Personal Possessions, page 34
Rachel and I went to her house and sat down with her and both of her nurses, so that she would feel comfortable and I introduced myself, again but this time I told her who I was. It’s taken awhile, but we’re getting back on track. She’s on daily meds to bring her up to speed with reality, but every day is a challenge.
“We just thought we’d stop in before everything started and tell you how much we love you both and are so very happy for you.”
Rachel said as she intertwined her arm within my mom’s. I grabbed my mom’s hand first and pulled it up to lay a gentle kiss against it, as I finished with hers, I grabbed Rachel’s.
“I love ya’ll.”
I grabbed my mother’s other arm and intertwined it with mine as we made our way out of the barn. I watched her frail body move slowly by each stall, I prayed that with each passing day she would begin to improve even more.
“Nervous?”
I heard Rachel ask as we approached the barn doors. I looked out over the field of daisies and sunflowers that grew in the middle of the woods where the sunshine hit just perfectly. The flowers were high and beautifully arranged so that the taller sunflowers didn’t overpower the daisies.
It was perfect, this was Elle and I’s spot. I ended up purchasing it and she made it clear that this was where we would end up becoming one…legally that is.
“No way…I want to enjoy every minute of this…I’ve been looking forward to it since second grade.”
“I looked over at Rach and saw that one tear fall down her cheek as her eyes came up to meet mine. The smile that broke over her face was just about as bright as the sun that shined above us.
“You tell anyone that I shed a tear, Trevor Jordan and I swear to God, I will kick your ass!”
We started laughing as we made our way out to the field that was full of our friends and family already seated.
I walked mom up front and seated her in her seat, after I kissed her cheek. I turned to the other side and gave her hand to Kevin who gladly accepted it. I took my place next to Curt and my son, Luc and folded my hands in front of me as the ladies began their walk down the aisle.
Hearing Heart sing Alone, I laughed inside a bit…that would always be our song. I couldn’t help but think back to that day. The dance at the lake the gift of my ring, the conception of our children.
I looked over at Luc as he watched his sister walk down the aisle and couldn’t believe the joy that filled a once lonely, uncaring heart. I turned to watch as JoJo made her way down the aisle and felt my heart now overflow with love. My kids were my life…my possessions now. Not my job, not the money…
Lilly passed me and I saw her, walking down the aisle on the arm of Kip. I started to laugh. I thought back to the day that everything happened with Bear. That night Bubba’s boys went looking for Bear, well they noticed Kip sitting out front of the house and attacked him. They of course were dumb enough to leave him for dead which he was not, so when he didn’t end up answering his phone, his buddy went to check on him and found him. He ended up with a slight concussion, but in his words, he’s as good as a virgin porn star.
Whatever the fuck that means.
Elle looked beautiful. Dressed in a casual short length dress, she wore her cowboy boots to show off those legs I could never get enough of. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, my face hurt from the smile that nothing could get rid of. I thought back to that day outside on the playground. That promise came true…I never doubted that it wouldn’t.
She made it up beside me and I still couldn’t stop staring. I heard the pastor cough to get my attention. Quickly, I turned to face him…he smiled in gratitude.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bring this man…and this woman…together in holy matrimony.”
“I’m sorry…can we stop for a moment.”
I cried out so that I made sure everyone could hear me. I heard a commotion taking place behind us…so I knew that if I was going to say something I better say it pretty fuckin’ quick.
“I want my kids up here…you’re just not joining this man and this woman together, you’re joining the whole of us together…to be a family.”
I heard gasps behind us now. I looked over at Elle who was beaming from ear to ear. You could still see the scar on her throat but she wore a necklace I bought her to bring your eyes to it, instead of the scar. It was a necklace with an anchor on it but the diamond was much bigger. She never took it off…as with the ring that was on her other ring finger.
“I said…I want my kids up here.”
Quickly, the kids scooted in front of us as we were joined as a family…bonded together.
“Ah…I was told the bride and the groom have written their own vows.” I think I threw the preacher off, so he was just going with the flow now. I turned to face Elle and allowed her to go first.
“TJ…You are my promised one. The one who wakes up beside me every morning, the one I lay down beside every night. You are my partner, my confidante, my healer and my best friend. I have loved you all my life, you were my first love, my only love and the one I will love on my dying day. Never will you have to question my loyalty, my trust or my devotion. Never will I question your loyalty, your trust or your devotion. You have made this family a whole and healthy complete family and until my last breath…this I swear to you.”
