’ve changed your mind?” Her father grinned at her and winked making Bethany laugh which eased some of her nervousness.

“Yes, I think so.”

Bethany’s mother was right, the minute she saw Cole and he smiled, she knew everything would be all right.

* * * * * *

Cole couldn’t believe the gorgeous bride walking toward him was truly his.
Thank you Lord for this wonderful blessing you’ve bestowed upon me. Help me to be the husband you’d have me to be.

Bethany’s father placed her hand in Cole’s when the minister asked who gives this woman to this man.

“Take good care of my baby.” Chuck whispered and Cole could see the tears in Chuck’s eyes.

“You can count on it, Sir.” Cole whispered back.

“Her mother and I do.”Chuck said. He lifted Bethany’s veil just enough to kiss her cheek before he took the seat next to Annie.

Cole held Bethany’s hand and helped her up onto the podium.

Once Cole and Bethany had exchanged their vows the minister said,” I now pronounce you husband and wife. Cole you may now kiss your bride.”

Cole lifted Bethany’s veil and kissed her for the first time as his bride, then placed her hand on his arm and turned toward the guests, so the Minister could announce.

“Ladies and gentleman, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Cole Beckman.”

Cole led Bethany back down the aisle and out to the Escalade.
The reception was being held back at the ski lodge. After the cake was served and the gifts were opened, the photographer took the last of the pictures.

The wedding and reception had been very nice, but Cole was glad it was over and Mack was taking them to the airport. Bethany was exhausted and they would get there just in time to catch their plane to Orlando Florida, where they would spend the next two weeks for their honeymoon. Bethany had always wanted to see Disneyworld and Cole was determined to make that dream come true.

* * * * * *

When they pulled up in front of the airport Bethany took hold of both their hands and

Asked, “Cole would you please pray?”

“Sure, Darlin.
Lord we thank you so very much for the miracle you gave us through Bethany’s mother, in allowing her father’s blessing on our marriage. Please watch over us and our families. Bring us back home safely to them. And Lord, please guide us in all that we do and help us to always put you first in our lives. In Jesus name we pray amen.”

“Thank you Papa for everything.” Bethany hugged her grandfather.

“You’re welcome Sunshine, have a good time and we’ll see you next week.”

After saying their goodbyes to her grandfather, Cole helped Bethany out of the car and she wondered if life could get any better than this. She silently thanked the Lord once again for the miracle of love and forgiveness which mended the breach between their families and made it possible for her and Cole to spend the rest of their lives together. She smiled up at her new husband and placed her hand in his as they walked into the airport to catch their plane.