Fully awake now, Savannah smiles.
“I don’t have all day!” Louis shouts and Savannah throws back the covers with a laugh.
Dayton spends the day arranging their passage on a first-class sleeper car to Kentucky. He sends a telegram to Savannah’s family and his own informing them of the wedding. His family will demand a large party at the very least. After securing the marriage license, he prays Savannah will not have second thoughts.
The next two days will be spent in the private log cabin on the Lake. His body reacts just thinking about two days, locked away from the world, loving Savannah and making her his.
Belinda hands Savannah a note with some flowers from Dayton when she walks into the living area.
Savannah,
I don’t know how I survived this long without your touch, your smile, your love, and after tonight I hope to never know again. I will live every second for you, with you and with our love as the guiding light.
All my love,
Dayton
Savannah doesn’t try to wipe the tears that stream down her bruised cheeks.
“What happened to your face?” Louis shouts.
“That’s a long story, Louis,” Belinda sighs. “No more tears, Savannah. This is a happy day.”
Savannah holds the note to her chest, “I know, you’re right.” She smells the flowers and turns to Louis.
“I need a wedding dress, Louis. One that will make him proud to call me his wife,” Savannah says.
Louis walks close and lifts her chin and turns her face to look at the bruising before looking into her eyes. “From what my sister tells me, He’s the lucky one, Miss Ward. Never dim you value, nor dull your shine. Mr. Patrick will be the envy of every man, but not because of a dress.”
Savannah is shocked speechless and humbled by his words, “Thank you.”
Belinda sniffs and leans a head on her brothers’ shoulder, “Don’t make her cry again.” Louis kisses Belinda’s forehead and nods to Savannah.
“Enough sentiment, let’s get to work.” He strides to the door, and three ladies come in carrying gowns in varying shades of whites, creams, peaches, pinks, and blues. “I keep samples in different colors and styles. I’m sure you will find one that you love.”
“I can help with the bruise,” Belinda says.
Hours later they leave through the side entrance of the hotel.
Along a narrow country road nestled next to the Lake, the sunset reflects off the deep blue water, and Dayton waits for Savannah.
Inside a little white chapel with a beautiful bell-tower, the sun streams through a round window allowing the golden light to dance off the wide wood plank floors and white pews. Dayton waits nervously inside the church for the sound of the carriage and when it finally comes his heart starts pounding with excitement. He strides to the double entry doors and watches the closed carriage roll down the dirt road, towards him.
The moment she steps down his heart stops. Dressed in an ivory brocade two-piece bustle wedding dress with woven paisley motif, trimmed in beige organza bows and pleated frill, Savannah is a dream, in a fitted silk bodice, long skirt and train. Her gorgeous hair is pulled up on the sides, and her curls are left loose down her back with small flowers tucked inside.
Her eyes meet his as she is lifted from the carriage to her feet by Maxwell. The dress is lovely, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the love shining in her eyes. Dayton steps down and walks to her unable to wait any longer. “You look exquisite, Savannah,” he says.
“We’ll meet you two inside,” Belinda says, and Maxwell guides her up the steps and into the church.
“Dayton, are you sure?” His mouth covers her in a determined kiss.
“I can’t wait to make you mine, Miss Ward. The question is, are you ready to begin a new adventure together?”
“I’m ready.” Together they walk inside, between rows of floral lined wooden benches with candles glistening along the floor to a new dream.
Standing in front of the Pastor they join hands, with Belinda and Maxwell as their witnesses, they exchange vows.
I, Dayton Patrick, take you Savannah Ward to be my partner in life,
I will cherish our friendship, I will trust you and honor you,
I will laugh with you, and I will cry with you,
but more importantly, I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst
I will love you through the difficult and the easy
Whatever may come, I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold,
So, do I give you my life to keep.
I, Savannah Ward take you Dayton Patrick to be my wedded husband,
To share God’s plan for our lives, I will cherish our friendship, I will trust
And honor you, for better or worse, in sickness and in sorrows,
I give you all that I have,
my heart, my soul and my body.
As I have given you my hand to hold,
So, do I give you my life to keep.
The pastor blesses their hands and asks for the rings.
Savannah feels the love growing stronger by the second. Dayton’s hand trembles as he slips the ring on her finger and she grows calmer by the second, as she is sure that this was God’s plan all along. When his lips touch her for their first kiss as husband and wife, she can feel the exquisite ties that bind two souls together.
When they step outside the tower bells ring, and Mr. and Mrs. Patrick laugh in joy.
“Congratulations!” Belinda says, and Maxwell hands Dayton the keys to the cabin he rented.
“What are you up to now?” she asks Dayton as he wraps an overcoat around her shoulders.