I reached up and used my thumb to wipe the tear that slid down Elle’s cheek. They were happy tears, but I made a promise that I would wipe away every tear…I meant what I said. I put my thumb in my mouth as to bring her into me.
I reached in and grabbed the note that I had in my jacket pocket.
“I’m sorry, but mine isn’t going to be as pretty as hers.” I heard the crowd laugh a small laugh. I cleared my throat as to begin.
“Elle…I have considered you my wife since the second grade. You have held my heart from the moment I first you, I swore long ago to love, honor and cherish you. Now…today, I make new vows to you. I vow to be your husband until my dying day. I vow to make you smile more than I make you angry. I vow to make you only cry tears of joy, of which I still will wipe away and I vow to you that I will keep you…”
I looked at my children and addressed them as well.
“And every one of you, as my most valued personal possessions. This I swear to you all.”
I looked at my girls as tears washed down their cheeks. I watched my son as his eyes became glossy. I reached into my pocket and pulled out small jewelry boxes and handed one to all three of the kids.
“Open them.”
I told them. I looked up at Elle who watched with pride in her eyes…
They opened them and all eyes came to me.
“They’re…beautiful, daddy.”
“These are my promise to you, that no matter where you go…or what you do…you will always be anchored to me. You may try and break free…just like your momma here, but you won’t get far, I will pull you right back in.”
Luc looked at the man’s ring that I purchased for him and put it on his finger.
I turned my body back to Elle and slid the diamond band on her ring finger.
“Forever and always, baby.”
She slipped the white gold band on my ring finger and looked up into my eyes.
“Forever and always…babe.”
We both looked back at the preacher who was standing there since we took care of the whole ceremony. He waved his bible from side to side...
“Go ahead and kiss her…I’m just standing here lookin’ good.”
We both laughed and leaned in for our first kiss. I heard the applause that began behind us but it was Kip’s voice that caught my attention.
“Seventeen years and three kids later…bout fuckin’ time McHale!”
THE END
Notes from the Author
I have been asked several times if TJ and Elle’s story is a true depiction of my life, and all I can say is that it is not the story of my life, but that’s not to say that it isn’t the realization of another woman’s life. Domestic abuse is an epidemic globally. Here in the United States, one in four women will suffer at the hands of their partner in her lifetime …ONE IN FOUR! An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police. The victim continues to stay with their partner.
Studies have been done on why women stay in abusive relationships and the list is long on the reasoning: from not having anywhere to go, to the abuser having put so much fear in the victim she doesn’t know who to trust.
We are not to judge, we are there to help and support as much as we can. If you know someone that has or is dealing with domestic abuse or is in need of counseling, please contact:
The National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-7233
They can also be found at http://www.thehotline.org/
About the Author
Tracy Lee
“The Personal Series”
Personal Experiences Book #1 Elleny’s story
Personal Possession Book #2 Trevor’s story
“Untitled” Book #3 JoJo’s story
“Untitled” Book #4 Luc’s story
“I am a lover of chocolate, an outspoken dreamer who cannot survive without chaos! Those who truly know me can attest that I am obsessed with chocolate peanut butter anything. I write about hot, alpha men and the women who love them and the only way that I can get anything accomplished is in a crisis.
I am no good in math; as a matter of fact, I suck in math. My true love is the English language. My children are my world that not even a hot man could come between. I am originally from outside Tampa, Florida but currently reside outside Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am digging the farm animals that live behind my house.”
Tracy lives with her husband and 4 children in a small town just outside Tulsa, Ok. Originally from Brandon, Florida she was a city girl at heart. Growing tired of living in the concrete jungle she wanted a change of scenery and pace; she packed her kids up and moved to Oklahoma where she met her husband. Now she’s seen snow, touched pigs and has cows and chickens in her back yard.
Being a stay at home mom she became an avid reader and part-time blogger, she decided to put the three of them together and try her hand at writing and fell in love. In between running kids from band practice to PTO meetings, she enjoys her “me time” working on her next book. She thoroughly enjoys head-banging heavy metal and a kickass game of Black Ops and will be your slave if you offer her chocolate.
Be sure to add her to keep updated on her upcoming books.
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©2013 Tracy Lee
Tracy Lee, Personal Possessions
